The Mark

Author: Jen Nadol

Release Date: February 2010

Summary: (back) If you had the power to cheat death, would you?
Sixteen-year-old Cassie Renfield has always seen the mark--a light glow reminiscent of candlelight--but it's not until she follows a man to his death that she understands what it means. Cassie can see when a person is marked for death. She doesn't know how or where, only when: today.

When the mark appears on Cassie's grandmother, she tries and fails to change her fate. The mark seems utterly useless, but Cassie can't ignore it. Desperate for answers, she searches her memories, her summer philosophy course, even her new boyfriend, Lucas, for any clue that might explain her ability. When she convinces Lucas of her power, he encourages her to test fate each time the mark appears. Cassie's not entirely sure she should use the mark like this, but with each occurrence, she finds answers she needs--answers she never expected.

Exploring questions of fate, death, and free will, The Mark is a gripping and powerful debut.

Review: You have to read this one! Books about fate, choice and destiny are intruiging since there really isn't a way to know for sure which is it. The way Cassie's story evolves was completely believable. There weren't any gaps in between the events tying her life together and the writing felt effortless. It was relatively an easy read, but the theme is a pretty big and difficult one to comprehend. I loved the incorporation of her Philosophy class and it didn't seem too convenient or improbable which is one of my pet peeves of books.

A very interesting read on life and death as the subject. The author did an excellent job at making the reader believe that it was possible to know the day of someone's death. The fact that she compared the auras Cassie saw to the soft light of candles shows Jen Nadol's power to make the reader connect. The phenomenom isn't lost on the reader because it is explained and details let us into Cassie's world.

The main character, Cassie, goes through some very difficult moments that teens can also sympathize or even empathize with. She had lost her parents as a young child and her grandmother took her in. When Cassie loses the person she is closest to, she must learn from life how to deal with death. She is shipped off to some long lost aunt who is too busy with work to pay much attention to Cassie. Then Cassie gets an older boyfriend. These events lead into each other clearly and effectively. Cause and effect can be found in every move Cassie makes. That's how it is in real life. Usually. :)

Now Cassie has to make decisions on which path she wishes to take in her life and who or what matters most. Cassie is a very neutral character with a huge "gift" she doesn't know how to use. Her questions might not have clear cut answers, but riddles alone might help guide her life.

Who should read this book? Anyone. It is definately YA in the romance department. :) The theme reaches out to older readers who might end up agreeing or disagreeing with Cassie's decisions. After all, Cassie is probably one of the most mature teens you'll ever read about in the YA genre.

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

(It does concentrate more on an idea then on action, so it lacked a little something.)

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