THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin
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.
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.
MY THOUGHTS:
I'm just as confused as Mara. Or at least I was.
For the first half of the book, I sat there thinking, This is Fight Club. This is totally Fight Club. (For the record, I love Fight Club. And if you've read it - or seen the movie - you know what I'm talking about.) But Mara surprised me. More than once. In fact, there are surprises in nearly every chapter. It's true; Hodkin keeps you on your toes.
Mara is a strange character, both fierce and goofy. It works. I like that she's not pegged into one personality type. And her family is involved. They're not conveniently away on an all-expenses-paid family cruise. They're not severe workaholics that leave the kids to fend for themselves. They're present - both her parents and brothers. And they have significant roles! They help propel the story forward, rather than intrude and waste time.
Personally, I'm not a fan of Noah, the stereotypical bad boy who reads like a cliche. Plus, I don't fall for possessiveness. It's just creepy. As such, he falls majorly flat as the romantic interest. I just don't buy it. There's this lack of trust that causes me to guess if his intentions are true.
But then there's Jamie. Why, why, WHY couldn't there have been more Jamie?! I love that kid. I want him back. He's beyond quirky and steals every scene he's in.
Bottom line is The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is fast-paced and keeps you alert. It's also a bit outrageous at times, and ends abruptly after such a long buildup, so be prepared for a major cliffhanger. Otherwise, enjoy the thrill!
Ive been sniffing several reviews of Mara Dyers in various review. I secretly hope to make sense of it all and get a gist of the story. Its so that i can rest a little more peacefully until i get my own copy! Your review made me gasp at how you just casually went about dropping names unlike most review who just say..OMG..you must read it..its fast..paced etc etc!
ReplyDeleteSuper review!:D
P.S. First time round here..You blog is the first that has been bold about bright yellow! Its so cute! <3 the blog layout so much! Pleasure meeting you!
Great review! :D I want to read this book, it really sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI liked Jamie much more than Noah too. I also loved that Mara actually had a supportive, alive family unlike many poor YA characters who have to go through hardships on their own without parents. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book everywhere. Gotta read it :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've heard absolutely amazing stuff about Mara and the author. I think it's probably one of the books I'm really looking forward to this year. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteUgh, cliffhangers. I'm not so fond of them.
ReplyDeleteI've never read/seen Fight Club, but I know what it's about, so intrigued by the story in Mara Dyer now! Glad you liked it overall even if you weren't a fan of Noah. I'm interested by this Jamie person now - can't wait to read this! Great review :).
ReplyDeleteAfter I read Jamie's first passage in the book I was immediately struck with the thought that he was the exposition character; he was able to relay information about the area and school that if done outright would have been incredibly boring. Don't get me wrong, I adored him, but I think his character definitely had a purpose.
ReplyDeleteThe active influence and appearance of Mara's family was probably the thing I loved most aside from me just loving her family as whole, especially her older brother.
I really loved this one.
I need to get a hold of this book or at least put my order in. Sounds like a reat read. I love it when books don't just shrug their shoulders over a family - they include them and make them part of the story. It adds a much more realistic element.
ReplyDelete