Say Good-bye to Mara

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Published: November 4, 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: Mara Dyer #3
This book is seriously messed up. Except the adjective I really want to use there is one I'd rather not have written out on my blog. Seriously, this is the type of book where every time you finish a chapter you have to close the book and ask yourself, "What did I just read?"

I read the first two books in the series a little less than a year ago, which really isn't that long ago. But even so I wish they were a bit fresher in my mind, especially since this one doesn't give you the chance to catch-up. You're immediately in the story without any type of summary or flashback to remind you of what happened. It does eventually come back, but considering how quickly the book goes from 0 to 100, by the time things come back to you're already pretty invested with what's happening in the moment.

I do think the ending was probably the weakest part of the story. Not that there was anything wrong with it per se. It's more that so much happened throughout most of the book with so much over the top, the end just feels like a bit of a let down. It does still tie the series up and you aren't really left with questions. But even so, comparing the first 3/4 of the book with the last 1/4, it's almost as if you're reading two different books.

I definitely was a bit amazed by how well everything came together in this final book and never would have been able to see it coming from the way the trilogy started. I pretty sure I'd enjoy reading more from Michelle Hodkin, but considering how crazy and over the top this one was at times, I may need to prepare myself a bit for her next one!

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!