Review: The Mark by Jen Nadol

Title: The Mark
Author: Jen Nadol
Reading Level: Young Adult
Received From: Publisher
IBSN: 9781599904313
Other Info: 2010 Debut Author Challenge
Blurb:
Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

My Thoughts: 

Keep in mind that whatever I say in this review will not do this book justice. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a really really long time. Sometimes I have a hard time writing revews for books that I love because I don’t know how else to say it but OMG I loved this book. I’ll try to stay away from that.

The Mark starts out with a bang. Cassie has always seen the mark but she never knew for what it meant. Until the day she decides to follow a man who has it. This book wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was expecting the normal teenage girl who in between chasing after boys and texting realizes she has some sort of supernatural power. I was expecting fluff. What I got was a book that made me think. With a very mature and well developed main character.

Cassie’s character made me realize how tired I am of reading about boy crazy immature girls. Although I will continue to do so. It was so refreshing to read about someone who could take care of herself and not rely on her friends and parents for everything. All the characters were so well written and I was so invested in their stories that I forgot I was holding a book in my hands.

The premise I will honestly say didn’t grab me when I read the synopsis but from page one I was hooked. It made me ask myself all sorts of questions. What would I do if I were Cassie? I love books that make me think. I may have finished this in one day but I’m still thinking about it days later.

Like I said before, I know that my review will not do this book justice but I had to try. The first Tenner book you run out and buy should be The Mark. You will not regret it. Reading this book should be your New Year’s Resolution! 5 Stars!