Carve the Mark

Chronic pain conditions aren't a “gift,” and it's pretty shitty to use your friends who suffer from them as your inspiration porn. (Citation: http://www.npr.org/2017/01/14/509650409/veronica-roths-carve-the-mark-is-a-fantasy-inspired-by-chronic-pain )

This is my DNF review

I picked this book up from my library because I had heard nothing but good things about it on booktube and after I read the synopsis is sounded like a book I would like. Right from the start there is a lot of info dumping and there wasn't really anything going on. When I started this book I think I read the first 30 pages and then put it down because I was so bored. After that I was forcing myself to read it because I am one of those people who if I start a book I want to finish it. I wanted it to count toward all of my goals that I have set for myself this year. After forcing myself to read 165 pages I finally decided to DNF it. I am sitting here trying to think about what else I can say about it but I can't even remember what I read it was that boring. I wasn't connecting to any of the characters and the plot was non existent to me. Maybe if I would have read on it might have gotten better but you shouldn't have to read half of a book before you start seeing the point.

Unengaging. There are horrors here but they are consistently glossed over. 

Convoluted and slow.

Fun science fiction with magic. The characters have texture, the plot is compelling, the world is interesting. There are a few things that bug me - like whole worlds having a single language and government...but not enough to take away from the story. I look forward to the next one.

So so so good. The concept and worldbuilding is unique and amazing and just. I have no words. I am in love with all of this

Ótimo ya.

I hate it when I'm disappointed for a book I was looking forward to but unfortunately this one wasn't a great one for me.


There wasn't anything inherently wrong with this book but it just didn't quite hit the mark. I liked the setting, the world and different cultures, I liked the premise and the plot but I found myself easily distracted and not entirely bothered by what was going on. The pacing was a bit slow, Cyra was a bit unlikable and I think there were a few too many characters involved.

In the end it was okay, not amazing or mind blowing, and it's unlikely I'll be continuing with the series. Shame!

Takdir memang tidak adil bagi sebagian orang, termasuk bagi Akos dan Cyra. Saat semua orang mendapatkan kekuatan karena berkah-Arus yang menguntungkan, berkah-Arus Akos dan Cyra malah membuat mereka dikendalikan orang lain. Di dunia tempat Arus adalah segalanya, takdir kedua muda-mudi itu berkelindan demi memenuhi kepentingan jahat orang lain.
Seri ini sangat berbeda dgn Divergent dengan alur cepat & penuh aksi serta keseruan. Carve The Mark terasa sangat lambat. Namun hal aku sukai dari Miss Roth adalah jalinan kisah Akos & Cyra. Aku lumayan lelah dgn cinta segitiga & insta love yang mewarnai kebanyakan genre YA Fantasy.
Kisah yang terbangun antara Akos & Cyra terasa alami & cukup membuatku percaya kalau kita berinteraksi setiap hari dgn orang tsb, baik terpaksa maupun tidak, aka nada perasaan yg timbul dari hubungan tersebut. Ketika akhirnya keduanya menyadari kalau mereka saling tertarik tidak terasa terburu-buru. Belum tai apakah aku menyukai seri ini atau tidak namun aku akan meluangkan waktu untuk membaca buku selanjutnya.

A little slow to start, but once it found its voice I enjoyed it a lot. I thought it had more complexity than the Divergent series and that it had a nuanced and interesting take on Stockholm Syndrome, trauma, chronic pain and power dynamics.

The book does need a CW for potential self-harm triggers. Probably one of the reasons it resonated for me, but. Be aware.

Now that I'm reading reviews I'm seeing folks pointing out that the story may have had some issues that I didn't catch. I'll have to read up and think about it more. I get why some would say that treating chronic pain as a “gift” or a source of power is problematic, but my take was that it was very empowering, especially read in its context, which was one of childhood trauma and abuse. It can be deeply moving to see clearly that what you have suffered has changed you, and rather than accept the narrative that you “deserved” it, write a new narrative in which that suffering gives you strength and a unique perspective. I found it very meaningful to read a story in which a protagonist lives their life with chronic pain that is realistic and informs their story without being the whole of their story. YMMV.

I won't speak to any racist subtext because, hey, I'm white, and I 100% missed it, whatever it was. POC talking about that are certainly worth listening to.

So I have read this book in its entirety. I held off on reading this when it first came out due to all the controversy surrounding it and just a general lack of interest as a result. I then decided it was best to listen to the audiobook rather than read it. That being said to me this book was a prequel. It was a lot of information dumping and attempted world building. We basically gained nothing in this book other than figuring out who the true enemy is.

This book heavily focuses on the two societies on the same planet. Especially considering Cyra comes from the powerful society whereas Akos is the peaceful side. The clear delineation between the two societies did bother me because no society is that black and white and while Roth attempted to show the diversity within each society, I think it was possible to do a better job. Looking back at the Divergent Series she did the same thing, each faction was very black and white in terms of their characterization, the only people who truly differed were Divergents in disguise which just adds to the almost cookie-cutter aspect of the societies.

I honestly do not think I would have been able to get through this book if not for the audiobook, the plot, if you can even call it that, drags in many places. The final few chapters are a rush of events that set up so many questions about what is truly going on and how the characters all fit together. I'll probably read the sequel eventually but it'll have to be the audiobook again I think. Hopefully the sequel has a better plot where I can see the purpose of characters actions and see how everything connects.

A little slow at first, but towards the end, wOO so good. I had to struggle through the first half, but then at some point I couldn't put it down! It was so good.
Update: I read it again. Boy is this book HEAVY. I enjoy it.

Actual Rating: 3.5

I debated on this for a very long time and I don't want to say much because Alex and I are reading this together soooo... she gets my opinions first.

Wow this is a dark yet interesting book. It's more of a sci-fi book than a regular dystopian like we've seen from this author. The characters are complex and interesting. There's a big twist at the end that leaves me waiting in edge for the next book.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I had hoped to. I felt like I was just getting through it. There were parts that held my interest better than others, but overall, it was “just okay”.

Review to come!