Book Review: The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

The Carrier of the Mark
Carrier Trilogy #1
Author: Leigh Fallon
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal
Released: October 4th 2011
Review Source: HarperTeen
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Their love was meant to be.

 
When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

I made the mistake of reading some of the reviews on Goodreads prior to starting this book. A few people were saying that it was just Twilight rewritten with different character names. **sigh** And I was a little creeped out by the front cover-a girl floating up in the air, looking like she is possessed or something-reminded me of the scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when Katie Bell touches the cursed necklace and flies into the air screaming. I placed my reservations aside, though, and opened the book deciding that the only way I could give it a fair review is if I read it with an open mind. I admit that I tend to compare books to series that I love (Twilight, Harry Potter, Fallen, and on and on), but I don't let that overshadow my appreciation for a good story. I am glad that I gave The Carrier of the Mark a chance because I really, really enjoyed it and cannot wait to read the next one to see what happens next.

First things first, the prologue grips you from the first words--'Flames engulfed the boat, and my lungs ached as dark, noxious smoke filled the air. I struggled off the dirty makeshift bed and shuffled across the floor, the cable ties binding my hands and feet making my progress slow.' See what I mean?! So needless to say, I was hooked from the start. Megan Rosenberg and her father, Caleb, move to the small town of Kinsale in Ireland, after having moved around a lot she hopes that they will finally be able to settle down in one place so she can complete a school year without having to start over again mid-year. Megan meets a few girls who become friends, Caitlin and Jennifer, and is intrigued by a mysterious, gorgeous boy who makes her hands tingly when she looks into his eyes. Yes, I admit this sounds like Bella, Angela, Jessica and Edward Cullen, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from reading this story.

Megan gets to know the mysterious boy, Adam DeReis and his equally good-looking sister, Aine, brother, Rian, and guardian, Fionn, as the story progresses. The story unfolds slowly at first, but the pace picks up quickly as Megan finds herself in more and more danger from outside forces called the Knox. She keeps hearing whispers and thinks she sees apparitions of an old man dressed as a monk. She finds herself connected to Adam and his family in a way she could never have dreamed in her wildest fantasies.

I really enjoyed this story. There was romance, passion, danger, plot twists, magic, kidnapping, secret powers, the four (or maybe I should say five) elements, friendship, and more passion. I am glad that I didn't let the negative reviews hold me back from experiencing this story because I couldn't get enough of it as I was reading. I simply cannot wait until the next book because I need to find out what is next for Megan and Adam, and the rest of the DeReis family. I strongly encourage you to pick this book up, I know you won't be disappointed.