Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Posted by Jessi (Geo) on December 10, 2012 | 0 Comments


Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle HodkinThe Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #2
Published by Simon & Schuster (10.23.2012)
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 544 pages
Source: Library
Buy on Amazon


4 Stars

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?

My thoughts

Where do I even start? This book was creepy and riveting! It was so, so much better than The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (which I rated 3.5 stars – good but not great). The pacing was much faster and picked up earlier on, and there were also interesting things happening more frequently. I had some trouble remembering what happened in the first book because it’s been a year since I read it. But thankfully this one has plenty of reminders, so most of it came back to me (slowly).

I liked Mara much better this time around. In my review of Unbecoming, I mentioned that I was unimpressed by her because her personality was a bit flat. I have to admit she earned my respect in this one!
Two particular examples: 1. She says ‘It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.’ 2. In an argument with Noah, she starts to say sorry, then stops herself and says “Actually, I’m not. You want to go because I don’t agree with you? There’s the door.” Go Mara! I was pleasantly surprised at that, and my opinion of her greatly improved.

I really enjoyed Mara and Noah’s relationship and the banter between them. Noah doesn’t exactly make it onto my swoon-worthy fictional crushes list, but I still loved him for the way he stood by Mara’s side no matter what.

“If I were to live a thousand years, I would belong to you for all of them. If we were to live a thousand lives, I would want to make you mine in each one.”

*sigh* This is the reason my expectations of men in the real world are so high (too high). Seriously, why can’t real guys say stuff like that? It’s just not fair…

My favorite character was still Jamie. He cracks me up! His quick wit had me laughing at every turn (particularly the part where he included ‘intellectual bankruptcy’ and ‘sea monkeys’ as his deepest fears). I appreciated his cynicism too!

Hodkin did a fabulous job making Jude a terrifying and calculating villain! The fact that he could get around and plant things for Mara to find without ever being seen was creepy. I never knew what was going to happen next! Phoebe was disturbingly creepy too. And aggravating….I wanted to knock her teeth out. Punch a mental patient. I know, it’s terrible.

There was so much crazy shiz happening in this book that I didn’t want to put it down. You only get bits and pieces of what’s happening to Mara, so you don’t really know anything, sprinkled with some really cryptic flashback/memory things. Then there was a revelation toward the end about the institution where I was like whaaaaa….the……efffff…..?! And the ending…GAH!

Favorite Quotes

“Well, if you’re worried about your mother showing me your most embarrassing childhood pictures, don’t be.”
Thank God.
“I’ve already seen them.”
Damn it.
“I’m a particular fan of your fifth-grade haircut,” he deadpanned.
“Shut up.”
“Make me.”
“Grow up.”
“Never.”

“Did you find the answers you were looking for in that book?”
“I haven’t had a chance to read it yet,” I said nonchalantly.
A half-smile tugged at Noah’s mouth. “You fell asleep, didn’t you?”
I lifted my chin. “No.”
“What page?”
“I didn’t fall asleep.”
“What page?”
Busted. “Six,” I said. “But I was really tired.”
“No judgement. I could barely make it through that obscenely pompous introduction.”

“My urge to hit things is directly proportional to the cheeriness of the staff.” [Jamie]

“I like pushing your buttons.”
“You’d enjoy it more if you undid them first.”
Save me.

Overall Assessment

Plot: 4.5/5
Writing style: 4.5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4.5/5
Cover: 3/5
 
Overall rating: 4/5 starfish
 

Previous Books
mara dyer

Click cover for my review
Jessi (Geo)

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