I’ve wanted to read Mara Dyer basically…FOREVER. For so many reasons. I mean, gawsh, look at that freaktastically gorgeous front cover, and then Cassandra Clare gave it the sticker of approval, and it’s about muuuuurder. This is a Cait Book. That is all.
JUST KIDDING. Totally not all. I have a list of reasons why it’s so suffocatingly glorious for you! And also a small list of reasons I frowned slightly. And dark creepy bookish photos. HERE WE GO.
A S T R O N O M I C A L L Y G L O R I O U S T H I N G S
- This book was so incredibly and deliciously creepy. SO MANY QUESTIONS. So many odd things go down.
- I basically knew nothing about it when I started, but if you’d like a little more detail, here’s the basic premise: Mara Dyer wakes up in a hospital after an accident that killed all her friends. She remembers exactly zlich. But she has weird hallucinations and she is freaked out of her brain 60% of the time. They move to a new town and stuff just gets weirder. People dropping dead. Visions. Black outs. That sort of thing.
- It’s insanely addictive. Seriously. Forget your weekend plans at the local platypus petting zoo because this book will SWALLOW YOUR WHOLE DAY.
- The writing is just a pleasure to read. It’s fast and not bogged down in details or slowness.
- And the characters? LET US PAUSE TO SHOUT HUZZAH AT THE CHARACTERS. Firstly, there’s Mara’s family. Yes. She has a family!! I just…maybe I read the wrong books, but usually characters seem to be missing a parent, don’t have siblings, blah blah etc. Mara has BOTH parents and two brothers. (Hold me this is wonderful.) I adored her interactions with her big bro — they really looked out for each other! She lied a lot to her parents, but that was partly because A) she was going crazy with hallucinations and B) didn’t want her dad to lose his job because of that. Her little brother has as much personality as a toothpick but he exists. So that’s nice.
- Mara herself is a total unreliable narrator and very unhinged. It was hard to know if something was real or not. But that’s why I liked the story?! REAL OR NOT REAL, KATNISS. YOU TELL ME.
- Oh and Noah. Let’s talk about Noah. BUT HOW DO WE TALK ABOUT NOAH?! He’s a complex mess and reminded me so so much of Miles from Made You Up. He’s the love interest. He’s snarky and borderline mean and rich and intelligent and insufferable — but at the same time it hides how much he cares. And he has deep dark secrets. Mwahhaha. I liked him.
- I had 394839 questions right up until the end. And it didn’t drive me to screeches of annoyance — it just intrigued me. I loved the dark ethereal tone and the muuuurder mystery of it all.
S O M E D U B I O U S T H I N G S
- The book is VERY romance-y. Not that this is “bad” but for a murder mystery, I wish it had focused on the mystery more than the affectionate “I-hate-you-but-that-means-I-love-you”. So just be prepared for smooching between death. Okay? Okay.
- It gets confusing. Some of the circumstances are SO outrageous and unlikely I thought they’d end up being hallucinations…but…they weren’t? Hmm. I had to suspend disbelief a lot.
- The meaning of Mara’s name is kinda a spoiler. Don’t look up her name, obviously, if you don’t want to know!! But I knew already, because I’m a nerd, and I was 90% right in my finale predictions. So go me?
- Also Mara makes this really awesome friend at school called Jamie. But as soon as she and Noah become a couple, JAMIE IS DITCHED FROM THE STORY. I’m annoyed because he had potential but his precense now seems pointless. Also I hate when heroines can’t have friends once they get a boyfriend. Meeerp. There is life apart from your OTP, Mara.
I solidly loved the intense mystery and creepiness of this book! YAYAYAYA. The second I finished, I was on my library website reserving the sequel! (Which I’m lucky they had because they did NOT have the first book. Libraries…gah.) I do love a good paranormal flavoured murder mystery. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go check under my bed for monsters.
THANK YOU TO SIMON AND SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (#1) by Michelle Hodkin was published 2011
Mara Dyer believes life can’t 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 strangely unharmed.
There is.
She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.
\\ click to read reviews //
YES I really liked these books. And they just get even weirder. Plus, have you read about the inspiration behind them??? SO. COOL.
OMG I HAVE NOT. I will google straight away!! (Or you can tell me…because you’re so nice like that…XD)
Literally eighty percent of these novel made me go: “What the heck is going on!?” but I mean that in the BEST way possible, because I loved them a lot. In fact, I wasn’t too impressed with the first one — but LOVED the second a lot more. And now that I have no more of these books to read, I’m a liiiiitle devastated I have no creepy weirdness left. Tbh I usually prefer murder mysteries to be contemporary, but I CAN make some exceptions 😉
YES YES I TOTALLY GET WHAT YOU MEAN!! Like some books get that reaction from me and it’s BAD. But this? It was perfect. I always had enough info not to be annoyed, but not enough so that I needed to read 94893 pages all at once. Ahem. I’m getting the second from the library tomorrow so SQUEAK. I hope I love it just as much. XD
What took you so long? Ha ha! I still haven’t read Retribution because there was such a big space between Evolution and Retribution that I need to reread the first two. I have Unbecoming on my Kindle, but I just never seem to have the time. I am not big on romance, but for some reason I liked the way it is written there. “The two of us snuggled like question marks in his room full of words.” That sentence is romantic perfection! The first two books I read before blogging. Unbecoming was a book my sister brought to me when she was my library “personal shopper”. She was right on the money with these stories! I hope you are planning to read them back to back. 🙂
I DON’T EVEN KNOW. XD I’m really glad I won this copy though, hehe, because I was really tempted to buy it but just…wasn’t…sure, you know? Now I’ll definitely be tempted to buy the rest because I know I loved this one so much. hehhh. Omg, I do so love that sentence too. I really adore this author’s style!
OH YAY YOU FINALLY READ MARA DYER! I read this book a couple of months ago and also LOVED it! I agree with you about the romance thing, I kinda thought it was a bit boring compared to all the fantastically horrific things that were going on. That scene were she burns her hand in the tub… 0.0 that really freaked me out. I actually have a review of it if you wanna give it a peek: https://lovingmylit.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/thats-some-spooky-sht-the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer-by-michelle-hodkin/
I DID. OMG I’M SO GLAD I READ IT FINALLY. And I’m reading the sequels asap because I have 9 or 9383 questions that need answering. THE TUB SCENE WAS TERRIFYING. Especially when her mum is like “Um…the earrings are still on your ears.” OMG POOR MARA BABY. *hugs her* *feed her warm pretzels* I shall check out your review too!! 😀
Yesss, so glad you enjoyed this one! It’s one of my favourite trilogies.
When rereading after the last book came out, I remember thinking that it was a little too romance-y for my tastes now – but I still love it.
I also loved how it was so intense and mysterious and I just kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.
And *sigh* Noah. Definitely a favourite character there.
I hope you like the second and third books too 🙂
AHH I’M GLAD YOU LOVE IT TOO!! I rarely hear about it but like all the fans are creeping out of the woodwork. mwhaha. XD IT’S SO GREAT.
I read this a while ago and really really liked it! Also, GAWSH, your photo. You absolutely must do a book photography tutorial sometime, okay? OKAY? Okay. Also JAMIE IS THE BEST INDEED. I hear he appears more in the sequel though. I admit I didn’t like Noah, or the romance either — and YES ABSOLUTELy sometimes it bordered on the unbelievable for the non-hallucination bits. The psyche of the character was done really really well though. Toothpick little bro, though … XD
BUT I HAV ENO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING IN REGARD TO BOOK PHOTOGRAPHY. XD No joke, I was actually photographing a book stack for this one and the light was all wrong. So then I took this and I was…I had no idea how I did it, tbh. I’m one of those insufferable fools who has a lucky snap and deletes 100 others to compensate. XD
AHEM.
The twist with the kidnapping almost seemed random to me? I confess. With the alligator scene…GAH. But like overall I totally enjoyed myself. xD
Oooooo, I have this book (I got it last year) but haven’t got to it yet, HOWEVER, this makes me happy, because you make it sound awesome, and therefore I’ll be reading it pretty quickly, okay? Okay, woot woot. Great review Cait, as always though, pfft, why must you be so awesome?
I TRIED not to be so awesome once. It was a very taxing 3 minutes. *collapses dramatically*
Gyahh unpopular opinion here, but I did not enjoy this book. Well, not completely. There were parts of it that I really liked, such as Mara’s narration and the overall writing style, but I did not like Noah at all, he was too perfect for my taste XD Also, I was so confused as to why Mara’s parents seemed to allow her to make decisions when she was obviously unwell. Still, it was a good read and I might be inclined to pick up the rest just to see where it goes next XD
I love your photos though! And is that hot chocolate you have on one of the pictures? It looks so good. And what’s this about Mara’s name? I totally missed that! Waaaahh now I’m gonna be bothered by it and I need to find out more XD Great review!
I was really confused about Mara’s parents too! I WILL NOT DENY. Like, particularly after she burnt her arm?!? It seemed they were too eager to be oblivious and pretend everything was okay. Gah. So I do agree with you on that *nods* And Noah was a bit perfect, but pretentious?! So it evened out for me. XD
Zomg, thank you!! I had a lot of fun trying to make the pictures dark. hehe. HOT DRINK ARE DELICIOUS AND MUCH NEEDED ALL YEAR ROUND. *nods emphatically* OH. And Mara’s name basically means tragedy and woe and sadness. XD So I knew she’d be the…well, you know. 😉
Actually, I have this series very high on my TBR and planned to read it during Christmas holidays. But if it is so addictive, I need to postpone reading it. I need to cook and spend time with family, not to be locked in my bedroom reading LOL Either way, your review made me super excited to read it 🙂
BAHAH. I guess that’s a fair choice. xDDXD I had the torture of being really busy while I was reading it, so I could only snatch like 100 pages at a time and AHHHH I WAS SO SO DYING TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.
You really write the best reviews ever Cait! I wish I was half as good as you.
ZOMG. DAY = MADE. THANK YOU, BEE. And pfft, your reviews are wonderful. XD
Smooching between death? AHAHA!! 😛 I already have this book but haven’t got to it yet. Omg, everything you review is sooo hard to resist!! I want to start this book right now!! Aaargh, I don’t know, I still need to finish the review copies! Lemme see… I just might start this. GREAT review btw!
And oh, your pictures are so creepily awsome!
I’m a
horriblewonderful reviewer like that. mwhahaha. (But SQUEEEE I’m kind of glad I’m persuasive. YOU MAKE MY DAY.)OH I adored this series! If you think this is creepy then it just gets creepier in the next book. I read The Evolution and it makes me paranoid to go out at night. It’s suffocatingly good, and the ending traumatized me emotionally. I haven’t read the Retribution because honestly, I’m scared!
I WILL. I’m getting the next book from the library tomorrow. xD Agh that alligator scene was kinda terrifying. I’M GLAD SHE RESCUED THE DOG IN THE BEGINNING BUT ERMAGERD. 0_0 The plot thickens…
I keep looking at this book but it hasn’t, like, magically appeared in my library or on my doormat yet. I’m WAITING, world.
Omg the world is DISAPPOINTING US ALL IN THIS FAILING. *taps foot impatiently*
YAAY! I’m so, so happy to hear that you liked this book. It’s so creepy, and it keeps on being creepy in the two other books. So just go read them, NOW, I’m sure you’ll love them even more than this one!! 😀
YAYYYY. I have the second book waiting at the library for me to pick up tomorrow. I AM MONSTROUSLY EXCITED.
I read this book a million years ago and I lowkey forgot everything that happened! I do love that her entire family is present! No Disney tragedy for this book (at least…yet?)
So happy you enjoyed it! I hope you get to make your way to the petting zoo now. :p
Omg yes not YET. I’m a bit scared for all their lives, tbh. xD And yes, I need to go to that platypus petting zoo and calm my nerves now. *hyperventilates quietly in the background*
I have yet to read this series and to be honest, I didn’t know if it was a ‘me’ book – I’m sort of a scaredy cat – BUT, your review here is making me think I really, REALLY must read this soon! The mystery and addictive quality of it sound too good to pass up! Fantastic review Cait^^
Hehe, I wouldn’t have picked you as a scaredy-cat with your blog design. xD BUT YES IT REALLY IS QUITE DELICIOUS!! And it’s not terrifying so much as creepy? If that makes sense? (Omg, Cait, that makes no sense shhhush you’re confusing everyone.) XD THANK YOU THO. Glad you liked the review!! XD
When I read Unbecoming, I wasn’t a huge fan, but I liked it enough to pick up the second book, Evolution. The Evolution of Mara Dyer remains my favorite in the series, and I seem to be alone in that regard. There was just something sooooooo dark and creepy about it, and I loved how unraveled Mara got. I hope you like book 2. Book 3, Retribution, is a satisfying enough conclusion but definitely all over the place. I didn’t hate it like a lot of people did, but I think the series are really great psychological thrillers. And definitely disturbing as heck.
Zomg, that is good news!! I have bk 2 waiting for me at the library to pick up. xD I LOVE DARK AND CREEPY and Mara was so unravelled in this book so I definitely want to see what she does next. XD
I have heard plenty of good things about this book and it actually lives in my house in my sister’s room but I have not yet popped on over to steal it from her yet. I assume stealing it from her is worth it, despite the dubiousness?
It is definitely worth stealing. Although I’m not sure if you’re a romance fan? It does rely heavily on that side. BUT ALSO MURDER. SO THAT’s GOOD.*nods* Also that is awesome that you have a sister who has good books to steal.
This has been on my list forever it feels like – and you kind of have me at salivating at the Miles from Made You Up reference. I must add to the library list!
Noah is SO LIKE MILES it’s actually wonderful. xD Except Miles is smarter…(infinite love for Miles <3)
I read the Kindle sample chapters a few months ago, but didn’t get around to reading it. I really need to read it, I loved the sample chapters and I keep hearing so many good things about these books.
Eeep! The good things do not lie. *nods emphatically* It’s has such a dark, eerie tone too and I just LOVe that in books. :’)
I read the first one and really enjoyed it – don’t know why I haven;t picked up the rest of the series yet! MUST. REMEDY. ASAP!
YES YOU MUST. I AM. I GET BOOK 2 TOMORROW AND I AM SO EXCITED.
This reviews reminds me.. I’ve read this book a while ago and I seriously have NO clue what this is about anymore. So if I plan to pick up the sequels, I definitely need to re-read it, haha. I remember that it was a really interesting ride.
Agh, don’t you hate that thought?! XD I do that ALL the time. Like I literally loved A Girl of Fire and Thorns this year, but it’s only been a few months and I’ve forgotten 90% of the plot and gah. Moral of the story = binge read series. hehh.
Now I have to read this book!!!! I was going to read it like a billion years ago(well like 4 months ago) but then I went on good reads and saw some not so great things about it, which ultimately made me back off. Whyyyy??? Ugh… now I must read it!!!! All these book recommendations are piling on top of me, I can’t even breathe. But death by book is something that I’m okay with…
IGNORE GOODREADS. LISTEN TO MEEEEE. Mwhahaha. But yes, actually, I confess, I did the same thing. 😛 I’ve seen a lot of 1-star reviews for it. :O But for some reason it just really floated my boat?! I’m happy. xD
I am so glad that you finally read this one! I was a one of the few people who read the book before it was “cool” and I could not be happier. I loved everything from the mystery to the family (especially since there actually was one) and NOAH! I agree that the whole hallucination thing was confusing at times (I had to read a couple of scenes more than once to figure out what was happening), but I believe that it was worth it. This paranormal/mystery/thriller/romance is unlike anything that I have ever read. I loved that there was a little bit of the supernatural mixed in with everything and I did not mind the romance because NOAH. You better get the sequel quickly, because things only get better from here.
Omg, YAY HIPSTER, TESSA! 😀 heeh I totally have no idea what took me so long to try it! GAH. NOAH IS ADORABLE AND INSUFFERABLE. I don’t even know how he is both at once?! But he is. And I love him. And the alligator scene…omg that was random, right? I was just “this must be a hallucination” but then it wasn’t SO YEAH. That was one of my only twitchy moments. I’m picking up the sequel from the library tomorrow!!
I’ve had a copy of this book foreverrrrrrr and still haven’t read it, but your review intrigues me!! It seems really interesting and totally creepy!
~Sara
HUZZAH. I HOPE SO. 😜 It is amazing and sort of terrifying. True happiness. *AHEM*
To be honest, I’ve been waiting to see what you thought about this before diving into it. I guess I’m going to have to give it a go now, eh? 😉 You know how much I enjoy books that are unpredictable and unputdownable, and this sounds like just that. Being me, I’m a little hesitant on the romance, but I’m definitely going to give it a try nonetheless. So glad you enjoyed it so much Cait and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
EEEEP. I hope you do. 😛 But I have to admit, I think you’ll find it too romancey. Just going off your previous reviews of romancey books, hehe. SO BEWARE. I don’t know if we’ll twin on this one…
I loved the Mara Dyer trilogy, too! The first scene in the first book had me hooked. Your point here — each every one of them — is spot on. I wished Jamie had more scenes in the whole of the trilogy, yes? And her older brother… Who wouldn’t want to have a family member like him? Ooohh… I didn’t even think of looking up the name meaning. Haha!
Oh yes, Daniel was amazing. xD I loved how he covered for her, but was also a pain sometimes?! TRUE SIBLINGSHIP RIGHT THERE. XD
The Mara (I almost wrote Mary…) Dyer series is one of the few series that I’ve read all at once… As in one a day over the period of three days… because it is such an addictive read and trust me, it just keeps getting crazier…. I thought the first one was strange, but not really compared to the rest.
I can’t wait for you to read the rest of the series because I neeeed to talk about it and know what you think! I’m really conflicted about the last one, but my lips are sealed for now… Just hurry up and read the rest of them!!!
Zomg I WISH I’d done that. That would’ve been the most logical idea. XD hehe. But I’m picking up book 2 tomorrow!! And HOPEFULLY if I love it just as much I’ll just go and buy book 3 because, hello, addictions. Not gonna deny them.
ZOMG I SHALL HURRY JUST FOR YOU.
EXACTLY. I NEVER KNEW IF ANYTHING IN THIS BOOK IS REAL OR NOT. And that ending though, right? HAHAH you’ll be more mindblown in the next book, because it gets more dark and twisty. I once thought that this book was a horror book, but it’s not (I think?), HAHHA but it still scares me. I do miss Jamie too, le sigh. And the romance got a little too annoying for me sometimes HAHAH.
PS. I googled the name and I didn’t understand what you meant 🙁 (Maybe I’m just that blur xD)
ZOMG I CAN’T WAIT THEN. I’m picking it up from the library tomorrow! *dances* I don’t think this is so much horror though…more thriller? But definitely dark!
(The name “Mara” must means sadness, depression, misery…that kinda thing. XD)
There is a character called Noah. I’m sold.
I am monstrously glad to hear that. Good life decision. HERE IS A STICKER FOR YOU.
Oh yes, I kind of loved the entire series. I could have been okay without the romance so I agree with you on that one. But Noah was also a bit yummy, so I am still okay with any scenes that involve him especially the romantic ones. 🙂
I seriously can’t wait to read the rest. xD And it was very romancey…like maybe more than I usually enjoy!? But I aDORED their interactions. The snark was perfect. XD
Okay so because I am evil, I am going to point you towards The Adoration of Jenna Fox. It’s one of my fav books and has a similar premise but is more science-fic than it is mystery and it is SO FUCKING GOOD. It’s also one of the reasons why I still haven’t picked up Mara Dyer! The premises are SO SIMILAR and I am worried that I would keep comparing the two books and end up not enjoying Mara as much.
I HAVE had Mara on the TBR forever and your positive review makes me want to pick up the book in spite of my worries. 2016 might be the year I read Mara Dyer (and that kind of rhymes doesn’t it?)
Fabulous review, Cait 🙂
You ARE evil. *dashes for goodreads* And that sounds divinely delicious so WHY HAVEN’T I EVEN HEARD OF THAT BOOK BEFORE, OMG, RASHIKA. HAVE YOU BEEN HOLDING OUT ON ME? And Mara Dyer IS quite romancey, so I do get why there are a lot of negative reviews on goodreads, for people expecting total murder mystery — but instead there’s a good lot of snark and hate-but-I-love-you dialogue. (I love that though. XD So I’m good.)
YES. MAKE 2016 THE YEAR OF DYER.
This is one of those books that I’ve been meaning to get to FOREVER because so many people love it. I love that it’s creepy and that you had a million questions throughout the book but it wasn’t frustrating because of it (that can be a difficult balance). One of these days …
It is such a difficult balance right?! Like how much to withhold and how much to make the reader suffer….so on the suffering scale = perfection. :’) I CAN’T BELIEVE I EVEN JUST SAID SUFFERING WAS PERFECT. This reader has problems.
*clears throat* Well, I already know what Mara means. Oops. BUT OH MY GOODNESS I HAVE BEEN SO CURIOUS ABOUT THIS BOOK FOR LIKE EVER. Several times I had it in my hand in the bookstore and I was ready to buy it and then I backed out at the last moment (and got other yummy books instead). I’ve read some really mixed reviews, and I’m a little skittish about trying it. And if I were to read it, I would want to buy the whole trilogy in one go so I wouldn’t have to wait to read the next books if I got hooked, but WHAT IF I HATE IT??? I mean, it sounds really good, and I love mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, and the cover is so freaking gorgeous. *huddles into a ball of doubt* I think I’m definitely going to bump it up on my book priority list though. *nods*
DOOM TO YOU TOO THEN. XD hehe. I mean, it’s clever? But not good for sunday school nerds who did the story of Ruth. hehe
BUT I TOTALLY GET THAT FEAR. I was going to buy it but then every time I went to…gah, I just always got scared because I wasn’t sure. So winning a copy basically saved my life. And my library has book 2, thank all that is bookish and good in this world (but not bk 1, the fools) and if I STILL adore it I’ll buy bk 3. Because addiction. Not even shamed.
YOU KNOW HOW WE BOTH RECOMMEND BOOKS WE LOVE AT THE TOP OF OUR LUNGS AND THEN SHRIEK AND WORRY AND TRY TO HIDE AND EAT OUR NAILS WHEN SOMEONE ACTUALLY PICKS THEM UP?
Me. You. Mara Dyer.
I mean, not that you picked up Mara Dyer because of me, but OH MY GOD, DID I WORRY. Did I GR-stalk! Did I lowkey shriek. And YOUR STATUS UPDATES WERE SO LOVELY AND NICE AND POSITIVE AND MUUUURDEROUS (which is obviously an EXCELLENT thing), but I woooooorried.
Also, WAT SORCERY IS THIS THAT PRODUCED THESE PHOTOGRAPHS? WAT SORCERY MADE THEM SO RIGHT-KIND-OF-ATMOSPHERIC? I NEED TO KNOW FOR… RESEARCH PURPOSES.
GAHHHH. WELL I’M GLAD THAT I DIDN’T LET YOU DOWN HERE, LEXIE. Because let’s face it. That would’ve been a monstrous tragedy. *nods sagely* BUT ERMAGERD I LOVED IT SOOOOO MUCH. It did take me a long time to read but gerd that was becasue I was so busy those random few days. Otherwise I would’ve eaten this in 2 bites, I swear. And I have bk 2 at the library waiting to be picked up AND DEVOURED WITH RELISH. Like delicious relish. Not, well, not the food type of relish. I keep my food and books separate I promise.
Ahem.
THE SOCERY IS STRONG WITH THIS BLOG. MWHAHAHHAA.
YAY I AM SO HAPPY YOU READ AND LIKED THIS BOOK, CAIT! Okay, I’m calm. I was also EXTREMELY confused by this book as I read it, especially nearing the end there, so I feel your pain. Oh, but it was SO GOOD AND EERIE AND….okay, I am ACTUALLY calm this time, I swear. Those photos really have a nice vibe to them, by the way. And don’t worry, Jamie makes a reappearance!
I WILL BE UNCALM WITH YOU, ERIN, BECAUSE IT’S JUST THAT KIND OF BOOK. *flails wildly* Zomg I’m glad you like my dark photos. hehe. Oooominous. Mwhahah. And I have book 2 on reserve at my library RIGHT THIS INSTANT so I shall devour it and see where my darling Jamie ran off to…
I actually got this book yesterday as a birthday present, and I’m super excited to get to it. A paranormal murder mystery can’t really not be boring, I don’t think. It’s impossible.
It’s extremely odd that your library has the second book and not the first. But libraries are odd. My library has every PJO book EXCEPT Son of Neptune. And I really, really want to know the logic behind not buying it and yet buying every single other one.
My library IS an oddball. I wonder if they get donated books?? Because there surely is no logical reason to buy a bk 2 without having the first right??! gAHHH. They do this for several series which is SUCH a pain. Because it’s the first book I’m dubious about! After that I’m more likely to go buy a book if the library doesn’t have sequels. *heavy sigh* LIBRARIES. LOVE ‘EM, BUT THEY NEED HELP SOMETIMES.
Noooo Noah did not remind you of Made You Up! Take that back!!! I’m so worried now like just his personality or other things…???
You are tempting me to look up her name so much…. I’m glad you put the negatives because your love of this book was a little unbelievable because I’ve heard things from the grapevine that it isn’t as great as it seems. I’ll just try to keep everything in mind if I ever do decide to read this series.
I mean Miles from Made You Up 😛
Oh well.😳 Noah did remind me of Miles a lot actually. Sorry?!😜
Also it is possible for one reader to adore something everyone else hates and not make their review unbelievable… That’s why it’s good there’s so many books in the world. *nods* Something for everyone.
Yeah, I’ve read this one. It seems like we read completely different books, though! I thought the writing was weak and I wasn’t that impressed by Jamie (he comes across as a stereotyped token to me). Noah was just okay; he wasn’t anything particularly unique or memorable. I also thought the pacing was incredibly slow. I swore off the series after the first book. (Here’s my review, in case you’re interested.)
AW, I’m sad you had a bad time with it!! I’ve noticed we do seem to have pretty different tastes, eh!??! 😜 AH WELL. at least there is a book for everyone out there. *nods*
This book has been hanging out on my TBR list for months… Plus, a book character with the same name as mine? It’s seriously only the third time I heard about someone sharing the same name with me!
And ooooh, a mystery and an unrealiable narrator… Seems like it’s the type of book I’d definitely like. I’ll make sure to read this on 2016!
IT IS CALLING TO YOU, MARA. Basically because of your name. XD (Which is really awesome, heheh….but kiiind of creepy considering this Mara is…ahem. You’ll see. XD)
I really need to start these books. I have been wanting to read them for so long but just haven’t got them. I really want to start soon
YOU MUST, ANGEL. THEY CALL TO YOU.
The urge to go and google Mara’s name is STRONG after reading this review. I must resist as I now remain amongst the 5 people on the blogosphere who has NOT read these books. I do adore the covers, but romance centric books usually make me wince a little (I have a heart in here somewhere, I do) — plus the reviews are so polarising. BUT ONE DAY, I mean unreliable narrators are basically one of my favourite plot devices so it can’t be THAT bad, right? Right!
RESIST THE URGE. RESIIIIIST. hehe. Or just read the book and all will be revealed. 😉 I know though, right?! Basically EVERYONE has read these! And lots of people were surprised I hadn’t up until now… Usually I’m with ya on wincing at so much romance. But for once I just really liked it?! But yes. If you’re not a big romance fan, it probably will annoy you. *sad face*
I actually just finished the second book in this series and OMG!!! It is SO freakishly good! If you thought you were confused and had ALL THE FEELS in the first book, you’re in for a ride with the second one!!!!
I’m sorry about all the exclamation points, the fangirl in me just took control!^^
Oh, and can I just do a special mention for Noah who brings Mara flowers. FLOWERS! Why can’t guys in real life do that?
That guy is definitely one of my book boyfriend so I’m warning you: back off, he’s mine!^^
Excited to hear your thoughts on the rest of this trilogy!
I LITERALLY JUST GOT THE SECOND ONE FROM THE LIBRARY TODAY. I AM SO EXCITED. Never apologise for exclamation marks around here. XD I LIVE ON tHEM!!!
“Her little brother has as much personality as a toothpick but he exists. So that’s nice.” omg xD
YUMYUM THE DARK SPOOKY PHOTOS. I love them. AND I TOTALLY JUST LEFT THE MOST BORINGEST SHORTEST COMMENT IN THE HISTORY OF EVER BUT THERE YA HAVE IT. Some days I just have a cold and feel like being selfish (ie: laughing at your awesome humor and not blabbing too much in the comments. heh. do forgive me. :P)
love,
abbiee
Zomg, you don’t have to apologise for small comments! I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS EITHER WAY, MY PINEAPPLE ABBIEE. *gives you pineapple cake bc you have a cold* 🍰 I hope you get better soon though.
I’ve been wanting to read this book too! I should look for it at my library. 😀
YES. That is an excellent life decision, Abi. 😜
I’m glad you enjoyed this! I read this a few years ago and I think my feelings were “meh”. I forget what exactly bothered me though? I think it was a combination of I was getting annoyed at the level of romance and I wasn’t getting the attraction the internet had to Noah? I don’t remember haha.
I might need to reread this some day and actually continue with the series, because I would like to know what the hell is going on.
There WAS a lot of romance. *nods* Like, it didn’t bother me? Although I do kiiiinda wish it’d been more about the creeptasticness BUT STILL.
YES!!!! Yes to EVERYTHING ON THERE! I’ve read all three books, so just a tip…DONT STOP READING. That tidbit about OTPs coming the the way of friendship comes a LOOONNNG way in the next two books :’) MARA’s friends are best! And HUZZAH for being unreliable! EEEEEK ASSCROWN AW I can’t wait to see what you think of the the sequels! (And hahaha Mara’s name IS a spoiler – I guess five minutes into the book :0 )
I WON’T. I have the second book in my clammy paws since yesterday, and as soon as I finish my current read I SHALL DEVOUR IT. MWHAHAH. *composes self*
I totally agree with ALL OF THIS!! I loved the Mara Dyer series so much! I was devastated when it ended. I hope you love the rest of the series too! I agree that it was incredibly refreshing to actually have an entire family in the picture, which is way too unusual in YA! Great review 😀
I know right?!?! Why is YA so devoid of families?!?! IT’S SO WEIRD. XD I love books that actually have parnets and siblings. <3
AGREED.
I read this. I have not read book two. And I REALLY should before I forget everything!! This is why I almost always wait until I can marathon :/
I totally agree on the Jamie thing. I loved him!! Why must he disappear!
I always forget stuff super fast too. BANE of my reading life, I swear. *collapses* But I just borrowed bk 2 from the library and I have it right now and am going to read it tomorrow. SQUEE.
Oh my gosh this series is AMAZING!!! I haven’t read book 3 but I’m thinking of rereading books 1 and 2 beforehand. I fell for Noah so hard and the author did a great job with the mystery aspect (I was so clueless). Awesome review, Cait, and I’m glad you enjoyed!
Zareena @ The Slanted Bookshelf
Yes I LOVED the mystery part!! I mean, I actually guessed a lot, but it was still creepy and delicious. 😀
Oh, I’m glad you liked this one, Cait! I really did, back when I read it … last year, I think? I cannot remember, for my bookish amnesia rears its ugly head when I try to remember anything even VAGUELY bookish. Thanks, brain.
I LOVED NOAH. And he’s getting his own series. Which I don’t really know how I feel about. I mean, the ending to this series was pretty final, and I don’t like spin off series, especially because of THAT BLURB, but then again it’s Noah? I don’t know. I will end up reading, of course, but it just feels like a bit of a Cassandra Clare move with the “oh look new books in the same series”. (I know you love Cassie, and SO DO I, but sometimes it’s a bit eye twitchy with all the continuation of the same books).
BUT ANYWAY. Yeah, I loved Jamie and was super disappointed that he wasn’t more prominent. He has a bit more of a bigger role in the third book, but he kind of turns into the comedy relief, which sucked.
I hope you like the second one!
Bookish amnesia? I HEAR YA. It is the bane of my existence. *heavy sigh* BUT SERIOUSLY!?!? A series for Noah?! I mean, I like him, but does that mean he and Mara don’t work out? Because I SHALL CRY MAYBE. (I kind of like how Cassandra Clare sets them all in the one world but by different characters…you know? Just because it breaks things up but we still get to read epic kickbutt shadowhunters. xD heh. But I have to admit, I’m not sure that whole spin-off-series lends itself to more contemporary-ish books. But I’ll reserve judgment and read.)
Agh, it’s disappointing when the diverse and interesting characters are just the comedic relief. THEY CAN STAR TOO.
Look, you can’t say Mara’s name is a spoiler and then expect your readers not to go look it up. What I learned is this…she is a member of the cavy family (as in she’s related to guinea pigs). Also she is the fourth largest rodent in the world (after capybaras, beavers, and porcupines). I NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED!!!! (seriously, google mara [the animal]. They’re adorable. Kind of like a capybara-bunny hibrid).
Also, I’m kind of happy a review of this book just randomly surfaced. I planned to read some books that were super popular back in the day, and this was one of them. Glad it’s still awesome!
Awww, MARAS ARE SO CUUUUTE. I want one or 5. They look like rabbits. 😀 Ahem. But wait…what were we talking about? OH YES. THE BOOK. THE BOOK IS GOOD TOO. But the animal-Maras are the cutest. XD
I am so so so glad that you liked this book, because it really seems to be one that divides readers into love or hate. I ADORED this series. It was crazy and disturbing and almost magical (in an eerie way) at the same time. I thought I was prepared for book 2 but NOPE I must admit it gave me nightmares (totally worth it, I just don’t recommend reading it right before bed). I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the series!
Zomg, YES it does right?! Intense love or hate. xD I’m very happy I’m on the love side, heheh. AND YES OMG MAGICAL IN AN EERIE WAY!! That sums it up perfectly. I’ve got book 2 from the library right now and it’s next on my reading list. 😀
I’m sorry and I have a feeling this won’t go down well, but I… um… don’t really like Cassandra Clare. Because of various reasons. Mainly that her City of Bones kinda clashed with me for all the wrong reasons. I didn’t do a review on it because I didn’t want shrieking fans at my window trying to break into my house and murder me.
BUT OMG THESE PICTURES, CAIT WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THIS CREEPY KICKASS LIGHTING??? THEY ALWAYS SAY STUFF LIKE: “In photography, lighting is bae” but OMG I LOVE THESE PICTURES SO MUCH. Creepy. Mysterious, AMAZING. Everything that I am not (wait, maybe I’m creepy. Probably.)
That’s okay! Not every book is for everybody after all. *nods sagely* I actually know more people who dislike it than I do those who like it. 😂 I shall maintain my rabid (but kind?!?) fan status. 😂 😂
THANK YOU THO. OMG. YOU ARE SO NICE. <3 I had a lot of fun making them uber dark and meeeean. Mwahhaah.
Mwahaha JUST LIKE MYY SOUL *cackles with booming thunder*
OOOH, I HAVE THIS! But I haven’t read it yet. I didn’t realise it was so creepy and paranromally and stuffs! It sounds so good! And the fact that Mara is an unreliable narrator is just another plus for me! Alex’s unreliability in Made You Up is one of the things I loved, but I just didn’t know what to believe and kept me guessing! (Though I’m sure it sucks for those who have delusions and aren’t sure what’s real or not. Mentioned this in my review. But it does make for a really intriguing book.) So I’m even more excited for this book! I am not going to look up Mara’s name. I think I’ll probably read it soon.
ALSO, ALSO! You rec’d Made You Up. I read it because you loved it, and I loved it. THE SAME WITH MARA DYER?! I think probably! 😀
Unreliable narrators are especially interesting, right?! SQUEE. I LIKE. 😂 And the total “keeps you guessing” is just epic and kind of turns the book into a sort of mystery, right?! I like looking for clues on what’s real or not real. 😛
Ahhh, I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED MADE YOU UP. I think it’s a really special book…and I love the way it deals with mental illness. Fingers crossed Mara Dyer doesn’t let you down. 😂
I have read this one… I didn’t like it. Oooops! I don’t even remember why I didn’t. I remember not liking the romance in it. I also got really bored with it, but I don’t know why. It got so many gushing reviews though, so maybe I just went in with really high expectations. I never felt the need to continue though. So I’d be curious to see what you make of the rest of the series.
I love this book so freaking much! This whole trilogy is so amazing, some people had mixed feelings about the last book, but I loved all three of them so much! The Unbecoming was the one of the first books I read when I started reading a lot back in 2014 and it completely sucked me in! I finished the book in about two days, I couldn’t put it down! The second book is just as amazing! Oh and Noah Shaw? Wowowow he is a beautiful human being and I love how much he cares about Mara, it’s so sweet! Glad you liked this book!
I’ve got the second book on my shelf RIGHT NOW and I’m so excited to start it. XD I’m seriously late in getting onboard with this series but ajfklasdf better late than never, right?!? XD
Oh my gosh read it now!! If you thought the first one was good the second one is even better!!