Challenge Corner discussion

In a galaxy powered by the current, everyone has a gift.

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s current gift 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 this 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.

Posting here to remind myself to try to join this.

Yes! I am hoping to do this one on audio.

The audio just came available, so once I finish Warbreaker I will be starting. Probably in 2-3 days.

I'm somewhere in chapter 13. (view spoiler)[This is more brutal than I expected, though I don't know why. I get that she wants to live as well, but I wonder why she doesn't fight back somehow. I guess it's nore with how she was raised than anything. (hide spoiler)]

I'm 91% done with the book I'm reading so once I finish that I will jump into this :)

Awesome!

I just joined and saw this. is it too late to join?? I see you guys are mostly already done

No you can join anytime! I just started last night and am only on chapter 2 before I fell asleep lol

ok awesome. Thank you Jenn!

Yes, please join! It will be a while before I finish, depending on how much driving I do in the next few days.

In chapter 18. (view spoiler)[Not sure how her standing up to the brother is going to go. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-7: (view spoiler)[ not too sure how I feel about this one yet. The world explaining is a little confusing. Obviously I don't like this Ryzek character but I'm confused as to what Cyra's gift actually is - besides pain to herself. (hide spoiler)]

Just finished the first two parts and about to start on 3. I can't stand Ryzek though... this book is pretty amazing though and I can't wait to see what trouble they get in to!

Ryzek is horrible!

In chapter 25. (view spoiler)[I wonder what he did with Accos... (hide spoiler)]

Sorry if I misspell names--listening to audio and not always sure how they are spelled.

Chapters 8-11: (view spoiler)[ Could there be anymore foreshadowing? I feel like Roth is just like, here's the plot twist that will be coming - hope you're ready for it! Sorry, I'm just not finding a whole lot exciting about this book. I don't really like any of the characters and the world building is crap. (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to start this one today

I'm in chapter 28. (view spoiler)[How did he get back to his family? And where is Cyra? So curious. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 30. (view spoiler)[I want him to get his brother back but I don't see how it's possible. (hide spoiler)]

Finished part 2: (view spoiler)[ Umm.. Yay for Cyra actually standing up to her brother. She finally did something worthwhile now let's see if it holds. As for Akos, I do feel bad for him regarding his brother. But he's a very blah character. Maybe this is because we've mostly been in her head. Also why is Cyra told in 1st person but Akos in 3rd???? (hide spoiler)]

Just finished chapter 35. (view spoiler)[This does not seem good. What is Ryzek planning? Was he poisoned or not? I need answers! (hide spoiler)]

Finished part 3: (view spoiler)[This is a very slow moving book. And I'm still not really feeling any attachment to either character. Finally Cyra is realizing her brother needs to be stopped and she's actually doing something about it. As for Akos, I'm just ready for the truth about who he is to come out. (hide spoiler)]

I finished this morning and overall I really liked it. I wish book two were out already. I'll probably have to wait a while for that one.

Chapter 32 : (view spoiler)[ So I don't like Akos's mom. I don't care that you're an Oracle.. your family died because you didn't feel the need to warn them. Sorry, no. I also don't really feel the connection between Akos and Cyra. Maybe it's because Akos's chapters are very...dead? Idk. So close to being done. (hide spoiler)]

So I finished earlier this week and I've just been curious to see what you guys would think. I actually enjoyed the book and I felt like i could relate to the characters. But I made the mistake of reading the reviews on the book and I was actually taken back. Did anyone see what they were calling racial and rape-type issues with the book? I personally saw none of that

No, I did not. I had seen those reviews before, so I was curious. Personally, I did not have an issue with how things were portrayed. But a lot of people are looking for things to complain about and can find issues anywhere. Not everyone is going to like the same things, and maybe things aren't presented exactly how a reader wants, but that does not mean there is anything overtly wrong with it.

What I hate most about reviews for this is that there are many people who said they liked it and didn't see anything wrong until someone else pointed it out.

And with the race thing, I've seen some saying that one of the groups was portrayed as "savages" while the others were not. I did not get that. They were two different native tribes who both had issues with each other. I didn't feel that one was presented as "civilized" and the other as "savage," they were just different from each other.

I agree. I finished this one up a couple of days ago and while I wasn't blown away by it, the issues I had with it had nothing to do with what I've seen in other reviews. I didn't see the racism and definitely didn't see any rape type scenario. I also just saw two different types of cultures at war with each other for what each one stands for.

Exactly. I thought it was quite fun, actually. Not the best thing I've ever read, but fun ans easy to read.

Realized I never wrote my final thoughts here

Finished: (view spoiler)[ so I didn't love this one but most of that was due to the writing. Roth has a real problem with world building and visually explaining the world and how it works. Aside from that, the story itself was interesting. I want to know who Cyra's father is after that bombshell dropped by her bro. But I also want to know more about Alos and where he comes from. I don't believe his parentage as much either. I'm also interested in what's going to happen to his brother now that they've been taken and are due to await trial. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who didn't see any of these issues! I read it exactly like you guys did - 2 groups of people who had long standing history issues with each other.

while it was pretty slow in story build up, if the second book is fast paced it would be well worth it. I think the characters were extremely developed which leaves a lot more excitement (hopefully) coming up. I like the story line and how it showed through struggles that are realistic instead of characters always being that perfect level of brave and perfect. it's refreshing to read a book that keeps characters human and let's them make mistakes even if it's annoying (like Cyra and her brother).

Yes, the buildup was slow. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep going after listening to the first hour or so, but then the characters became more interesting.

I want to read the second one, but I don't like that it's going to be four perspectives.

I'm not sure how I feel about the 4 perspectives either... I guess we'll see how she splits it so make it flow

Oh man, it's going to be in 4? Interesting...

That's what the description says. Not sure who the other two are going to be.

I thought the two worked well and it was nice for her to switch between first and third person with them. I think that was one place she was weak with Allegiant. This allowed the voices to be more distinct.

She'll probably add Cyra's brother and Akos's mom or brother... just a guess though

Probably. I'm not looking forward to that. :/

Yeah me either... :(