The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Age Group: Young Adult (Sug. 18+)
Pages (Hardcover): 452
Series: Mara Dyer
Read Next: Evolution of Mara Dyer (Oct. 2012)
Source: Library
ISBN-13: 9781442421769
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Suspense
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.
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Overview:
This book had me hooked. I thought it was suspensful, horrifying, and full of mystery. What in the world could possibly be happening to Mara? There were times that I was sufficiently creeped out while reading. That is the good stuff; however, this book fell into some of the more cliche pitfalls of YA books and love stories. I couldn't stop the images of Bella and Edward that came forth in the struggled romance, and that was not a good feeling.
Review:
I can't deny that this book was brilliant. It is the plot that pulls you in hook-line-and-sinker. As a debut, Michelle Hodkin has really hit home with a unique plot and a solid suspenseful feel to a haunting story. There were times in this book that I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was happening. During an episode or a flash to what happened in the accident, I felt the chill of the story deep within where the idea of entertainment really hits us.
But there is still a reason that this book gets only three stars. The character development and love facets of this book stumbled into a pitfall. Mara was exceedingly independent, hiding her problems while they were essentially drowning her in herself. She was attracted to the bad-boy-man-whore that had the "Something is wrong with me" mentality. Then these two characters were wrapped up in the weird yet destined idea of love. Essentially it was overdone and cliché in comparison.
I also thought it was disappointing with the build up the trailer and the small introduction that the book had with her lawyers and Mara Dyer not being her real name, etc. This, as far as this first book goes, had no relevance because we don't even essentially know what happened, only that it has left Mara in a fragile mental state, not in the troubles of legalities. I was possible for it to have been a series setup but it resulted in a let down for book one.
I was impressed with the intricacies and the balance that the author maintained when implementing so many subplots. Again, I go back to the idea that the actual story of this book is remarkable. How interwoven is the entire story? Mara is a mystery in and of herself but what about the case her dad is on; why is this case so important? I have to know.
It is always hard to point out of the aspects of the negative aspects of a book but it fell short in my expectations. I would have loved to have experienced strong and unique characters to match such a powerful and fresh plot line. For the sake of the story, I can't wait to continue the unraveling mind and mystery that is Mara Dyer.
Rating out of 5:
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