Carve the Mark

Globally bestselling Divergent author Veronica Roth delivers a breathtaking fantasy featuring an unusual friendship, an epic love story, and a galaxy-sweeping adventure.

#1 New York Times bestseller * Wall Street Journal bestseller * USA Today bestseller * #1 IndieBound bestseller

Praise for Carve the Mark:

“Roth skillfully weaves the careful world-building and intricate web of characters that distinguished Divergent.” —VOYA (starred review)

“Roth offers a richly imagined, often brutal world of political intrigue and adventure, with a slow-burning romance at its core.” —ALA Booklist

Cyra Noavek and Akos Kereseth have grown up in enemy countries locked in a long-standing fight for dominance over their shared planet. When Akos and his brother are kidnapped by the ruling Noavek family, Akos is forced to serve Cyra, the sister of a dictator who governs with violence and fear. Cyra is known for her deadly power of transferring extraordinary pain unto others with simple touch, and her tyrant brother uses her as a weapon against those who challenge him. But as Akos fights for his own survival, he recognizes that Cyra is also fighting for hers, and that her true gift—resilience—might be what saves them both.

When Akos and Cyra are caught in the middle of a raging rebellion, everything they’ve been led to believe about their world and themselves must be called into question. But fighting for what’s right might mean betraying their countries, their families, and each other.

When the time comes, will they choose loyalty or love?

And don't miss The Fates Divide, Veronica Roth's powerful follow-up novel!

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Published Dec 26, 2017

512 pages

Average rating: 7.81

52 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Groundhogcat
Oct 24, 2025
6/10 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I will continue with the second book in the series.

Having read the reviews though, I must say, I am disappointed in myself that I enjoyed the book.
I was not paying attention to it racist overtones. I will read the second book with more care.

I am not marking this book down to one or two stars, because i want to see if other reviewers are right about whether it is racist or not. I will be paying attention when reading the second book.
Bluegirlrose1982
Aug 19, 2024
6/10 stars
Starts off very slowly.
Scmay
Jul 29, 2024
8/10 stars
Okay I really like this book, but the last bit of the book I LOVED. I want to read the entire duology now. The first 60% of the book was rough for me to get through. I listed to it, so with everything going on in the book, it was difficult for me to really get into it. There's a lot of character building as well.

I would equate this to some along the lines of the hunger games but with fates, powers and a better love story.
Leeanne730
Feb 19, 2023
Sci-fi
Dripping Lotus
Sep 05, 2022
9/10 stars
Can be hard to follow if not focused fully. Way different than many books I've ever read. The storyline is very unique and captivating.

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