BOOK REVIEW: Carve The Mark by Veronica Roth

RATING : ★★★

SOURCE : REVIEW COPY SENT TO ME BY HARPERCOLLINS INDIA.
THANK YOU!

GOODREADS | AMAZON.IN | BOOK DEPOSITORY

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS :

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 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 this brother out alive — no matter what the cost.
The 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.

An emotional tale of Love , Power and Revenge.
It is more about seeking yourself out than gaining power.

Carve the mark is a tale set in a galaxy surrounding a conflict between two cultured people living on same planet named Thuvhe.
And both run in the race of gaining the full ownership of the planet.
Thus surrounded by the cultured people,namely Shotet and Thuvhe itself.

The story follows in a dual perspective notion with a girl named Cyra who belongs to the Shotet culture.
Whereas on the other hand , there is a perspective from a boy name Akos, who belongs to Thuvhe culture.
Not just this in this planet everyone receives a certain current gift when they come of certain age.
Thus, Cyra ‘s gift is inflicting pain.
Which his brother uses as a tool to gain ultimate hold on the planet.

It is only after Akos and his brother are kidnapped by Cyra’s brother Ryzek, it is at that time the story takes an interesting turn.

Characters.

Veronica Roth has always been a master of character development as seen in her renowned book series, Divergent series.
And she hasn’t disappointed us in this as well.

Both the characters were well written and felt too real to be fictional.
And most of all they had problems and were dealing with it along with their flaws which brings the natural element to the story.

Cyra, can be seen as a long lost sister of Tris( from Divergent series )
With same amount of bravery and dauntless attitude.
And filled with a lot more Abnigation( selfless) side as well.
She is surrounded by guilt and pressured by being used by his brother as a weapon to inflict pain.

She is seen as a strong character whose currentgift being pain , she actually manages to bear it all in.
Also, no matter how brutal she may seem ; she indeed is a humble human by heart.

Akos, is seen as a sensitive character who hates to hurt people. He is the youngest among his siblings thus is the most cared for.
Not to be fooled by his sensitivity he comes out to be a strong bearer of pain as well. He never really expresses all that goes in his mind.

He is strong willed and not a promise breaker. As he is on the run to fulfill the promise he made to his father.

He was a reflection of Four ( from Divergent series ) but not entirely.
His aura was the same though.

All other characters may it be Ryzek , Vas , Sifa , Cisi and others were written well too.

Theme

One can find a lot of theme in this book.
Maybe it be the importance of family to the
want to attain power.
And everything is defined just too well.
Roth created an whole new world.

Plot.

It was a well written plot with even more
interesting plot twist.
This is the art that Roth knows too well.

Though,
It felt a bit streached in some parts and also,
incomprehensible.
But not much.

I actually want a book two.

Best part was the idea of current gifts and importance of fate playing it’s role in human life.

——-
Now,
A bit more on critical note.
This book created a lot of Buzz even before it came out with issues of diversity.
I asked a lot more people about that controversy and found that the book portrays diverse characters as savage.

And a lot more issues driving near this one.

All I’m going to say is that I highly apologize every one who was hurt and saddened by the writing and portrayal within the book.
And thank full to all those who got hold of the issues and raised their voice against it.

Raising your voice and being acknowledged for it is a first step towards change.

Finally,
I adored this book and I would still recommend everyone not to hesitate but to buy this book and analyse it for yourself.
And if you feel something wrong , please speak up because your voice and perspective matters.

” Honor has no place in survival “