Birthmarked

Birthmarked Trilogy Series, Book 1

By: Caragh M. O'Brien

Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer

Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the wall and those, like 16-year-old midwife, Gaia Stone, who live outside. Gaia has always believed it is her duty, with her mother, to hand over a small quota of babies to the Enclave. But when Gaia's mother and father are arrested by the very people they so dutifully serve, Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught to believe. Gaia's choice is now simple: Enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

©2011, 2012 Caragh O'Brien (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[People] who enjoy adventures with a strong heroine standing up to authority against the odds will enjoy this compelling tale." ( School Library Journal)

Aside from mispronunciations, worthwhile.

The book is great. i rrad it many years ago and enjoyed thr audiobook. Love to see reproductive rights being discussed. The narrator mispronounces many words, which is a bit grating. otherwise a worthwhile listen

Great book

I liked this book & look forward to finishing the series. I think this a great tweener series.

Beautifully written

Narration is wonderful and the story line is great. This is not my first time listening.

Inner Beauty above Outter Beauty

I really liked this story. This is about a strong 16-year-old midwife who has thought everything she has been taught was right then realizes, maybe not. In her heart she feels she needs to right not only her wrongs but her communities wrongs for her family and community. While doing this she has her own personal stuggles because of an accident she endured when she was a toddler and has left her scared on one side of her face. With her insecurities and feelings of being an outcast she still finds strength to do what she feels is right and capture the eye of a forbiden interest and possible love because of her strength and beauty within. Narration was done very well. Carla Mercer-Meyer may not have distinguished her characters with the very different and distinct voice acting for each individual character i usually like, but she paced herself beautifully and distinguished each character with the feelings she put into her narration to convey what each character was going through at the time.

First book always the best

This series is creative, though I would rate the second and third book lower than the first.
Be warned this book leaves you on a cliffhanger for book two.

I would definitely listen to the first Book again

Many plot twists

The book may have turned out a bit better if they followed with each topic a little longer. It was a bit scattered.

gripping your seat

several times I would just listen to this book any chance I had it was. so great only let down is that a few times the narrators voice seemed off hut could have been my phone not sure. either way story was amazing!!

I was pleasantly surprised!

What did you love best about Birthmarked?

This was an extremely creative read. The main character was pretty childish though she was practically a child anyway. She makes a lot of decisions that other people pay the price for and she does as well. Though she makes theses decisions based on her beliefs of what is right and wrong and no one can changer her mind.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gaia is the main character...I love how she knows who she is. She won't change for anyone!

Have you listened to any of Carla Mercer-Meyer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listened to the entire Birthmarked series and they were equally great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes...my husband as well.

Any additional comments?

Check it out!

So much promise

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The lead needs to grow up. I understand that her entire world has been torn upside down but from the start to the end she really never grows up. Instead she keeps having tantrums.

How could the performance have been better?

The voice actor needs more practice, a rich deep male voice reading this book would have been better.

Could you see Birthmarked being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could see this as a tv series, if the characters were allowed to grow and flesh out more.

Any additional comments?

It's good to see books placed in Michigan. So many writers seem to forget we exist.

Surprisingly Good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

In a world of YA fiction where all dystopian novels are starting to sound alike, this one feels refreshingly different. It isn't just about a girl versus The System: it's about the value of life, the sacredness of family, the perception of beauty, and the awakening of courage. I like that what Leon most values about Gaia is that she does what she knows is right, regardless of the consequences. I can cheer on a character like that.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Leon because his story unfolded gradually.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Gaia saved a baby via emergency c-section on a dead mother. I found myself cheering on the baby to live!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Life First (the inscription from Gaia's locket)

Any additional comments?

I noticed the mixed reviews about this narrator, but I enjoyed her performance. My only criticism is that the pace felt unnecessarily slow with some unnatural pauses in sentences, but I appreciated that she wanted to take it easy, giving her listeners a chance to absorb details that could be confusing otherwise. If you like the narration of Kate Simses (Matched), you'll like Carla Mercer-Meyer.