The Fates Divide: Sequel to Carve the Mark

I thoroughly enjoyed “The Fates Divide”—even more than its predecessor, Carve the Mark. Veronica Roth expands on the characters and world in a way that feels deeper and more meaningful, drawing readers further into this universe of fate, power, and choice. What stood out to me most was how much more developed the relationships between the characters felt. The dual perspectives gave a clearer sense of their struggles and desires, and I appreciated the focus on how fate isn’t just a limitation but something to be wrestled with. The themes of loyalty and identity felt more compelling this time around. That said, the pacing was uneven at times. Some sections felt slow, and it took effort to get through them, though the payoff was ultimately worth it. Roth’s writing shines most in the emotional, character-driven moments, and I found myself wishing there were more of those instead of some of the heavier plot exposition. Overall, “The Fates Divide” is a satisfying sequel that delivers on character growth and thematic depth. While it may not be a quick read, it rewards patience with its rich storytelling and emotional stakes. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars - recommended for fans of “Carve the Mark” or those who enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi/fantasy.

Er würde für sie sterben. Sie würde für ihn töten. Das Leben von Cyra und Akos ist vom unausweichlichen Schicksal bestimmt, das die Orakel bei ihrer Geburt geweissagt haben. Demnach wird Akos im Dienst der Familie Noavek sterben. Trotzdem liebt er Cyra. Als Cyras totgeglaubter Vater Lazmet den Thron wieder für sich beansprucht, sieht Akos sein Ende näher denn je. Lazmet beginnt einen brutalen Krieg, und Cyra und Akos sind zu allem bereit, um ihn zu stoppen. Für Cyra könnte das bedeuten, dass sie ihren eigenen Vater töten muss. Für Akos steht das eigene Leben auf dem Spiel. Doch schließlich bestimmt das Schicksal beide Leben auf vollkommen unerwartete Weise … Ich hatte ja Hoffnung für Band 2 aber leider ist auch dieser Band nicht besser geworden. Schade für die Reihe.

4⭐️ If I had to describe this book in one word it would be refreshing. When I walk into a bookstore nowadays I mostly see fantasy novels about a girl with dead parents from a small village in a magic kingdom, who falls in love with some broody guy. No matter which book I see, everything sounds so similar. That is my number one reason, why I enjoyed this so much, "The Fates divide" is an original story, where the author put thought into the plot. The characters have depth, it is political, there's elaborate worldbuilding and there is romance (which doesn't take up most of the story). The characters can stand on their own and have a personality apart from the love story. There were also some amazing plotwists and even though the storytelling wasn't always fast-paced, it was always interesting. I also loved the depiction of Cyra's and Teka's friendship :) And even though it's been a while since I've read "Carve the mark" I could get back into the story right away without looking the plot of book one up. The glossary also helped a lot. One thing, that threw me off though, was the different types of POV's: Cyra's and Cisi's POV were 1st person and Akos's 3rd person. I also wasn't the biggest fan of some developments near the end.