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251st out of 2,386 books
—
15,607 voters
Promised (Birthmarked #3)
by
Caragh M. O'Brien (Goodreads Author)
After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and upending the rigid matriarchy of Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her biggest challenge ever. She must lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge from the wasteland. In Gaia's absence, the Enclave has grown more cruel, more desperate to experiment on mothers from...more
Hardcover, 295 pages
Published
October 2nd 2012
by Roaring Brook Press
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Oh my gooooodnesss!! That was quite the ending.
Jeez. What can I say? I went into this book with high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Not even a little bit. This was fantabulous.
So, in a nutshell, Promised is about Gaia leading the people of Sylum back to the Enclave to persuade the (total jerk-face) Protectorat to grant them refuge. And water. Cause them people be thirsty. But of course, things get a little cray-cray, and so begins the emotional overload my poor little heart (and sou...more
Jeez. What can I say? I went into this book with high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Not even a little bit. This was fantabulous.
So, in a nutshell, Promised is about Gaia leading the people of Sylum back to the Enclave to persuade the (total jerk-face) Protectorat to grant them refuge. And water. Cause them people be thirsty. But of course, things get a little cray-cray, and so begins the emotional overload my poor little heart (and sou...more
18 likes · like · see review
view all 4 comments
Jul 15, 2012
Clare Cannon
is currently reading it
My hopes for Promised:
- That Gaia remembers her parents' wisdom. More dad flash-backs please!
- That Gaia looks beyond her feelings to learn what is right.
- That Gaia is willing to make hard choices for what is right, and so rediscover hope which is born in sacrifice, instead of the confusion which comes from compromise.
- That Leon and Gaia get their love back on track, stop squabbling and playing up each other's emotions based on their own moods, really listen to each other and help each other...more
- That Gaia remembers her parents' wisdom. More dad flash-backs please!
- That Gaia looks beyond her feelings to learn what is right.
- That Gaia is willing to make hard choices for what is right, and so rediscover hope which is born in sacrifice, instead of the confusion which comes from compromise.
- That Leon and Gaia get their love back on track, stop squabbling and playing up each other's emotions based on their own moods, really listen to each other and help each other...more
11 likes · like · see review
As an ending to such a high powered trilogy it was awfully tame. It felt a bit rushed and very "happily ever after, ride into the sunset". I also disagreed with who the author chose to kill off since it seemed it was mostly based on who supposedly would never get over Gaia and who was expendable. Lame death justification. I also dislike it when the villains are neatly dispatched in crossfire or put in prison. Its too manufactured. They should face living with no power and with the people they ab...more
9 likes · like · see review
One word to say to this book:
phenomenal
To everyone hesitating to read this book:
Stop being an idiot, and read the book
phenomenal
To everyone hesitating to read this book:
Stop being an idiot, and read the book
It seems publishers are hungering for the next Hunger Games and, as such, are releasing YA dystopias faster than their authors can devise plots. As the third and final book in the Birthmarked series, Promised didn't live up to its promise, and instead sputtered to an unsatisfying conclusion.
Clearly, the book is not written for an adult audience. Still, young adult readers deserve an intelligent ending that wraps up the plot. Promised concluded with more questions than answers. Indeed, it raised...more
Clearly, the book is not written for an adult audience. Still, young adult readers deserve an intelligent ending that wraps up the plot. Promised concluded with more questions than answers. Indeed, it raised...more
I didn't think it was possible to start a trilogy off strong and end in third place. Gold, Silver and then the Bronze medal. However I can't say that I wouldn't read the next installment, if there was a possibility of one because I have this morbid curiosity to see if Gaia could become more of a dumb-ass. A naive dumb-ass that makes the worse goddamned decisions.
Now I have to admit, Prized wasn't a strong installment but again I was curious, I wanted to find out what happened after she lost her...more
Now I have to admit, Prized wasn't a strong installment but again I was curious, I wanted to find out what happened after she lost her...more
18 likes · like · see review
Sep 18, 2012
Kristina David
marked it as to-read
Why must you make me wait? I wanna cry. Patience is a virtue I severely lack. Release it soon. My heart is aching for more pages to turn and mentally devour.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE IT WILL BE RELEASED ON OCTOBER 2nd... ME HAPPY
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE IT WILL BE RELEASED ON OCTOBER 2nd... ME HAPPY
I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER?
*sob*
Why?
~*~ Edit ~*~
akhdglkjsf;klgaj;lgkhdlg I cried. It was beautiful and sad and I CAN'T FORM GOOD SENTENCES.
... that was bad.
*sob*
Why?
~*~ Edit ~*~
akhdglkjsf;klgaj;lgkhdlg I cried. It was beautiful and sad and I CAN'T FORM GOOD SENTENCES.
... that was bad.
2.5 - 3 stars.
I enjoyed this book, but overall I think it's the weakest in the series. Still, the ties and emotional connections I had to the characters from the previous books makes me want to bump my rating to 3 stars.
Here is my criticism: Why oh why do authors think it will be boring if people have normal emotions? Fo reals. I understand the need for drama and foreshadowing and plot twists blah blah blah. But heavens above! I could not keep up Gaia's epiphanies or Leon's brooding love-sick...more
I enjoyed this book, but overall I think it's the weakest in the series. Still, the ties and emotional connections I had to the characters from the previous books makes me want to bump my rating to 3 stars.
Here is my criticism: Why oh why do authors think it will be boring if people have normal emotions? Fo reals. I understand the need for drama and foreshadowing and plot twists blah blah blah. But heavens above! I could not keep up Gaia's epiphanies or Leon's brooding love-sick...more
Gaia leads the people of Symlum to a new life near the Enclave. She asked the Protectorat(Leon's father) to provide a water system for her people in exchange she'll agree to give him samples of all her people DNA. But the Protectorat didn't keep his promise(surprise!)and so in begins.
I dislike long reviews so in short, throughout the book Gaia'character fails in every way possible as a leader. Now I'm not a strategy expert but some of Gaia's mistake could have been prevented by using common sens...more
I dislike long reviews so in short, throughout the book Gaia'character fails in every way possible as a leader. Now I'm not a strategy expert but some of Gaia's mistake could have been prevented by using common sens...more
8 likes · like · see review
May 11, 2012
Gracie
marked it as to-read
I really liked the other two books, and I want to know if this one lives up to the reputation. Hopefully it does! But damn, OCTOBER? I seriously need to get my hands on this book!
4 likes · like · see review
Way to give your heroine instant menopause, probable osteoporosis, and elevated risk of heart disease at the age of 17.
Also, I thought they insinuated in the beginning of the book when we had no idea that they'd just fast-fowarded a year and we were all, "What?" after every page, that Gaia and Leon got it on at some point during the year that they skipped? Am I wrong here? If I'm not wrong and they did get it on in between books, WHO FUCKING DOES THAT? And if I am wrong and they never got it on...more
Also, I thought they insinuated in the beginning of the book when we had no idea that they'd just fast-fowarded a year and we were all, "What?" after every page, that Gaia and Leon got it on at some point during the year that they skipped? Am I wrong here? If I'm not wrong and they did get it on in between books, WHO FUCKING DOES THAT? And if I am wrong and they never got it on...more
9 likes · like · see review
First of all I want to say that I regret reading this book. I didn’t like the first two ones much and I had many and countless objections. Despite this I decided to give it a shot and continue reading because I couldn't ignore that the author had a quite good story. But she wasn't able to use it well.
When you read a book after about a year of reading the previous one ,you tend to forget the characters. That's obvious and common. And what's more common that while reading the new book the author w...more
When you read a book after about a year of reading the previous one ,you tend to forget the characters. That's obvious and common. And what's more common that while reading the new book the author w...more
4 likes · like · see review
Pre-reading: i am dying dying DYING to read this ><
After reading:
This was an awesome series. There were rough spots here and there but overall i really loved this series and there's always a bit of sadness when a good story comes to an end. No "Promised" did not sweep me off my feet like the previous two did but it did give great closure to a great series and for that i think its a great book. I took one star off because some parts in the middle felt slow and made me skim just a little *g...more
After reading:
This was an awesome series. There were rough spots here and there but overall i really loved this series and there's always a bit of sadness when a good story comes to an end. No "Promised" did not sweep me off my feet like the previous two did but it did give great closure to a great series and for that i think its a great book. I took one star off because some parts in the middle felt slow and made me skim just a little *g...more
I'm a little disappointed. This book seemed like it should have been bigger for what it explored. I was frustrated at the pace things were happening at because it just felt rushed.
The main reason why I liked Birthmarked & Prized was because of Leon, but in this book he seemed to be missing.It was all about Gaia 24/7. While the story progressed and the series came to an end I just feel like this book should have been expanded, maybe more on how the people from New Sylum felt. Why bring in new...more
The main reason why I liked Birthmarked & Prized was because of Leon, but in this book he seemed to be missing.It was all about Gaia 24/7. While the story progressed and the series came to an end I just feel like this book should have been expanded, maybe more on how the people from New Sylum felt. Why bring in new...more
6 likes · like · see review
I'm not sure what to say. Many reviewers have already said what I felt, that this series starts out with high marks with Birthmarked, and then consistently gets a little worse with each book.
I'm not sure how to describe it, this book had plenty of action - but I didn't feel it was necessarily compelling. After everything that happened, I had more of a 'huh' response. There was never any twists or surprises.
I generally like books that explore the gray areas of topics and subjects - and while thi...more
I'm not sure how to describe it, this book had plenty of action - but I didn't feel it was necessarily compelling. After everything that happened, I had more of a 'huh' response. There was never any twists or surprises.
I generally like books that explore the gray areas of topics and subjects - and while thi...more
Before I begin, I want to thank my friend Jess, who was kind enough to lend me the copy of the ARC. So thank you Jess, it means a lot! I’ve been really looking forward to reading Promised and having to wait until October was almost painful so I practically jumped out of my skin when Jess told me she just received a copy of the arc at BEA.
Gaia has the heavy burden of being the new leader of New Sylum. Though she cares for her people she constantly worries that she will fail them and get them all...more
Gaia has the heavy burden of being the new leader of New Sylum. Though she cares for her people she constantly worries that she will fail them and get them all...more
1 like · like · see review
My friend, Zoe from In The Next Room, originally introduced me to this series, and I'm so glad that she did. :) I've loved getting to experience Gaia's struggles and seeing how she overcomes everything that comes in her way.
This is a series where each book is pretty much distinct on its own. The characters are all there, they all involve power struggles, and they do proceed chronologically, but each of these books are so intense and so full of struggle within themselves that it's almost like the...more
This is a series where each book is pretty much distinct on its own. The characters are all there, they all involve power struggles, and they do proceed chronologically, but each of these books are so intense and so full of struggle within themselves that it's almost like the...more
Loved it, so good & a little heartbreaking! Still loving Leon regardless of his issues! And poor Gaia, she went through so much in this series & my heart broke for her. The world she lives in was definitely not kind her to, but she came out pretty strong. As for my thoughts on the love square, it wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. It was always clear to me who she would choose & the others really didn't hold a candle.
meine Meinung:
Das Buch unterscheidet sich äußerlich lediglich in der Farbe von seinen Vorgängern.
Bereits bei diesen machten wir die wundersame Entdeckung, sobald der Schutzumschlag entfernt ist, dass es in Metallic-Effekt hat. Dieser dritte und letzte Band macht hier keine Ausnahme!
Allerdings waren Band 1 und 2 eher eine maskuline Farbwahl mit blau & braun. Beim dritten haben wir zartes Baby rosa.
Dies entlockte mir doch glatt ein „ oohhhhh“ als es bereit zum lesen, vom seinem Schutzumschlag...more
Das Buch unterscheidet sich äußerlich lediglich in der Farbe von seinen Vorgängern.
Bereits bei diesen machten wir die wundersame Entdeckung, sobald der Schutzumschlag entfernt ist, dass es in Metallic-Effekt hat. Dieser dritte und letzte Band macht hier keine Ausnahme!
Allerdings waren Band 1 und 2 eher eine maskuline Farbwahl mit blau & braun. Beim dritten haben wir zartes Baby rosa.
Dies entlockte mir doch glatt ein „ oohhhhh“ als es bereit zum lesen, vom seinem Schutzumschlag...more
I like this series less with each book. Protagonist acts first, occasionally thinks afterwards. After inexplicably becoming the matriarchal leader of a new group , Gaia leads her new group back to the enclave. Right. You remember- the one she risked all to escape from.... And, demanding they take in her new group with open arms and happily supply them with water ( very difficult in this series). Why would the enclave want to do this ? For new, damaged genetic material ? Not likely.
Shockingly, t...more
Shockingly, t...more
*Worum geht's?*
Das Leben in Sylum ist dem Tode geweiht. Deshalb hat Gaia als neue Matrach beschlossen, die Siedlung zu verlassen und mit den Bewohnern zur Enklave zu reisen, um vor deren Mauern eine neue Stadt zu gründen. Gaia weiß, wie riskant ihr Vorhaben ist. Wenn der Protektor ihnen das Wasser verwehrt, war alles umsonst - und sie werden alle sterben. Als Gaia und ihre Freunde ihr Ziel erreichen, zeigt der Protektor der Enklave wenig Mitgefühl. Er hat nicht vergessen, was ihm Gaia und sein A...more
Das Leben in Sylum ist dem Tode geweiht. Deshalb hat Gaia als neue Matrach beschlossen, die Siedlung zu verlassen und mit den Bewohnern zur Enklave zu reisen, um vor deren Mauern eine neue Stadt zu gründen. Gaia weiß, wie riskant ihr Vorhaben ist. Wenn der Protektor ihnen das Wasser verwehrt, war alles umsonst - und sie werden alle sterben. Als Gaia und ihre Freunde ihr Ziel erreichen, zeigt der Protektor der Enklave wenig Mitgefühl. Er hat nicht vergessen, was ihm Gaia und sein A...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Worum gehts
Der große Höhepunkt von Caragh O’Briens dystopischer Jugendbuchsaga
Die junge Gaia Stone ist Hebamme. Doch in einer zerstörten Welt kann auch sie den verlorenen Kindern nicht mehr helfen, und so trifft Gaia eine schwere Entscheidung. Gemeinsam mit einer Gruppe junger Siedler verlässt sie das Ödland, um zur Stadt hinter der Mauer zurückzukehren und um Hilfe zu bitten. Werden sie die gefährliche Reise überstehen? Und wird sich Gaias Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft endlich erfüllen?
Gera...more
Der große Höhepunkt von Caragh O’Briens dystopischer Jugendbuchsaga
Die junge Gaia Stone ist Hebamme. Doch in einer zerstörten Welt kann auch sie den verlorenen Kindern nicht mehr helfen, und so trifft Gaia eine schwere Entscheidung. Gemeinsam mit einer Gruppe junger Siedler verlässt sie das Ödland, um zur Stadt hinter der Mauer zurückzukehren und um Hilfe zu bitten. Werden sie die gefährliche Reise überstehen? Und wird sich Gaias Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft endlich erfüllen?
Gera...more
Okay, i'm really having trouble rating this book, but i can't decide between 3 or 4 stars. I'm gonna go 3. So this book was...different. Gaia has really grown up. Leon is different, but Gaia has changed the most in this series and while reading this book you can really tell just how much she has grown. It was good, but sometimes she was annoyingly full of herself. She made a lot of good choices, but there were also some bad that left you thinking "what the heck, how stupid are you?". I would tel...more
this was the best book out of the birthmarked trilogy. it lagged when she went inside to look for leon in the enclave and got lost in the tunnels. i guess it served it's purpose because she discovered leon. i thought it was dumb of her to march to the bastien with leon after they blew up the wall. you knew they were going to capture her and take her ovaries against her will and kill leon. i didn't like how genevieve or her siblings didn't do anything to stop the hangings. leon would have been ri...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The conclusion of this trilogy was as complex as the story itself.
Admittedly, when I picked up this book, it was a while before I could become re-immersed in the world, simply due to the high volume of side characters. I couldn't remember who was who and what was their role, but the story picked up quickly and it gradually became clearer. Some characters lent more to the plot in this concluding book than others, although I have to admit that some of those who lent quite a bit to the plot repeate...more
Admittedly, when I picked up this book, it was a while before I could become re-immersed in the world, simply due to the high volume of side characters. I couldn't remember who was who and what was their role, but the story picked up quickly and it gradually became clearer. Some characters lent more to the plot in this concluding book than others, although I have to admit that some of those who lent quite a bit to the plot repeate...more
This final book in the Birthmarked Trilogy is set in a dystopian world where birthing healthy babies is a rarity. Gaia Stone has survived the wasteland, upended the matriarchal society of Sylum and been reunited with her lover, Leon. Now she embarks on her greatest challenge, serving as the Matrarch of Sylum and leading her people back to the Enclave to convince the Protectorat to let them have water from within his protected walls. Once Gaia’s people arrive outside the Enclave, hostilities betw...more
No spoilers for Promised, but proceed with caution if you have not read Birthmarked and Prized.
First sentence: "Gaia notched her arrow and drew back the taut string of her bow."
Gaia is now the Matrarc of New Sylum and she is leading her people to The Enclave in hopes of giving them a chance to survive. They have no idea what welcome they will receive but it is better than succumbing to certain death in Sylum. The Enclave is not the same place Gaia left a year before. In an effort to wipe out h...more
First sentence: "Gaia notched her arrow and drew back the taut string of her bow."
Gaia is now the Matrarc of New Sylum and she is leading her people to The Enclave in hopes of giving them a chance to survive. They have no idea what welcome they will receive but it is better than succumbing to certain death in Sylum. The Enclave is not the same place Gaia left a year before. In an effort to wipe out h...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promised, a shock value junkie | 2 | 36 | May 25, 2013 09:19pm | |
| Future Survivors,...: Birthmarked | 7 | 80 | May 22, 2013 07:23pm | |
| Birthmarked Trilo...: Predictions for book 3 | 114 | 27 | Jan 27, 2013 05:02pm | |
| Q&A with Birt...: PROMISED, anyone? Chat Oct 2 - 4, 2012 | 18 | 38 | Oct 16, 2012 02:12pm | |
| What do you think is going to happen? | 4 | 30 | Oct 09, 2012 01:26pm | |
| What do you think about the cover? | 4 | 16 | Sep 23, 2012 12:21am |
Caragh M. O'Brien is the author of BIRTHMARKED, a YA dystopian novel published by Roaring Brook Press in March, 2010. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ms. O'Brien was educated at Williams College and earned her MA from Johns Hopkins University. She has recently resigned from teaching high school English in order to write full-time. For more information, visit http://www.caraghobrien.com.
More about Caragh M. O'Brien...
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“It hurts to love someone this much. I feel each place where our minds meet, and each little place were they don't, until we talk things over and line up again...I've never had anything like this with anyone else. Now I'm never fully happy anymore unless you're with me.”
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13 people liked it
“Being brave alone does not make us smart.”
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5 people liked it
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