I have had this book quite a while to read and was excited to finally get around to reading it. This is going to be a tough book for me to review because I ended up really loving it but I am not quite sure why I loved it so much.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was really well done. The narrator did an excellent job with character voices and emotion. If you enjoy audiobooks I would definitely recommend listening to this one.
Mara Dyer has no memory of the night her life changed forever. The night that her best friend and boyfriend died in the collapse of a building but Mara somehow didn't. Mara is trying to recover. Her family moved to a new school at Mara's request and Mara wants to makes a new start there. However she keep seeing things and hearing things that no else can..and people keep dying around her. Then there is the incredibly sexy, yet incredibly obnoxious, Noah Shaw. He keeps dogging her and Mara wants nothing to do with him because a boy like Noah has got to be trouble.
This book got an absolute ton of publicity when it was released. In fact that was probably one of the reason it took me so long to finally read it, I hate overhyped books. However. it ended up being a pretty darn good book. The story is driven by two things: Mara's struggle with her delusions and how she is changing and her relationship with Noah.
I loved Mara as a character; she has suffered great trauma but is still trying to live a normal life. I was a bit frustrated that she wasn't more open with her family about the strange things happening to her; but I totally understood where she was coming from. The mystery behind the changes happening to Mara is utterly intriguing. This book mostly just introduces what is going on with her and doesn't answer any of the mystery behind it (which I am dying to know).
The other main character is Noah. He is the super hot, bad boy with a reputation that is drawn to Mara and persists on trying to get her attention. Mara knows Noah is bad news, but a couple of interactions with him outside of school convince her that there is more to Noah than his reputation.
Noah and Mara have excellent chemistry together and the romance between them is incredibly engaging and a major driver in the story. Noah is definitely swoon worthy and I really enjoyed reading about him as a character. However as the story goes on you find that there is an interesting twist to their relationship.
I also really loved Mara's family; she has such loving brothers and her parents (despite their quirks) are really trying to support her. It was a wonderful to read a YA book where the teen's family is respectful and supportive.
The story is so mysterious and unpredictable that is had me absolutely hooked and on the edge of the seat the whole time. This is one of those audiobooks where I was finding excuses to drive the long way around just so I didn't have to stop listening to it. I am so absolutely and utterly curious about what is going on with Mara and how it will all play out.
Overall I ended up loving this book. The plot (and Mara) are so mysterious and engaging. Additionally Mara and Noah's relationship is sweet and fun to read about (it seriously had me grinning hugely at parts). I am dying to know what happens next. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy YA paranormal reads with a sweet romance and some serious mystery.
What a brilliantly written story! The entire time I read it I had felt a thrill of wanting to understand what was really going on in the head and life of Mara Dyer. Who was she in the past? Who is she now? Who are these people that she has encountered? Who are the people she cares for? - And then you get blown away bit by bit as the story gets uncovered. The thrills and questions become unraveled with answers only to leave me aching to learn more!
Mara Dyer's family recently move to Florida from Rhode Island. She doesn't remember how she was able to survive a tragic event that killed her closest friends, including her best friend Rachel. She wants to learn so many things. She is starting to see things and feels like she is going crazy. She is trying to adjust to living a lonely life without Rachel in a new school. Then this guy named Noah with a British accent in her school doesn't seem to leave her alone. Rumors surround this guy and she just wants to figure herself out, but he keeps coming around.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series now!
The only problem I really had at all with this story was all the profanities in it. At least it wasn't constant, but it was certainly within the pages.
The story line about Mara Dyer was intriguing and had me hooked! The love story was okay. It's your typical insta love "twilight" y&a romance. With that being said I have come to expect that kind of love story with all y&a book series now. Hell I even bet there's a bigger part for Mara's friend Jamie in the next book....love triangle anyone. Lol! Will def keep reading the series since my curiosity is piqued. I would love to know what the hell happened to these kids to give them these powers. Would recommend to any Twilight fans. Noah Shaw kind of reminds me of Edward Cullen/Robert Pattinson mashup.