The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Because, I absolutely refuse to write a spoiler review.  I had to take extra precaution when writing this review, to keep the authors secrets, secret until they are released at the right time when you read them.  Because of that, this review may feel like I am leaving a few things out.  I would love, love, love to say more.  But I enjoyed this series way too much to ruin it for anyone else!

If you know me and have followed my book reviews you may know I LOVE this Mara Dyer Trilogy. If you haven't read this series, then go check out my first book review (a few years ago back in 2012 ) you can find it here: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

I waited and waited and waited for this final book, lets just say the author or publishing company took their sweet time getting it out to us.  However, once I started I couldn't stop, it was worth the wait!

For those who have read the rest of the series, you know this series is a bit darker than most books. Michelle Hodkin's is a very talented writer, this is a series that for me was nothing like I had ever read before. I love when I find something satisfying and yet different, not your usual book.
Yes, it's a bit on the creepy side, the first two books went into some dark places.  But overall it was a love story that I absolutely could not get enough of!  Plus with it's story line, I still found the humor and the author put a smile on my face quite often.

I knew sitting down to read The Retribution of Mara Dyer it was going to be dark.  It had to be, especially where the last book left off.  But lets just say it really gave a new meaning to the words dark and creepy!  Michelle Hodkin's took this one to an entirely new level.  In some ways I expected it, but a few things even made my eyes draw in shock as I read.

This final book in the trilogy takes off right where the last left off.  Mara is being held in a treatment center, at this point against her will.  But the Doctor's have taken extra precaution to make sure that she stays sedated enough to be cooperative with them.
They know what she is capable of, and that if Mara just thinks about wanting them dead, they will be. Which is why they have over medicated her in an attempt from keeping her mind from being in her own control.
Mara Dyer has been their test subject, for how long she doesn't know.  They have destroyed her mind so much, that she can't even begin to care about the answers and things they are doing to her anymore.  The only person she talks to or tries to reason with her is the reflections and mirror images which are disturbingly herself, which is expected where Mara is concerned.

Mara already believes she killed the love of her life, as well as all of her friends.  Other than a deep down feeling from within, she has been told they are all dead.  Deep despair is a good way to describe it, but not only that she is medicated to a near helpless state.
She isn't even sure if her parents or brothers even know where she really is, or if she will ever see them again.  She assumes they will tell them she died, while they continue to test and use her for their experiments.

Then help comes in a creepy yet surprising form, that I won't mention because I don't want to ruin any part of this for anyone.  That is when Mara Dyer has to decide what the truth really is.  She also has to decide just how far for vengeance she will go.
Let's just say, once the drugs have faded and her full mind is clear.  Mara is unleashed and never holds back she is a woman with purpose!  She can't do it any other way, especially if she wants to find the truth and obtain some bit of her life back.


Be prepared to be shocked, over and over again.  Because the author said it best "Retribution has arrived" and she didn't say that lightly either!The author put a quote in the beginning "What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil." Friedrich Nietzche.  Let me say, that statement rings very true in this final installment of the New York Times Bestseller Mara Dyer Trilogy.

I really enjoyed this series.  It might not be for everyone, their is a little but harsher use of language especially in this third installment.  Their are also some disturbing things, that may not be for everyone.  I said this before when I wrote the review for her first book, this is definitely a YA book that is written for adults in mind.  I personally wouldn't recommend it for anyone under the age of 16.
But if you are looking for something different, something that will stand out yet can be completely enjoyed, you will love the Mara Dyer Trilogy by Michelle Hodkin!