The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I'm not a supermajor fan of the first book in the series, but I do want to see where the story goes and if it will get better.
Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - I lovelovelovelove this series. Beautiful Chaos ended with such a bang...I've waited my entire life for this, I swear.
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - I adore Alexandra's first book, Brightly Woven and can't wait to see what brilliance Bracken brings with this completely different novel.
Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick - Since Silence was so incredibly uneventful, I can only assume she included double the awesome in this final book.
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes - The title, the cover, the smmary--all of it seems so epic!
Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally - Catching Jordan was a great book, and I have confidence that her books are only going to get better.
The Almost Truth by Eileen Cook - I have made it a goal to read and own every YA book that Eileen Cook produces.
The Space Between Us by Jessica Martinez - OMG DID YOU READ VIRTUOSITY? Because if you have then you understand my overwhelming excitement. IF NOT GO READ NOW OR I SHANK YOU.
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone - I have such a cover connection with this book, every time I see it I am compelled to stalk the author, find out where she lives, and go steal the manuscript and read it nomnomnomnommmmmm!!!
Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler - Janet always ha incredible plots and I love her previous book, If I Tell.
This book has been hyped up to the freakin stars. All I hear about was how creepy and amazing it is. Now, I feel like all you Mara Dyer fanatics are going to lobotomize me for disagreeing. Don't get me wrong, this book is enjoyable, I just wouldn't rank it among the best of 2011. I'm still not sure whether I really, truly liked it or not. Many times, I was incredibly frustrated with the book and wanted to beat my head against the wall. But it is so oddly enticing and I had to keep reading.
Let's start with the thing that annoyed me the most: the dialogue. I get that people say weird things to each other. That's not what bothered me. I loved the little things like saying "'twas" instead of "it was,." and "you got some 'splaining to do". But not everything in life is bickering back and forth. Because that's what about 80% of the dialogue was - bickering. Don't get me wrong again, I like me some witty retorts, but not if that was ALL THE CHARACTERS USED TO SPEAK. It drove me to the brink of insanity. Also, there were a lot of unnecessary things in the dialogue as well that Michelle Hodkin could have found a much better way to incorporate into the story. For instance, there's a point where Jamie says, "But you're not going to listen to your black Jewish bi friend." Not those EXACT words, but somewhere along those lines. I mean, really? There was no other way you could have pointed those things out rather than blatantly saying it? And the fact that he is Jewish - totally unimportant.
Then, there are the characters themselves. I don't really mind them. Mara has her moments when I really liked her. Funny, smart, and willing to do what it took to get the information she craved. She was also very relatable. When something went wrong, she freaked out. She got annoyed and frustrated and upset. She made a lot of mistakes. She just wanted to fit in. But, in my opinion, she never did anything particularly mind-blowing. I never had that moment where I was like, "Wow, this chick is awesome."
And of course, Noah. Noah Shaw. I've heard so much wonderfulness about dear Noah. I heard him compared to the almighty Jace Wayland - by one of the girls at Mundie Moms. That's saying so very much about Noah Shaw. I was prepared for ultimate swoonage. It brings me enormous pain to say that while there were many instances where he had me grinning like a fool, I did not fall head over heels for him. I'm not sure I can even explain why, he just didn't do it for me. There were times when I did love him. He could be sweet and funny and he offered constant support for Mara, but I kind of felt like I didn't know him. I knew about him, but I didn't know him.
The other characters were great! I loved Mara's family. Daniel and Joseph especially. Daniel had that typical older brother thing going for him where he always gave his little sister a hard time while simultaneously having her back at all costs. A lot of people say that Mara's mom annoyed them, but I think it was good. Considering what Mara went through, it's nice to see a parent that cares.
I loved the plot at first. I was immediately hooked with the spooky prologue and the mysterious things that kept happening to Mara, but it began to sag for me. There were very few answers, and the answers that were given were slightly confusing. Some of the parts didn't seem all that important to include. And the ending? I have no idea what happened there. No idea at all. This book wasn't as mysterious as I anticipated, either. I heard it was really spooky, and the trailer looks really spooky! But alas, I was not very spooked. Also, one of the main things that intrigued me was the fact that Mara Dyer's name isn't really Mara Dyer. Guess what more we learn about that little fact.
Nothing.
But it was that last sentence that killed me, because HELLO - mystery and creepiness re-sparked. That last sentence is what will leave me hanging on my seat for the next book. That last sentence is what boosted the rating for this book.
I did enjoy this book, though not as much as most of the people I know of. I found myself getting irritated yet addicted. And even though I didn't enjoy this as much as I would have liked, I know a ton of people will LOVE it. I think it may have been the hype that has me so disappointed. I was expecting much more.
On my wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City every Saturday.
If you would like to participate or learn more about it, click HERE
My wishlist:
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Release date: September 27, 2011
I've heard sooo many wonderful things about this book. Like, it's rediculous. And then, seeing the book trailer for it...I just want this book sooo bad!
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Release date: September 13, 2011
I love the Titanic. The movie, the real ship. Everything about it just fascinates me. Add paranormal aspects and BAM. I've wanted to read this book since I figured out what it was about.
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Release date: Jude 29, 2010
I think this book seems fun and cute. Every review that I've read for it says good things, and I totally want to get my hands on it.
So, that's what's on my wishlist. What's on yours?
Ugh. I am so sorry, guys. I don't know what is up with my posting lately....oh right, there hasn't been much of it. I just...I don't know. But I'm still sorry. Anyways, to make it up to you wonderful people, I'm going to post a bunch of different and awesome book trailers.
I think that's a good starter...
I'm so excited for Clockwork Prince. Words can't even describe it. And, I mean, look at that trailer. I think I have all the reason in the world to be excited.
OMG.
This is seriously one of the best book trailers I have ever seen, is it not? I haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer yet, but I sooo want to! I've heard such marvelous things about it. It was released yesterday, so go buy it!
I actually have not read this yet, but the trailer is super cool!
This is for Maureen Johnson's The Name of the Star.
This book comes out TOMORROW! And I am so siked to read it! The trailer is awesome. If you haven't already, go out and buy this because I've heard the MOST FANTASTIC things about it! I can't wait until my copy arrives!
So there you have it! Four amazing trailers for four amazing writers! What do you guys think!?
