stygianvixen's review against another edition
5.0
Really wonderful story that is original and compelling.
carrieat's review against another edition
4.0
A well written, gripping story. Refreshing after some having read a few books lately that have been quite immature.
A strong female lead and the midwifery references had been researched well.
Look forward to finding out what happens.
A strong female lead and the midwifery references had been researched well.
Look forward to finding out what happens.
serith_'s review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
hannchilada's review against another edition
5.0
***********************************Contains Spoilers*********************************
Omigoodness it was gorgeous! It was amazing. The love interest is so much like Tobias in Divergent and I loved his strength and also, to a lesser extent, sarcasm. But it was awesome! I loved the way that Gaia wasn't perfect like heroines and was more relatable. I was so sad when it said Leon died. I can't wait to read the next book to see if he really did!!
Omigoodness it was gorgeous! It was amazing. The love interest is so much like Tobias in Divergent and I loved his strength and also, to a lesser extent, sarcasm. But it was awesome! I loved the way that Gaia wasn't perfect like heroines and was more relatable. I was so sad when it said Leon died. I can't wait to read the next book to see if he really did!!
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting return to YA dystopia for me. In this future, those inside the “enclave” get deliveries of babies born on the outside. A monthly quota system (of sorts) that means some mothers keep their babies, and others barely get to say hello.
Gaia learned midwifery from her mother, and is more surprised than anyone when both her parents are arrested for keeping secret records. Of what? And why?
Gaia learned midwifery from her mother, and is more surprised than anyone when both her parents are arrested for keeping secret records. Of what? And why?
koalathebear's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard about this book and just read it simply because I saw a throwaway reference in the blogosphere. It's actually excellent. Very well-written and exciting, O'Brien paints a very vivid image of a world that has been irreversibly affected by climate-change.
There is a very interesting contrast between Wharfton, a small town full of poverty that exists next to The Enclave, a walled-in city. The contrast between those in the Enclave and those outside the wall is very marked. Inside is a life of apparent privilege and affluence, outside, there is poverty and backwardness. Added to this is the almost barbaric tradition of 'Advancing' children to the Enclave, never to be seen of again. Thus, there is a strangeness in the fact that the seemingly wealthy Enclave 'needs' the lowly citizens of Wharfton.
Gaia Stone is not an average young adult heroine. She's solid and plucky, smart but not nauseatingly sassy and she definitely isn't a Mary Sue. It's interesting to see the world through her eyes as she gradually unravels the mystery behind the Enclave and the rationale for the Advancing of children.
Apparently the book was intended to be a standalone book but the author was persuaded to make it a trilogy. I think the book reminds me a lot of the novels I used to read in high-school (well before these never-ending series) that pulled me in and left me hanging for days and days and days as I wondered what would happen next. This was the days before fan fiction and the days before authors didn't know when to stop.
Nonetheless, while the book works very well as a standalone novel, I am looking forward to the next novel. The characters of Gaia and Leon have become very fascinating to me and O'Brien's a gifted writer who doesn't over-describe or patronise.
Anyway, the book is good! Young adult fiction is a broad and rich category of fiction but there are many duds and copycats - I liked this novel for its freshness and originality and the fact that it reminded me of my high school days of being permanently cliffhangered
There is a very interesting contrast between Wharfton, a small town full of poverty that exists next to The Enclave, a walled-in city. The contrast between those in the Enclave and those outside the wall is very marked. Inside is a life of apparent privilege and affluence, outside, there is poverty and backwardness. Added to this is the almost barbaric tradition of 'Advancing' children to the Enclave, never to be seen of again. Thus, there is a strangeness in the fact that the seemingly wealthy Enclave 'needs' the lowly citizens of Wharfton.
Gaia Stone is not an average young adult heroine. She's solid and plucky, smart but not nauseatingly sassy and she definitely isn't a Mary Sue. It's interesting to see the world through her eyes as she gradually unravels the mystery behind the Enclave and the rationale for the Advancing of children.
Apparently the book was intended to be a standalone book but the author was persuaded to make it a trilogy. I think the book reminds me a lot of the novels I used to read in high-school (well before these never-ending series) that pulled me in and left me hanging for days and days and days as I wondered what would happen next. This was the days before fan fiction and the days before authors didn't know when to stop.
Nonetheless, while the book works very well as a standalone novel, I am looking forward to the next novel. The characters of Gaia and Leon have become very fascinating to me and O'Brien's a gifted writer who doesn't over-describe or patronise.
Anyway, the book is good! Young adult fiction is a broad and rich category of fiction but there are many duds and copycats - I liked this novel for its freshness and originality and the fact that it reminded me of my high school days of being permanently cliffhangered
lyndsaymw's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put it down - can't wait to get the next one!
clarksamanthab's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
kittypaws9's review against another edition
2.0
I had seen "Birthmarked" on a couple of "Best Dystopian YA" book lists, so was very intrigued and ordered it.
I have to say that I was disappointed. I wanted to like it, I really did. It just didn't live up to expectations.
I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about the book. It just never had a WOW factor for me. I can't deny that the book is a quick read and I actually wanted to be reading it, but it just didn't have any redeeming qualities.
I thought the characters were kind of flat and the plot was predictable.
Final thought: It was OK, but I wouldn't recommend it to any of my friends.
I have to say that I was disappointed. I wanted to like it, I really did. It just didn't live up to expectations.
I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about the book. It just never had a WOW factor for me. I can't deny that the book is a quick read and I actually wanted to be reading it, but it just didn't have any redeeming qualities.
I thought the characters were kind of flat and the plot was predictable.
Final thought: It was OK, but I wouldn't recommend it to any of my friends.