Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Science-Fiction
Hardcover : 468 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release date: January 17th, 2017

Series: Carve the Mark #1

Source: Purchased

Reviewed by: Kara

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

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.

This highly anticipated new series starter from Veronica Roth is NOT Divergent (nor should it be). Even when reading blurbs I still didn't know what to expect as there have been a lot of conflicting reviews. Add to that the allegations of racism for poor Miss Roth, and we've got quite a bit of dissension. However, I hope I can shed some light on this book for everyone, since I took a different approach than my fellow reviewer Stéphanie who talks more about the main characters, though I might be proven wrong in subsequent books. This is my interpretation and I encourage everyone to have their own!

First, most readers are going to be expecting another Divergent in this series which it's not. Divergent was fast-paced, relied heavily on action, and used more of the character's reactions to certain events as a plot device. Instead, Carve the Mark is very introspective, and I would argue, very adult in its slower pace and buildup. The main characters sort of force much of the action in Carve the Mark because of the inner battles they are facing-an inward to outward shift of character that is complete opposite to Tris who made a lot of decisions outwardly and then came to understand them inwardly much later in the series. It's going to be hard to get a reluctant reader into this series (very unlike Divergent!) and might even be better off for older teen/young adult (college) or adult readers since it deals with this coming-of-age theme in a much more mature, thought-provoking way.

Second, I think the racism allegations are kind of missing a few key ideas. The Thuvhe live at the extreme north of the planet, where everything is cold and ice etc. Let's try and re-cast them into a modern idea, one that might be the first impression...

• Picture the modern Icelandic people--they are Norse ("nordic" is derived from the word "northern") and have predominantly light colored eyes and blond or brown hair and fair skin (white or red tones). "Icelandic culture has been shaped by isolation and the extreme forces of nature. These conditions have created a resilient people, where family ties are close, the sense of tradition is strong, and the bond with nature is tight. While strongly rooted in customs and traditions, today's Icelandic society is both modern and progressive. A small country by most measures, Iceland has a high standard of living, extensive political freedom, and has taken an active role in sustainable development and commitment to the environment."  In history, the Nords were conquerors (think of the Vikings), but today Iceland is known for being one of the most peaceful countries in the world and one of the most progressive among human rights.

The Shotet by contrast are a little more hard to understand and picture. Under the Noavek's rule, they are considered brutal, bloodthirsty, violent and fierce, leading raids and dead in their wake. Most Shotet are described as brown skinned or golden. The first idea of them might resemble...

• People from the Mediterranean (think Spain, parts of Italy, Greece and upper Africa) and the idea of the Gypsy or Romani people in history or Native Americans. They have a bit darker skin and hair with more variations in hair, skin, and eye color. Some Native American culture and Romani culture place emphasis on being nomadic and moving from place to place. Both have a high regard for religion and made use of things others would discard. Both have a strong history of oppression and have been described in some instances as violent (or perhaps take violence in more acceptable form - passion).

Let's also note that it is well known that geography and relation to the sun has resulted in the variety of color and skin tones we see in the world today. How should that be no different for the ice-loving Thuvhe and the once-nomadic Shotet?

However, according to Roth's specific writings which she covers in this blog post, the Shotet and the Thuvhesit are much closer than they may appear to be at first glance, which some readers have painted as racist and black vs. white, brutal vs. enlightened, etc. Because of each side's extreme attitude toward the other, they don't have any reference for how they might have commonalities among their cultures. There is light and dark in both Thuvhe and Shotet which Akos himself represents as having a "Shotet name" belonging to a Shotet religious leader and can naturally speak Shotet yet he is fair skinned (and no mention of his parents being anything other than typically Thuvhe). This is the version I've read as Cyra herself describes her brother Ryzek having "skin so pale he looked almost like a corpse [in bluish light]".

As for the Thuvhesit considering the Shotet violent, this is automatically understandable as Ryzek, like his father and grandmother before him, is a power-crazed dictator not unlike Hitler, so their reputation is gained from their leader and his orders, much the way Germany's was in WWII. However, the history of the Shotet that Cyra relates to us is not violent but reverent of the currentstream and following it on a religious pilgrimage every year and using other cultures' castoffs to find use or beauty. This book does not make the idea as generalized as black vs. white, Nordic/European vs. African/Native American etc., barbarian vs. enlightened, but more about two halves of a bloodline that is messy yet prejudiced against the other [I can oversimplify here and say the bloodline of Ishmael or Arabic/Palestinian vs. Isaac or Hebrew/Israeli--not intending to offend people with this oversimplification, but just trying to draw some generic parallels that have occurred in history]. The Shotet and Thuvhesit are very mixed and quite hard to generalize if one pays close attention to the descriptions, the history, and the fact that both cultures misunderstand the other.

As for the ableist remarks, Cyra's currentgift manifesting as chronic pain and use as a weapon and how anyone possessing a disability or having chronic pain and calling it a gift is actually not a gift, one should also be reminded that Roth herself suffers from chronic pain [she revealed this after the book was published and allegations were raised, and we also know that Roth has had certain anxieties from social interactions and her fame, so it's no wonder this didn't come out before! She likes to be super private!], knows others in chronic pain, and her character Cyra does not think of this as a gift no matter that others seek to use it to their own ends. Instead, Cyra is part of the very rare few (currently we do not know of any others but there may be) whose currentgift, which is the current's manifestation of personality, harms herself and harms others. She did nothing to deserve it, does not seek to use it for her own selfish reasons, and doesn't understand it. Neither do any doctors/scholars they seek understand it or how to help her be rid or helped with it. It's true that the terminology makes the ableist accusations problematic, but currentgift is used synonymously with ability. Everyone has abilities and disabilities. Everyone has a currentgift. Most everyone's currentgift (that we know of) is an ability. However, Cyra's is most definitely a disability as it limits her mental and physical functionality. Yet once again, she doesn't think of it as a gift or skill or something to be favored or used, so I would argue that she is a main character with a disability who everyone judges, shuns, uses, or limits/labels her based upon her disability. Thereby, she is a main character exposing the ableism present in her society, but not advocating for ableism. Instead, this illustrates Cyra's powerfulness as a heroine--she suffers from chronic pain and is abused by her brother for her pain, and yet she constantly seeks to function past it--to live, survive, make her own choices--even when she is forced to use it against others.

Nevertheless, like any book with a lot of controversy, the reader should be free to judge for oneself. 

Lastly, Carve the Mark seems more like a (pardon me for oversimplifying again) version of Romeo and Juliet without the level of tragedy and star-crossed romance as two sides who hate each other have two teens who are bridging that gap to change their world. I found it to be really inspiring, thought-provoking, harder to jump into than most YA, but still a great story. Read-a-likes for this title could be other space fiction like Star Wars, Illuminae, the Red Rising series and Starflight.

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Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Carve the Mark, HarperCollins, Katherine Tegen Books, Library, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, space fiction, Veronica Roth, young adult  1 Person left their mark

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

There's been a lot of speculation whether Veronica Roth's new series would match or surpass her Divergent series. Personally, I really enjoyed this new book and although it's still early in the series, it's definitely on the right path. Roth created a rich new world that is out of this world, completely new and very bold. Her characters may be flawed, however, they have strong redeeming qualities that will captivate you.

In a galaxy where the current flows through everything and every living thing, people develop unique abilities once they reach a certain maturity. When this current-gift will develop, no one can predict, however some may say the oracles could certainly take a guess. Three oracles per planet exist, and their ability allows them to see possible futures. They also see fates, the eventual futures of a lucky few. Every citizen has a future, but only a select few are graced with a fate. These select few are considered special, for a reason I can't quite understand. Personally, I would find it restrictive, to live a life based on a certain and unwavering fact.

Cyra and Akos are two of these fate-marked young adults, however, their upbringing could not be more different. Cyra is the sister of a mad tyrant who controls the Shotet people through fear and divisiveness. Akos grew up in a peaceful and loving family. Part of his Thuvhe culture honours the oracles, and his mother just happens to be one. Their two societies couldn't be anymore different and it's from the lack of knowledge and understanding that their two societies have been at war for ages.

The Thuvhe are considered the rightful and controlling nation of the planet, so when the Shotet kidnap Akos and his brother, killing their father in the process, I'm kind of surprised nothing was done about it. For years, Akos was raised by the Shotet, separated from his brother, and the rest of his family, never to be rescued by his people. My only guess is that the Thuvhe are such peaceful race they have no clue how to infiltrate the Shotet to rescue a couple of their fate-marked. Now, as a young adult, Akos is given to Cyra to be her servant, in order to help her control her current-gift. The more time they spend together, the more they learn about each other's culture. Together, the form an unlikely alliance in hopes to overthrow Cyra's brother.

My first impression of Akos is that he's weak. To help and serve Cyra without question, isn't heroic, but I quickly realized that it was all part of a scheme. He's intelligent yet his downfall is that he cares too much. On the contrary, Cyra care about no one, especially her brother, Ryzek, who's taken advantage of her current-gift, ever since their father died. Her father wasn't a better leader, he was just less mad than Ryzek. Cyra's current gift makes her feel pain 24/7 while Akos neutralizes that pain with simply his touch. His gift for brewing tonics also helps control Cyra's constant pain. It seems that their gifts were made for one another, however, it just seems to good to be true.

Divergent fans will love this book because it does have some recurring themes. Carve the Mark isn't necessarily dystopian, but it does revolve around a broken leadership. The characters are in a dire situation yet they work together, and their hope for a better future brings them even closer together. Another similarity is Akos being taken away from his family and trained by another society to become a soldier (however, in this case it's involuntarily). Death, combat and rage are also other themes that mirror Divergent. It's hard not to compare, yet despite their similarities, trust me when I say they are two very distinct stories.

What makes this book so complete is definitely Akos and Cyra. Character building seems to be Veronica Roth's forte and she doesn't disappoint with these two main characters. The world building was also brilliant since she added so much detail to the world, the cultures and the different planets. It's really hard to mention everything, so instead, I urge you to discover it for yourself. Carve the Mark really deserves to be read slowly, since it does have a slow build-up, but it's so worth it in the end. The author was able to blend my two favourite genres, fantasy and science fiction, magnificently and even though it's still early in the year, there's a strong possibility it will end up at the top of my favourites of the year.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Carve the Mark, Harper Collins, Katherine Tegen Books, Purchased, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Space, Veronica Roth, young adult  2 People left their mark

Insurgent (Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth

This is the second book in the  Divergent Series by Veronica Roth.  The review will definitely touch on subjects that are major plot points in the first book.  So, if you are not a big fan of spoilers and think you may want to read this book, stop reading this review here.  You can always read the review of Divergent and decide to read the book and then read this review later.

By the end of the first book, Tris and Tobias (Four) had shut down the Erudite's simulation they were using to control the Dauntless (at least those who weren't Divergent).  They were not in time to save a great many Abnegation (including Tris' mom and dad) that were slaughtered during that invasion.  This was all done with the bonus task of bringing Tobias out of a simulation that was engineered to worked on Divergents.  This brings us to the point where Tris and Tobias try to rally support from all the other factions as well as the Factionless.

I really liked the first book.  Maybe it was the clear and concise goals  and the movement towards them that seemed to be set out for the characters.  Maybe it was the rhythm of the story and the feeling of always climbing towards a greater reveal or resolution.  It might have been the interesting introduction and exposition of each of the principle characters in the story.  It was likely a combination of all these factors that I felt were done well in the first book yet, lacking in the second.

Character development was a bit stifled in the second book.  There were a handful of new characters brought in but, none of them seemed to be brought to life quite in the same way the ones in the first book had.  As far as already established characters like Tris, Tobias and Caleb were concerned, there was some continuing development and growth though not enough to keep my interest up.  Some characters were so incomplete I kept confusing them with each other.

Part of my problem with the characters could have been rooted in the slow pace of the story as a whole.  Where the first book climbed a spiral staircase of events and revelations to and ultimate event, the second book felt mired in trying to accomplish a single goal.  Maybe that was on purpose and the author was trying to express the futility of the struggle.  I really don't think that's the case.  Either way,  it leaves plenty of time for readers to grow bored with the progress of the protagonists and look for more exciting selections.

As a whole,  Insurgent is not a bad addition to the series.  It just suffers from being the slower, more deliberative sequel used to get readers ready for the more thrilling conclusion in the third of the series.  It does have some very graphic violence and the interpersonal is getting a lot more personal in spots.  All of which lands this one as solid PG13.

 

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Divergent, Dystopian, Harper Collins, Love amp; Romance, Purchased, Review, Veronica Roth, young adult  2 People left their mark

Divergent by Veronica Roth

A young person who has the feeling of not quite fitting in.  Not even at home does this person feel comfortable or truly accepted.  Then comes a crucial moment where one decision could lead to fulfillment or even worse disappointment and failure.  Beatrice finds herself in just that moment as this story begins.

This is one of those stories that is primarily character driven.  Many may say that with all that is going on around Beatrice, or Tris as she is later named, that it is plot focused.  This book spent a great deal of time defining the main character and her change from Beatrice to Tris.  Along with Tris, we get learn about her family and fellow initiates.  It is the initiates where we start to get a feeling for not only who they are but, who Tris is as well as who she is becoming.  I will admit, there are some archetypes that border on stereotypes in this book.  Most of those are clearly for plot development and don't require real character development so, I tend to overlook them.

Ordinarily, I like to have, as I put it, texture in a story.  I like the author to pain a picture with words that gives me texture, smell and sound so I can feel the world of the book.  This book does not do that because, it does not need to.  It's one of those exceptions that makes the rule.  The lack of these stimuli tends to highlight some of the bleaker parts of the narrative and help the reader stay focused on what is important: the characters.  That said, we do get a feel for Tris' world as well as an understanding how it has helped shape her outlook as well as those around her.

While this is a character driven story, that doesn't mean it is bereft of story.  It has a modern take on a few tropes we've seen in the past but, they are handled well for the most part.  I won't go into the twist and turns that comes with this type of social/political intrigue because that's where much of the entertainment is.

Though these are not new ideas for a story, in Divergent by Veronica Roth they are brought together in a way to make an engaging tale.  It is a thought provoking tale that I would recommend for anybody high school age and above.  There is violence in it but, none that is glorified which in my mind earns it a PG13.

 

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Divergent, Dystopian, Harper Collins, Purchased, Review, Veronica Roth, young adult  Leave your mark

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Because of the video Tris released at the end of Insurgent, everybody knows that there is more outside their city limits and to say their opinions on the subject varies would be putting it mildly.  Jeanine is ready for anything to keep everyone contained and the factions destroyed, while the allegiants strive for freedom, the right to find out what's out there, and the right to reiterate the factions. Tris and Tobias also disagree on the course of action they should privilege, and nobody was ready for what awaited them out of the fence.

I didn't really have any expectations when I started reading Allegiant, the last book of the Divergent trilogy, and I didn't have my mind set on how it should end. I think diving in with an open mind allowed me to appreciate that much more everything miss Roth brought to the table.

Nothing discovered in the previous books could've prepared the readers for what awaited the characters outside of Chicago and I loved being surprised every step of the way. The outside world is nothing like what the characters have ever known and I truly enjoyed being as destabilized as our heroes, learning by their side the truth that's been kept from them.

[spoiler]The basis of the outside world is based on a belief that damaged DNA pushes people to violence. There was a war called Purity War in which people went nuts and afterward the government tried to repair the damage by 'fixing' people's DNA. Those experiments were lead in enclosed areas, such as Chicago, with hopes of obtaining candidates with genetically pure DNA, the divergents.  It was a total shock for our heroes to learn their lives was nothing but lies, and to learn that they were monitored 24/7. [/spoiler] I think the whole thing was highly original and I liked the ethic controversy this situation unveiled. Is DNA really responsible for our faults? Are genetically 'damaged' people worth less then the others? Should they have less rights? A big part of the plot revolves around those interrogations and I appreciated its raw honesty and its authenticity.

True to themselves Tris and Tobias can't seem to keep out of trouble and being in The Bureau doesn't change that. It seems controversy is everywhere and they have to step right into it every time. Tris is a defender of justice though and she can't stay away when she discovers the GDs (genetically damaged) are being mistreated, top that with the discovery that [spoiler] The Bureau is responsible for the serum that caused the death of the Abnegation faction, including her parents [/spoiler] and she is pumped for a fight. Of course, The Bureau also had to throw oil on the fire by making rash decisions against Tris' values and fireworks were sure to blow off!

The whole plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire 525 pages this novel contains! I felt completely immersed in the world and was breathless witnessing the struggles and the pain the characters went through. The action kept a somewhat slow burning rhythm with some crazy spikes of excitement and the tempo really worked for me. I also liked that this alien situation allowed us to discover a whole new facet to characters we already loved (or not).

I know the conclusion caused a lot of drama and I'm sure many readers were pissed at Veronica Roth for her decision, but personally I respect her choice and bow down in front of her courage. I honestly liked the end because in the real world, not everyone gets their Happy Ever After, and that Roth dared to kill such an important character at the end of a series not only brings a healthy dose of reality to her novel, it also proves that she is committed to deliver a story the way she feels it, despite what everybody will think. And that, my friends, is the spirit of a true storyteller.

The Divergent trilogy is a delight and dystopian lovers will fall I love, of that I am sure. If you don't know yet, the first book, Divergent, was filmed and will be released in March 2014. Why not go on and read the book before it hits the big screen?

Read an excerpt

Here's the official movie trailer for Divergent:

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Posted by Tynga at 01:18

 Divergent, Dystopian, Harper Collins, Katherine Tegen Books, Purchased, Review, Veronica Roth, young adult  2 People left their mark

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Book Stats:
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Genre: Dystopian
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release date: May 1, 2012

Series: Divergent #2

Source: Personal Shelf

Reviewed by: Tynga

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Society as Tris knows it has come crashing down during Divergent and she now has  to deal with the aftermath. Witnessing your parents’ death, both of them, and killing your mind controlled friend is bound to do damage and Tris is having a really hard time handling it all. With the help of Tobias, she will do her best to eradicate the erudite menace, but she’ll learn that things aren’t always what they seem and the price could be really high.

Divergent was my favorite young adult book of 2011, so my expectations for Insurgent were really high. I enjoyed Insurgent and wasn’t disappointed, but I have to say that, for me, it didn’t have the spark Divergent did. It might be because it took me nearly two weeks to read it, a chapter here and there because I was busy taking care  of my baby girl, but the plot felt lengthy at times. I think the story occurs over the course of a week though, so it really is just a question of perspective I guess. You can’t really expect an entire society to recover from a major blow to their core overnight, can we?

So, the plot itself resolves around everyone’s reaction to the Erudite treason. The majority of abnegation died during the attack, dauntless is split in two, amity won’t get involved and candor is on the fence, the factionless also want their piece of the pie, blurring the lines. I liked that there wasn’t an easy solution to the conflict and that the main characters are also torn about their decisions. There is also a subplot about some secret information the Erudite leader was after and the whole thing added spice and suspense to the main plot.

Character wise, I was pleased with Tris’ reaction after the attack, to some level. Her reaction and trauma was highly believable, so kudos to Veronica Roth. On the other hand, we are used to a strong and fierce Tris, so seeing her weak and borderline suicidal was uncomfortable. Her relationship with Tobias was highly unstable and I’m honestly not quite sure how I feel about it. You’d think they’d be stronger than ever after the challenges they overcame together, but their couple was really shaky and I wished Tobias would be more supportive.

In Insurgent, Tris was really focused on herself and the secondary characters were mere shadows in the background. Christina’s reaction to Will’s death left me skeptical. She was indeed grieving at first and pissed off when she learnt that Tris was responsible but the aftereffect weren’t what I expected. I won’t elaborate though because I don’t want to spoil anything.

The end was high in intensity and there was a very shocking revelation. I’m super anxious for the third book in the series because the end of this installment will change everything. I honestly never saw the blow coming!

The Dystopian genre has been blooming in YA literature and the Divergent series is definitely a gem amongst the masses. I strongly recommend it to teens and adult alike! 

Read an Excerpt

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Posted by Tynga at 07:12

 Dystopian, Harper Collins, Review, Veronica Roth, young adult  11 People left their mark

Insurgent Animated Cover!

In my excitement for Insurgent release, I decided to try an animated cover.

I have to say I’m actually quite proud of the result hehe let me know what you think!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

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Posted by Tynga at 12:00

 Cover, Fan Art Friday, Harper Collins, Veronica Roth  5 People left their mark

Fan made Insurgent Cover

Abigail over at All Things Urban Fantasy is having a re-create cover contest for Insurgent by Veronica Roth and it’s been a long time since I did some fan art so I jumped right on the occasion! I have to admit, I went a little overboard and in my enthusiasm, I created four covers… Let’s pretend it’s to honor Four, shall we? *grin*

Here are the goods!

I hope you like ‘em ^^

I can’t really decide which one is my favorite, so please let me know which one you prefer in a comment!

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Posted by Tynga at 21:59

 Cover, Fan Art Friday, Harper Collins, Veronica Roth  11 People left their mark

Daring you to read… Divergent by Veronica Roth

I’ve discovered in 2011 a love for Dystopian books. I have to admit, I wasn’t quite aware of that genre before but I find myself loving those book immensely, which lead me to this week’s pick: Divergent by Veronica Roth.  Divergent is Veronica’s first book, released in May 2011, and it was stunningly great!

I find it hard to describe the book in just a few words so I’d like to invite you to read my review. I’ll tell you though that the main plotline revolves around a young girl named Tris, an underdog fighting for her life in a very original government system. Surrendered by a select few friends, a stunning boy and many enemies, she will have many obstacles to overcome and it’s impossible to succeed without sacrifices. The book is action-packed and highly original, I loved every page and bought a copy in French for my mom ^^

I’m anxiously awaiting for the second installment, Insurgent, due May 2012.

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

Purchase: Amazon |  Book Depository

How to participate?

- You choose a book you’ve read, loved and would dare your readers to read!

- The book you choose must be an older release (at least 6 months ago), because let’s be honest, we’re all quite aware of the latest releases.

- Write your own blog post, using the button and linking back to Tynga’s Reviews, inviting your readers to read your chosen book.

- Come back on Tynga’s Reviews and put your link in the linking tool.

- Browse other bloggers Dare and let them know if you’ve read their featured book, or plan on reading it.

- Super easy and an awesome way to discover that special book who might have slipped off your radar!

Don’t forget to add your own Daring You To Read… post in the linky below.

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Posted by Tynga at 00:58

 Daring You to Read, Harper Collins, Veronica Roth  7 People left their mark

Divergent–Character Cast

If you’ve read my review, you know that I’m crazy in love with Veronica Roth’s Divergent. And guess what? The rights for the movie were bought by Summit before the book was even released and Evan Daughtery is currently writing the script.

Thefablife.com is currently asking for votes on who should play the two main characters, which inspired my to pick my own cast =)

To play Beatrice Prior aka Tris (16) I picked:

Dakota Fanning

I think she would be perfect to portray the petite yet very courageous blond =)

To play the hot and mysterious Four (18-19) I picked:

Shiloh Fernandez

I honestly can’t resist his hotness, lopsided grin & overall bad boy vibe.

Michael Trevino wouldn’t be a bad choice either though.

Now to play Tris’ friends and not-so friends…

to play Christina (16) I would pick:

Tiffany Hines

Get her an hair cut and she’s be great!

Mitch Hewer would be my cast for Will (16).

 

I’d pick Garrett Hedlund to play Peter (16)

Mostly because even though he is a mean bastard, he looks like an honest and kind guy.

Thomas Dekker would be a great Eric (18-19)

Just imagine him with long greasy hair and a plethora of tattoos and piercings.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find any young actor tall and wide-shouldered enough to fit Al’s (16) physical description, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

 

So what do you guys think?

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Posted by Tynga at 13:21

 Cast, Veronica Roth  11 People left their mark

Quick News!

Veronica Roth just announced the title of Divergent #2….

INSURGENT

I love love love it!

What do you think?

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Posted by Tynga at 20:51

 Veronica Roth  4 People left their mark

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book stats:
Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Dystopian
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release date: May 3, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0062024022

Series: Divergent #1

Reviewed by: Tynga

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository US/UK

Source: Gift from Harper Collins Canada  

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

The world & the government as we know it now is a faraway past for the characters of Divergent. They live in a futuristic community, divided in five factions, each believing one specific value is the best of all. Abnegation, the selfless. Amity, the peaceful. Candor, the honest. Dauntless, the fearless. Erudite,  the knowledgeable. Each faction plays a role in society and every year, the 16 years old kids of each factions, after a simulation test, choose which faction they want to belong to. Beatrice, aka Tris, is a girl from abnegation and even though she believes in the principles of her faction, she feels like she doesn’t belong. Her simulation test results were also inconclusive, something she should keep a secret according to the Dauntless woman who ran her test. Her life depends on it. Tris will make a very hard choice on Choosing Day, but nothing could prepare her for what she will face in her new faction…

I finished reading Divergent a few weeks back and it took me a long time to write this review because I loved it so much I had a hard time finding the right words. Hopefully, my love of Veronica’s debut novel will stand out!

I LOVED the world Veronica created and its uniqueness was refreshing. It’s hard to create a world so different from ours, while making sure the readers understand the dilemmas and convictions of the characters, but Roth succeeded hands down.  Tris’ situation is very tricky in her new faction, and her small physique makes the transition even harder on her and even though I’ve never faced anything remotely close to her situation, I could relate to her. Veronica’s writing made it very easy to empathize with the lovable underdog girl.

All the characters are truly amazing actually and my favorite aspect was that every single one of them was in shades of gray. Nothing is easy as black & white and characters will make mistakes. Some terrible and unforgivable, actions that seemed cruel from one character’s perspective were merciful from another’s. Tris & Four are definitely my favorite characters in this book and I rejoiced in their complicated relationship. Zeke holds a small role, but definitely stood out for me. I also liked Al, Will & Christina even though some of their actions broke my heart.

The whole book is full of action and tension. It’s a battle for survival and only the strongest will prevail. But strength isn’t always obvious, and can take multiple forms. Veronica truly challenged her characters in multiple ways, and it was a delight to follow their struggles. And even if the world is dark and harsh, there are some really funny moment to, here’s an example:

The characters are talking about their fears:

“How were your moths?”

"You promised you would never tell!” cries Christina, smacking my arm.

“Moths,” repeats Will. “You’re afraid of moths?”

“Not just a cloud of moths,” she says, “like… a swarm of them. Everywhere. All those wings and legs and…” She shudders and shakes her head.

“Terrifying,” Will says with mock seriousness. “That’s my girl. Though as cotton balls.”

The end was a killer. The tension, the loss, the betrayal. A lot of strong emotions colliding to bring an epic ending to a fabulous book. The end isn’t really a cliff-hanger, more like a chapter ending, and I CAN’T WAIT to get my hands on the second book. When I finished reading Divergent, all I wanted to do was start reading it all over again. That’s just how good this book is.

Thrilling and fascinating, Divergent will grab you by the throat and drag you in a world where you must stand up for yourself or die trying. The characters will have to fight in this ruthless and cruel world, hoping to create a better future for themselves and you can’t help but cheer for them.

Divergent is for me the best read of 2011. High five to Veronica Roth!

Read en excerpt

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Posted by Tynga at 06:57

 Dystopian, Harper Collins, Review, Veronica Roth, young adult  7 People left their mark

Trailer: Divergent by Veronica Roth

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 her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Divergent is releasing tomorrow and I am dying to get my hands on a copy! To help, or should I say increase?, the suspense, EW.com released the official trailer today! Unfortunately I can’t embed it on the blog post, but you can WATCH THE TRAILER HERE.

Let me know what you think when watched it ^^

I think it’s mysterious, and such a tease. I prefer my trailers to have characters on it, but It’s not bad =D

 

Purchase:

(It’s currently 41% off on Book Depository)

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Posted by Tynga at 11:37

 Trailer Thursday, Veronica Roth  1 Person left their mark

Cover Love

Some great covers have been revealed lately and I thought I would share my favorites with you!

First: Divergent by Veronica Roth (May 2011)

Make sure to read the description, it sounds awesome!

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

Next stop: Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi (August 2011)

I haven’t read this series, but I think the cover is stunning!

The final battle is brewing between Vampires and Slayers. But for Sunny McDonald, the true war is being fought over her heart.
Though now officially back in the arms of her vampire boyfriend Magnus, Sunny finds she still can't forget the gentle mortal Jayden who once saved her life. And when the darkness threatens to steal his humanity, Sunny finds herself with a choice. Stay true to Magnus and the Blood Coven or defy them in a desperate attempt to save Jayden’s soul.
Meanwhile, the Blood Coven is gearing up for its toughest fight yet--going head to head with a splinter group of Slayer Inc who's regrouping in Tokyo, Japan, still determined to take over the world. In dark blood bars and hidden temples, it'll be Vampires vs. Slayers in a showdown that could cost Sunny not only her heart...but also her very life.

An last but not least, Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill (may 2011) & Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Feb 2011)

 

Unfortunately I couldn’t find a product description for these book just yet, but I’m sure they gonna be great!

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Posted by Tynga at 00:05

 Chloe Neill, Cover, Mari Mancusi, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Veronica Roth  3 People left their mark