Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark #1) by Veronica Roth - Restarting September 3rd 2020

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

6% (view spoiler)[I don't know why, but it took me a while to get into the story. I honestly think that it is more about my mood than the story though. I think that my mind just couldn't process a new fantasy world at first. Real life taking over a little. =P

BUT....I am liking this. I am still in the beginning stages where I don't know what is really going on, but things are starting to take form. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Chantal wrote: "Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

I totally agree with this! (view spoiler)[The world building was too much for my brain. I thought that it was just real life stressing me out so I couldn't grasp everything with so much on my mind. =P I enjoy lots of world building, but I think that I prefer to have it gradually build throughout the first part of the book, instead of being so overwhelmed in one chapter. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Alley wrote: "Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

I was thinking the same thing! (view spoiler)[There was a lot of information thrown at us in the first chapter. I'm glad that it wasn't just me thinking that. =P Too many names and things to remember so I couldn't get the story straight in my mind. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

20% (view spoiler)[I don't think that I am a fan of the format in which this is written. Seeing things from Cyra's point of view is nice, but not being able to see Akos's point of view alongside hers is frustrating. I like being able to see how Cyra grew up and how she can to be how she is today. The background on her brother is enlightening. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

37% (view spoiler)[I am really not connecting with ANY of the characters in this! It's driving me crazy. I love the world building, but the characters are falling flat to me. I think that it is because of how the book is written. We get a small glimpse of Akos's life, and then we are thrust into Cyra's point of view. I think that alternating points of view would work much better. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Natalie wrote: "Ch5 - Cyra

What is going on with this novel, seriously? o.O

Cyra seems like an interesting character, though I really do NOT understand the dynamics of her people. And how does her current gift ..."

I am thinking the same thing. I want to know more about currentgifts and how they come to be and where they come from. It's too vague for my liking.

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Natalie wrote: "Ch11

[spoilers removed]"

I thought that this was odd as well. It's almost like I can't wrap my mind around the idea. =P

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Natalie wrote: "Finished Part 2/Chapter 14

It's definitely growing on me a little, though to be honest I'm still kinda lost and so far it's not quite my sort of novel? I mean yeah, it's YA and has fantasy element..."

I had some of these same thoughts as well. (view spoiler)[I kind of wish that we could have some chapters from Ori's point of view. I'd like to see how things are for her after her aunt takes her away in hiding. Especially if she is supposed to be the future ruler of Thuvhe.

I had some similar thoughts about Akos and Cyra's fates. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

64% (view spoiler)[I am so glad that Cyra and Akos are growing close and starting to express how they feel towards each other. What Cyra did to protect Akos was simply beautiful. I have to admit that the middle of the book was quite slow for my liking. I stuck with it though, through days of slugging through the middle, and I am glad that I did. Everything seems to be happening at the end of the book. And things are getting good. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

67% (view spoiler)[I am not sure what Cyra did with her currentgift to make it change, but I am glad that she didn't kill Akos or hurt him beyond repair. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

74% (view spoiler)[OMG, Cisi and Isae are totally cute together! My heart is bursting! (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

76% (view spoiler)[Poor Eijeh. He is totally different, and it makes my heart ache. I don't know if it is brainwashing, or if it is that half of his memories belong to Ryzek, but he is not the same. He is more like Ryzek. I wonder if he even remembers who he really is, or if he just thinks of himself as an extension of Ryzek. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

77% (view spoiler)[OMG OMG OMG! When Akos rescues Cyra was amazing! When they are on the transport vessel and she tells him that his brother was right there and asks why he didn't grab him, he responds with, "Because I came for you, you idiot." And my heart totally melted. =P

I am glad that Akos was able to best Vas in the end. Vas deserved it. Even if it will weigh on Akos, I'm sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

78% (view spoiler)[I so adore Akos's sister, Cisi. She is so darling and kind. When Akos was talking about walking into his fate, Cisi was a doll. After they patched her up she said, "Well if you are destined to serve the Noavek family, I think you could do worse than the woman who was willing to endure all this just to get you home." (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

89% (view spoiler)[I wonder is Sifa really is manipulative, and if so then for good or bad?

It was interesting to learn Yma Zetsyvis's identity before her marriage. I never really liked her. She seems so bitter. But I guess with all of the loss and horrors that she has seen can make a person pretty bitter. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Finished! (view spoiler)[I'm so sad that Ori died. I really want to know what she did to him to make him catatonic. Maybe we will find out what her currentgift is?

I liked what Cyra did with the poison. Knocking Ryzek out instead of killing him so they can try and help Eijeh, all for Akos. And it was a surprise to everyone too!

What Ryzek said about Cyra not being a Noavek was something that I had thought about earlier in the book, but him confirming it just makes my mind go crazy! And his confession that his father is still alive? WTF? Things are only going to get more interesting in the next book. Especially with Isae furious to no end at everyone for her sister's death. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Chantal wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I agree with you. (view spoiler)[I enjoyed this a lot. It got a little slow in the middle for me, but ended with a bang for sure. (hide spoiler)] I'm definitely reading the second book too!

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Natalie wrote: "End of Part 3/Ch25

Well it's pretty clear that Ryzek didn't trust his sister, regardless of what he may have said. Otherwise he would have given her access into his rooms. I definitely wasn't expe..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I was so hoping that he gift would change somewhere in the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Natalie wrote: "Ch30

So good to know that the devotion Akos has to Cyra is pretty much equal to the devotion Cyra has to Akos. He went back to save her from certain death, and didn't even try to also get his brot..."

(view spoiler)[I really love how their relationship progressed as well. I was smiling from ear to ear in a few places. =P (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Natalie wrote: "Finished"

I was totally thrown by that little detail as well. I was not expecting it at all!(view spoiler)[It makes me wonder where he is, and why he isn't ruling. And also, it makes me wonder even more who Cyra's birth parents really are? (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda]

Just starting this!

[Ashley]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[ I'm not a fan so far. I'm finding it super boring, and for a while I found it really confusing. I hope it gets better soon. I'm assuming Cyrus and Akos will be a romance. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ I'm still struggling to get through this. All the different names don't help, especially when a lot of them only show up every few chapters. I'm interested in seeing how Cyra's relationship with the renegades develops. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[ So glad Cyra made it out. The book is getting better but it took too long for it to get to this point. Also, I don't think some of the concepts are explained well enough. Were thrown in and expected to understand right away, but that isn't realistic with something like this. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Done: (view spoiler)[ Okay... That ended very abruptly. When I flipped the page and saw "Acknowledgements" I had to stop and stare for a second before I realized it was actually over. Aside from that, things got much more interesting in the last half but not enough to redeem how slow everything was in the first half. I'm thinking 2 or 2.5 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 16th of October 2017

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[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting February 19th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Adrienne]

I just started this book yesterday. I think I will save it for a few weeks and read along with someone else. Exciting!

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Arnden wrote: "I just started this book yesterday. I think I will save it for a few weeks and read along with someone else. Exciting!"

YAY! Me and two others are reading this so we'll have a nice group! ^-^

[Aishah]

I am reading too! Can’t wait :)

[Abby]

Yay! I love large groups when reading together.

[Aishah]

Me too :)

[Maddie]

Yeah haha but big groups always confuse me if I start last because all of the updates are all over the place.

[Rebecca]

I'm join this one :)

[Maddie]

Awesome!

[Maddie]

Lots of points :D

[Aishah]

I might start this one a little earlier than anticipated!

[Maddie]

Me too possibly.

[Jenn]

Starting this one a little early but I have it now :)

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)]

[Jenn]

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)]

[Jenn]

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)]

[Jenn]

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)]

[[deleted user]]

Jenn wrote: "Starting this one a little early but I have it now :)

Chapters 1-7: [spoilers removed]"

I am up to ch-7 too... I've actually been taking my time on this one since it wasn't supposed to start til later but I am actually intrigued...

[Jenn]

@Cinthia I was trying to take my time as well and then I wasn't feeling well the other day and read over half lol. It's definitely intriguing, I just wish Roth built her worlds better. I still have so many questions and I'm about 100 or so pages til the end.

[Jenn]

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)]

[Jenn]

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)]

[Aishah]

Has anyone not started yet? I'll be able to start tonight.

[Maddie]

I might not read it this time round

[Velina]

Me too

[Rebecca]

I will have finished my current book tonight so if I'm going to start it I will be doing it tonight. I still need to make my mind up though