#180 Book Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2)
Release Date: February 2013
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Mara Dyer knows she isn't crazy. She knows she can kill with her mind, and that her boyfriend, Noah, can heal with his. Mara also knows that somehow, her ex, Jude, is not a hallucination. He is alive. Unfortunately, convincing her family and doctors that she's not crazy isn't easy. The only person who actually believes her is Noah. But being with Noah is dangerous and Mara is in constant fear that she might hurt him. She needs to learn how to control her power, and fast! Together, Mara and Noah must try and figure out how Jude survived the asylum collapse, and how he knows so much about her strange ability...before anyone else ends up dead.

Cover:
LOVE. GORGEOUS. LOVE. UNDERWATER! Forgive me for this random use of words but that cover is seriously gorgeous. I love how the girl's hand and the boy's hand is trying to reach other and how the photo is taken underwater of course!

Story:

“There will come a moment when there's nothing you want more than us. Together. When you're free of every fear and there is nothing in our way.” - Noah Shaw

MIND-BLOWN. Yep, this is the only word I can think of after finishing The Evolution of Mara Dyer. I am writing this review precisely 13 minutes after finishing the book. It is probably selfish for me to say this when I know that Mara Dyer needs more help than I do but helpmehelpmehelpmehelpmehelpmehelpme! I don't think my mind can work properly now because this is the question that lingers in my head : "What did I just read?"

I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer earlier this year and LOVED it. The mystery, romance and the intriguing premise were addictive. Now, The Evolution of Mara Dyer is still the same case, but maybe a bit different. I'm no longer intrigued by the premise. I NEED to know everything that happened. I have so many questions that are not yet answered in this book. Jude, who what are you? Mara, who are you? The story was absolutely hooking. I could not stop reading at all. I was reading the book at night and the wind outside was so loud, making the atmosphere creepy, chilling and haunting. The book is still written from Mara's POV although it jumps back and forth from the present and 'before'.  

I am thankful that I still know what was going on in the book because Hodkin throws in mysteries and unpredictable surprises in this book that I never thought I would keep up with. As usual, I love Michelle Hodkin's writing too. She captures the intense, vivid and haunting feeling of the book so well. The ending was a bit better than The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. Not exactly a cliffhanger but helphelphelphelp I NEED The Retribution of Mara Dyer so desperately!   

Characters:

“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.” 

SHAW. Noah Shaw. Is it possible for anyone not to love you? Because I sure can't resist your arrogant, charming, swoon-worthy and romantic qualities. Plus, you're British. The accent! Yep, can't resist. Mara and Noah are probably the only characters in this book that stood out most for me. I felt sad for everything Mara  had to go through in this book. She thinks she's crazy but when Noah said these 3 words: I believe you, I immediately fell in love with Noah Shaw all over again. Noah is always very supportive of Mara and that makes everything so much better. I love his relationship with Mara and this confession:

“You can't hurt me the way you think you can. But even if you could? I would rather die with the taste of you on my tongue than live and never touch you again. I'm in love with you, Mara. I love you. No matter what you do.” 

Mara, I really really want to know what is going on with you. What are your powers? Can you actually kill someone with your mind? Then again, she doesn't really know what is going on with herself so hopefully book 3 is going to explain this! Noah, you have no idea how many times you break, mend and twinge my heart. As for the other characters, they're great but Noah and Mara for the win! And one thing, I hate Jude. What an evil guy.

Overall:
Loved The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer? Then you will not want to miss this mind-blowing sequel. The Evolution of Mara Dyer continues the mysteries revolving Mara and her life. And not to forget the AMAZING Noah Shaw. Just prepare to get scared, swooning and mind-blown with this epic sequel! Absolutely can't wait for The Retribution of Mara Dyer!

5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for The Evolution of Mara Dyer!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!