Veronica Roth Ventures Into Science Fiction in Carve the Mark

Posted on May 17, 2016

Veronica Roth penned the successful Divergent series which was made into movies starring Shailene Woodley. Her next series is science fiction and takes place on a planet in another galaxy. The series begins with Carve the Mark, which arrives in bookstores on January 17, 2017. The second novel will be published in 2018.

HarperCollins U.S., UK and Australia coordinated efforts for a timed on-sale date. The book is set in a galaxy where some are favored by fate. Everyone in the galaxy has what is called a currentgift. A currentgift is described as a "unique power meant to shape the future."

Most benefit from their currentgift but Akos and Cyra do not. They have gifts that make them vulnerable to other's control. Here is the publisher's description:

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra's currentgift gives her pain and power-something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother's hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows. Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive-no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive-or to destroy one another.

Roth talked with EW about her new series. She says she wrote an early prototype version of the series when she was only 12 or 13. She explains that Cyra's gift causes her constant pain and also causes anyone she touches to experience pain. She also says there is creepy stuff called feathergrasses that causes people to have awful hallucinations.

The Guardian has published a sneak preview of Chapter 7 here, which introduces Akos and Cyra. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.