Monday, 7 January 2013
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1) by Michelle
Hodkin
Published September 27, 2011 by Simon and Schuster
Source: purchased
Rating: 1 paw
From the blurb: 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.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer came out in 2011 surrounded by
hype, mostly due to that gorgeous cover.
I’d heard so much about it and finally read it a few months after publication, but I was
really disappointed and remember wondering if I’d picked up the wrong book. I gave it 3/5 because I found it
all a bit confusing and it just wasn't what I was expecting.
Fast forward to last year - I received a review copy of the
sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer. I decided to re-read book one in the hopes
that a year might have allowed me to forget all the hype and so I wouldn't spend the beginning of the sequel trying to remember what happened in the first
book.
I re-read The Unbecoming and this time my rating is lower. I'm still confused as to how all the different elements and plot lines work
together, I'm annoyed at Noah being portrayed as a love interest when he’s so
controlling and violent, and I wanted more explanation about the paranormal
element.
I feel as though the majority of our readers will have
either read this book or aren't planning on reading it, but if you are one who hasn't read it but is going to, then beware, there are spoilers ahead!
Mara Dyer is sixteen when she’s involved in an accident that
kills her best friend, her boyfriend and his sister. Mara survives but has no
memory of the night when a building, an old asylum, collapsed on them. Her
family packs up and moves to Florida for a fresh start, enrolling her and her
brothers into new schools. Mara tries to hide the fact that she has begun
hallucinating, often seeing rooms start to cave in, or her dead boyfriend
walking by. Then people around her start dying, after she imagines them dying, and
she starts to wonder if her thoughts are the cause.
Mara is a bit of a complicated character. She didn't have
much love for herself and so I found her difficult to like. I also don’t feel
as if we really go to know her other than the fact that she is extremely
judgemental of other girls, basing her nasty thoughts (including calling them
sluts and whores) on their choice of clothing. Since the accident she doesn't seem to have much interest in life, that is until she meets Noah. Thanks to her
only new friend, she hears the gossip about Noah, and it seems no one can talk
about him without mentioning all the girls he’s had sex with and how awful he
is to them afterwards.
Despite this, Mara does start interacting with Noah, mostly
because he follows her around, and from then on we are treated to many, many,
many mentions of his smile. Sometimes it’s a just a regular smile, sometimes
only a half smile. Sometimes it’s soft, sometimes it’s slow, sometimes it’s a
grin, and sometimes it’s faint. In fact his smile is mentioned at least 93
times (yes, I counted.) Repetitiveness really stands out to me,
especially in YA books which are generally under 400 pages, and this really
added nothing to the story other than ensuring I pictured him as a smarmy twat.
From their first interaction Noah comes across as full of
himself and arrogant. Mara says she dislikes him, she even tells him so, but
she continues to talk to him, spend time with him and goes on about just how
perfectly good looking he is. Noah comes across as controlling and possessive,
eventually insisting that she is his, then forcing her into a situation in
which she kills things. He is also vague about himself, his family and his life
in general for no reason at all other than he seems to get off on it. He also
turns out to be quite violent – he punches a student for making a comment about
Mara and then he tells her it was worth it, no doubt with a smile on his face.
Later he also fights another guy and both times he alludes to the fact that the
victims are lucky to be alive – that kind of talk should be a great big
warning, but it’s not.
I feel like there was too much going on plot-wise: the
accident, Mara’s hallucinations, her new lethal ability, going to a new school
& the bullies she encounters, her new best friend (who was just there to
provide info on Noah), her mum nagging her, therapy sessions, Noah’s healing ability, her dad’s legal case, her brother’s
kidnapping, alligators... I just didn't find enough to connect all these ideas.
Essentially this is a YA romance, with some paranormal elements thrown in but by
the end I was left wanting to know what caused the building to collapse? Was it
Mara and, if so, how did she get this ability and why? Why does Noah have the
ability to hear the thoughts of some people and the ability to heal? How did
Jude survive? Does he too have an ability?
I found the story, and lack of resolution, frustrating but I did manage to re-read it
and didn't skim like I usually would an annoying book. I will be reading the
sequel, and I have read reviews already that mentioned answers to some of the
major questions, I really hope this is the case.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer has plenty of mystery but lacks
the needed resolution at the end. I know there are plenty of fans of the book,
and Noah, so I would only recommend this to serious fans of YA romance and YA
paranormal books.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
BEA 2013
Mandee is attending!
Follow this blog with bloglovin
Ladies of YA Podcast
Joins us for tea & book chat!
The VeganYANerds
Rating Guide
Followers
Bloglovin' followers
Bookish Blogs We Love
Grab our blog button!
AWW 2013 Challenge
Read books by Aussie women!
Blog header by My Zoetrope
Preloved Blog Tour April 2012
Author websites
- Ally Condie
- Amy Kathleen Ryan
- Anna Carey
- Cath Crowley
- Deb Caletti
- Elizabeth Wein
- Emily Lockhart
- Gayle Forman
- Hannah Harrington
- Hannah Moskowitz
- Jaclyn Moriarty
- James Roy
- Jandy Nelson
- Jennifer Echols
- Julia Lawrinson
- Kirsty Eagar
- Lauren DeStefano
- Lauren Oliver
- Laurie Halse Anderson
- Leanne Hall
- Lili Wilkinson
- Maggie Stiefvater
- Markus Zusak
- Maureen Johnson
- Melina Marchetta
- Michelle Zink
- MJ Hearle
- Nikki Jefford
- Paula Weston
- Pip Harry
- Rebecca Searle
- Richelle Mead
- Sara Zarr
- Sarah Dessen
- Shirley Marr
- Shirley Marr
- Simmone Howell
- Stephanie Perkins
- Suzanne Collins
- Teri Terry
- Veronica Roth
- Vikki Wakefield
Labels
- 1 star (10)
- 2 stars (8)
- 2.5 stars (2)
- 3 stars (32)
- 3.5 stars (12)
- 4 stars (65)
- 4.5 stars (5)
- 5 stars (59)
- 80s (1)
- A.C Gaughen (1)
- about us (1)
- afterlife (1)
- Ali Cronin (2)
- Ally Condie (1)
- Alyssa Brugman (1)
- Ambelin Kwaymullina (1)
- Amy Kathleen Ryan (2)
- Amy Spalding (1)
- Andrew Fukuda (2)
- angels (2)
- Anna Carey (1)
- Antonella Preto (1)
- April Linder (1)
- Aussie Mixed Bag (5)
- Australian (64)
- Australian Women Writers 2012 Reading Reviewing Challenge (45)
- Australian Women Writers 2013 Reading and Reviewing Challenge (13)
- authors (1)
- aww (1)
- aww2012 (44)
- AWW2013 (13)
- baking (1)
- be prepared to cry (9)
- Becca Fitzpatrick (1)
- Beck McDowell (1)
- Belinda Jeffrey (1)
- blog hop (1)
- blog tour (8)
- blogiversary (1)
- book events (3)
- bookish manicures (1)
- books (71)
- Brigid Kemmerer (1)
- Burn for Burn (1)
- C.J Duggan (1)
- Carol Lynch Williams (1)
- Carol M Tanzman (1)
- Carolyn Mackler (1)
- Christine Howe (1)
- Clare C Marshall (1)
- Claudia Gray (2)
- contemporary fiction (100)
- cooking (1)
- cover reveal (2)
- Cristina Meldrum (1)
- cupcakes (1)
- Dave Cousins (1)
- David Levithan (1)
- David Metzenthen (1)
- Diana Peterfreund (1)
- Dianne Touchell (1)
- dystopian (21)
- E.Lockhart (5)
- Elizabeth Eulberg (1)
- Elizabeth Norris (1)
- Elizabeth Wein (1)
- Emily M. Danforth (1)
- Emma Cameron (1)
- faeries (2)
- fairy tale (1)
- fantasy (21)
- Fiona Wood (1)
- Gabrielle Williams (1)
- Gayle Forman (1)
- Georgia Nicholson (1)
- ghosts (2)
- giveaway (7)
- gothic fiction (1)
- graphic novel (1)
- guest post (3)
- Hannah Harrington (2)
- Hannah Moskowitz (1)
- Hayley Long (1)
- historical fiction (4)
- IMM (12)
- In My Mailbox (12)
- interview (1)
- introduction (1)
- Jaclyn Moriarty (3)
- Jay Asher (1)
- Jennifer E. Smith (1)
- Jennifer Echols (1)
- Jennifer Gooch Hummer (1)
- Jennifer Lynn Barnes (1)
- Jenny Han (1)
- Jess Rothenberg (1)
- Jessi Kirby (1)
- Jessica Anthony (1)
- Jessica Davidson (2)
- Jessica Shirvington (1)
- Jodi Picoult (1)
- John Green (1)
- joint review (5)
- Jolene Stockman (1)
- Julia Lawrinson (1)
- Julie Kagawa (2)
- Kami Garcia (1)
- Karen Foxlee (1)
- Karen Tayleur (1)
- Kat Rosenfield (1)
- Kat Zhang (1)
- Kate Gordon (2)
- Katherine Applegate (1)
- Katie Dale (1)
- Kiera Cass (1)
- Kirsty Eagar (3)
- Kirsty McKay (2)
- Kristen-Paige Madonia (1)
- Kristin Cashore (1)
- Laini Taylor (1)
- Laura Buzo (1)
- Lauren Kate (1)
- Lauren Oliver (1)
- Leanne Hall (1)
- Leigh Bardugo (1)
- Lenore Appelhans (1)
- LGBT (3)
- Libba Bray (2)
- Libby Gleeson (1)
- Lili Wilkinson (4)
- Lisa Schroeder (1)
- Liz Fichera (1)
- Lois Lowry (2)
- Louise Rennison (1)
- Louise Rozett (1)
- Lucy Christopher (2)
- M. Beth Bloom (1)
- M.J Hearle (2)
- Maggie Stiefvater (1)
- Margaret Stohl (1)
- Margo Lanagan (1)
- Maria V. Snyder (2)
- Marianne Curley (1)
- Marianne de Pierres (3)
- Marie Lu (2)
- Marissa Meyer (2)
- Maureen Johnson (1)
- Melina Marchetta (5)
- Melissa C Walker (1)
- Melissa Keil (1)
- Melissa Marr (1)
- Michael Grant (1)
- Michelle Hodkin (2)
- Michelle Zink (1)
- My Mad Fat Diary (1)
- Myra McEntire (2)
- mystery (11)
- nail polish (1)
- Nerdy Vegan Cooking (1)
- Nick Earls (1)
- Nikki Jefford (2)
- non-fiction (1)
- paranormal (40)
- paranormal romance (15)
- Paul Griffin (1)
- Paula Weston (1)
- Penni Russon (2)
- Pip Harry (1)
- post apocalyptic (2)
- publishing (1)
- re-telling (2)
- realistic fiction (77)
- Rebecca Lim (1)
- Rebecca Searle (1)
- Rebecca Sparrow (1)
- recap (1)
- review (177)
- Richelle Mead (2)
- Rick Yancey (1)
- Rodrigo Corral (1)
- romance (5)
- Rose Foster (1)
- Rosie Dub (1)
- rural fiction (1)
- S.J Kincaid (1)
- Samantha Van Leer (1)
- Sara Shepard (1)
- Sara Zarr (3)
- Sarah Alderson (2)
- Sarah Crossan (1)
- Sarah Strohmeyer (1)
- sci-fi (12)
- series (1)
- series review (3)
- shapeshifters (2)
- Sherryl Clark (1)
- Shirley Marr (4)
- short story (1)
- Simmone Howell (3)
- Siobhan Vivian (1)
- Sophie McKenzie (1)
- Stacking the Shelves (56)
- steampunk (1)
- Steph Bowe (1)
- stephen chbosky (1)
- Steven Herrick (1)
- StS (55)
- Sue Lawson (1)
- supernatural (1)
- Tahereh Mafi (2)
- Tara Eglington (1)
- Tara Hudson (2)
- TEABS (1)
- Thalia Kalkipsakis (1)
- thriller (4)
- Trish Doller (1)
- tv (1)
- urban fantasy (4)
- veg/vegan author (1)
- veg/vegan reference (14)
- vegan (1)
- Vegan YA Nerds (1)
- Veronica Rossi (2)
- Veronica Roth (1)
- verse (5)
- Vikki Wakefield (1)
- werewolves (1)
- witches (1)
- wrap-up (1)
- writer's festival (1)
- YA (190)
- YA review (3)
- zombies (2)
Search
38 comments:
This negative review is strangely not ranty! I respect you for talking about this book in a.. nice manner. ;) I LOVED THIS BOOK. But seeing your complaints-- I didn't notice a lot of things that you did. Sure, I though Noah was arrogant, but I kind of just fell for him easily. AND 93?! Girl, you crack me up.
While you thought there was too many things going on with the plot, I think the added elements just made the story itself more exciting and riveting. The mystery elements left unanswered kind of spurs the reader into read the next book, in my opinion. I'm glad you'll be reading the sequel! It's always good to hear opposing opinions on an overly-hyped book. Thanks for being honest about it all! Fantastic review, Mandee!
I definitely want to try this one at some point, but I have a hunch that my feelings are going to be similar to yours. I kind of remember having a similar situation with Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. A lot of people adored it, and I actually flew right through the book because it was fast-paced and interesting, but when I actually sat down to think about it, it left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth, so to speak. I had a lot of problems with the love interest, who I found to be controlling and violent as well. Anyways, I'm going to read this one eventually because I already have a copy, but it will be interesting to see how I feel about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)
Ooo it's nice to hear a more negative review of this book...I have only really heard positive things so far so it's good to see the other side! Great review x
Oh no only 2 paws? I've heard so many raving things about this book but yet I haven't picked it up for some reason. I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy this one Mandee. :( Because of there being some spoilers I didn't read your whole review but from what I read I don't like that Noah is violent and controlling. I hate it when love interests are like that! It's such a turn off.
Another case of a bad story ruining a great cover?
I'M NOT ALONEE! Seriously, I was considering re-reading this one too just to see if I'd like it anymore, but I'm glad I'm not because I seriously doubt I would. I love ambiguous endings like Holier Than Thou, but I hate being confused in a book. In my eyes, books should make sense or they should make you think; they shouldn't have you scratching your head and re-reading pages constantly. I don't even think I finished this the first time around and it pains me to see all the hype it receives. :/ Anyway, fantastic review, dear! :)
This is one of those books that peeps either ADORE or are mehhh on. I was in the adore camp, but I totally respect your frustrations for this one. There were a million things happening, loads of questions, and Noah (while swoony) was kind of a prick most of the time.
I recently read this book too and I did not rate much higher than you. I felt that the hype surrounding it was such a let down. Though it did have mystery I felt the ending was poor and left me with no interest in finishing the series. Great Review!
I didn't read your whole review because I haven't read it yet and I was planning on it- I bought it when it came out but haven't got around to reading it yet! It's a shame Noah is controlling, I hate that in a love interest. I think I'll still read it because, well, I've got it - but I fear I won't like it.
Aw, Mandee, I'm sorry you didn't love this. You know, it's strange how what one person loves about a book can be what another hates -- especially when we all read within the same genres with 'similar' tastes. It's kind of what I love about out community though. I mean, I did like this book a whole lot, but I love reviews like this because you make me consider why, and question, and THINK. I love. Wonderful review. I do hope Evolution is better for you, if you read it! ♥
I loved this book like . . . a lot. So I'm sorry to hear you didn't love this book as much as others did. Anyway nice review!
Awww Mandee, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't love this book too. I actually loved The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer although I had so many questions left unanswered by the end of the book. Like Sarah, I also do hope Evolution is better for you if you read it!
Awesome review, Mandee ♥ Thanks for sharing it with us!
I read this book after seeing that gorgeous cover and ended up so disappointed in it. Like you, I didn't enjoy Noah at all. I couldn't understand what Mara saw in him. Because of that, she really frustrated. Also, I was so confused throughout the book. I've heard that the sequel is better but I still have no intention of reading it.
Great honest review, Mandee! :)
Aw, Mandee, it's a shame you didn't enjoy this one. I agree that the massive hype for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was most likely thanks to that unusual, eye catching front cover. I've read a lot of reviews for this one that aren't very positive, so I don't think I'll pick this up.
I really hope you enjoy the sequel, and that is answers everything you want answered.
Thank you so much for sharing a lovely, descriptive, and most imporantly honest review with us.
xx
Aw, I loved this book! I found it to be unsettling and eerie -- love books like that! I actually preferred this one to the second book in which we do get answers, so hmmm...maybe I just like being confused!
Wow, a love interest who's violent? YA books usually have strong heroines in their stories why are we moving back with that? What the hell too!? Makes her kill things. Sheesh. He needs to be smacked around. This is more of what I was missing. I mean in the beginning I remember people reviewing it pretty badly then later on everybody loved it. This confirms the fact I will not read this book.
It's too bad you didn't enjoy this book. You did make a lot of fantastic points though. I ended up enjoying this one, but I can totally see why you didn't. Maybe if I re-read it I would like it less too. I really like a lot of unknown factors in a book, as long as I think I may get the answers later. Maybe you'll like the sequel a bit better? Hope so.
Finally! a series that people are talking about that I don't need to stress about not having read :)
Sorry you liked this one even less the second time around! I was curious about this, but I never did read it. I was still planning on it, but now I'm not sure...might not be worth it. I'm tired of the stalker/creepy/rude/etc. etc. love interests. Why is that sexy? I don't get it...
-Lauren
Still planning on reading it, but it's good to have different perspective on all books. I'm generally pretty critical about books, so we'll see how it goes. Iaughed when you called Noah a "swarmy twat." Thanks for the review!
It's too bad you didn't enjoy Mara Dyer. I agree that Noah was way too controlling and at times I really didn't like him. But I did enjoy the way Michelle Hodkin wove the story together. I still plan on continuing with the series but I could see how it wouldn't be for everyone
I bought a copy of this book way back when but still haven't read it. It seems like one you either love or hate, and your review is making me even more reluctant to read the book. Especially since you gave it a lower rating after the re-read.
I'm really curious to read your review of book two! Thanks for giving the straight low-down on Mara Dyer- I enjoyed your review as always.
I do not remember much from The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer, except that I liked it at the time, and there were these weird alligator things and that I thought Noah was kind of a douche. This review did totally jog my memory though.
I am actually one of the ones who hasn't but plans to read... so I just skimmed. I will maybe be more okay with the lack of resolution because I will have the sequel ready. I hope the next one doesn't disappoint you.
Happy reading,
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I still need to pick this book up. But like you mentioned I remember all the hype surrounding this book when it first came out, I agree the cover is stunning, but I don't think you're the only one as there are quite a few negative reviews coming out recently. I'm quite scared about picking this one up. Sorry this didn't work out for you Mandee! :(
Bleh, this book sounds awful - and despite the large legion of Michelle Hodkin fans, I always appreciate a dissenting opinion (especially when I feel like I'm going to agree with you if I ever decide to read this!) Mara sounds like a horrendous character and I loathe slut-shaming in books.
Stellar review as always, Mandee!
Ay! A lower rating? I haven't read it yet, but that makes me nervous. I've never convinced myself to read this one because I just don't know if it's my "thing". Maybe waiting a little longer now. :)
I haven't really shown any interest towards this book in the past because to me it didn't really stand out. Now that I've read your review I'm glad I've kept to that resolve. I don't know what's more unbelievable the fact that you counted 93 mentions of Noah's "smile" or the fact that it's mentioned 93 times. I'm a total stickler when it comes to repetition as well so I understand your frustration.
I wasn't thrilled with this story either, Mandee. I'm glad you mentioned that too many things were going on, because I totally agree. When I finished I just remembered being totally confused and wondering if it was only me. I found it to be a jumbled mess when I think back. I really don't have any interest in picking up the next book. I'm glad this is a spoilery review because honestly, I could barely remember what happened and now I do remember why I had these feelings. Wonderful review. :)
HA! Smarmy twat! LOVE IT! :D So not reading this by the way, sounds like the totally wrong book for me!
This book has been on my list forever! Now I'm finally planing to read it! :) It's high time I believe! :) I'm sorry to hear that you aren't thrilled by it. I hope I'll like it a little bit more! :) Great list.
Sorry this one wasn't for you, Mandee! I do have it sitting here but I just haven't gotten round to it yet, I may never... Thanks for a really detailed, honest review. :)
I just kind of skimmed your review because I'm starting it tonight. I had zero interest in this book until I started reading the great reviews for book #2.
Your 2 paws makes me very nervous lol
Aw, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this book Mandee.
I didn't mind it (I gave it 3 1/2*) although I had many questions left unanswered by the end. From the points you mention I can definitely understand why you didn't like it.
Thank-you for sharing your honest review :)
The plot is really similar to The Adoration of Jenna Fox! I intend to read Fox first and then this one(well maybe), so I can compare them. And I've read many reviews similar to yours about The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, so I'm hesistant about reading it in the first place...
Great review!
I find it so interesting that nearly everyone is completely hit or miss on this book - I feel like people either LOVE it or they are not a fan. I really need to see for myself one of these days!
I've been really on the fence about reading this book. I keep hearing rave reviews and adore the cover, but I didn't really liked the sample I read. I really appreciate reading your review because it makes me feel better about the fact that I was already wondering if this book wasn't for me. I may still try it, but probably only if I can grab it from the library.
When I read this book, I wasn't expecting to like it. (I don't always do well with weird). But it blew me away in a good way. I also read the sequel and loved it. (It answered questions but left me asking more). I hope the next installment is the one that answers all.
Post a Comment
Hey there! We appreciate every comment our readers leave us and we comment back on your blogs because we know everyone loves comments and it's important to us :)
We also try to reply to comments here on our blog but that is not a priority (we'd rather be commenting on YOUR posts!) But, if you ask a question we'll try to reply here ;)