Okay, after a bit shocking end book one had and the fact that there was kind of a cliffhanger I had to know how the story would continue. It was a nice read, no doubt, and I felt with Megan all the time, that´s for sure. But I missed something. It wasn´t as much hilarious and fun as Carrier of the Mark and I am now kind of hanging in the air. Another cliffhanger and so far there is no third book insight. Not even close!
Shadow Of The Mark
by Leigh FallonCarrier Series #2
Publisher HarperTeen on July 9, 2013
Genre Young Adult
Pages 305
Format Paperback
Source Purchased
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Through the ages, Marked Ones have harnessed the powers of the four elements: Water, Fire, Earth, and Air. Much about the elements is shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain: A relationship between two Marked Ones has the potential to cause widespread devastation. Megan and Adam – Air and Water – are determined to defy the risks. But the power that swirls inside Megan is growing in twisted ways. And the closer she is to Adam, the closer Megan comes to unleashing a dark force that could spell destruction for the entire Marked line.
Story
Megan and Adam fight their feelings and do everything they can to avoid that the Order of the Mark is taking them apart. But the Order has a different plan and their fear that it could come to the worst is immense. But Adam doesn´t believe that he has to stay apart from the girl he loves only because they are both Marked Ones. In the end, he has to learn that some powers are way beyond his imagination and that love can´t fight everything – though he would rather have it so.
Style
This novel is, too, written from Megan´s point of view. The reader gets a pretty good insight into her thoughts, feelings, and what she is planning. The new woman in her father´s life is giving Megan a weird feeling. Something is going on with that woman but Megan can´t put a finger on it. The Order of the Mark tries to get a grip onto Megan and their attempts to force her into a life she doesn´t want to seem to give her a hard time. Somehow I thought or had hoped that in this book would be a bit more action, that the search for a way out would be a bit more intriguing and haunting. Yes, there is a lot of magic going on and to watch how Megan learns to control her skills, how she deals with her emotions is really wonderful. I admired her for the way she was dealing with all the things happening. And yet I had the feeling that there could have been a bit more.
The writing is soft, easy to understand and the scenes are going from magical to what-exactly-is-going-on-at-the-moment? Not everyone is playing fair, not everyone seems to be what they claim to be and not everyone is telling the truth.
Characters
The thought of having to mate with someone you don´t know or even love is something Àine is not really happy about. And for Megan, this new boy means a lot of anger, jealousy, and trouble ´cause Adam isn´t very happy about the appearance of the new member either. Leigh Fallon manages to bring the conflicts between young teenage boys really good. You can actually feel the distrust Adam has and that there is something not right about the new boy in town. But what happened with Megan towards the end is not really good. She changes into something and due to the fact that the cliffhanger happens in exact that moment doesn´t make it any easier for the reader to follow or understand what was really going on.
Conclusion
This one was not as much fun as the first book, but nonetheless, I could enjoy it. Now, I am waiting if there will ever be a third book as rumors say. At the time this review was written, there was none in sight. Not even a shadow.
Happy reading
Leigh Fallon
Leigh Fallon was born in South Africa, raised in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to Cork in her twenties. Leigh and her family now share their time between Ireland and the United States. She is the author of Carrier of the Mark and Shadow of the Mark.