Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth REVIEW

Summary:

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?

My Thoughts:

When I first started reading this, the style of writing kind of reminded me of how Marie Lu writes her books alternating the perspectives of characters, and also a bit of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas (plot wise). However, that's probably just me, since I've read those before this.

The story is great, with Akos struggling to save his brother and Cyra struggling to break free of and possibly kill her brother. I understand that Akos was close with his brother, but he's kinda beyond saving. When his only hope of saving is through Cyra's brother, it's kind of a sign that you can't really do anything to save him unless you risk literally everything and everyone with you . . .

As much as I love Cyra as a character (she's probably my favorite), I think the author should have had a bit more of the story from Akos's perspective, since Cyra got most of the chapters. I feel as if the book should have carried on, the remaining problems could have been cleared up with an extra couple hundred pages that I wouldn't have minded reading. But it seems like there's gonna be a sequel sometime soon.

I think it's very interesting how the people carve tattoo-like marks on their skin to remember the people they have killed.

My Rating: 5 stars

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth REVIEW

 



Summary:

Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.
Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system.
Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

ONE CHOICE breaks free of his past.
ONE CHOICE embraces his future.
ONE CHOICE exposes the dangers.
ONE CHOICE changes him - forever.
ONE CHOICE WILL FREE HIM.

What I Liked:

I was excited to read this because it is basically like Divergent - except instead of Tris it's Tobias. Reading about his life and his Dauntless initiation was fun and enjoyable. It was also nice reading parts from Divergent from his perspective.

What I Didn't Like:

It swore once. I was surprised because none of the books in the Divergent Trilogy swore. Also, it wasn't as long as I would have liked.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Allegiant by Veronica Roth REVIEW

 



Divergent Trilogy: Book Three
Summary:


The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered - fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend to complexities of human nature - and of herself - while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

ONE CHOICE can transform you.
ONE CHOICE can destroy you.
ONE CHOICE WILL DEFINE YOU.

My Thoughts:

This book was almost as good as the first and was a lot more interesting than Insurgent. First, the good things: the plot was awesome. I mean, the fact that they were being lied to all their lives because there was no war that made the faction system come into existence is cool.
Now, the bad things: the romance between Tris and Tobias gets inappropriate. I hate it when things like that happen. It ruins the book. Also, the end. WHY DID TRIS HAVE TO DIE??? I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHY?????????????????????

My Rating: 3 stars

Insurgent by Veronica Roth REVIEW

 



Divergent Trilogy: Book Two
Summary:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

A CHOICE becomes a sacrifice.
A SACRIFICE becomes a loss.
A LOSS becomes a burden.
A BURDEN becomes a battle.
ONE CHOICE CAN DESTROY YOU.

My Thoughts:

Insurgent had the potential to be as good as Divergent. But it wasn't, even though it was well written. It is hard to write a sequel to a book that is as good or better than the first. It didn't have the same pace as Divergent and was not that good of a storyline.

My Rating: 3 stars

*This book is also a movie*

Divergent by Veronica Roth REVIEW

 



Divergent Trilogy: Book One
Summary:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy you.

ONE CHOICE decides your friends.
ONE CHOICE defines your beliefs.
ONE CHOICE determines your loyalties - forever.
ONE CHOICE CAN TRANSFORM YOU.

What I Liked:

Everything! This book was really well written with an amazing story!!!! The main character is someone that you can relate to, and her story is captivating. Even though there is romance in it, this book is SO GOOD.

What I Didn't Like:

Nothing!

My Rating: 5 stars

The author's blog is here.
*This book is also a movie*