Carve The Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve The Mark by Veronica Roth

This is the first new series for the author of the Divergent books. Carve the Mark is an interplanetary thriller. Cyra is sister of the the sadistic, cruel, and power-crazed Ryzek, who is ruler of the Shotet people. In this universe, there is a band of currency that wraps around each planet and it gives ‘current gifts’ to everyone as they come of age. To Cyra, it gives tremendous pain that she must bear -- but it's pain that she can also inflict on others with a simple touch.  To Akos, it gives the power to relieve that pain with a touch. However, Akos is the son of the Oracle of the Thuvhesit, sworn enemies of the Shotet.

Akos and his brother are captured by the Shotet early in the novel, and they are cast into service under Ryzek’s regime. Much of the book’s action comes as Akos tries to free both himself and his brother, and Cyra seeks to free herself from Ryzak using Cyra’s currentgift to torture prisoners and informants.

The book’s title comes from the planet’s custom of settling disputes in battle, with the victor ‘carving a mark’ on their bodies to commemorate the kill. If you liked Divergent, you will likely find a lot of things to like in Carve the Mark, although this series starts with a lot less romantic tension and a lot more violence and bloodshed.