Book: Birthmarked by Caragh. M. O’Brien 
Published by: Roaring Brook Press, March 30 2010
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Format/pages: Hardcover 362 pages
Format read/Source: Hardcover from library
Date read: February 16 2011
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
After climate change, on the north shore of Unlake Superior, a dystopian world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. It’s Gaia’s job to “advance” a quota of infants from poverty into the walled Enclave, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s parents are arrested.
Badly scarred since childhood, Gaia is a strong, resourceful loner who begins to question her society. As Gaia’s efforts to save her parents take her within the wall, she herself is arrested and imprisoned.
Fraught with difficult moral choices and rich with intricate layers of codes, Birthmarked explores a colorful, cruel, eerily familiar world where one girl can make all the difference, and a real hero makes her own moral code.
My Thoughts:
Birthmarked is a thrilling, action-packed dystopian by 2010 YA debut author Caragh O’Brien. I was in the mood to read a good, satisfying dystopian and Birthmarked really fit the bill. This book should satisfy those looking for something similar to the Hunger Games with its intrigue, mystery and suspense.
The dystopian world is set up very well, with a plausible concept, and the characters are compelling. The protagonist, midwife Gaia Stone, is brave and faces danger at every turn. Her parents kept some secrets from her to keep her safe. However, now that they have been captured Gaia must use her wits and code-solving skills to help save them. I have not read a book with codes before and thought that was an interesting element.
The plot is thought provoking regarding the midwives and ethical dilemmas. The midwives have a monthly baby quota to fulfill for the Enclave. I was not sure of the Enclave’s intentions regarding the birth records. It seemed sometimes that their intentions were good in that they wanted to look for a suppressor gene to combat the health concerns plaguing the Enclave. However, their methods were suspect and their jump to imprison the midwives and doctors made them even more suspicious.
In addition to the code solving mystery and action, there is a little romance thrown into the mix. Gaia has great chemistry with Captain Leon Grey. Their relationship begins slowly and believably as they learn to trust each other. It is nice to see someone who can look past Gaia’s scars and believe in her.
The book is paced very well, and held my interest from beginning to end. The suspense ramps up toward the end and I couldn’t put the book down. There are some surprising twists along the way. The ending is sudden and intense, and sets up a whole new story for Gaia. I can’t wait to read what happens next. Those looking for a satisfying dystopian after finishing the Hunger Games should enjoy this series. Recommended also for fans of YA, dystopian, and sci-fi.
Birthmarked is the first book in a trilogy. The sequel, Prized, comes out in November 2011, which is entirely too far away.
I read this book as part of Presenting Lenore’s Dystopian February event. Check out her blog to find out more about the dystopian genre.
For more information:
Amazon | Goodreads | Authors blog | Authors twitter
This was an interesting read. I actually began writing a story that had similar themes and dropped my project after reading this. Too much in common!
Ah, great minds think alike! It is an interesting read. I saw it compared to Handmaid’s Tale as well. That one looks good too.
Hmm, I hadn’t heard of this one yet! Thanks for sharing, it sounds pretty interesting. I may need to check it out.
This is my favorite dystopian in a while. Hope you like it!
I read this awhile back. I don’t know if it was just me but this one didn’t really do anything for me. Though, the concept was good. I had problems with the execution. It seemed like there was just a lot going on between the parents being captured, the mystery behind the babies, and then the love intrest… I like her style and concept, but It’s not a five star for me :C
That’s just my opinion though. Did anyone else feel this way?
I see some mixed reviews on goodreads, so you are not alone. I guess there were a lot of concepts introduced for the world building- perhaps the sequel will be tightened up. I read that it was originally going to be a standalone but the ending was changed to enable a sequel. It is one of my favorite dystopians since the Hunger Games and Delirium. Thanks for your comment 🙂
[…] Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien […]
Haha, this is kind of late.:3 I just read this book and completed a project on it. Your review is really great.!(:…
Is there going to be a movie on this? Because if there is i really want to see it! Badly!
It doesn’t seem like there are any plans for a movie at this time. Not according to the author’s website anyway. I agree, it would be interesting though!
[…] Birthmarked series by Caragh M. O’Brien, Legend by Marie Lu, and Wither by Lauren […]