Helpful Score: 2
Mara can't remember that night. She doesn't know why she wakes up in the hospital or why her best friend, Rachel, hasn't been there to visit. She keeps asking what happened, but all anyone can tell her is that the building collapsed. She is the only survivor. But why was she there in that building? Why are Rachel, Jude, and Claire dead? She decides that it would be better to relocate than to have to face her community. Her family moves from Rhode Island to Florida to try and help her heal. Everything is fine until she starts having hallucinations. She sees Jude and Claire everywhere, hears their voices. What is wrong with her? Is she going crazy? At her new school she meets Noah, the infamous bad boy of the school. He is the boy every girl wants, but he has his sites set on Mara. Despite her best efforts, she can't deny what she feels for him either. They soon learn that their may be other forces drawing them together.
This is one of the most interesting books that I have read in a long time. I honestly had no idea what this book was about when I started reading it. I kind of expected the normal teenage angst and romance type of story, but this book is anything but normal. The characters are wonderful. The story is full of twists and turns. Every time you think you may have the story figured out, you are wrong. This is the kind of book that sucks you in from the first sentence and doesn't let you go even when its done. The ending of this book was a HUGE shock. There is no possible way to have seen that coming. I am so excited to read the next installment of this series.
This is one of the most interesting books that I have read in a long time. I honestly had no idea what this book was about when I started reading it. I kind of expected the normal teenage angst and romance type of story, but this book is anything but normal. The characters are wonderful. The story is full of twists and turns. Every time you think you may have the story figured out, you are wrong. This is the kind of book that sucks you in from the first sentence and doesn't let you go even when its done. The ending of this book was a HUGE shock. There is no possible way to have seen that coming. I am so excited to read the next installment of this series.
Without doubt one of the most hyped YA books of 2011, THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER had a lot to live up to. Does it live up to those expectations? WellId say that depends on your reading tastes. Are Twilight, Beautiful Creatures, and Delirium among your favorite books? Or, in other words: are you the ideal market for all those YA speculative fiction bestsellers? If so, then THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER will probably be your favorite book. Do you often scrutinize books past their flashy premises to see if the world is well built, the plot engaging, and the romance well developed? Then you might have more of a problem with MARA.
Michelle Hodkin has a natural instinct for the flow of suspense in a story. Just when you find your attention on the verge of wandering, something happensbam!that widens your eyes and draws you right back in. The timing of these shocking moments was probably what kept me turning the pages.
I highly suspect, though, that these carefully timed moments of suspense hide from readers attentions the less nuanced aspects of this debut novel. THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER displays some common problems of bestselling YA paranormal romances. First, Noah is actually rather inexcusably an asshole. Edward Cullen was hot five years ago, but now we females should know better than to fall for the guy who says things along the lines of, Girl, I know you want me, and you know youll be mine before this is over. Cue the request for a restraining order, please. Yes, maybe the idea of being wanted as a guys possession is flattering, but in real life its actually very emotionally damaging.
Furthermore, the rules that govern MARAs supernatural world remain an inconsistent mystery. So Mara has thissuperpower(?) of sorts that allows her to do terrible things without really meaning to. I can believe that, except that at the end, were thrown a curveball in that, hey, Mara is not alone! Unnatural and weird occurrences happen in this world, of course, and they inevitably gravitate towards one another! Theres just too much of this world that feels like it only gets mentioned when its convenient for the plot to have some mysterious new detail that is supposed to throw off readers expectations yet develop the world at the same time. Im sorry, but good world-building is when new aspects and details are brought up and I can go, oh hey, yeah, totally, that totally works (see: Ilona Andrews).
When it comes down to it, Im afraid I have to say that THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER is a story that is fueled largely on hype. Which means that eventuallysometime soon, probablyit will splutter to a stop because it doesnt really have the content or the skill to go very far.
Michelle Hodkin has a natural instinct for the flow of suspense in a story. Just when you find your attention on the verge of wandering, something happensbam!that widens your eyes and draws you right back in. The timing of these shocking moments was probably what kept me turning the pages.
I highly suspect, though, that these carefully timed moments of suspense hide from readers attentions the less nuanced aspects of this debut novel. THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER displays some common problems of bestselling YA paranormal romances. First, Noah is actually rather inexcusably an asshole. Edward Cullen was hot five years ago, but now we females should know better than to fall for the guy who says things along the lines of, Girl, I know you want me, and you know youll be mine before this is over. Cue the request for a restraining order, please. Yes, maybe the idea of being wanted as a guys possession is flattering, but in real life its actually very emotionally damaging.
Furthermore, the rules that govern MARAs supernatural world remain an inconsistent mystery. So Mara has thissuperpower(?) of sorts that allows her to do terrible things without really meaning to. I can believe that, except that at the end, were thrown a curveball in that, hey, Mara is not alone! Unnatural and weird occurrences happen in this world, of course, and they inevitably gravitate towards one another! Theres just too much of this world that feels like it only gets mentioned when its convenient for the plot to have some mysterious new detail that is supposed to throw off readers expectations yet develop the world at the same time. Im sorry, but good world-building is when new aspects and details are brought up and I can go, oh hey, yeah, totally, that totally works (see: Ilona Andrews).
When it comes down to it, Im afraid I have to say that THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER is a story that is fueled largely on hype. Which means that eventuallysometime soon, probablyit will splutter to a stop because it doesnt really have the content or the skill to go very far.
Mara Dyer wakes up in a hospital room, but can't recall how or what happened that got her in there. It's not until she asks about her friends that she realizes that they aren't there in her hospital room because they're dead. They died in a tragic building collapse, but somehow Mara survived with no memory of the accident.
The loss of her two friends and boyfriend is too much for a young girl to handle, so her parents make the choice to move the entire family from Rhode Island to Florida to start over again. Of course, Mara can't seem to fit into her new school, and it's only the alluring Noah who seems to find her intriguing. When Mara's memory slowly is revealed, with flashes of her dead friends appearing before her in unexpected places, the thriller of establishing what is real and what isn't becomes a ride into the dark underbelly of how to control the subconscious.
I'll be honest. I love a good book cover and that's what made me interested in this one. The publisher had more than enough copies to disperse at the Book Blogger Convention at BEA in New York in May, so I snagged a copy to read for the plane ride home.
This is a story in which telling you too much of what happens spoils it. Suffice it to say that while dark, it is an intriguing study of how difficult it can be to control your thoughts. Michelle Hodkin's debut novel was an enjoyable and quick read and there are sparkling moments of surprising humor that made me laugh out loud appreciatively for the author's wit. It is a multi-layered mystery, with no end to the paranormal-esque experiences in which Mara finds herself in. She and her family were genuinely interesting and refreshing, and the side story of her family hovered in the background, keeping me wondering when, or if, it would pounce out. With every chapter ending in a mini-cliffhanger, it hooked me in and was hard to put down.
Unfortunately, there was only one pestering aspect which held me back from truly loving it. Noah, the young boy in which Mara falls in loves with, is the typical mysterious schoolboy who seems to be wise beyond his years, is nonchalantly obnoxious, and never seems unsettled by anything. While I know some people are old souls, I found myself wanting Noah to just be a kid for once. Although I was curious to see what happened with his character, most situations that he and Mara encountered frustrated me. Noah could have been a worldly man in his forties, if you didn't already know that he was a teenager. But, even though I wanted his character to be a bit more not cool, not calm, and not collected about all of the satisfyingly shocking revelations, I am eager to see where next this story goes in book two.
The loss of her two friends and boyfriend is too much for a young girl to handle, so her parents make the choice to move the entire family from Rhode Island to Florida to start over again. Of course, Mara can't seem to fit into her new school, and it's only the alluring Noah who seems to find her intriguing. When Mara's memory slowly is revealed, with flashes of her dead friends appearing before her in unexpected places, the thriller of establishing what is real and what isn't becomes a ride into the dark underbelly of how to control the subconscious.
I'll be honest. I love a good book cover and that's what made me interested in this one. The publisher had more than enough copies to disperse at the Book Blogger Convention at BEA in New York in May, so I snagged a copy to read for the plane ride home.
This is a story in which telling you too much of what happens spoils it. Suffice it to say that while dark, it is an intriguing study of how difficult it can be to control your thoughts. Michelle Hodkin's debut novel was an enjoyable and quick read and there are sparkling moments of surprising humor that made me laugh out loud appreciatively for the author's wit. It is a multi-layered mystery, with no end to the paranormal-esque experiences in which Mara finds herself in. She and her family were genuinely interesting and refreshing, and the side story of her family hovered in the background, keeping me wondering when, or if, it would pounce out. With every chapter ending in a mini-cliffhanger, it hooked me in and was hard to put down.
Unfortunately, there was only one pestering aspect which held me back from truly loving it. Noah, the young boy in which Mara falls in loves with, is the typical mysterious schoolboy who seems to be wise beyond his years, is nonchalantly obnoxious, and never seems unsettled by anything. While I know some people are old souls, I found myself wanting Noah to just be a kid for once. Although I was curious to see what happened with his character, most situations that he and Mara encountered frustrated me. Noah could have been a worldly man in his forties, if you didn't already know that he was a teenager. But, even though I wanted his character to be a bit more not cool, not calm, and not collected about all of the satisfyingly shocking revelations, I am eager to see where next this story goes in book two.
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.
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.
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.
