"I am sharp as broken glass, and just as fragile. I tell lies better than I tell truths. I see all of the galaxy and never catch a glimpse of it." 
 Carve The Mark is the new book by Veronica Roth (well-known for her Divergent series), which has sparked quite a controversy among the internet community. It has been accused of racism and criticized about its depiction of chronic pain- among other things. I consider myself a critical reader. I don't easily overlook flaws in favor of a good plot or a nice romance, but I really don't get the uproar caused by this book. I'm not going into too much detail, because I really find some of the accusations made ridiculous and I don't feel the need to justify my opinion against them. 
 Carve The Mark takes place in a futuristic world, on planet Thuvhe, where the two hostile nations of Thuvhesit and Shotet struggle for dominance. Shy and gentle Akos is a Thuvhesit, leaving a peaceful life with his family, until one day Shotet soldiers invade his home, abducting him and his older brother. Akos finds himself in the service of the Noavek family, sovereigns of Shotet. There he meets Cyra Noavek, a tormented but vigorous girl who is feared and shunned because of her ability to cause terrible pain with her touch. Together they embark on the well-known journey of the dystopian genre- overthrowing a tyrannical regime in the midst of strong friendships, blooming love and heart wrenching losses. 
 The plot isn't very original and even though the story takes place in space the events mainly unfold indoors, so Roth didn't trouble herself with any serious world building. Nevertheless, I found the book compelling enough. It's mainly character driven, so don't expect many quick-paced Divergent-style action scenes, although the characters are pretty well fleshed out. I loved how Cyra and Akos reverse the stereotypical strong male-sensitive female trope and I enjoyed how their relationship changed and gradually evolved. 
 All in all, although I expected something better from Veronica Roth, I'm not utterly disappointed. After all, Carve The Mark is the first book in a new series, and hopefully the next books are going to be more complex and captivating.