Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

     I NEVER WRITE BOOK SPOILERS, SO ENJOY!
I honestly loved this book, this is on one of my higher recommendations of must reads!  The first chapter immediately hooks you, but I won't lie the next couple chapters were a tad slow at times (The build).  However, that quickly changes and before you know it, you are going to be so sucked into this book (like I was).  Even though it's over 400 pages, you are going to find it near impossible to want to put down!  So here goes my attempt at a review without ruining anything for those of you who might want to read it:)

Mara Dyer is the only survivor of a terrible accident and unable to remember any of it.  Suffering from PTSD she moves with her family to  Miami to hopefully leave the accident behind.  Mara is enrolled in a fancy private school with all the norms that come with high school. Including the great looking and intriguing Noah Shaw, who is also the guy with the not so her style "reputation".  Aside from not being able to avoid constantly running into Noah.  Her other problem is her mind is full of flashbacks.  Some that she understands and others she does not and pretty quickly a lot of bad things begin to happen around her and life for Mara begins to get a little crazy.

This story is full of mystery, darkness, humor, and at times quite twisted.  But it also has a seriously great build of romance.  In fact because of the way the author hooks you into the love story, it's light and heavy with some fun humor and situations.  I seriously found this to be one of the most likable YA romances I have read since Twilight.  However, unlike Twilight the female character Mara, isn't needy and as desperate as Bella was.  Mara is a strong and independent fun character, even with all her issues:)  I didn't find her or the romance storyline in the least bit annoying, instead it was something new and a little fun.  I bet you can't read it with out getting a bit simile on your face during certain moments!

This book will not only keep you guessing throughout, but for myself left me walking away from it unable to get it out of my mind for a while. (In a good way, I think:).
I will also note, as being an adult who also loves YA.  This particular book seemed to steer clear of the regular teenage banter that most YA novels have, it's almost like a YA for an adult reader...  If that makes any sense at all, maybe you should just read it and then you'll get what I mean!

The only major downside to this book is the fact that it is only Volume One...  I wont write anything of all the twists and turns and how it ends, other than to say I cannot wait to read Volume Two and if you read it, if you enjoy YA I have a feeling you will too!

32 comments :

  1. Great review! This had been on my TBR list for a ling time and I can't wait to read it!

    Thanks!
    Leanne

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  2. I enjoyed your engaging review and it makes me want to read this book now. I like the idea of her memories coming back slowly and mysterious events unfolding while offering up a romance.

    Thanks!

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  3. Great review! This is on my TBR list, but I haven't found time to read it between blogging and school work.

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  4. I'm so glad you liekd Mara Dyer as much as I did! I adored it and you captured some great feelings in this review! I'm desperate for book 2 now! ( :

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  5. I must be one of the few people who have not yet read this. I may wait for the series to be finished & then read them back to back.

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  6. I have this book sitting on my shelf waiting to be read! I'm glad you enjoyed it, gives me more motivation to finally reading it! Great review

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  7. Thanks for your review. I can't wait to read this book. I have heard nothing but good things about it...so I will be moving it up on my tbr list. And I am glad to here that t there is a second book
    GFC:aprildan01

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  8. Thanks for the review. I just love the cover of this book, it's just a book I want to display on my bookshelf. I'm glad you enjoyed it and from reading your review I probably will too. I might wait until it's closer to the second books release to read this though, I'm trying to hold off on reading books part of an unfinished series because I always have to re-read the previous books and I don't like doing that.

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  9. I have a copy of this on my TBR read shelf! I love the cover and its nice to see that it received such a positive review. I think I'll have to move it up the list because I'm even more excited to read it now!

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  10. Ah, but the ending...was so...devastating. Great review. It it a great book!

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  11. This book sounds very interesting and I have it on hold at the library right now I cant wait to read it!! Thanks for the review, its always nice to hear someones perspective b4 u read a book!!

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  12. I loved this book too! Here's my review: http://sweetsouthernhome.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/review-the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer-mara-dyer-book-1-by-michelle-hodkin/

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  13. I got this book for Christmas and I enjoyed it very much.

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  14. Still like to read...soo curious about Mara, and yep, Bella was a little bit pathetic personality...that hype around that not-so-real vampire story..(sorry for the fans it's just my opinion!) I hardly can't believe in that story it's not like fairytale and not like a real history... but this book goads my curiosity!
    Thanks for reviewing this awesome bk!:)

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  15. Awesome review! I really wanted to read this book and your review has really hyped me up about it!!

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  16. thanks for your interesting reviews.
    Like the idea that it's almost like a YA for an adult reader...will look the book up.

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  17. Oh, I really really want to read this book. The story sounds great and the book cover is amazing. Thank u for the review, it's a great review.

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  18. This is one of the books that I have been wanting to read for a while! Thanks for the review!

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  19. Sounds interesting, I love the thought of a YA written for adults!

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  20. Like you, I'm an "older" YA reader, too. I just started reading YA to include them in my own book blog. I usually read literary fiction, so based on your review, I'm glad to hear that this book reads a little like an "adult" YA book. I completely relate to this statement!

    As for the main character and the comparison to Bella, I'm glad she's independent. (I did enjoy Twilight. I was definitely Team Edward!)

    Thanks for the review.

    Zara D. Garcia-Alvarez
    zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com
    On Twitter: @ZaraAlexis
    Blog: The Bibliotaphe's Closet - http://zaraalexis.wordpress.com

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  21. Great review. Sounds like an interesting book.

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  22. Thanks for the review, i've been wanting to read this one!

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  23. Thank you for the great review. I'll add this one to my list.

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  24. I really enjoyed your review. I had been told to steer clear of this book as it was rather dark and twisted at times and also had some pretty foul language. I'm glad to know you still thought of it as a YA and not Adult read. Thanks for some good insight:)

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  25. I specially luved to know that Mara is not like Bella since my dislike of the latter is so great... and the being funny and dark and all that at the same time... adding to the fact that a great friend of mine had already convinced me to read this book... me wants that <3

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  26. wow...its sound awesome,,,great riview..i cant wait to read this book...

    pls enter me, i want this book..^^

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  27. Yay for good reviews! This is on my wishlist already so yeah I am game!

    I think I'd love to expand my horizons and read some original material so I think this could be it!

    Thanks for the review!

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  28. Thanks for the great review! I had never heard of this book before but it is definitely going on my "To Read" list now! Can't wait to get my hands on it!

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  29. Glad you liked it, I loved it! Hope you read the next one soon.

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  30. Oh the confusion and insanity! Michelle Hodkin had me thinking I was crazy for awhile reading this. I absolutely loved it though. It just kept me guessing the entire time. Can't wait to read the sequel!

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  31. ohhh...I am adding this to my list now, it sounds good! Thanks for the review, I have read several of the books you have highlighted and loved them all!!

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    Replies
    1. You just made my day:)
      This is a fabulous series, you'll love it. It's made my all time favorites list!

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