The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer Trilogy, #1)

by Michelle Hodkin

[Amanda]

Actual rating: 4.5

Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2011/11/02/review-the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer-by-michelle-hodkin/

I went into The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer knowing that it was going to be a wild and confusing ride. I think that 1) you have to know this and 2) you have to be okay with it in order to enjoy the story. And you have to be open to possibilities. I don’t know that I’m extremely sold on what happens at the end, but I know I want to read the sequel to find out. I even want to pick this one back up and read it all over again. And maybe I will. There’s something about The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer that is intoxicating.

For all my “I must know everything NOW” need that I continually flaunt in my reviews, I also like when books jerk me around in a way that tells me everything and nothing. It reminds me somewhat of Catch-22, which is one of those rare 5 star books for me. My brain seems to be rolling all over the place and I’m not really sure where to start picking up the pieces. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer pulled me in, sucked me out, and folded me upon myself. It makes sense and it does not, and I could spin myself in a tizzy trying to explain it to you, and that’s exactly why I liked it so much.

Mara has no idea what is going on or what happened to her. We learn slowly with her — kind of — but can we really trust what’s there? Side note: Michelle Hodkin signed my book with a “What will you believe?” Before I read it, I thought the statement was melodramatic, but it turns out to be aptly fitting. I liked Mara. She’s got spunk and attitude, and that’s always a plus. Noah is pretty much the guy you dreamed about dating in high school, and exactly how you dreamed dating him would be. No, seriously. It’s true. And for invoking my boy crazy memories of high school — some of the most positive memories I have of that time — I love Noah and Michelle Hodkin.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer flashes back between present day and before the accident. These flashes leave you wanting more but afraid to know the whole truth. And more than that, this book is funny in a way that I wouldn’t expect from a book that knocked my emotions all over the place. I can promise you that not everyone is going to like The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. The few interactions I’ve had with people on Twitter since attempting to start writing this review has only confirmed that. But part of what makes The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer so good for me is its ability to provoke so many conflicting and rolling emotions. You react to it, even though you’re not really sure how you want to or ought to react. And it is awesome.