Published: September 27, 2011 by: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 456
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
*highlight white text to reveal spoilers*
Mara Dyer is different. She wakes up after a mysterious accident to find that all of her friends are dead, and her memory is wiped. Suddenly she starts to see things that aren't there (like her friends) and anyone that she wishes dead is suddenly, dead. Her only hope is a strange boy in her new private school who is compelled to help; no matter what it takes.
This book was creepy beyond belief. I don't read much paranormal, so this change of plot was all new to me. Mara was an interesting character, but overall I just couldn't connect with the book.
I liked the characters in this book. Mara obviously had a lot on her mind, but I liked how she was well-put together and didn't make impulsive decisions. Although, if I were her, I would probably tell my parents if I started seeing my dead friends in my room. I felt sorry for her, with all that she went through with her ex, and she obviously had a lot of pressure on her.
I loved the male protagonist, Noah. He was very patient with Mara, and he was also extremely loyal. He wasn't really a cookie-cutter male figure, and he was truly a gentlemen. I liked how his relationship with Mara slowly progressed instead of insta-love.
I just really didn't like the plot to this book. I found it to be really boring, and I took nothing out of it except for the flashback parts. I feel like some things could have used more description, especially the ending. I did not know what was going on, but then again, I didn't really care either because I just wanted the book to end.
I just couldn't connect to this book at all. It had no emotion, it was just really dark and scary to be honest. It wasn't anything that I was dying to read chapter after chapter, and I tried hard to not DNF it.
Overall, the characters were a hit, but the plot, a huge miss. If you like really dark and eerie books, then this would definitely be for you, but since I'm someone who prefers much lighter, happier books, I think I'll pass on the rest of the series.
Did you read Mara Dyer? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
So many people love this! I had some doubts, and you confirmed them! Dark, eerie books are not really my thing... :)
ReplyDeleteYeah it wasn't my cup of tea :(
DeleteThis book was hyped up a lot. I don't think I will be reading this one as I am not into the paranormal genre.
ReplyDeleteNaomi @The Perks Of Being A Bookworm
I'm not really into it either, so I don't think I'll read it again any time soon.
DeleteI've heard tonnes of good things about this book but I've never been particularly anxious to read it. Your review more or less corroborates that opinion. The fact that it focuses more on just being scary as opposed to actually going anywhere is a definite negative, as you said. I actually just finished a book, Annihilation, that focuses a lot on building a very creepy, weird atmosphere. However, the plot does actually go somewhere and there are some really touching moments thrown in there as well, so it's not all just dark. To be honest I don't think I'll ever read this book. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Killian! I couldn't really see the plot going anywhere, besides making me more and more confused. I think I'll stick to brighter books from now on!
DeleteI love these books, so I'm sad that you didn't enjoy them very much. I found them to be super creepy too, but I liked the plot quite a lot. Noah is a great romantic interest too.
ReplyDeleteNoah was what pretty much got me through the book lol!
DeleteAw this has been really high in my TBR :( I'm so sad to see that you didn't like the story. Sorry that you didn't, though. I've heard from a lot of bloggers that this book was really, really creepy, and I'm both curious and intrigued by that haha. I still want to read this, though. At least you loved the characters, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI would say to still read, as the characters were what got me through the story. Also, if you're interested in that sort of dark, eerie feel, then give it a go!
DeleteI felt the exact same way as you did, besides that I didn't like Noah at all. I'm not sure why but he rubbed me in the wrong way. I was so disappointed because everyone seems to love it and praise it. Sad you didn't like it either.
ReplyDeleteYeah it was such a let-down :(
DeleteSo this is about someone seeing dead people. I'm sorry you didn't like it, I have yet to read it. I'm not even sure I want to!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely to a specific taste, that's for sure!
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