Suffer the Fate, For All Else is Delusion

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous book, Carve the Mark, or don't mind knowing major spoilers for it.
SPOILER ALERT

~The Fates Divide~
Carve the Mark
Book 2
By Veronica Roth
Amazon ~ Powell's

Fate brought them together. Now it will divide them.

The lives of Cyra Noavek and Akos Kereseth are ruled by their fates, spoken by the oracles at their births. The fates, once determined, are inescapable.

Akos is in love with Cyra, in spite of his fate: He will die in service to Cyra’s family. And when Cyra’s father, Lazmet Noavek—a soulless tyrant, thought to be dead—reclaims the Shotet throne, Akos believes his end is closer than ever.

As Lazmet ignites a barbaric war, Cyra and Akos are desperate to stop him at any cost. For Cyra, that could mean taking the life of the man who may—or may not—be her father. For Akos, it could mean giving his own. In a stunning twist, the two will discover how fate defines their lives in ways most unexpected.


It's refreshing to finish a series before you were necessarily expecting it, yet not feel cut off in the least.

Lines of Kill Marks From Wrist to Shoulder

~Carve the Mark~
Book 1
By Veronica Roth
Amazon ~ Powell's

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?


A fantastic opening to what is sure to be a great series/duet. The characters were strong, complex, and intriguing. The worlds were diverse and nuanced. The plot was twisty and enthralling. There were multiple times I thought we'd reached a perfect cutoff point / cliffhanger to lead into the sequel, only to have half the book still to go. I don't know whether that speaks more to the length and depth of the story, or to my lowered expectations involving YA romance series.