becs_l's review against another edition
5.0
Also found: http://areadersdevotion.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/book-review-birthmarked-by-caragh.html
When I keep making up vivid theories for what will happen next, while I’m reading a book, it is usually a good sign that I’m really enjoying it.
““Your parents were fools,” Old Meg said. “Trusting, cowardly pacifists. And they’ll pay.” Gaia was horrified. “Don’t say that,” she said. “They’ve been loyal to the Enclave forever. They advanced two sons. They’ve served for years”
“And don’t you think they’ve regretted their sacrifices. “”
On reading the summary, what drew me to the book was the main basis behind the society. Babies from outside the wall in Wharfton, the less well-off area, are “advanced” to inside the wall, The Enclave, to live with more well-off parents. This of course leads to many parents not knowing how their children grow up or what they are like as people. I was wondering how this society was going to play out.
The story did take a while to satisfactorily develop the world however when it did I was more than pleased. My thoughts were constantly with both the parents and their kids; what sort of lives they could of lead if they had not been advanced. The main character, Gaia, herself had two older brothers that were advanced, and when she enters the Enclave I was constantly on edge wondering if she was going to meet them. I have always seemed to like that sort of thinking when I'm reading a book; so no wonder Birthmarked appealed.
Gaia as a lead female was interesting. From the beginning she showed strength and a slight willingness to fight the system (after all they had just arrested her parents.) However, it did seem to take a while for myself to put faith in her; that she will make the correct decisions. Her decisions were not those I would come to expect from a lead female in a YA novel. However they were major in affecting the direction the story was going to follow. I did like her in the end it just took a little while to get there.
I loved the slow building relationship between Capt. Grey and Gaia. Not only do we get to know him as a character, but also we find out about his childhood as well. This just made him even more interesting; and the book even more exciting!
Another little thing that I liked was the pictures provided of the code that Gaia has to crack. I felt the need to try and work it out for myself. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful *sniff*, but I guess I don’t have Gaia’s brains, or developed knowledge of her parents.
Another aspect that really appealed was the constant mention of genes and genetics. You see I’m studying Biology, so a society making decisions based on population genetics just made me giddy with excitement. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a degree level scientist to understand; it is pretty basic stuff. I guess for most this wouldn’t be a major bonus but I loved it.
Overall the society, and the route the story seemed to take, made this to a very exciting read. I have so many theories for the next book, Prized, most of which are probably completely wrong. But the fact that I am thinking of them shows how much I ended up enjoying this book. Birthmarked is definitely worth a shot.
When I keep making up vivid theories for what will happen next, while I’m reading a book, it is usually a good sign that I’m really enjoying it.
““Your parents were fools,” Old Meg said. “Trusting, cowardly pacifists. And they’ll pay.” Gaia was horrified. “Don’t say that,” she said. “They’ve been loyal to the Enclave forever. They advanced two sons. They’ve served for years”
“And don’t you think they’ve regretted their sacrifices. “”
On reading the summary, what drew me to the book was the main basis behind the society. Babies from outside the wall in Wharfton, the less well-off area, are “advanced” to inside the wall, The Enclave, to live with more well-off parents. This of course leads to many parents not knowing how their children grow up or what they are like as people. I was wondering how this society was going to play out.
The story did take a while to satisfactorily develop the world however when it did I was more than pleased. My thoughts were constantly with both the parents and their kids; what sort of lives they could of lead if they had not been advanced. The main character, Gaia, herself had two older brothers that were advanced, and when she enters the Enclave I was constantly on edge wondering if she was going to meet them. I have always seemed to like that sort of thinking when I'm reading a book; so no wonder Birthmarked appealed.
Spoiler
And yes when we did meet one of her brothers, or more like discovered who he was, I literately leaped for joy.Gaia as a lead female was interesting. From the beginning she showed strength and a slight willingness to fight the system (after all they had just arrested her parents.) However, it did seem to take a while for myself to put faith in her; that she will make the correct decisions. Her decisions were not those I would come to expect from a lead female in a YA novel. However they were major in affecting the direction the story was going to follow. I did like her in the end it just took a little while to get there.
I loved the slow building relationship between Capt. Grey and Gaia. Not only do we get to know him as a character, but also we find out about his childhood as well. This just made him even more interesting; and the book even more exciting!
Another little thing that I liked was the pictures provided of the code that Gaia has to crack. I felt the need to try and work it out for myself. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful *sniff*, but I guess I don’t have Gaia’s brains, or developed knowledge of her parents.
Another aspect that really appealed was the constant mention of genes and genetics. You see I’m studying Biology, so a society making decisions based on population genetics just made me giddy with excitement. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a degree level scientist to understand; it is pretty basic stuff. I guess for most this wouldn’t be a major bonus but I loved it.
Overall the society, and the route the story seemed to take, made this to a very exciting read. I have so many theories for the next book, Prized, most of which are probably completely wrong. But the fact that I am thinking of them shows how much I ended up enjoying this book. Birthmarked is definitely worth a shot.
bte6d5's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. It did have some twists that I didn't see coming and I tend to enjoy a good dystopian society book. I enjoyed the characters and the little bit of romance that is random throughout.
The female lead is a little young and virginal which is a little typical of this genre but she's sassy which I love.
The reviews on the second book are kind of iffy but I really commit to characters, so I'll probably still read to see what happens.
The female lead is a little young and virginal which is a little typical of this genre but she's sassy which I love.
The reviews on the second book are kind of iffy but I really commit to characters, so I'll probably still read to see what happens.
octagonal's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting world, though I would have liked it more if the heroine weren't quite so unstoppable.
Also, not entirely sure why I thought I would enjoy reading about, essentially, a teenage midwife.
Aaand the ending made me >:| I don't know for sure that this is a series, but either way, I think I need to read less trilogies, etc., because it's beginning to annoy me, the way books never feel finished. It's always so very obvious that it will continue, it's like the story doesn't end at all. I like open endings, but I also want a conclusion, and so many books that I read lately end up being, "And then the hero/heroine got away from the bad guys. FOR NOW, dun dun dunnnn!" only with less "dun dun dunnnn" and more... actual writing.
Anyway. It was interesting.
Also, not entirely sure why I thought I would enjoy reading about, essentially, a teenage midwife.
Aaand the ending made me >:| I don't know for sure that this is a series, but either way, I think I need to read less trilogies, etc., because it's beginning to annoy me, the way books never feel finished. It's always so very obvious that it will continue, it's like the story doesn't end at all. I like open endings, but I also want a conclusion, and so many books that I read lately end up being, "And then the hero/heroine got away from the bad guys. FOR NOW, dun dun dunnnn!" only with less "dun dun dunnnn" and more... actual writing.
Anyway. It was interesting.
snjluc's review against another edition
4.0
16 year old Gaia discovers that her parents have disappeared, and she is expected to take over her mother's midwife duties. As a part of those duties, Gaia must "advance" the first 3 babies born each month, by sending them inside the Enclave that she lives outside of. Gaia decides that she needs to save her parents, and after sneaking into the Enclave, she learns shocking truths about her society that cause her to rebel.
I really enjoyed this book - it put a new spin on the common theme of "teenager saves dying futuristic world". There are complicated societal issues uncovered as Gaia works to save her parents, which made it more interesting to read for an adult. Gaia did often act older than 16, which I did not like, but so did all of the other characters, so I wrote it off to being an aspect of their society. I enjoy reading about a strong female character, and I also enjoyed that Gaia did not spend her time quietly wondering about her feelings for others, but brought them up and discussed them openly - a great role model for teenage girls!
I really enjoyed this book - it put a new spin on the common theme of "teenager saves dying futuristic world". There are complicated societal issues uncovered as Gaia works to save her parents, which made it more interesting to read for an adult. Gaia did often act older than 16, which I did not like, but so did all of the other characters, so I wrote it off to being an aspect of their society. I enjoy reading about a strong female character, and I also enjoyed that Gaia did not spend her time quietly wondering about her feelings for others, but brought them up and discussed them openly - a great role model for teenage girls!
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?