3.5 stars. 
 So.... This book has been one of the most anticipated reads for 2017. The good news is that it was a good read. And here is why I really wanted to read it: 
 1. I knew who the author was. 
 I recently read the Divergent series last year. It wasn't my most favorite series but regardless I still enjoyed them. Because I was familiar with the author's writing, I wanted to read Carve the Mark as soon as I heard about it. 
 2. It's a sci-fi!!!! 
 Okay let's face it.... I love sci-fi! Books, movies, I love them sooo much. =) 
 3. It was compared to Star Wars.... 
 What!?! 
 Umm, yeah, I umm, really don't like comparing stuff like that. 
 But even though I hate comparing stuff, this is one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book. After all the new Star Wars movies coming out, I was wanting more Star Wars like stuff. ;) 
 4. I was watching all the Carve the Mark videos Epic Reads was making, and reading every blog post on Epic Reads about this book. 
 I wanted to know more about this book. Learning that the characters had superpowers, an interesting language, and interesting clothes, really made me want to read this book even more. 
 5. The cover is cool! 
 Before I read this book I didn't understand why the book was called what it was or what I was really seeing on the cover. I understand now. But back then the cover really attracted my eye in a good way. Oh and blue is my favorite color. =D 
 Okay so now for the review: 
 The Writing: 
 In this book Veronica Roth's writing took me a while to get into. It was much slower pace than her other books and the characters different language took a while to get used to. Otherwise her writing was very intriguing and beautiful. I wanted to see more of the world she created. 
 The Characters: 
 The way this book is written is very interesting. It has two POV one written in first person and the other written in third person. 
 First we have Akos since we get to meet him first. 
 Akos is a son of a farmer and Oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. He and his older brother are captured by the people of Shotet. Akos has a interesting currentgift which is different from the other characters in this book, however we don't know much about it until much later. 
 His character is told in third person. 
 Then we have Cyra, who really is the main character in this book since most of the book is told by her. 
 Cyra's currentgift causes her to give others pain by her touch. Because of this, her evil brother, leader of Shotet, uses her to torture his enemies. 
 Her character is told in first person. 
 The World Building: 
 This entire book relies heavily on the world building. 
 However this is also why the book goes so slow. 
 Veronica Roth uses extreme description writing in this story. 
 For the first half of the book it was very fun to read about. I can probably tell you from after reading the book, what the people wore, what they ate, what plants were poisonous, what grew on Thuvhe.... etc., etc., etc. 
 I was really enjoying getting to know and understand this world. But... 
 Okay when the plot progressed I no longer wanted to read about hushflowers or currentstreams. The characters have this guy they need to stop, people they need to save, places they need to go, things I really wanted to read about at the halfway mark. 
 And another thing, this book is not really a sci-fi.... 
 WHAT!!!! 
 Well, it is in a small way. I mean they do have some technology, they do fly in a spaceship at least once to another planet. But.... 
 The book does not concentrate on any of those points. In fact I might call this book a fantasy..... 
 BUT WHY????? :,( 
 Let's take a look at this..... 
 Everyone has a currentgift ==== magical powers 
 There are exotic plants, meds, and not really sci-fi clothes ==== fantasy world 
 Currentblades ===== magical blades 
 Evil government ==== fantasy / dystopian 
 Okay so maybe I'll go calling it a fantasy / dystopian.... But I just don't know about calling it a sci-fi, because it just didn't feel like one. 
 The Plot: 
 I know, I know, I started rambling. So what is this book about? 
 Akos wants to get his brother out. 
 Cyra wants to stop her brother from doing what he is doing and to stop him from using her. 
 A romance starts to happen between two of the characters. 
 Someone else is supposed to unseat Cyra's brother. 
 Cyra's brother wants to rule Shotet without anyone rising up against him. 
 That is pretty much it. 
 I did like the back story for Cyra's brother. I began to really hate but understand this villain. 
 What I Didn't Like (Plus Content in Book): 
 1. Too much world building. 
 2. Very slow pace. 
 3. Not enough sci-fi. 
 4. People were worshiping the current and other things. 
 5. Some (but very little) swearing. 
 6. A brief mention of a woman's period. 
 7. A woman is in her underwear with a man, but the man leaves and nothing happens. 
 8. Some detailed violence. 
 Who I Would Recommend the Book to: 
 Fantasy / dystopian lovers. Romance lovers. Sci-fi people (only if you're brave enough and are okay with very little sci-fi). 
 Will I continue with the other books? 
 Ummm, yes! There was a cliffhanger! I must know what happens next!