The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

** SPOILER FREE ** ** SPOILER FREE ** ** SPOILER FREE **

"Where Mara Dyer is concerned, NEEDING to know how everything ends amounts to a type of obsession. "

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 544
Series: 2nd in the Mara Dyer series
Acquisition: I won an ARC from the publisher

Summary:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next? (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:
Wow. Ok. This is a hard one.

So...um...yeah…

VERY hard to review this one without giving away anything and believe, me you do not want this one spoiled for you. No worries though - I'm giving nothing away!

After the dramatic, traumatic, manic, panic, heart in your throat roller coast ride that was Mara Dyer book 1 you would expect nothing less from book 2 - correct? I know I didn't. While by the end I was (mostly) satisfied it wasn't all butterflies and rainbows for me while reading. In fact, I was pretty pissed off for large chunks of this book.

I had TONS of theories as to what exactly was going on with Mara. Some, I'm happy to say, I was right about. Others I was completely wrong about. AND THEN! Hodkin's threw in some total what-the-f-ery. Starting with chapter 16. OMG chapter 16 almost brought about a cold freeze -- literally, as books that piss me off tend to end up in my freezer (don't ask...really...just don't).

So, I was confused, I was upset, I was mad but what's really important is that at no point did I ever consider giving up on Mara because again - OMG WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE!?

Did I like the turn(s) of events? I think so….

Do I agree with the things that happen(ed) and why? Not sure…

Did The Evolution of Mara Dyer make me feel all the feelings? Most defiantly.

FINAL VERDICT:
Despite some pissiness caused by the story line, my exclamations of "OMG that doesn’t make a lick of sense! ...ok...so maybe a little… *grumble* *grumble* ok, I get it now" and some cringe worthy scenes (romantic? disgusting? Way too unbelievable? --- not telling!) -- all in all I would have to say that I very much enjoyed this book.

If anything though, I almost feel like too much was revealed. Book 1 had so many possibilities floating around and book 2 kind of throws them all in your face at once. Some might say that there is still a lot left to discover and a lot left to flesh out both character and plot wise and while this is true, I also feel like some of the mystery is gone.

BUT! On the flip side of this, if NOTHING was revealed I don't know that I would have enjoyed it as much as I did.

WILL I CONTINUE WITH THIS SERIES?: Um - YES! Even if I hated this book (which I very much didn't) I would have to read book 3.

Where Mara Dyer is concerned, NEEDING to know how everything ends amounts to a type of obsession.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in the Mara Dyer Series:
#1 The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
#2 The Evolution of Mara Dyer
#3 The Retribution of Mara Dyer (2013)

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2011
Pages: 450
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: Trade

Summary:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Wow. Just wow.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is a book unlike any other I've read. You'll have to forgive me if this review is a tad short as there is very little I can say without giving away Mara's secrets. It is the secrets of this story and of it's characters that makes it what it is. And what it is, is the best book I have read in a very, very, very long time.

From hearing a few tidbits from those who read it and also from hearing Michelle herself speak of it, I knew there was going to be something different about this book. It was pretty hard for Michelle to even give a brief synopsis without revealing too much and now I understand why.

I was captivated and draw into the story from page 1 and it was very hard for me to put it down. I lost sleep and I was late for work because I just couldn't not read one more page! Michelle has a way with words and such a firm grasp on her characters, especially Mara. I felt what she felt and I questioned what she questioned. At no time did I feel like, as a reader, I knew more then she did about what was happening to her. This level of depth was fantastic and opened up the door to so many possibilities -- loved this!

And wow again - that ending! Shock and fright and amazement -- so did not see it coming and it was brilliant! I'm almost sad that I read this one early -- it means waiting even longer for book 2 and man! I need book 2 like yesterday!

A fabulous debut for Michelle and I can't wait to read more from her. As one of the best books I have read this year, I highly recommend The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer!!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Simon and Schuster
Author's Website
Goodreads