Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BYR
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Mystery/Paranormal
Release date: October 23rd, 2012
Pages: 544 (Hardcover)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Gifted
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Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past. 
She can’t. 

She used to think her problems were all in her head. 
They aren’t. 

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets. 
She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

The Evolution of Mara Dyer picks up right where The Unbecoming left off.  Mara swore that she saw her ex-boyfriend, but that can't be...because he's supposed to be dead.  She made the mistake of telling what she thought she saw, and now no one believes her.  They think she's insane, and her family's past begins to unravel in front of her eyes.  There's a possibility that all of this may be inside her head, but with the help of Noah Shaw, she quickly learns the truth behind it all.

This installment in the Mara Dyer series had me at the edge of my seat.  It was hard to guess what was actually happening to our heroine throughout the book, and I'd say that might be my favorite part about the series.  I love stories that have a lot of psychological elements, and being uncertain as to whether Mara is completely sane or not is exciting.  She has to work so hard to convince others that the things she's seeing are real, but in a way, she can't even really convince herself.

How can I go without mentioning the romance?  Oh, Noah Shaw.  He's so protective over Mara, it hurts.  There were quite a few scenes that made my heart pound this time around.  I haven't swooned over him before, but that sure has changed!  Mara and Noah team up in order to dig through her past (and even a bit of his own).  He's the only one that believes her, which gives her hope and keeps her strong enough not to turn on herself the way so many others have.

I think that many readers will get drawn into the series once they read The Evolution of Mara Dyer even if they didn't exactly care for the first book.  Michelle Hodkin draws you into this world where everything is upside-down and nothing is right-side up.  Many secrets will be revealed and almost all of them will shock you.  Creepy, surprising and absolutely beautiful, I can definitely call this book a new favorite.