by
4.04 of 5 stars
Seventeen-year-old Mara cannot remember the accident that took the lives of three of her friends but, after moving from Rhode Island to Florida, fi... read full description

reviews

Oct 26, 2011
Tatiana rated it: 1 of 5 stars
Well, let me get this out of the way - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer has nothing whatsoever in common with The Adoration of Jenna Fox, even though their publisher-provided plot descriptions are almost identical. What it is similar to is the infamous bestseller Hush, Hush, but it is just a tad less offensive. So, if you are a fan of that novel, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is your next natural reading choice.

I'll attempt to refrain from excessive ranting here, but, goodness, this novel i More...
95 comments like (175 people liked it)
Oct 06, 2011
Wendy Darling rated it: 1 of 5 stars
1.5 stars Welcome to yet another teen romance masquerading as a paranormal novel. If you’re like me, you’ve been salivating to read this book for months because of the breathtaking cover—and of course, the premise of a girl waking up in a hospital with no memory of how her friends were killed is pretty intriguing. I’m sorry to say, however, that the maddening phenomenon I’m calling “cover fraud” strikes again, since this is another book whose interior does not live up to its beautiful cover art. More...
232 comments like (150 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
Stephanie rated it: 2 of 5 stars

Hmm...Where do I even start with this book? I guess I should start by saying The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and I have this awkward love/hate relationship. If this book were a person, it'd be the boyfriend I sometimes had fun with, but never wanted to take with me in public because I knew he would do something stupid and embarrass the hell outta me. For majority of the first half of the book, I wanted to stomp it into the ground with my pair of patent leather pumps. However, somewhere along t More...
28 comments like (53 people liked it)
Nov 17, 2011
Lora added it
Quite possibly my favorite cover of 2011. Simply beautiful.
5 comments like (36 people liked it)
Nov 16, 2011
Cait rated it: 2 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
27 comments like (49 people liked it)
Nov 02, 2011
I truly have no idea where to even start. I'm sure if I just said 'Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow' over and over again that it would get my point across just fine, but that might be a little repetitive and inarticulate. I'm going to try to get my very gushing thoughts in order for you guys.

When I opened the pages of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer I had no idea what to expect. The synopsis really doesn't give you much, and I like it that way. The vague synopsis, the eerie cover, and the fant More...
4 comments like (46 people liked it)
Jan 08, 2012
Ezmirelda rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Hodkin manages to weave a story that’ll leave you pondering it long after you’ve read the last word.

Mara wakes up disoriented in a hospital with no recollection how she got there. She survived the accident, but her friends hadn’t been so lucky. Since that day she’s been having flashbacks and nightmares. In an attempt to stop her from reliving the past Mara and her family move to Miami Florida.

I really loved the fast pace and fluidity of Michel More...
0 comments like (23 people liked it)
Sep 13, 2011
Britney rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I want more of it, and I want Noah Shaw to be real! Beautiful writing, great characters, and amazing plot. Michelle Hodkin is perfect!
3 comments like (40 people liked it)
Dec 08, 2011
Bree rated it: 1 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
18 comments like (20 people liked it)
Feb 13, 2012
Mrs.Heise rated it: 5 of 5 stars
THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER is one of the most interesting books that I have read in awhile. It blew my mind, kept me on my toes, crawled under my skin, tugged at my heart, and won't get out of my head. It is a multi-layered story: part psychological thriller, part epic teen romance, part high school story, part mystery, part family dynamics, and part suspense. Oh, and I can't forget the slight paranormal tendencies (in the mental sense not creatures) underlying the events of this book. It is a More...
2 comments like (15 people liked it)
Aug 02, 2011
Elise rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Now usually I don't listen to reviews, but I was a little concerned when all I read was how this was a great novel UNTIL... But, as I am a curious critter, I had to read it when given the chance. I could not put this book down! I am a huge fan of character driven novels and this fit the bill. I was drawn to Mara and her issues, ok, so I wanted to fix her (it is my thing), I wanted to hug Jamie for being well, Jamie, Daniel was a whole lot of awesomesauce (can i have an older brother like him? More...
2 comments like (30 people liked it)
Oct 27, 2011
An instant favorite. This book is beyond words incredible. Full review coming soon, but let's just say this: This book deserves much more than just 5 stars. It's brilliant!
1 comment like (17 people liked it)
Sep 15, 2011
Sarah (Y.A. Love) rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This debut has received a ton of hype in the past few months and it completely lives up to the hype. I absolutely devoured this story; I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up late and read until my eyes were so heavy I had to close them, then woke up early enough to pick it right back up and finish it (thank goodness for the weekends!). Michelle Hodkin is most certainly an author to watch because she not only weaves an engrossing tale, but she incorporates the perfect mix of mystery, snark, roman More...
0 comments like (23 people liked it)
Oct 04, 2011
Vy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
My first thoughts after The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer:
*Speechless*
and then after being speechless I became very paranoid. Like scared to look in the mirror after you take a shower paranoid.

This was crazy twisted and beautiful. No one told me how creepy this was going to be. When I wasn't sitting around looking under my bed I was sitting trying to understand what just happened. One page I think I know what's going on and then the next it's like I haven't even read the pages More...
1 comment like (20 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2012
Katy rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I was flipping back and forth between 1 and 2 stars but I think I have settled on 1 because I do feel like I was lured into something bad that was disguised as something good and that feels like lying which I hate. I was drawn to this book by the cover, as most on this site will admit too and I feel that the old adage about books and covers should have, in my case, been heeded, but I have yet to learn this lesson and so I will vent some of my issues with the book in the hopes of saving others f More...
5 comments like (12 people liked it)
Sep 16, 2011
Meghan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Love, love, LOVED The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer! The story line leaves you tearing through pages and wanting more. I cannot wait for book #2!
0 comments like (22 people liked it)
Jul 06, 2011
Lindsi added it
Crazy synopsis, right? It doesn't tell you anything! It only made me want to read the book more. (I guess that's the point.) Normally, a synopsis will tell you a little bit about the book, or maybe what to expect. I had no idea what I was getting into when I dove into this book and still don't know what to expect after reading it. Twice.

Michelle Hodkin is unbelievably good at building suspense. I was totally consumed by the book and the story. Who is Mara Dyer? What happened to her? More...
7 comments like (22 people liked it)
Oct 10, 2011
Noelle rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I read this when it was in semi/draft form and found it to be AWESOME! Since this is a book made for my age group, I could not have loved the plot, storyline, or dramatic flare more! I felt a real connection to all character troubles. Mara's love to Noah added a new fold to a already fascinating plot. Noah helps her with the hard times-and often inspires the good times- just as any boyfriend should. Their romance is cute but intense at the same time. This book is a perfectly balanced peace of ar More...
0 comments like (14 people liked it)
Sep 19, 2011
Once Upon rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I was going to wait on reading The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer until it was closer to September. You might be asking, well why didn't you. I will tell you. All this took place a few weeks ago while I was in New York for BEA. The Monday before BEA, there was a event called Teen Author Carnival. At this event the lovely Michelle Hodkin attended. She was one of the authors participating that night. So Michelle read from the book and also talked about her book. Well I shouldn't say talk, she was very se More...
2 comments like (15 people liked it)
Nov 04, 2011
Rachel rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Posted in august: This cover is absolutely breathtaking! I know not to judge by the cover but, really, how can anything with such a stunning picture on the front not be amazing? truly gorgeous

Review:
Well I was right. With a cover that great this book had to be amazing. And whatever i was expecting, this was 100X more amazing. This is arguable the best book I have read all year. There is a lot of mystery surrounding this book. There was no real plot summary given before the boo More...
1 comment like (10 people liked it)
Sep 06, 2011
Dark. Sexy. Hilarious. Mysterious. Heart-pounding. Hair-raising. In short, this novel is incredible. In her unforgettable debut, Michelle Hodkin crafts a spine-tingling tale of death and desire that will leave readers clamoring for more. Mara Dyer is the best kind of heroine -- cynical and witty, biting and deeply flawed. Her struggles with insanity are enthralling, and her search for truth gripping. In her upside down world, it's impossible to tell what's real and what's just a terrible nightma More...
2 comments like (24 people liked it)
Sep 05, 2011
Kendare rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I...want...it...so...much...

Hey September, let's get your ass in gear and get here faster, hm?

******************************************

So I was lucky enough to get an early copy. As is the usual with a good book, I'll be very disciplined in the reading schedule, until the last third where I shove everything else off my desk and don't move until the book is done. That's what happened with The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

This book is interesting. Downri More...
5 comments like (25 people liked it)
Nov 08, 2011
Jamie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Somewhere in the 3.5-4 range if I MUST give a star rating

So hard to give this one a star rating. I flew through it and could not put it down but I didn't find it perfect the way many other people did. It's hard for me to measure it's level of enjoyability and unputdown-ablity versus some things that straight up confounded me and peeved me. It's hard to find the balance for me. Especially since this was the first book, after starting and abandoning (and not reaaaading a book at all) a More...
0 comments like (10 people liked it)
Nov 05, 2011
Brodie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Despite the ridiculous amount of gushing (and pull-my-hair-out cryptic) reviews I read for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, I don't think I was quite prepared for it to mess with my mind as much as it did. I don't want to say too much about the plot specifics, because going into this book completely unprepared is the best way to achieve full appreciation for it. So here are the basics: Mara wakes up in the hospital after she was involved in an accident that killed three of her friends. From that mom More...
26 comments like (12 people liked it)
Jul 07, 2011
Jessica rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Finally got my paws on a copy of the ARC, and OMG, it's AMAZING!

Seriously, I couldn't put it down. The chapters are nice and short, which usually means I can read two or three chapters and move on about my business until I pick up the book again.

But not with this book.

I could. not. stop. reading it! Every chapter leaves you wondering what the heck is going to happen in the next one.

Last night I found myself staying up hours after I usually go to s More...
6 comments like (26 people liked it)
Mar 31, 2011
Jeffanem rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Anything I say is going to ruin it. This is one you HAVE to read for yourself. 5 stars isn't nearly enough!
3 comments like (48 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2011
Sam rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Start of book: 5 stars
Overall: 4/4.5 stars

Oh why didn't I read this sooner?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer has got to be one of the most intriguing stories I have read this year. Full of mystery, suspense, and down-right creepiness, this book is a brilliant novel which will entrance you from the first page and leave you salivating for more once you have read the last. This isn't at all like anything I have come across before. I was in awe of how different this book felt More...
26 comments like (12 people liked it)
Sep 12, 2011
Miakoda rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Michelle Hodkin, aren't you the genius...

Yes.You.Are.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is WILD! The mystery, the suspense and the romance was written to perfection.

The Characters:

Based on the book description, Mara is suppose to be this very intriguing character right? Well at first I thought she can't possible fit the part but when everything came together, she was so absorbing. Her friend Jamie was great too, a classic. And Noah...ahh Noah, he was ever More...
0 comments like (16 people liked it)
Jan 18, 2012
Jennie rated it: 1 of 5 stars
EDIT: I have decided to write some more on this book because it is just so wrong.

I have come across a quote that is basically Slut Shaming.

Ok, so Mara Dyer can't stand Noah's ex. Obviously, since she is a popular girl and Noah's ex, she is a horrible woman and a "slut". Here is a nice quote from the book to show you how Mara feels towards this girl:

"Anna used to be the abstinence poster girl, but post-Shaw, you could write a comic book about th
More...
13 comments like (7 people liked it)
Oct 03, 2011
Vinaya rated it: 4 of 5 stars
What? WHA-WH-WHAAAT? There's a sequel, right? RIGHT? What the eff, Michelle Hodkin?!!

I hate cocky, self-assured teenage boys who are hiding a deep dark secret behind a man-whore façade. I hate stories involving mean, blonde girls who hate the heroine on sight for reasons unknown. I hate stories where each chapter ends in unnecessary foreshadowing. And I really, really, really hate cliffhanger endings. So it's a puzzle to me why I like The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer so much.

C More...
18 comments like (29 people liked it)