The Mara Dyer Trilogy

The Mara Dyer Trilogy by Michelle Hodkin

Age: Young Adult
Category: Romance, fantasy, mystery & crime
Rating: 5 stars

Brittany Thinks: I have read a lot of Young Adult series over the years and The Mara Dyer Trilogy by Michelle Hodkin is absolutely one of the best. In fact, it may crack the top ten for one of the best series I've ever read in my life in any genre. As a lifelong reader and an English major, I've been well trained for years to figure out any story long before the big reveal, but these books kept me guessing until the final page. The plot was unique, refreshing, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't read fast enough.

It's difficult to give too much information about the plot of these books without spoiling them, but suffice it to say that you've never read anything like this before, even though what I can give away seems like it fits the mold of common YA tropes of late. When our story begins, Mara Dyer is a 17 year old girl beginning her first day at a new school a few months after experiencing a terrible tragedy. She is the sole survivor of an accident that killed her three best friends and she can't remember a moment of what happened - not that anyone believes her. Soon she finds that it's harder to escape her past than one might guess as her life unravels even more. In her "new" life she makes new friends - and meets a new guy - who might just be able to help her uncover the truth of what happened to her.

The characterization is phenomenal in these books. Though Mara is absolutely likable and interesting, I'd call her more of an antihero than a heroine. Her chemistry with Noah Shaw is off of the charts and he is probably one of my favorite male leads of the past few years. Rounded out with a supporting cast of funny, interesting, well-developed characters, the people in this story make the story.

Be prepared for a rollercoaster with this trilogy that will keep you lost and enthralled from the very first page. It's creepy, romantic, confusing, thrilling, and one of the best YA series around. Just make sure you have your hands on all three books before opening The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, because you will never want them to end!