Review: The Mark by Jen Nadol

Title: The Mark

Series: I don't know

Book #: 1

Author: Jen Nadol

Pages: 240

Reading Level: Young Adult

Rating: .7

Goodreads Rating: 3.50
Published: Jan. 19, 2009
by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

"If you knew it was someone's last day, would you tell?"

Sixteen-year-old Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a light glow reminiscent of candlelight. The only time she pointed it out taught her she shouldn’t do it again. For years, the mark has followed Cassie, its rare appearances odd, but insignificant. Until the day she watches a man die. As she revisits each occurrence of the mark, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Now armed with a slight understanding of the mark, Cassie begins to search for it. Even as she hides her secret, Cassie mines her philosophy class, her memories, and even her new boyfriend for answers about the faint glowing mark. But many questions remain. How does it work? Why her? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

Taschima:

While short on pages 'The Mark' can be quite a ride.

Cassie has had the mark since she was little, but only recently did she know what it truly meant. People with the mark die on the same day it appears. With all this pressure and questions that seem to have no answer, Cassie escapes from her life to the little town where she was born. She is there looking for answers, but will she only find more questions?

When I started the book I didn't know what to expect. I basically picked it up because it was short. Which is something that I still don't know if it worked to its advantage or not.

The main character, Cassie, is a very likable girl. Though confused at parts, I found myself agreeing with her on various points trough the novel. This is good. A likable character is something you want on your debut novel.

The plot was solid. I liked it. The author really makes you think, she puts you right into Cassie's shoes. I often went back and forward on my opinions in the whole thing. It would be so awful if it really were me. Knowing the ones close to you are about to die? Should you or should you not help them? Is it fate that this should happen? Do you choose fate or free will?

Romantically I am happy with the outcome. It isn't like other YA novels, were the girl falls in love with the guy and they live happily ever after This is also a sad part of the story, that there isn't a strong relationship that can help our girl on tough times. Oh and her family. I like Nan, but didn't like her aunt. I specially didn't like how she could be an aunt sometimes and sometimes she wasn't.

There were some holes in the story, things that could have been better in the outer and inner structure. Like something related to Cassie's 'age'. But I don't want to give it out. And well, when often the character referred to the past I found myself completely lost. I didn't know if we were on the past or present. To say confusing was a given.

I gave this book a 3.7 rating because even though confusing at times and with the holes, I thought the plot and the character have a future. I hope the writer continues with this story, because there is plenty of material to explore.