The Mark by Jen Nadol

Publisher: Razorbill

Age Group: YA
Pages: 240
Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher

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?

It took me a while to write a review for this book. I didn't really know what to think of it. It was a very different book from others that I've read, but yet good. Cassie has the ability to see a trick of light which basically shows her that that person will die soon, but she doesn't know when or how and she's never able to save them. And that's what hurts her most.

Cassie's ability was very unique because I've never read about it before, but at times I did find the book going a bit slow. I was wishing for more action, but towards the end, the book did pick up and it bcame interesting.

Cassie was a fun and likable character. She wasn't too full of herself and I sympathized for her. The entire time I was reading the book, I was wondering what would I do if I was in her shoes with her ability. I probabaly would just go crazy and would try my best to ignore it. But my favorite part of the story was when Cassie meets this psychiatrist and she shows Cassie so much, especially about her mother and the connection between Cassie, her mother, and her ability.

Also, the cover is GORGEOUS. I love purple and the light surrounding the flower on the girl just captures the mystery of Cassie's ability in a way that sort of hard to understand.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be reading the sequal, VISION, when it comes out.