Book Review: The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

First of all, look at that cover! Is it not lust-worthy? *sighs contentedly*
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This is my very first official book review, and I’m so happy to start with The Carrier of the Mark! I was lucky enough to get my hot little hands on an ARC from the lovely author herself. I will say as much as I can about Leigh Fallon’s debut Young Adult novel without giving any spoilers…

We begin the story with an American girl named Megan, who moves to Ireland with her father for his job at a marina. The introductions to characters are well done, and I can feel Megan’s insecurities and emotions which go along with being the new girl in a new place. I loved the dialogue; Leigh blends humor with Irish lingo in a way that will keep you grinning.
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Immediately, there is delicious chemistry when Megan begins school and feels drawn to the mysterious boy named Adam. As the romantic tension grows between Adam and Megan, so does the secretiveness surrounding Adam and his family. It’s clear that Megan somehow plays a part in this puzzle, and I found myself reading quickly to figure it all out.

When the mystery begins to unravel, and the mesmerizing elements of magic find their place in the story, Leigh Fallon’s storytelling truly shines. Her descriptions of the magical abilities are gorgeously wrought, without being overly explanatory. I was riveted by the simple beauty of the things these characters could do, and I found myself falling in love with the family dynamics of Adam, his siblings, and his guardian.

Being a love story, my favorite line came from one of the scenes that left me feeling tingly. Here it is for you: “My lips parted, eager to taste his breath on the tip of my tongue.” Mmm. Eventually, Megan is faced with a difficult decision, and my heart breaks for her. I shall say no more about that, but I would have hated to face such a choice when I was seventeen. Funny thing is, fate has a way of leading us in the right direction.

I gobbled up The Carrier of the Mark in twenty-four hours, and felt warmly satisfied at the outcome. So many first novels leave readers on an extreme cliff-hanger with too many loose ends and no sense of closure. Carrier does not do that to you; however, there are just enough unanswered questions to make you want to read the sequel.

~ The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon will be released by HarperTeen October 4, 2011, but can be preordered on Amazon.
~ Add The Carrier of the Mark to your bookshelf on Goodreads.
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