Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark

Author: Veronica Roth

Length: 481 pages

Publication date: January 17, 2017

Content Notes: YA Fantasy, Very Violent

“I am a Shotet. I am sharp as broken glass, and just as fragile. I tell lies better than I tell truths. I see all of the galaxy and never catch a glimpse of it.”

Brief Synopsis: 

I usually write my own synopsis but this time I really like what the back cover has to say and I do not think I can say it any better without giving away too much.


So from the back cover:

CYRA is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

AKOS is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akos is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost.

Then Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another?

Carve the Mark is Veronica Roth’s stunning portrayal of the power of friendship—and love—in a galaxy filled with unexpected gifts.



I hear there is some controversy about this book. I will give my thoughts on the controversy about racism and chronic pain in this book at the end of my review.


My thoughts:

I consider Verona Roth’s story more of a fantasy than a science fiction book because the science in the book is somewhat questionable. For example, in this setting, there are several habitable planets orbiting around one sun (which is very unlikely) and the characters can just travel around to other planets quickly and easily. However, I love an intriguing setting, and this one (if you are like me and willing to overlook the science thing) is a compelling and dark universe full of different planets along with a “current” that flows throughout giving a “currentgift" to everyone. Also in this book there are Oracles who know the “fates” of some (but not all) of the characters. These fates help to drive the plot into some interesting places. Then, there are some great characters I really cared about. The book started out a little slow, but picked up quickly and kept me interested all the way through.

In this book there is quite a bit to think about. There is fate vs free will, or could it be that a fate is sealed and free will just comes into play when the characters choose a path to their fate? Also, can a broken person be salvaged? There is more than one broken character that needs saving. In fact, there are several. Also, can a gift be both a blessing and a curse?

Characters:

Cyra Noavek: This is a character you will not forget. Her currentgift is that she can inflict pain with her touch, however, she also feels the pain she inflicts. AND, she feels pain all the time. She distracts herself by learning different ways to fight because her people, from Shotet, are fierce people ruled by her brother, a fierce leader.  Cyra once loved her brother, but now she despises him for blackmailing her into using her currentgift to deliver pain to his enemies or to anyone he wishes to punish. When we meet Cyra, she is almost broken by her brother’s brutal treatment. Her path to her fate is an interesting one filled with heartache, twists/turns, and growth. I had to root for Cyra because she is a fair person and a strong survivor who does not withdraw from a challenge. When we read chapters about Cyra it is told in first person in her strong voice.


Akos: Akos is a character originally from Thuvhe. The people of Thuvhe live in a cold and harsh environment, and they are a peaceful people. Akos is a likable but unexceptional character until he endures the abuse of being a Shotet prisoner and becomes strong and powerful during his ordeal without losing his moral compass. I like how at the beginning of this book he has a hard time getting people to even listen to him and later after he is captured, abused, and becomes a servant, he is a force to reckon with (albeit a reluctant one). His chapters are told in the third person narrative.


I enjoyed this book and found its plot complex, and interesting. I liked watching the characters learn to depend on and compliment each other during their growth. The friendship/love story is very gradual and there is no "love triangle" which is a refreshing touch. I also feel that the Shotet people are intriguing because of how they cope with the oppression of their leadership. They deal with their leader’s brutality by carving a mark on their on bodies to either boast of their violent conquests or to mourn their use of violence against other human beings. It is also their way of remembering. But, their remembering may be proud or agonizing. It is little surprise that a revolution is brewing among the Shotet people.


Controversy:

Racism: I hear that Roth has been criticized for making the Shotet people seem dark in color and the Thuvhe people light in color. However, the book I read describes the Shotet people as having various light and dark hair colors as well as light skin and darker “bronze” skin. Also, there are indications in the story about the two groups mixing with each other in the past and that both groups of people have shared their gene pools often. Then the criticism claims that Roth’s book is racist because the Shotet language is harsh and the Thuvhe people have a softer language. That does not even make sense to me because a soft or a harsh language could belong to any group of people.


Chronic pain: I am not a person who feels chronic pain and I do not even pretend to know what that is like. However, if I did live with chronic pain I would probably appreciate reading about a character like Cyra. Cyra has two main problems 1) the pain, and 2) her brother who uses her. She strives to consider her pain to be a blessing as well as a curse…and she does. She also has to figure out how to be triumphant over her brother’s tyranny. All this would be a challenge for anyone, but Cyra powers through all this in a way that would make anyone proud. She is not just her pain, she is a person dealing with pain along with other problems. Her pain only makes her stronger, and I felt for her and enjoyed watching her on this journey.


I know that people are comparing this book to Roth’s fabulous Divergent series, and that may not be fair. The Divergent books are great and I highly recommend them, but this book is very good too. I am glad I read it.