The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Review

Monday, July 25, 2011

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin (Twitter)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: September 27, 2011
Genre: YA, Psychological Thriller
Pages: 464
Source: Publisher

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. 

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. 

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. 

She's wrong.
Mara's life is nothing like it used to be. The biggest problem before the accident was the fact that Claire might be usurping her place as her best friend's new best friend. Mara's family moves to Miami for a fresh start, but Mara's troubles follow her, and her troubles begin to go from bad to worse. She's seeing things, hearing voices and she's pretty sure she's dangerously unstable. The one person that could center her is as mysterious as her condition, but as dangerously handsome and charming as they get. Can Mara reach the bottom of her troubled past before her world crumbles around her?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is a thrill ride; plain and simple. However, while that surmises what many of you might have already guessed, it doesn't even begin to come close to adequately portraying what a masterpiece Michelle Hodkin has created in her debut novel. Rich and engrossing, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is rife with dark humour, snarky characters and white-knuckle suspense from start to finish. Michelle Hodkin is a genius when it comes to setting a scene. Balancing a perfect description of each setting while allowing the characters to sing through so they never become overpowered by mundane details, the world of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer comes alive. Brimming with tension and suspense, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is sure to find a place on every book-lover's shelf.

First and foremost, I have to say that Mara was very much a mystery to me throughout much of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, but that's not to say that I didn't get to know her. It's the not-knowing that made her that much more intriguing, if that makes sense. Every time I think I had a grasp on what was going on with her, she threw me for a loop and had me grasping at straws, yet again. Jamie, Mara's new best friend was a hilarious oddity, as well. He added a layer of intrigue to the host of secondary characters, each of whom had their own distinct personality. In the same breath, I'd like to say that Daniel, Mara's older brother, was a perfect counterpart to Mara, herself. His steady demeanor was the very opposite of Mara's tumultuous self, but their interaction was genuine and honest - very much that of a brother and sister. Then there's Noah Shaw. Good Lord. Noah Shaw. He will forever be the boy that I compare all YA boys to from now on...perhaps real boys, as well. On the surface, his surly player facade had me screaming for mercy, but when you added the layer of hidden, genuine charm and concern, he epitomizes perfection. Through it all, however, I must not forget that while the characters were phenomenal, the plot was equally so. I never once knew where The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was heading, but it was visual, and it was tense, and I was enthralled and breathless long after the very last page.

I cannot sing the praises of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer enough. This book, in my humble opinion, is what makes the genre so great. Merging a powerful premise with an equally stunning and original plot, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer gets a 6 out of 5 from me (as well as edges into my top ten), and the ending left me absolutely desperate for book two like...yesterday. I highly recommend this book to all fans of YA, as well as fans of adult books, especially those who enjoy psychological thrillers and dark tones. There is some mature language and insinuations, so do keep that under consideration.

I received this ARC free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

34 comments:

  1. Great review! I'm dying to read this book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. 6 out of 5?! :D I have to read this one!
    I am addicted to psychological thrillers, so I will be definitely reading this. Dark humor, snarky characters and suspense are an excellent combination.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I am so jealous that you have already read this one. Since the moment I first read the summary concise and mysterious as it is, I have been drooling for this. I am so glad that it not only didn't disappoint but exceeded your expectations.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome review! If it has edged it's way in your top ten then I must get my hands on this book.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, that is some praise! I'm looking forward to reading about this guy who is now the epitome of guys :) I wasn't really into the hype for this book, but now I'm thinking I should pick it up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brilliant, brilliant review. I've learned more about the book here to continue to pique my (already very intense!) curiosity without giving anything away that would take away from me reading it. I love when an author can create a world (and rich, developed characters) that makes you forget what's going on and just puts you right into the experience with them. So, so excited for this one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMG! I need this book now. You made it sound so, so good. 6 out of 5! Really?
    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Holy S- a 6 out of 5!! Im reading this...:D

    ReplyDelete
  9. First Off, JEALOUS! Majorly jealous, but so happy that it got a great review! I must pick up this book as soon as it out.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This book has been sitting on my shelf for a month now and I knew I would eventually read it, but I guess I was a bit nervous. I think it's because there has been so much rave about it, I was worried it was going to suck instead. However, your review has seriously told me I have to pick it up next. I'm glad too, because I just finished a book and I needed something else to read next and I was so undecided that I wasn't reading anything. I'm so excited now!

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

    ReplyDelete
  11. SIX STARS!? I've heard fabulous things about Mara Dyer, but this review seals the deal. I'm bumping this up on my TBR pile right now! Great review, Melissa! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow. A 6 out of 5 huh? MUST READ!!! I cannot wait to read this one, it sounds beyond amazing and Michelle is just so sweet and cute:) Awesome, awesome review Melissa!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great review! I'm so excited to read this one :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amazing review, I'm now dying to read this! 6 out of 5 must mean that it's really, really good :P. And Noah? I must meet this boy. I am intrigued by what you've said about him. AH I need to read this book! Glad you enjoyed it :).

    ReplyDelete
  15. 6/5! :) Love it Melissa! This book was so flipping crazy! I'm happy you love Noah as well! Everything was a mystery in this book and still is a mystery, at least to me! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I SO agree! I LOVED this book! Noah is my favorite book boyfriend this year. He's beyond perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yay! So happy to know that the story lives up to the hype!

    Exciting review, Melissa. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow wow, 6 out of 5?!! I have never seen you give anything like that, or have you? This book has to be really good

    ReplyDelete
  19. This review may have just bumped this book up on my TBR list. Thanks :]

    ReplyDelete
  20. Honestly? I didn't care for the cover on this one and passed on it. Bad, I know. *sigh* But now? YES! I must get it! Psychological thriller? Dark tone? In your top 10??? Yep... I needs this now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am so glad I have this on my nightstand!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great review! You kept it spoiler-free and at the same time you said lots of things about the characters, which is why I liked it so much.
    The cover and the synopsis made me want to read the book but now I have an idea of what's coming and I can't wait to have it :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow. This is one of the best reviews I've read on this one -- and there are plenty of rave reviews to go around. Now I want to read it even more!! And she's a debut author, isn't she? Amazing. Plus, I want to meet Noah!
    Mary @ Book Swarm

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow! What a fantastic, raving review, Melissa. Definitely makes me want to pick it up ASAP. I could use a thrill ride for sure right about now!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for the amazing and glowing review, Melissa! The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer has been getting so many positive raving reviews... I can't wait to read the book!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have this one sitting in my TBR pile and I NEED to read it! SO many positive reviews for this one. You make me want to read it even more!! =D

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow, that's high praise! I'm excited to read this one. I love anything with lots of suspense and good humor. And a truly delectable boy.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow..your rating! A thrill ride, plus it's rich and engrossing? This one is my TBR pile. I can't wait to read it!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is on my TBR pile on the top 5! The book itself sounds so interesting! Love your review!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ack, I'm dying, just so excited to read this! I kind of love being confused when reading these types of psychological mysteries. Not too confused mind you, but I love trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Love the 6 Star Rating!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Just finished it today...actually 6 minutes and 23 seconds ago. Oh, my. I'm speechless. [that never happens]

    Can you believe that ending?!! Oh. My. Gosh. Grrr...cliffhangers kill me!

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

    ReplyDelete
  32. This isn't something I would normally read. But the cover and title pulled me in and your review convinced me that I need to add it to my TBR :) Great review!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I always do my very best to return the favour :)

Please note that this blog is an award-free zone!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover