Monday, 5 March 2012

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

For Review: Simon & Schuster
Published: 1 March 2012

From Simon & Schuster: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger. She wakes from a coma in hospital with no memory of how she got there or of the bizarre accident that caused the deaths of her best friends and her boyfriend, yet left her mysteriously unharmed. The doctors suggest that starting over in a new city, a new school, would be good for her and just to let the memories gradually come back on their own. But Mara's new start is anything but comforting. She sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and when she suddenly begins to see other people's deaths right before they happen, Mara wonders whether she's going crazy! And if dealing with all this wasn't enough, Noah Shaw, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen can't seem to leave her alone… but as her life unravels around her, Mara can't help but wonder if Noah has another agenda altogether…

I'd been looking forward to reading this one for ages - I'd heard so many good things about it (and a few bad things too) so I couldn't wait to read it and see what I thought. I LOVED it! It's very different from a lot of things I've read and that made it really refreshing.

The story is told from Mara's point of view. Having been involved in an accident that killed her friends she has no memory of it at all. On doctors orders she moves to somewhere new - a way to let herself heal slowly so hopefully she can piece together what happened that night - but the new start is not going to plan. Instead she sees things that can't possibly be real - her dead friends faces are everywhere and she starts to see deaths just before they happen. And then there's Noah - a boy she meets at school who just wont leave her alone...

Having the story told from Mara's point of view in first person is a stroke of genius! It's the ultimate unreliable narrator - we have no idea what to believe because she doesn't know what to believe herself. I thought that aspect sold the whole novel - I loved being in her head, trying to work out what was happening. It made me completely invested in the story and in Mara - and it gave an interesting insight into someone who is struggling with reality.

I also really loved Noah. His relationship with Mara comes across initially as one of those 'instant' connection couples but Noah's interest in Mara is explained and the connection between the two really grows into something tangible - I really felt the chemistry between the two!

As for what happened and what is happening? Well honestly, I don't know - the whole story is dark and eerie and completely addictive. I'm surprised the pages didn't spontaneously combust I was flipping them so fast! I loved every minute - and while I'm not sure I could tell you exactly what happened that is why I seriously loved the book. It's all a bit of a mystery that I am still trying to unravel.

Seriously good! You need to read this!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, this sounds seriously good and your review has completly sold it to me!

TheBookAddictedGirl said...

Whoa. I HAVE to buy this! It sounds amazing, and you obviously loved it! *bumps book up wanted list*
Thanks for the amazing review, Sammee!! :D

Catherine@thebookparade said...

I totally agree with your whole review! It was really interesting seeing things from Mara's point of view because you 'saw' all the hallucinations and flashbacks and everything that she saw. Overall, I LOVED the book too!
You can read my review of the book here:

http://thebookparade.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-review-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer.html

:)

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

I've been seeing some mixed reviews of this one as well and it makes me hesitant. One really positive review like yours and it brings back all the excitement I had back again!

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