The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

So when I finished The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer I knew I was going to have to jump right into the second book, The Evolution of Mara Dyer. There were so many unanswered questions, and I was just overall incredibly confused. Strangely enough, though, I didn’t mind it. I have to say, too, that I wasn’t sure going into this series just what kind of series it was. It was recommended to me by someone who has yet to steer me wrong – so I just jumped in with both feet. Where book one started to get kind of creepy and would weird me out, book two had me heart racing, can’t read while home alone, I swear someone’s in my house watching me as I type this kind of scared. Unlike watching a creepy movie, it is incredibly difficult to read a creepy book with your face behind your hands. haha.

Because I didn’t read any reviews of this ahead of time, I didn’t realize that some people think this to be a filler book – you know the kind – the second book in the series that is just an “in-between” the first and third. I didn’t feel that way at all. While there were parts that I felt were longer than necessary, still without giving me any idea what the hell was happening, I definitely didn’t find it boring. It kept me intrigued and confused and scared from the first page to the last.

Mara had gone through some pretty crazy devastation in The Unbecoming and really, that was nothing, compared to what she encounters in The Evolution. She’s definitely becoming stronger, and making more sense of her abilities and what is happening to her, but there’s also A LOT that she can’t really come to terms with, and this is all aside from the fact that she only has Noah to confide in. The rest of her family just thinks she’s batshit crazy. Because she’s so intelligent, though, she knows how to handle not only her family, but all of the medical personnel that she’s forced to deal with on a near daily basis. She knows the appropriate answers to give to stave off more questions, and she realizes what’s expected of a “normal” Mara.

That brings me to Noah. Oh Noah Shaw. I fell in love with him in book one, but my God, book two really sealed the deal for me. There were plenty of times I felt so smiley and giggly for him – but also, holy hotness, needing a bit of a cold shower. He’s everything to Mara. EVERYTHING. And she to him. The way that Michelle has created this romance is beyond words amazing. You could literally feel the tension and love radiate off the page – and that was before they even kissed! Noah is genuine, funny, sarcastic, sexy (omg, so!), and he loves Mara – almost to a fault. He can’t bear to think of anything happening to her and does whatever it takes to make sure she is safe.

As for the other characters here – Daniel was just as great as ever. He was the perfect vehicle to showcase the trust/distrust that Mara’s family had for her, but he also cares so deeply for her and truly wants to her to be “better.” He also gets how she feels about Noah, and does what he can to make sure he’s able to be around for her.

Jamie! I was so happy to see Jamie again. I loved the banter and relationship that he and Mara cultivated in the first part of book one, so I was super stoked to see him reappear in book two. He’s definitely changed – and still changing – but I love that when Mara has to go to Horizons therapy group, she has him there. It’s her safety net, in a way, when she can’t be with Noah, and I appreciated the way they were with each other. Not to mention, his quick wit is refreshing and comes at the perfect times! He was dealing with plenty of his own demons (like his family that just wouldn’t believe he wasn’t as bad as they thought him to be), but he still found plenty of time to worry about Mara too.

As for plot, I can’t say much because I don’t want to give anything away, and honestly, I’m not even sure still what to make of what I read. While a lot of questions were answered (thank God!) the last part of the book left me WITH SO MANY MORE! I was happy to get a firmer grasp on exactly what Mara was dealing with – in terms of the asylum accident – but there is still so much left to uncover (hello, all those “before” chapters). I’m still not sure who “Mara” even is and so I’m sure that’s going to blow readers’ minds in book three.

Speaking of book three – it doesn’t release until the end of October. That’s been one year between each book. I can’t imagine having been a reader who picked up the first book in September 2011 – to have to wait a year for book two – and now again a year for book 3. While I haven’t had to wait THAT long, I’m still chomping at the bit – especially given what was uncovered, and what was DONE at the end of this book. I can only say, that Michelle has some serious explaining to do…and hopefully fixing. I highly recommend this series to those who love a story with plenty of intrigue and romance that will have you gripping your seat one second, wanting to hide under the covers, but then laughing out loud the next. You will not be disappointed.

And because I had shared the trailer for The Unbecoming I figured I should share this one, too! Love them.

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