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Book Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer – Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #2
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Thriller
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
My Rating:

Summary:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.
She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.
She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.
In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

 
First Sentence: I woke up on the morning of some day in some hospital to find a stranger sitting in my room.

My Review:

Some books leave you so speechless and shocked that all you can do is blink and wonder why. (Not why is it so bad, but why is it so good and why those things happened.) The Evolution of Mara Dyer is that book.

After reading The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the first book in the Mara Dyer series, and finding myself hating it, I highly doubted that I would read the sequel, even if it had another stunning cover. I didn’t like Mara Dyer, her relationship with Noah didn’t ring true to me, and I had to nearly kill myself just to finish the book. However, people who also hated the first book like I did loved the second book, so I was like, okay, why not give it a try? I’m glad I did.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer is told from Mara Dyer’s point of view (obviously), and when things started happening to her, but she isn’t sure if it really happened because people don’t believe her, but it looks like it actually did happen, but she might be wrong, I didn’t know whether to think Mara was insane or that she was, in fact, sane and something was seriously wrong with her life. The Evolution of Mara Dyer constantly kept me on edge.

To make matters worse/better (depends on if you like horror), tons of things crept me out (and I do not get crept easily; blame that on Criminal Minds) because all these things were happening and they just. Didn’t. Make. Sense. Why didn’t they make sense?! Everything was then revealed in the end.

Unlike The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, there was more focus on the plot instead of the romance. However, I disliked how Mara was always relaying on Noah to fix her problems for her and protect her. Yes, I know she’s in a tough situation and she can’t escape, but to be so clingy and helpless just doesn’t ring well with me.

Noah is always there for Mara and loves her desperately, but that causes a problem for me. When they first met in The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, it was like insta-love. Now in The Evolution of Mara Dyer, I can see that Michelle Hodkin worked hard to improve her novel, but since Noah and Mara’s relationship is based on insta-love, I just don’t get why Noah would give up everything to keep her safe and would love her that much when there were so many other girls out there that he could get.

The cliffhanger at the end of The Evolution of Mara Dyer is intense. I’ve been running ideas through my mind on how the series could end, and so far, none of them are good. I wonder how things will all turn out.

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 11-07-12 · 17 Comments
Categories: 2012 book, book review Tagged: 4 star

« Waiting On Wednesday [4]
Another Look: Cinder – Marissa Meyer »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Kaitlyn Hoyt says

    2-03-13 at 12:21 PM

    I loved the first book in this series. I’m surprised that so many people didn’t like it. I have some serious cover love for this book. It’s so simple, but so pretty. I really want to read this book.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-01-13 at 9:58 PM

      I didn’t really like the first book in the series and it was such a HUGE surprise when I liked the second book. I have a feeling that many people will change their minds when they read the second book. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 1 – Class Orientation + Teaser TidbitsMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Mariam Alamin says

    2-04-13 at 9:56 PM

    I literally just finished this book 20 minutes ago, and my mind keeps saying ; He can’t be dead, He can’t be dead. I loved the island bit and the journal he was keeping. Also the two necklaces, That was so cool. I was breathless when Jude kidnapped her, and the last bit had me hyperventilating. (Well, ALMOST) I liked how Noah appeared at the Treatment facility place. Before it happened I was like, he’ll go there to see her and whatnot. Overall, I loved this book!!!!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-01-13 at 10:03 PM

      Don’t worry, Noah’s not dead. Otherwise, Michelle Hodkin better be well-prepared for some angry fans to come and storm her house. ;P
      I’m glad you loved this book Mariam! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 1 – Class Orientation + Teaser TidbitsMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Jamille says

    7-01-13 at 5:56 AM

    I so agree with your review. This is one of the books that I’ve really enjoyed this year. It was creepy, confusing, and compelling. After you read the book you would wonder: What was that? Did that really happened? What are you thinking? Is this real life? Over all, it was such a good read.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-01-13 at 10:04 PM

      Mhm, I am desperately waiting for the sequel so I can finally have some answers. However, the next book released date was pushed from September 2013 to June 2014. So sad. D:
      Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 1 – Class Orientation + Teaser TidbitsMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Cali W. says

    7-18-13 at 3:55 AM

    I was surprised at how much I liked this book. There were so many twist and turns. I died at the end cause all the cliff hangers killed me. It will be a long wait for the next book. ;)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-18-13 at 8:34 PM

      The cliffhanger at the end ESPECIALLY killed me.
      And yeah, a long wait. I hate that it is being released in June 2014 now. D:
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Dirty Little Secret – Jennifer EcholsMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Hazel says

    7-18-13 at 1:19 PM

    I actually liked the first book! I can’t wait to read this one next!
    Hazel recently posted…Cover Reveal: Panic by Lauren OliverMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-18-13 at 8:35 PM

      If you liked the first book, then you’ll definitely like this one Hazel!
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Dirty Little Secret – Jennifer EcholsMy Profile

      Reply
  6. May Abraham says

    8-01-13 at 6:27 PM

    May reactions exactly!! I was beyond shocked at the end of this book. I loved the first and the second was even better. I agree with you about her relying on Noah too much. I remember thinking the same thing when I read it. So excited for The Retribution though! It is going to be crazyy

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-01-13 at 6:31 PM

      I know! I need The Retribution of Mara Dyer in my hands NOW. I want to know the ending to the series!
      Kelly recently posted…Summer Giveaway Hop 2013My Profile

      Reply
  7. Michelle says

    11-03-13 at 12:41 AM

    I loved both books, but maybe that’s just me. Everything in Evolution was creepy, I totally agree- the cat bit freaked me out so much. I’m choosing to completely ignore the ending because otherwise my heart won’t be able to deal with it, and anyway, pretty sure you can’t do that to a very much loved character in the book (I will die if it’s actually true though, ignorance is bliss for now i guess). I need the next one now aaaah!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 9:14 PM

      Everyone have a different opinion on books they read Michelle, so don’t worry. ;D
      Ha ha, I HIGHLY doubt Michelle Hodkins will pull an Allegiant death on us or else you can picture all the crazy fans crying. I’ll also be VERY surprised if Noah dies. :P
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  8. Susan T. says

    11-06-13 at 4:51 PM

    I haven’t read the first book yet but I love horror so this series definitely interests me! If I hate the first book I won’t let it stop me from picking up the second one.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 9:15 PM

      You should give this series a go Susan! Who knows, maybe you’ll like the first book better than I did. The first book is worth reading just to read the second one. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Let’s Speculate: Judging A Cover By Its Texture says:
    9-09-14 at 9:29 AM

    […] Anna and the French Kiss series (not the hardbacks of Anna or Lola though) by Stephanie Perkins. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin and its predecessor, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, also has a matte finish. The […]

    Reply

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