Customer Reviews

The Mark

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quick & Dirty: A well-written and thought-provoking tale that will have you intrigued.

Opening Sentence: There is nothing like the gut-hollowing experience of watching someone die, especially when you know it's coming.

The Review:

Cassie Renfield has the freakish ability to see The Mark, an aura surrounding someone indicating that they will soon die. To make matters worse, Cassie sees The Mark around her grandmother and is haunted by the fact that she wasn't able to save her. When Cassie's grandmother dies, she is forced to relocate and live with her estranged aunt, who only cares about her own life and career. Cassie begins to search for answers and her inner struggles drive the plot forward.

Cassie is immediately likable, and her situation is compelling. It's interesting seeing Cassie grapple with trying to understand her ability and its ramifications. She struggles with the burden of choosing between trying to help people or letting fate run its course. There's also an intriguing mystery surrounding the death of her parents. Less intriguing though is Cassie's relationship with her romantic interest, Lucas. Although their relationship is characterized by manipulation and deception, it falls a little flat and I for one simply couldn't get into that part of the story.

Some other parts of the otherwise compelling story fall a little flat. The ending in particular is a little anti-climatic. In fact, the story generally could use more action. If you're hoping for a book driven by a solid romantic plotline, this isn't it. While Cassie does have a relationship with Lucas, this story is more about Cassie's self discovery. In addition, I felt that the secondary characters were a little lacking.

Overall, I did enjoy reading The Mark. While neither an action packed story nor an angst laden romantic melodrama, Ms. Nadol nonetheless pens a thought-provoking novel filled with grief, heartache, and isolation. It's certainly unique and does an excellent job of showcasing the ambiguity surrounding fate. The psychological and philosophical themes of the novel were compelling and will certainly keep readers guessing.

Notable Scene:

As I walked home I kept replaying it. Blood and broken glass on the pavement. The wide, unseeing eyes of the man who had hit him and the cell phone spinning brokenly on the shiny asphalt. I didn't know what was worse: what I had seen or what it meant.

FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury provided me with a copy of The Mark. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don't receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.

My Thoughts: We are first introduced to Cassie. She's just a normal girl who longs for a family. Yeah, sure she has Nan but she still wonders about her parents often. They were killed in a car crash when she was young. She has always seen the light on people who are going to die but she never knew what it meant, until recently. We are introduced to all the side characters. Nan is her grandmother who took her in when her parents passed away, schoolmates, and than the 2 guys who I adored at first glance. We meet Lucas who she meets when she goes to live with her aunt. He is a college TA and Cassie gets close to him and they form a relationship. We also meet Jack who is her friend from home. We don't get much interaction between Jack and Cassie but I tended to like him more than Lucas. We learn more about Cassie and how she can see a person's death. She doesn't know much about her gift, only that she sees the light and they die within 24 hours. I loved this book. There were times I wanted to yell, cry, and laugh! If you knew someone was going to die in 24 hours would you tell them? Would they want to know? If it was your last day on earth what would you want to do? Read this book to find out what happens to Cassie and which guy does she end up with? Who understands her? What happens? Does Cassie learn to deal with her "unusual" gift??

Overall: Really enjoyed this one! Read it in one sitting! I really liked Cassie and I liked the guys and how each one understood her and how they made her "feel."

Cover: I think the cover fits the book! And its soooo perty!!!

Wow. Where do I even start? First let me say, this has to be the most amazing cover ever! Before I even knew what this book was about I had to have it--for the cover alone. But (for once) the book matches the cover; meaning that it wasn't just a mediocre story with a piece of good marketing slapped on the front. It was an amazing story--about Cassandra who's grown up always seeing this strange mark--a glow around certain people. And not fully understanding the mark's meaning, Cassie follows a buisness man, who's showing the mark, into town one day. All her suspcious are confirmed when the buisness man gets hit by a car and he dies on impact. Though she's always known the truth, now Cassie knows for certain that this mark is not just some trick of the light but a sign that a person's life is near it's end. But when she see the mark on her Nan, this "gift" starts to become real to her.

It was an amazing story--thought provoking with a touch of darkness to it. There was no definded bad guy in this story. It was all about Cassie. Her dealing with her parents' death, her Nan's death, her first real boyfriend--all of it while facing the mark. She grows and learns through the story. There never was any impeding danger--at least not to Cassie, but still I couldn't put it down! And someone else said they didn't like the ending. But I felt the ending on it was perfect (sequel or no sequel, I felt satisfied at the end.)

5 Stars. Easily.

When you read the summary for The Mark you may think that there could be some action, at least if you think like me. I thought there could be some somehow with her ability. Maybe when she helped people with it or learned about it herself. But, I was wrong. So if go into reading this thinking like I did then you will be disappointed.

This was more of a book where Cassie deals with learning different truths, both about her family and about herself personally. She has to step into the "real world" before she is actually ready but in the end it does help her to accept her ability. She meets a family member she didn't know she had and she has her first "adult" relationship. This guy is someone that she confides in about her ability one day (for a reason) and he is the first person other than her Nan that she has told.

I finished this story with mixed feelings. It was a nice story of Cassie coming to accept her ability, to learn things about her family. Somehow though I was left feeling a little like, huh. It wasn't until like the last chapter or so that the answer to her ability came out to her. I kind of feel like it should have come out sooner. I don't want to spoil anything but what she learned at the end I wish that the author would have gone into more depth, maybe that will be done in the sequel.

The Mark was an easy read. Jen Nadol's writing was easy too follow. I wish I had liked this book more, really I do but I just felt like there could have been more. For a debut book though I think that Jen did a pretty good job. It is a book that can make you think like Cassie. If you knew someone was going to die would you tell them? If you did or didn't how would it affect you, them or even the universe? Does every decision you make really affect everyone else?

The Mark is the story of Cassandra; a 16 year old girl struggling with her ability to see people who are about to die - "I see almost dead people". At first she's not sure what the aura she sees floating around certain people actually means, and it's throughout this book that she discovers it's true meaning and struggles with her decision as to whether she should tell people of their impending death or leave things alone. It is this essential question and the discussion around it that is the strength of this book. Cassandra is taking an introduction to philosophy class so she brings what she is learning in class to bear on her dilemma. It makes for some thought provoking reading and the author did a great job integrating quite a bit of philosphy into this story.

Cassandra is a good character; she's smart, likeable and comes across as believable. The problems I have with the story is that it's very predictable. I saw everything coming a long time before it got there. There just wasn't much spark to this tale. One thing that especially bothered me was the ease in which Cassandra slipped into a very adult relationship with the older boy Lucas when previously she had been portrayed as a never been kissed type of girl. I never really liked Lucas, so the romance angle never did it for me.

I must include that I am not this books target audience. What didn't work for a 40 something female might work just fine for a 16-18 year old. The "I see almost dead people" angle is pretty popular right now. This author takes a unique and somewhat successful approach in adding the philosophy behind the heroines inner struggles. I just think there are other books out right now that handle this issue with a bit better story telling. A so-so recommend for 14 and up (no language issues and no graphic sex).

As this story opens, Cassie Renfield is making a terrifying discovery about herself. Cassandra, who is aptly named for the Trojan princess whose gift of prophecy brought her nothing but grief, can see a luminous mark on a person who is about to die.

After seeing the mark on a loved one, and trying unsuccessfully to change her fate, Cassie tries to hide from her heart-wrenching "gift." But a question continues to plague her. When she sees the mark on a person, does she have a responsibility to tell him what she knows? What if there is a chance his fate could be altered? Or maybe this news could give him time to take care of unfinished business? What should she do?

That summer, Cassie takes an introductory philosophy course and starts dating her insufferably annoying TA, Lucas. I was eager for that relationship to end. ;-) She looks to Lucas, and to the ideas of the great philosophers, for answers. Tentatively, she takes steps toward helping people escape their fate. However, in a twist that reminded me of W.W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw," her intervention has unintended consequences.

The Mark hits the ground running, throwing you right into the action in the first few paragraphs. However, it is not a fast paced novel. Most of it centers around Cassie's emotional struggles and the philosophical questions she wrestles with. I found Cassie well drawn and likable. The book touched lightly on the ideas of some philosophers, and on perennial questions like the existence of fate and free will. While it doesn't explore these ideas in depth, it's a thought provoking read.

When I first heard about The Mark from Jen Nadol, I was intrigued - the cover as well as the description, makes the book sound amazing. I knew it was a book I wanted to read, so I was excited when my preorder got here (they did not even tell me it was on the way, so it was a surprise).

I was not disappointed...I read The Mark in a day...I could not put it down, and every time I tried, it called to me. In the beginning, I cried my eyes out - even though the book had just started, when Cassie's grandmother passes away, WOW the emotion's that Jen describes, placed me right back in the room when my own grandfather was not doing well. I find it remarkable how people like Jen can write so powerfully!

The Mark was not a book full of fluff...it's one that really made me stop and think. I mean, what would you do if you would see that today was that person's last day. You could tell that Jen did a lot of research, and soul searching, for this book, Cassie, our main character, thought about all the scenarios. Cassie thought about not just weather she should tell these people but also how...how do you tell someone you don't know that today will be there last day; Cassie even thought about if she should.

This book still has me thinking about it...several days after I have finished - I have even tried to write this review, on 2 separate occasions, however I keep finding it hard to put my thoughts into worlds. I did really enjoy The Mark, the premise is original and I really enjoyed Cassie as a main character.

However, with that being said - the book was a bit strange to me, on one hand you have all the "should I tell, was this gift given to me to be able to tell...ect" things going though Cassie's mind - but then on the other, there's the mystery surrounding her mom, as well as her relationship with Lucas. It seemed like a lot going on, and I REALLY did not like Lucas from the beginning, something about the way he "slid" into Cassie's life so easily threw me off. Not to mention her letting him think she's older than she really is, a relationship built on lies is always doomed to fail.

Bottom line - The Mark left it's mark with me, I enjoyed Jen Nadol's writing and will be sure to be on the look out for more from her, I am hoping maybe a sequel, there's totally enough here for one, and maybe more of a resolution. It left me asking questions about my own life, would I want to know if today was my last day...and how might I feel if some stranger came up to me, telling me that today was my last day! Defiantly recommend picking it up!

The Mark was thought provoking and filled with philosophical references. Cassie is a fellow Stephen King fan and many of his works were mentioned, which always delights me.

The main question of the novel: What would you do if you had Cassie's gift/curse of knowing that a person is going to die today? There is no easy answer and you get to see, through Cassie's actions, the different ways that decision could effect people's lives.

I got the feeling there was something more going on with Cassie's friend Tasha, but nothing came of it. I was also left wondering where things might be headed in Cassie's romantic life. Both leave an opening for a sequel or perhaps even an entire series. There is room for more story to be told, but the major story line of the novel is both complete and fulfilling.

Cassie is completely on her own at the age of sixteen and had more than her share to deal with. Her relationship with Lucas seems real, yet uncomfortable. There is a lot of inner turmoil, dealing with mortality and struggling to live with what is both a gift and a curse. The book is dark at times, but the subject matter isn't something that can be dealt with lightly.

The Mark is beautifully written and invokes genuine feeling, managing to be both deep and entertaining.

Okay, when I was looking for books for our library, I happened upon this one and decided to give it a whirl. Boy was I glad I did! It is an absolutely thought provoking book.

Cass is able to see the mark of death on someone the day they are going to die. But this is something she never wanted. When her grandmother dies quite suddenly (not without Cass noticing), she is whisked away to live with her aunt she didn't even know existed. Pretty much her aunt wants nothing to do with her. So Cass tries out working at a coffee shop and signing up for a college course in philosophy. Boy was that one of the best parts ever.

There she meets her boyfriend to be. Now I can't tell you want happens next cause that would spoil it. But I have to tell you, while I was reading it late one night, I was cheering Cass on scaring my dog half to death. I laughed, I cried, and I rooted Cass on throughout the book.

This book is a great book to read on a rainy day and one that will make you look at life a little bit differently... for it's gift.

Cassandra Renfield had a rough start to her 16 years. Her parents died in an accident when she was just two, but she grew up under the love and care of her maternal grandmother, Nan. Now it's just the two of them. And with Nan getting older, she is often rushed to the hospital for her diabetes. So now they take care of each other.

Ever since Cassie can remember, she has occasionally caught sight of a strange glow around a person. She never knew what it meant, but then something happens to plant a seed of suspicion. During one of Nan's trips to the hospital, Cassie sees "the Mark" on Nan's roommate. The next day, Cassie learns that the roommate has passed away. She decides to test her suspicion and follows the next person she sees with the Mark. Sure enough, he dies before the day ends. And then she sees the Mark on Nan.

Already at the hospital for Nan's diabetes, Cassie and Nan convince the doctor to run further tests. But the tests turn up negative, so they do the only thing they can: try to enjoy each other's company for the short hours they have left. And the Mark fulfills its promise --- before the day ends, Nan dies.

Nan's will leaves Cassie enough money to live on, and the lawyer thinks Cassie can get emancipated minor status. But strangely, the will insists that Cassie go and live with an aunt she never knew she had for an entire three months. Cassie doesn't understand, but she follows Nan's instructions.

While staying with her aunt, Cassie begins to learn some shocking things about her parents --- and she digs deeper to find out more. She also signs up for a philosophy class at the local college and falls for her teaching assistant, Lucas. All of which cause Cassie to examine her "gift," trying to figure out the moral obligations involved. Why does she have this ability? Should she try to warn those with the Mark? This moral dilemma begins to haunt Cassie, leading her to search deep into her own life for some much needed answers.

THE MARK is Jen Nadol's first novel, and she debuts with flying colors. Not only does her book reach out and grab hold, never letting go even after the last page, she builds up and presents intense ideas and questions about life and morality, and the debate between predestination and choice. Nadol offers a unique look at some interesting relationships, like the special closeness shared between Cassie and Nan that is wounded by the many deeply buried secrets and the romantic yet thought-provoking bond between Cassie and Lucas.

Overall, Nadol has done an outstanding job, and her growing fan base will be excited to know that she is already busy working on two more related novels. Please hurry!

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT