The Mara Dyer Series By Michelle Hodkin - Restarting January 8th 2018

[Abi]

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Restarting November 15th 2014.

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[Sara]

I know this started on the 15th - but I just started it yesterday if anyone wants to hop in, that's be awesome!

[Abi]

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Restarting January 6th 2015.

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[Heather]

Thanks so much do you guys want to set aside a schedule?

[Book Goblin]

I'm up for reading all at once or reading a certain amount a day, doesn't matter to me. Should we all set a specific time to start reading or just whenever it hits the 6th for each of us? I'm in Australia so it's already just barely the 5th here so I'd be around a day ahead.

[Heather]

Start reading on the 6th your time and just post updates as you go along? I know I won't be able to read it all in one sitting because of school starting back tomorrow.

[Heather]

okay :)

[Book Goblin]

How much are you guys comfortable reading per day? I think there is something like 55 chapters, though I could be wrong.

[Heather]

It's up to you guys if you want to read ahead just post what chapter you are on and do a spoiler tag with your thoughts inside it.

[Book Goblin]

Alright, sounds good! I'll wait until it is the 7th here/6th there to start in hopes my ereader arrives - reading ebooks on my phone hurts my eyes.

[Book Goblin]

Woo! My ereader arrived today and I have read 15% so far, up to chapter 9.

Thoughts so far. (view spoiler)[ Okay, so the gist of it is so far that Mara Dyer's best friend Rachel, and arch nemesis Claire (plus Claire's brother Jude) died in some sort of warehouse collapse tragedy and now Mara and her family have up and moved to Miami, Florida to get away from it all. Mara's having flashbacks and stuff which is attributed to her PTSD but I cannot help but feel that because this is paranormal/fantasy fiction or whatever that these symptoms will eventually be attributed to something else.

I've found the writing a bit wooden and hard to get into so far, but I am really hoping this changes soon. The characters and story are alright so far but I did find myself disappointed with the fact that Mara happens to be a "whitey mcwhiterson" (her words, not mine) despite the fact that her mother is Indian and her brothers share the skin tone. Possibly adopted? Hmmm. Probably has some sort of significance to the story. I hope. (hide spoiler)]

[Book Goblin]

All good Alex! :)

Currently at 30% (well, 60, but I have been taking notes of my thoughts every 15% or so)

(view spoiler)[ 30%
Alright, so here come the fantasy/paranormal elements of the story. The Jordana Palmer case will most probably be a central plot in this book? Intrigued as to what will happen next & slowly getting into the book.

Questions I have:
Was Jude abusive?
Is Mara seeing ghosts?
What will happen to Mabel?
Why is Anna such a bitch? What happened to her? (hide spoiler)]

[Ravin]

I'm reading this right now :)

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting May 9th 2015. Happy Reading ☺

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[Nur Raihan]

I've already started few chapters for this one! Who's reading this? :)

[Victoria]

I will be! I'm just behind with my buddy reads, so I'll be a little late :)

[Nur Raihan]

What do you think of the characters?

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

I started this & I'm @ chapter 19 (view spoiler)[Mara is alright but I don't like Noah. it's very incompatible romance imo.

I hope the plot moves quickly. (hide spoiler)]

[Nur Raihan]

Its good isn't it? First impression on Mara? ;)

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Nur Raihan wrote: "Its good isn't it? First impression on Mara? ;)"

the premise is interesting & I like Mara so far..

[Nur Raihan]

I wish it was more on the mystery though.. but whats a teenager without a love story? haha

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Nur Raihan wrote: "I wish it was more on the mystery though.. but whats a teenager without a love story? haha"

the romance is dragging unfortunately :(

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Chapter 42 (view spoiler)[So sad what happened to Jamie :( and how could her burn have healed this fast? (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Will be joining this

[Nur Raihan]

Yes, but there's something about Noah that I didn't see! I really didn't saw that coming.

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Chapter 49 (view spoiler)[it is about time she goes looking for answers (hide spoiler)]

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Chapter 51 (view spoiler)[only Noah's powers turns out to be as obnoxious as he is LOL!!!.. I suspected he had something to do with her healed wounds (hide spoiler)]

Ending (view spoiler)[Oh hell! Jude is alive (hide spoiler)]

[Nur Raihan]

ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "Chapter 51 [spoilers removed]

Ending [spoilers removed]"

Oh yess!! When are you planning to read the 2nd book?

[Jackie]

Really like how this started. Would it be called A prologue?

[Jackie]

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[ I really like the way this story is being told. I like the mystery behind it. I feel bad for Mara. I do wish she displayed a little more emotion after losing her friends but it's kind of understandable that she went into shock. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Talk about PTSD. I think she's having flashbacks to the incident. I don't like vending machine girl one bit. Who's the Brit? (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[I really like how nice Jamie is. It's nice that he doesn't ask questions and just lets Mara be herself. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[She lost a huge chunk of time there and the mom didn't even check on her? It seems that a mom that was so worried would check on her daughter more. I really like Joseph as an addition to the story. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[I really dislike Noah! He's that type of guy who's a jerk because he knows he can get almost anything and anyone he wants. I don't like the chemistry between him and Mara as it is blatantly clear they'll have some sort of romantic relationship. The dream at the end was kind of cool cause we get a glimpse as to what happened the night of the accident. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[Did she kill the man or was that just a halucination? (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[Holy crap! I can't believe what just happened! She either killed him...or something creepy's going on. But, how could she kill him? He's twice her size and strength. (hide spoiler)]

[Nur Raihan]

Jackie wrote: "Chapter 12: [spoilers removed]"

I hope you are enjoying the book! :)

[Jackie]

Chapter 21: this is getting really creepy! (view spoiler)[ I can't believe she imagined the whole thing! (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

Up to chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Oh, okay, so that's why everyone loves Noah! I am so not surprisd, he's amazing already. But I don't know if I love Jamie more... I want to know so badly what happened in the asylum. It must be her fault, right? Because the other three died! And now that man with the dog has just died in that exact same way as she imagined... Very creepy. Very suspicious. I can't wait to find out more, ahh (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

I really need to do more updates, but it's SO GOOD, I just can't stop reading! I'm up to chapter 30 (view spoiler)[ NOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHH. Dibs. Ha ha! Now he's mine. Also dibs Jamie. But mostly Noah. This date is the freaking cutest thing I've read in a while. I know that Mara says she doesn't want him, but she does. Who wouldn't? Of course he's filthy rich. He's completely stereotypical, they had to add that. But it does give him an interesting back story, that I'd like to know more about. Mara's trip to the psychiatrist was really interesting. It kind of sounded like she was getting better, even though this is a fantasy book. Obviously she won't, there's something creepier going on. Oh, and one more thing! Someone close to her will be evil by the end. Jamie probably. Just making sure my guess is out there :) (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

Chapter 42. Back to the creepiness! (view spoiler)[ Seriously, how does she do this? I wondered if it was subconsciously her, killing people but not remembering it. This time, though, there were witnesses. So it can't have been her! She has a power, somehow. Ahh, I want to know what it is so badly! I'm getting a little annoyed at Jamie being so untrusting of Noah. Yes, he sleeps around. But obviously, he's making an effort with Mara. You can warn her, sure. Then stop! He makes her happy, that's all she needs. He's being pushy, not nice. But he didn't deserve to be expelled. Anna and Aiden were unnecessarily awful (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

It's really terrible weather here, so I've decided to cuddle up in bed and read. Just in case you were wondering why I've all of a sudden read so much :P
Chapter 52 (view spoiler)[ So Noah's crazy too! I guessed Jamie, but I knew something was up. I'm loving the contrast between them. She is death, and he is life. Very cool. I'm glad she's finally remembered what happened in the asylum. Jude was awful! I mean, I never liked him, but I didn't expect him to be that bad! It's so sad Claire and Rachel had to die for what he did. Now we just need to work out where these powers came from. Oh, and who kidnapped Joseph! And is Mara going to die, or was that just the asylum? Okay, so there's a lot more questions... But still more pages, and two more books! (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

Done! I can't wait for you to catch up so I can stress with you (view spoiler)[ THAT ENDING. That was insane! Jude is alive?!? How?!? That's awful that Rachel and Claire died and Jude didn't, when it was his fault (well, he triggered it). And her poor dad! Mara needs to start getting some control over her powers, and fast. I can't wait for book 2! I have to know why Jude is alive. Ahhh. (hide spoiler)]

[Danielle ♥]

I haven't said anything up until now because my May TBR list is crazy!! I have schedules going to fit everything in. I plan to start this book in the next day or two and will post as I read!! Anyone listen to the audiobook?? How did you like/dislike the narrator?? TIA!

[Danielle ♥]

I ended up purchasing the Kindle edition with the whisper-sync audible audio companion. I haven't listened to any, yet. I just finished Chapter 5 and I'm really enjoying it so far! I like that the story opens as she wakes in a hospital, and events are unfolding for us just the same as for her. I am hooked (I was hooked after chapter 1, and it was a short chapter!)!!!

[Danielle ♥]

Finished chapter 13: (view spoiler)[I am such a softie and get so emotional over animal scenes like this!! But I was totally turned off by Noah grabbing her lips to quiet her; seems like a total invasion of personal space for a person you've known... well how long has she been at school? Like a week? Anyways, not too cool. I like Jamie too like lots of you have said. He's quite a relief from the other entitled students. And as for that A$$H0LE I am SO sure she caused his death in some way... Her wishes come true? She has some sort of power? (hide spoiler)]Enjoying the story so far. :D

[Victoria]

I agree, it's one of those books that's addictive from the start! I never listen to books, so I can't tell you which is better :)

[Danielle ♥]

Finished Chapter 18. Things keep getting weirder! I hope Mara doesn't (view spoiler)[get any grief about the guy's death, being the only witness, at the scene, stole the dog... On a separate note, the personalities of Mara, Jamie, and Noah and the triangle they're in are JUST LIKE the movie John Tucker Must Die: the main girl (played by Brittney Snow), the popular guy, John Tucker (Jesse Metcalf) and his cool, calm, and smart brother, played by Penn Dayton Badgley. (hide spoiler)]. Really enjoying the story so far, other than the super cliché "love" triangle :P

[Danielle ♥]

Mid Chapter 23, page 170. Haven't been team Noah thus far, but, (view spoiler)[that was SO cool of him to rescue Mara from Anna's cruel intentions with Mara's sketchbook. Points to Noah! (hide spoiler)]! Oh & I've been reading this on my Kindle with whisper-sync audio companion and I listened to a bit while multitasking today. It's cool because you can view the pages while the audiobook plays, and it will change the page for you. I am really enjoying the narrator's voice too, which I am usually picky about.

[Danielle ♥]

Finished chapter 35. Page 269. Kinda slow at the moment but (view spoiler)[Noah & Mara are developing their relationship. I was very pleased to see that Mara decided to eat lunch in the dining hall (haha, not cafeteria!) and got to meet Daniel's friends & seemed to really hit it off with Sophie. I feel so bad because even though something is probably up with her hallucinations, I could see this happening to a normal person who went through a tragedy like that, ya know? Obviously something is up with Mara though, I'm sure, we just haven't found out yet :) I am so curious if the murder of the girl Mara's Dad is defending has anything to do with anything ... (hide spoiler)].

[Danielle ♥]

Mid Ch 45 Pg 330 (view spoiler)[how the heck does Noah know where Jospeh is, and, why the heck do they have to wade across the river?? This story seriously just went from 0 to 60... and I don't know why, other than Noah is somehow certain Joseph is missing? I would need more of an explanation if you are asking me to get in a pond with an alligator. What the heck are they thinking? Do you think she's hallucinating!? (hide spoiler)] I am so confused!!!!!!!!