The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Last year my favorite read of the year was "The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer," because it was just totally mind-blowing. So, when this one finally got a title and cover, I was jumping up and down in excitement. But, there was still that little thought in my mind that I always have with sequels, that it wouldn't live up to the first one. But now after finishing this, I can't tell you how much I didn't have to worry about that.
Evolution picks up a couple days after the ending events in Unbecoming. Mara is clearly disheveled and trying to grasp all that is going on all at once. Her family comes together to try and get her back to the healthy girl she once was and enrolls Mara into a place for teens; a psychiatric clinic. Here she is supposed show more to work on her issues with PTSD and other things. But, as the story goes on, we begin to learn more and more about Mara, her family, her surroundings, and Noah.
So many times throughout this book I had to stop and take a breather. Because guys, I was literally in amazement. Like I really could not believe what I was reading. (Don't believe me? Check out my GoodReads updates here...) This book will totally leave you in awe. Not only because of the weird paranormal events, but the sheer awesomeness of Hodkin's writing.
If you know me, you know that I LIVE off books with details. Not too many to just be made of fluff, but enough to get my heart pounding when a scary scene comes or to get me all swoony when a romantic or really sweet part comes along. And that's exactly what Hodkin did. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this story just from being pulled into Mara's mind. So many chilling events had me so in awe that I was complaining to my boyfriend that I wouldn't be right after I finished this one. And the fact that everything ties together makes it even more enjoyable. For example, just Google Mara's middle name and you will know exactly what I mean. I was intrigued by it and did it and I was seriously sitting slack jawed for a full ten seconds. Guys, this book is seriously creepy, but I enjoyed every SECOND of it.
But, just like last time, the part I loved most was Noah Shaw. Gah so many swoon worthy moments in this book! You can tell how much I loved those moments too by my status updates. He definitely clinched his spot as my all time favorite book boyfriends with that "Birthday do over" scene. With that being said, I do NOT believe the ending of this book. It just CANNOT be. Hodkin would NOT do that to me her readers! And as if that wasn't enough, that cliff hanger was bananas too. show less

I just really love the Mara Dyer series. Michelle Hodkin just loves playing with us! Is Mara crazy or isn’t she? It would appear that this was answered at the end of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, but as we find out at the beginning of The Evolution of Mara Dyer, it really wasn’t.

Mara is just as unreliable a narrator as ever and we constantly have to question what she tells us. Since the entire novel is told from her perspective and we do know that some of the things that she has told us aren’t entirely true, we still have to question her sanity. This was by far my favorite part of the novel.

The plot isn’t particularly action packed, but it still had a heart pounding, suspenseful quality to it because of the situations Mara show more believes are happening (which may or may not be really happening). By the end of the novel we finally do have an answer to whether or not Mara is crazy, and while it wasn’t the answer I wanted, it was still a spectacular read.

The secondary characters were less memorable this time around, and while I still love Joseph and like Daniel, Noah did lose a lot of his charm. He is still a great character and I really did enjoy quite a few of the Mara/Noah scenes, but he came across as a bit pompous this time around. He also doesn’t really act like a teenage boy. A lot of his comments sound like they are coming from a much older man.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer has all of the elements I loved in The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer—an enjoyable cast of secondary characters (even if they weren’t quite as strong as the first time around) and a thrilling quest to figure out if Mara is sane or certifiable. It is the perfect story for fans of novels such as Turn of the Screw and Shutter Island. show less

Exactly what I wanted and more! The unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one of my favorite books I’ve read in the past year. So naturally I had very high expectations of the second book and I’m glad to say that Michelle Hodkins met every single one. She delivered a more than worthy sequel to the exquisite read that was the first book.

If you haven’t read the first book you must. We were all left with questions and mind boggling doubts by the end of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. And of course a crazy shocking cliffhanger that blew our minds out of proportions. Well this book picks right after the end of the first one and while we get a few treats and hints, they aren’t full answers. If anything this book leaves us with bigger questions and show more more doubts than before. I’m not going to delve too much into the plot because I might spoil the story. This book is very mysterious, it leaves you wondering and trying to put the pieces together of what seems to be a very illogical puzzle. So anything I might say may ruin the eerily elements that make this book so captivating. That said I’m going to go ahead and praise it for being one of the best YA books I’ve read so far this year. And still continues to be one of my favorite series.
There is an almost perfect balance between the romance and dark gripping elements that are occurring all through out the book. The chemistry between Mara and Noah is almost palpable. It was just WOW! It was so intense and sexy. Of course Noah Shaw is the sexiest, earning him a spot in my top 5 book boyfriend’s list. Noah gushing aside, I was very satisfied with the role he played in this book. There is a little bit more mystery to him in this one. We know he is hiding something and there are some secrets and a sort of darkness and bitterness to him that make him a more alluring character. Then there is Mara who everybody thinks is crazy and even though she knows she isn’t, there is still doubt inside her. I felt so sorry for her during the course of this story. I felt like everybody was out to get her. I was anxious hoping that nothing bad would happen to her. The struggle inside her was definitely hard and a big conflict. I found that it was hard to see what was real sometimes and what wasn’t. There are some minor characters that I didn't think much of them but turned out to have bigger roles than what I thought of at first.
I had no idea what direction this book would take and let’s just say it was definitely not what I expected. Michelle Hodkin managed to once again fool me and blow my mind. I loved every twist and angle the story took. And the ending was perfect. It left me begging for more. I’m going to go crazy thinking about it for the remaining months I have till the next book comes out. show less

Okay. Remember all of those things that I had issues with (some lack of feminism, some cultural ignorance) in the first book? It's like Michelle Hodkin stepped inside my brain and said, "Hey, you want to know what's going on with those things? You got it," and then delivered in the second book.

First, Mara’s world isn’t just gritty — it’s downright chilling. In the best way possible. Part psychological thriller, part gothic horror, Evolution is an eerie, imaginatively thrilling ride, in which Mara grapples furiously with both her mental illness and the fact that she does not have psychosis, even though everyone thinks she does — and that’s without the creepy doll nightmares (ugh, creepy dolls) and other supernatural, well, show more madness. The delicate dance between the these elements may feel a little haphazard, but once again the poignant prose (I can’t get the words You will love him to ruins out of my head, even if it is melodramatic) keeps you moving through it well.

What I appreciated was that now that Mara and Noah are an Established Couple or whatnot, their romance stops being so agonizingly why can’t I stay away from you omg and takes a refreshing breath — without losing its potency in the least. I think one of my favorite lines will forever be:

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 mean in each one.

Ugh, the energy and thrill that line elicits!

Still, Mara struggles with her lack of independence, which I really appreciated. She knows she needs help, and she wishes fiercely that she didn’t. It’s rare these days to find a heroine who knows she can’t do it herself, and wishes she could anyway:

And he couldn’t fathom how much I hated needing help. Noah had said before that I wasn’t broken but I was, and he was learning that he couldn’t fix me. But I didn’t want to be the injured bird who needed healing, the sick girl who needed sympathy. Noah was different like me but he wasn’t broken like me.

How often do you see a heroine in a supernatural and/or YA novel these days that actually owns the fact that she has difficulty doing things for herself? And, more importantly, wants to fix it — herself? I think that speaks volumes to Mara’s characterization. She’s not just tough and fierce, she’s not just lonely and vulnerable — even more than that. She’s complicated. And I love me a complicated woman.

The other thing I was so pleased about is that the cultural blindness that was going on in the first book is, if not cured, then at least addressed by Mara — and, based on the flashbacks, it seems like there is a reason the author has made that the case. And it seems like steps are being taken in the right direction to change that, slowly, which makes me feel much better about it.

Also,

Sometimes, Noah, I feel an overwhelming urge to punch you in the face.

But, happily, said overwhelming urge occurs less and less in this book. Noah feels more…settled. He’s still fierce and defiant, but way less obnoxious. Sadly, that apparently also means that he’s rather less humorous (one of the few complaints I had with this book), but still, his characterization is pretty riveting, if a little pretentious (but then, as I said in my review for the last book, that actually works because it makes him distinctly human). One thing I really I adored is how he and Mara are always in it together, seamlessly, as a team, 100%. There is no waffling back and forth about “can I trust you, can I not trust you, what does all of this mean.” It’s always “I believe in you. I have your back, no matter what.” That, I think, is what made it so refreshing — because they were sure of each other, it meant everyone (including the reader) could focus more intensely on what was going on. And believe me, what was going on took your full, undivided attention.

Another full, fantastic installment in a breathtaking trilogy. I can’t wait to see what Mara does when she’s “released from her cage”! show less

In my world, how great a book is is defined by how long it takes me to read it and whether I was able to do anything else while reading it (you know - like sleep). Luckily, I started The Evolution of Mara Dyer first thing on a Sunday morning. Otherwise, I would have stayed up all night reading it. There is no doubt about that. I read it straight through on a Sunday and did not stop for anything. I tuned out the whole world because I was entranced by this story. Most of the time, I can figure out where a story is going to go but that just doesn't happen with these books. Hodkin is a master at storytelling and keeping her endgame hidden from the reader. I've got no clue where she's going with Mara and Noah but I can't wait to find out. show more Speaking of Noah, he is one of the best book boyfriends ever. I absolutely love him.

On a side note, I have formed a really terrific theory (in my humble opinion) based solely on my reader of Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. I'm probably way off but I sure can expound on that theory until the final book comes out next year.

I definitely recommend this series although I might suggest waiting until closer to publication of the final book next year because you won't like the ending. show less

This was originally reviewed with my friend Christina on The Book Hookup

My heart can’t take it. I thought the first book was amazing, but this, this was worse for my heart. Or do I mean better? With that ending I’m not sure! Michelle Hodkin is pure genius. This book picks up immediately where the first one left off and we jump right back on that roller coaster. Mara seems likes she is losing it, but we know she isn’t. Whatever is going on is bigger than we first thought, and instead of becoming clearer the layers keep building to create a very complex story. But it’s oh so simply told. It was exquisite.

Noah and Mara’s relationship: I. Have. No. Words. That boy will be the death (or ruins ;) ) of me. The chemistry is show more outstanding, we are talking off the charts sizzling. I’m pretty sure I freaked out while I was reading it. *flails just thinking about it* It is swoony to the bajillionth degree.

Then there’s the ending. Holy sh*it! Again, I was clutching my heart and screaming, “wtf was that?!” I expected a few things, but OMG, that? No way! God, I love when an author totally surprises me. So intense, but oh so worth it.

You must read this book for 3 reasons: 1. Noah 2. the story 3. the ending.
Trust me, you won’t regret it! show less

The Evolution of Mara Dyer is stunning. Second books in a trilogy or series usually are not as good as the first. That is not the case with this book. I don't even know how to explain this book. You will be blown away when you read the ending. I will be buying the third in this trilogy tonight. I must know what happens.
I love the relationships between all the characters in this book. I think they are very true to real life. They are realistic. I know that is part of what I loved so much about this book. The characters themselves seem real to me. I can feel The fear, the worry, and the surprise when the characters feel them. Jude was so creepy. Holy cow. Loooooooved this book!