The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth

The lives of Cyra Noavek and Akos Kereseth are ruled by their fates, spoken by the oracles at their births. The fates, once determined, are inescapable.

Akos is in love with Cyra, in spite of his fate: He will die in service to Cyra’s family. And when Cyra’s father, Lazmet Noavek—a soulless tyrant, thought to be dead—reclaims the Shotet throne, Akos believes his end is closer than ever.

As Lazmet ignites a barbaric war, Cyra and Akos are desperate to stop him at any cost. For Cyra, that could mean taking the life of the man who may—or may not—be her father. For Akos, it could mean giving his own. In a stunning twist, the two will discover how fate defines their lives in ways most unexpected.

With the addition of two powerful new voices, Veronica Roth's sequel to Carve the Mark is a chorus of hope, humor, faith, and resilience.

2.5 Stars

Pros:
- After how much I disliked the lack of story in the first book, this book definitely had more story elements to it and I felt like there was a true purpose to what was going on with the characters.
- We got to see more of the world beyond were Cyra and Akos grew up which was a great way to expand on what was happening and showing how the “war” was affecting more than just their planet.

Cons:
- Veronica Roth did it again in terms of ruining characters. In Carve the Mark, I actually enjoyed the relationship between Cyra and Akos but in this book they both felt so flat to me. It was like they did a complete 180 and were not at all the same people.
- This is supposedly just a duology but she definitely left it open for more. But I think it is safe to say I do not need or want more.

I've decided that I do not think I am a fan of Veronica Roth's works. I've now read her two series and they have both disappointed me in the end. Divergent started off great but quickly became a struggle to finish and this duology was a struggle from the beginning. I'm not sure I will be continuing to read other books by her in the future.

So many thoughts and all I can say is that I loved it. I wish we would have gotten more of this universe and this lore. It is so intensely good and I'm so happy