Review: The Evolution Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Evolution Of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Published: October 23rd 2012
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

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?

My Thoughts:

Holy schnikees Batman.

While there’s something intensely incredible about the first book in a series, there can be a lot to say about the second book in a series. This book was one of them. What a thrill ride. There were a few things that were revealed in the first book, but a few things were still unknown. In Evolution, those unknowns were explored.

A lot of it was honestly a bunch of insane things happening. And of course, you don’t know if it is in Mara’s head or if it is really happening. Which is why this series is so awesome because it messes with YOUR head. Nearly every time I finished a chapter, I had either gotten more confused, figured something out, or was reeling in shock of what just happened. The biggest thing about Evolution was the incident that happened at the very end of Unbecoming. It’s a major spoiler, so I will not mention it in detail. I will say, however, that this thing is the basis of the mess that Mara is in now and continues to be in, and it will keep you hanging on.

I would be remiss to not mention the beauty that which is Noah Shaw. It had been nearly a year since I read the first book and fell in love with him. The second book made me fall in love with him all over again. FALL IN LOVE is almost an understatement. He was so beautiful and swoon worthy, as usual. There were those two parts that were absolutely the best… the notebook and the event that followed reading it.

The Evolution Of Mara Dyer was a great, no, a marvelous continuation of this psychological thriller. Mara and Noah’s relationship is just plain epic. The first book was on a scale of 1 to 10 for sexual tension a 9. The second book is an 11. Seriously. That sexual tension… and the kissing… oh man. I just loved it. And the end? Well played, Michelle Hodkin. Well played. One of the best series I have read and as much as I want to find out what happens, I want to savor it forever.

PS: I don’t buy the one part for a SECOND. Trust me, I KNOW it isn’t true. (You guys who read the book know what I’m talking about. And you don’t believe it either.)

My Rating:

Review: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins

Title: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkins
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

.
Mara wakes up from a coma with no memory of the accident that caused the deaths of her best friend, boyfriend, and boyfriend's sister. The doctors tell her parents that starting over in a new state and a new school will be good for her and that she should let the memories come back on their own. But Mara's new start is anything but comforting when she sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and her world starts to fall apart. She begins to see people's deaths just before they happen--at least that's what she thinks she's seeing. On top of that, the most beautiful boy ever is pursuing her, but his intentions may not be so pure....
Part thriller, part paranormal, this hotly anticipated debut novel will have readers on the edge of their seats.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Wow.

For months I tried and tried to NOT buy this. I knew it was going to be really good. But I had too many other books that I need to finish first, so I kept putting it off... until I caved in and splurged to buy this beauty. I was right, it was insanely amazing. I was continually on the edge of my seat… because of what was happening at the moment, curious as to what was going to happen next. Wondering what is real and what is imagined. You’re constantly interested. It’s not like a story that has slow moments (well, maybe a couple but it's short lived). It’s always moving, always changing, always keeping you guessing.

Mara is remembering things from the night everything went wrong. Only she remembers them in short bursts, never enough to completely understand what lead to that inevitable moment, just snippets. And in all this, she’s barely able to feel anything when she can’t understand. She keeps seeing things, hallucinating, the walls and ceiling collapsing, seeing the friends that died that night. Mara is at a new school, trying to start over, but it all keeps coming back to her. Her parents are concerned about her, especially after a few incidents and seeing how much she’s not herself so she goes to a psychiatrist and receives help for her visions and hallucinations.

At this new school are two types of people--people who have it out for her (and you want to punch their faces for it), and people who want to be around her. One of them being Noah. Sensational, utterly sexy Noah Shaw. Oh yes, I see it now everyone. I see what it is about him. Talk about wowsa. I just kept reading his words in an English accent (ala Ed Westwick) and I was swooning. What is it about those bad boys?! AUGH!!! I loved Noah! And their banter. Oh that banter. It was like Gossip Girl.

When it comes to other people in Mara's life, her brothers were so sweet and cool. So was Mara’s other friend Jamie. One of those awesome guy friends that you just love for being a good friend. I love those kinds of guys.

There is just TOO MUCH to say about this book. Too much. But I'm trying really hard not to give too many details away, because that's what makes this story so amazing. There are so many little things that add up to the biggest of things in the end. So intriguing and scary and thrilling all at once. I’d definitely (DEFINITELY) recommend The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer because it will keep you hanging on to every single word.  And that cliffhanger ending? So frustratingly fall out of your chair perfect. What a story… I cannot wait until Michelle Hodkins gives us book number two!

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM