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A review by olivialandryxo
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
5.0
Review also on Heir of Glitter.
Video to come.
plot: 20 out of 20
characters: 20 out of 20
setting: 20 out of 20
relationships: 20 out of 20
twists: 20 out of 20
100 out of 100
This review is spoiler-free for this book and previous books in the series.
I simultaneously wanted to read this book and didn't. I was excited to find out how the trilogy would end, and sad that it would be over soon. I flew through it in a day, and let me tell you, it was everything I had hoped and more... with a heaping side of feels, of course. ;)
The story started shortly after the second ended, and once again, I was instantly hooked. I haven't really read any thrillers, but I know a good one is supposed to keep you guessing and not wanting to put down the book. That was the case here, but multiplied by fifteen. So I guess you could say that this was a really freaking good thriller. It was more intense than ever, and I loved every page, especially in the end. Because while I was sad that it was ending, everything wrapped up exactly how I had hoped. :D
Mara goes through a lot in this book, and after finishing it I can definitely say this is when she becomes a morally ambiguous character. But she was written so well, and there was excellent reasoning behind her actions, so I didn't mind. I've really come to love and care for Mara, and as I was reading I wanted to hug her and help her in any way I could. Throughout the book, she only had one true goal, and I admired her dedication to fulfilling it. I thought her struggle to differentiate hallucination from reality was executed very well, and to be honest, I was struggling with her. She's definitely secured a place on my favorite heroines list. :)
I was really worried for Noah throughout this book, but he pulled through... sort of. I won't say any more than that. But I will restate the obvious thing, that has only increased as I made my way through the trilogy: I love Noah. He's one of my favorite male leads. Yes, he follows a handful of stereotypes. No, I don't care. He's just amazing, and I can't really explain it beyond that. I mean, I could, but spoilers, so I won't. I can say that he was so determined and caring and selfless but still kind of arrogant like in the beginning, but I loved it all. :D
This is the book where the story strays from Miami. Certain events cause a road trip up to New York for Mara, Jamie, and Stella. Readers are taken on a hectic journey up the east coast and it was an enjoyable ride. (No pun intended.) It was slow and messy and difficult, so it was realistic given their situation, and I liked it. I didn't like their struggle, but you get what I mean. New York was also an eventful place. I've never been, but it was described well enough that I could imagine the busy, bustling city as they ventured around it. :)
Mara's family kind of takes the back burner due to certain circumstances, but in their absence we see Mara, Jamie, and Stella's friendship shine. Each of them is different and they (mostly) complement one another. I loved their encouragement and support through everything. :D
Mara and Noah's romance also goes to another level. There were a ton of complications, but I remained hopeful and it paid off. I can safely say that they're one of my favorite fictional couples and can't wait to see their development in Noah's book. <3
If the first two were roller-coasters, then this one was the craziest, loopiest one yet. Literally from page one I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen or where the story might go. I thought I had ideas and I didn't. I didn't think certain things would happen but they did. This book seriously deserves an award for best thriller. I might be slightly biased since I haven't read any other thrillers, but honestly this book is the best, most wild ride. The ending was especially crazy, and I was legitimately worried. I can't say anything else, just READ IT. ;)
All in all, this exceeded my expectations and was definitely one of the best series conclusions I've ever read. I'll definitely have to buy the second book and this one, because owning all three is a must for me. The trilogy has earned a place on my top ten all-time favorite series list, for sure. If you haven't started it yet, or have started it and haven't finished it, you really should! I absolutely love it, and I think you will too. :D
Video to come.
plot: 20 out of 20
characters: 20 out of 20
setting: 20 out of 20
relationships: 20 out of 20
twists: 20 out of 20
100 out of 100
This review is spoiler-free for this book and previous books in the series.
I simultaneously wanted to read this book and didn't. I was excited to find out how the trilogy would end, and sad that it would be over soon. I flew through it in a day, and let me tell you, it was everything I had hoped and more... with a heaping side of feels, of course. ;)
The story started shortly after the second ended, and once again, I was instantly hooked. I haven't really read any thrillers, but I know a good one is supposed to keep you guessing and not wanting to put down the book. That was the case here, but multiplied by fifteen. So I guess you could say that this was a really freaking good thriller. It was more intense than ever, and I loved every page, especially in the end. Because while I was sad that it was ending, everything wrapped up exactly how I had hoped. :D
Mara goes through a lot in this book, and after finishing it I can definitely say this is when she becomes a morally ambiguous character. But she was written so well, and there was excellent reasoning behind her actions, so I didn't mind. I've really come to love and care for Mara, and as I was reading I wanted to hug her and help her in any way I could. Throughout the book, she only had one true goal, and I admired her dedication to fulfilling it. I thought her struggle to differentiate hallucination from reality was executed very well, and to be honest, I was struggling with her. She's definitely secured a place on my favorite heroines list. :)
I was really worried for Noah throughout this book, but he pulled through... sort of. I won't say any more than that. But I will restate the obvious thing, that has only increased as I made my way through the trilogy: I love Noah. He's one of my favorite male leads. Yes, he follows a handful of stereotypes. No, I don't care. He's just amazing, and I can't really explain it beyond that. I mean, I could, but spoilers, so I won't. I can say that he was so determined and caring and selfless but still kind of arrogant like in the beginning, but I loved it all. :D
This is the book where the story strays from Miami. Certain events cause a road trip up to New York for Mara, Jamie, and Stella. Readers are taken on a hectic journey up the east coast and it was an enjoyable ride. (No pun intended.) It was slow and messy and difficult, so it was realistic given their situation, and I liked it. I didn't like their struggle, but you get what I mean. New York was also an eventful place. I've never been, but it was described well enough that I could imagine the busy, bustling city as they ventured around it. :)
Mara's family kind of takes the back burner due to certain circumstances, but in their absence we see Mara, Jamie, and Stella's friendship shine. Each of them is different and they (mostly) complement one another. I loved their encouragement and support through everything. :D
Mara and Noah's romance also goes to another level. There were a ton of complications, but I remained hopeful and it paid off. I can safely say that they're one of my favorite fictional couples and can't wait to see their development in Noah's book. <3
If the first two were roller-coasters, then this one was the craziest, loopiest one yet. Literally from page one I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen or where the story might go. I thought I had ideas and I didn't. I didn't think certain things would happen but they did. This book seriously deserves an award for best thriller. I might be slightly biased since I haven't read any other thrillers, but honestly this book is the best, most wild ride. The ending was especially crazy, and I was legitimately worried. I can't say anything else, just READ IT. ;)
All in all, this exceeded my expectations and was definitely one of the best series conclusions I've ever read. I'll definitely have to buy the second book and this one, because owning all three is a must for me. The trilogy has earned a place on my top ten all-time favorite series list, for sure. If you haven't started it yet, or have started it and haven't finished it, you really should! I absolutely love it, and I think you will too. :D