Read: October 23-24, 2012
Published: October 23, 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Kindle purchase
Category: Horror
Series: Mara Dyer book 2
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? (from Goodreads)
The Evolution of Mara Dyer is book two in the Mara Dyer series. My thoughts contain SPOILERS for book one.
At the end of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Mara goes to the police station to turn herself into the authorities, because she thinks she’s a danger to society. She can make people die just by thinking about it, after all. But at the station she is certain that she sees Jude, the boy who assaulted her in the asylum and whom is supposed to be dead. End of volume 1. Bang.
In The Evolution of Mara Dyer, Mara wakes up in a psych ward having no knowledge of what happened after she saw Jude. Apparently it wasn't good because she is now on her way to being committed to a psychiatric facility for claiming that Jude is still alive and that she can kill people with her mind. Mara's family is understandably freaked out about the state of her mental sanity, and Mara quickly learns that there's no way they'd ever believe what she's certain is the truth. Thus begins a book that I would like to re-title "Mara Dyer's descent into madness."
In Unbecoming Mara was confused and disoriented, questioning whether she had a supernatural ability or if it was all in her head. In Evolution her distress increases and morphs into feelings of complete powerlessness, lack of control and acute fear. I don't like the feeling of being out of control, so it was unsettling and frightening to read everything Mara faces in Evolution. But it was very effectively done, and I applaud Michelle Hodkin for affecting my emotions so well. I felt Mara's madness creeping in as she comes to the overwhelming realization that she can't do anything to stop what is happening. Or tell anyone. The only person that she can confide in throughout this book is Noah.
Noah is really Mara's only link to her sanity in Evolution. He will do anything for Mara. But even so, Noah is not perfect. He has his own problems and secrets. We learn a lot more about him in this story, and find out that he is not just a hot bad boy with a british accent. Both Noah and Mara are complicated, and each has their own psychological issues. But they really work well together. I love how their relationship develops in this book. Throughout the chaos of the story, the development of Mara and Noah's relationships is the one shining light. I didn't dislike Noah in Unbecoming, but for those of you who did, I fell much harder for him in Evolution.
Mara's family remains a big part of her life, and that is still one of my favorite things about this series. It is clear that they love her and want her to be whole and better. I completely understand all that they try to do for Mara. But they don't know the whole story of what is going on with her, and though they mean well, they really cannot help her. That makes what Mara faces even more unsettling.
This book answers several questions that I had at the end of Unbecoming. You'll be happy to know that there is resolution to the kissing problem. We also find out more about Mara's mysterious grandmother. We see Jamie again (Mara's only other friend from school). And of course we find out whether Mara really did see Jude in the police station. Let's just say that Jude freaks me out.
Despite the answers we do get, I really had no idea what was going on during a majority of this story. And I felt like the questions were piling up with very few answers coming. I became desperate for them. But that all fed on my anxiety for Mara and her powerlessness throughout this book, so it was very affective and well executed. And the story does sort itself out. Mostly. Enough to make me eager for book 3.
I thought Evolution was a lot scarier than Unbecoming. Not only were Mara's emotions even more out of control, but she is put in some genuinely frightening situations. There were times that I felt like I'd entered a horror film. I don't know if it was done on purpose, but this book seemed to reference many different horror movies - creepy dolls, birds falling from the sky, crazy psych patients and more. For the most part I was surprised about the direction that the story took, and I didn't expect the ending. At all. But there were a few plot points along the way that were predictable. Thankfully, not enough to outweigh what I didn't see coming.
Evolution was really nothing that I expected, and I am looking forward to the third book in the series - The Retribution of Mara Dyer. I am anticipating big things for Mara. She is still a very unreliable narrator so I'm certain she will continue to surprise me.
Love Triangle Factor: Still NONE!
Cliffhanger Scale: Medium (despite this, my stress level was low, because I expected this type of an end)
Rating: 4 stars
At the end of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Mara goes to the police station to turn herself into the authorities, because she thinks she’s a danger to society. She can make people die just by thinking about it, after all. But at the station she is certain that she sees Jude, the boy who assaulted her in the asylum and whom is supposed to be dead. End of volume 1. Bang.
In The Evolution of Mara Dyer, Mara wakes up in a psych ward having no knowledge of what happened after she saw Jude. Apparently it wasn't good because she is now on her way to being committed to a psychiatric facility for claiming that Jude is still alive and that she can kill people with her mind. Mara's family is understandably freaked out about the state of her mental sanity, and Mara quickly learns that there's no way they'd ever believe what she's certain is the truth. Thus begins a book that I would like to re-title "Mara Dyer's descent into madness."
In Unbecoming Mara was confused and disoriented, questioning whether she had a supernatural ability or if it was all in her head. In Evolution her distress increases and morphs into feelings of complete powerlessness, lack of control and acute fear. I don't like the feeling of being out of control, so it was unsettling and frightening to read everything Mara faces in Evolution. But it was very effectively done, and I applaud Michelle Hodkin for affecting my emotions so well. I felt Mara's madness creeping in as she comes to the overwhelming realization that she can't do anything to stop what is happening. Or tell anyone. The only person that she can confide in throughout this book is Noah.
Noah is really Mara's only link to her sanity in Evolution. He will do anything for Mara. But even so, Noah is not perfect. He has his own problems and secrets. We learn a lot more about him in this story, and find out that he is not just a hot bad boy with a british accent. Both Noah and Mara are complicated, and each has their own psychological issues. But they really work well together. I love how their relationship develops in this book. Throughout the chaos of the story, the development of Mara and Noah's relationships is the one shining light. I didn't dislike Noah in Unbecoming, but for those of you who did, I fell much harder for him in Evolution.
Mara's family remains a big part of her life, and that is still one of my favorite things about this series. It is clear that they love her and want her to be whole and better. I completely understand all that they try to do for Mara. But they don't know the whole story of what is going on with her, and though they mean well, they really cannot help her. That makes what Mara faces even more unsettling.
This book answers several questions that I had at the end of Unbecoming. You'll be happy to know that there is resolution to the kissing problem. We also find out more about Mara's mysterious grandmother. We see Jamie again (Mara's only other friend from school). And of course we find out whether Mara really did see Jude in the police station. Let's just say that Jude freaks me out.
Despite the answers we do get, I really had no idea what was going on during a majority of this story. And I felt like the questions were piling up with very few answers coming. I became desperate for them. But that all fed on my anxiety for Mara and her powerlessness throughout this book, so it was very affective and well executed. And the story does sort itself out. Mostly. Enough to make me eager for book 3.
I thought Evolution was a lot scarier than Unbecoming. Not only were Mara's emotions even more out of control, but she is put in some genuinely frightening situations. There were times that I felt like I'd entered a horror film. I don't know if it was done on purpose, but this book seemed to reference many different horror movies - creepy dolls, birds falling from the sky, crazy psych patients and more. For the most part I was surprised about the direction that the story took, and I didn't expect the ending. At all. But there were a few plot points along the way that were predictable. Thankfully, not enough to outweigh what I didn't see coming.
Evolution was really nothing that I expected, and I am looking forward to the third book in the series - The Retribution of Mara Dyer. I am anticipating big things for Mara. She is still a very unreliable narrator so I'm certain she will continue to surprise me.
Love Triangle Factor: Still NONE!
Cliffhanger Scale: Medium (despite this, my stress level was low, because I expected this type of an end)
Rating: 4 stars
Wow, this sounds exciting :) Glad to hear you liked it!
ReplyDeleteMomo @ Where the Mome Raths Outgrabe
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Lauren! I didn't finish Unbecoming, simply because I couldn't bring myself to care and I hated all the questions we were left with, even so far into the novel, but I loveee that there's so love triangle in this series. I miiiiiiiight give Unbecoming another try, especially since this one was so good, so we'll see. Fantastic review, dear! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't tell or not whether you will like this. You, my friend are a much pickier reader than I am! BUT I think some people who didn't like the first, will be pleased with the direction this book takes. However, though we do get answers, there are still lots and lots of questions; though as I said, I think the many questions made sense for where Mara is mentally in this book, and they really helped to build the desperate, frantic feelings that Mara has throughout this story.
DeleteThis series seems to be taking a good turn! I like the spooky factor and the fact that there's no love triangle is a bonus! Maybe I should finally check this out.
ReplyDeleteYes. This one is much scarier than the first - both psychologically and straight forward frightening situations. And I also give it major points for not clouding the storyline with other love interests. That is always a BIG plus for me. I hope you enjoy!
DeleteOkay, Okay. I felt VERY much like Keertana when I read Unbecoming (as you know.) BUT, and I can't believe I am saying this...after reading your review I think I might want to give this series another shot. Statements like these are why:
ReplyDelete"I didn't dislike Noah in Unbecoming, but for those of you who did, I fell much harder for him in Evolution."
"You'll be happy to know that there is resolution to the kissing problem."
"I thought Evolution was a lot scarier than Unbecoming. Not only were Mara's emotions even more out of control, but she is put in some genuinely frightening situations. There were times that I felt like I'd entered a horror film. I don't know if it was done on purpose, but this book seemed to reference many different horror movies - creepy dolls, birds falling from the sky, crazy psych patients and more."
My library carries Unbecoming so if they stock Evolution than I may just have to give it a look see:)Very nice (and convincing) review, Lauren!
I think you might actually like this book, Heather! It felt a bit different from the first book. As I mentioned to Keertana, it takes a while to start getting answers, but you DO get some (although there are many new questions). BUT the lack of answers at first definitely feeds on Mara's helpless feeling. And I think you will like the horror aspects of this book. Also, I think Noah will surprise you - in a good way. Let me know if you pick this up!
DeleteI skipped this review because you mention spoilers. BUT I wanted to tell you that even though I hadn't planned to read this series yet because of cliffhangers, I bought books one and two. They arrived today, in fact.
ReplyDeleteDid book two have the same big cliffhanger ending as book one had? I heard book one had a massive one.
Can't wait to read this! For some reason I never actually knew what this was about so thanks for the summary as well :)
ReplyDeleteZaira Lynn (CashFund)