Cyra and Akos must figure out whether their love is a choice or a foregone conclusion because of the prophecies about their lives. There's an interlude when the two aren't physically together, and it's heartbreaking but necessary for both of them to fulfill their destinies and save the world. Cyra's first-person chapters remain the most immediate and relatable, whereas Akos' third-person chapters swing between reflective and sympathetic to a bit slow.Īkos experiences a lot of growth, however, as does Cyra.

In addition to Cyra's and Akos' points of view, this sequel includes Akos' siblings Eijeh's (the oracle whose mind was addled with Ryzek's memories) and Cisi's (who can shift others' moods) perspectives. Roth approaches big themes from a personal perspective. There are some undeniable truths in this series: that Cyra and Akos love each other, that their fates are intertwined, that the Shotet and the Thuhve must learn to co-exist or risk annihilating one another. Roth's second book in the Carve the Mark duology is an introspective, romantic, character-based follow-up to the world-building of the first novel. nature and the destructive effect of discrimination. The story promotes the message that groups of people are more than the stereotypes about them and calls into question nurture vs. Some critics have pointed out problematic depictions of skin color and chronic pain, but that's open to interpretation.

Language includes mild insults and a few uses of 's-t.' The book continues to explore refreshingly unconventional gender roles, with Cyra the expert fighter and Akos the vulnerable healer. The slow-burn romance finally ignites in this installment, with the few kisses of the first book growing into full-blown passion and a couple of love scenes (but they aren't explicit). The characters continue to exhibit their unique gifts that can persuade, torture, even kill. There are executions, imprisonment, and battles. There's murder (up close and personal) and mass military attacks that leave many dead. The twist-filled story includes even more fantasy violence and romance than its predecessor. Parents need to know that The Fates Divide: Carve the Mark, Book 2 is the final book in best-selling author Veronica Roth's space fantasy duology.

The fates divide book