THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER Review and 2 ARC Giveaway (TUOMD & POSSESS)

Whoa. It's been a long time, huh? Those of you who have been keeping up, you know I'm writing like a mother-freck. It's got me a bit a lot freakishly absorbed. So I ended up not posting a review/rec last week and now it's got me all kinds of behind because there are just so many books I've loved recently. But you should know today was my wedding anniversary, so I've been up to my eyeballs in busy. So I've only got one review and one ARC to give away today. But it's a doozy.

EDIT: I got a bit further in POSSESS and I'm totally digging it. Cannot put it down, although I should. It's 3:23 AM. Anyway, thought I'd go ahead and add it to the giveaway...I'm a genius. I'll try to give it a full review next week. I know I still owe you a full review of LOLA and PETER NIMBLE, too. I swear, coming up! I'm totally behind.


THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER
by Michelle Hodkin



Summary: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.


MY REVIEW


Dude. This book was NOTHING like what I thought it was. I mean, yes, okay, it was. I'm such an over-exaggerator. But really, it was nothing like what I thought. The thing is, I can't even really go into it without spoiling the whole book for you. Hm. Okay, I can tell you that freaky, unexpected stuff happens in this. You're not sure what is or isn't real--just as Mara isn't sure. It's a total mind trip that plants you firmly in the shoes of Mara Dyer. But in the midst of tripping, you will drool for one Noah Shaw.

Yes. I said it. The boy. The totally hot boy. As in, SMOking. Brains, beauty, and a killer British accent. Also, he's just cool, you know? The boy's got swag. He's the bad boy fantasy of every sixteen year old and cougar, yet he's just so nice in a totally unexpected way. So dreamy. So...hot.


But boy aside, you also have Mara, a total crack-you-up--quick-witted with a flair for the snappy comeback. Mara and Noah together is pure magic. The story in this is fantastic--mysterious, full of twists and unexpected turns--but I could've read nothing but the dialogue and loved every minute of it. It's smart and funny and dripping with innuendo. The voice in this is just out-of-the-park killer. But it's more than just voice. Hodkin captured the essence of teenagedom: the layers of emotion and the drama, the youthful insecurity and self-focus (I need, I want, what did I do wrong, it's my fault, etc.)...and blossoming desire. Ohhhhh the desire. There's just this brilliant mesh of touches and teasing and boiling hot sexual tension.

And on top of it all, you get this story that is at once a contemp and a romance and yet also a paranormal (or is it?) and a psychological thriller (or is it?)--in essence a mystery with a sizzling romance. THE UNBECOMING OF MARY DYER is a fast-paced read that will have you slowing down just to savor and breathe it in. An unforgettable read. 

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Win an ARC of THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin 


and 

POSSESS by Gretchen McNeil.  I haven't finished reading this one yet, so I can't give it a full review yet. But I hope to soon! It's totally creeptastic and gripping so far.


(See its summary)

CLICK HERE to enter to win ARC of THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER and POSSESS International Giveaway

This giveaway is international and ends Wednesday, Aug 17, midnight EST. You must be 13 years old to enter. If you win, you will need to provide an address for shipment. Under 18's must have parent/guardian permission to enter.

Thanks for entering, and good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED. PLEASE SEE WINNERS BELOW.

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Be sure to check out what the other Bookanistas are highlighting today: 

Elana Johnson sings out for Chime

LiLa Roecker thinks Epic Fail is a great success - with giveaway

Matt Blackstone feels The Pull of Gravity

Scott Tracey is entranced by Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Carolina Valdez Miller marvels at The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - with Giveaway

Carrie Harris is spellbound by Possess

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This giveaway has closed. Thanks so much to all who entered. The winners are...

POSSESS by Gretchen McNeil

Krispy

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

Kaitlin S.

Congratulations, winners! Please email me an address to which I can send your book! Thanks for entering. Another giveaway coming up soon!

If you haven't entered yet, be sure to enter to win an ARC of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, SHIFTING, and ASHES. Ends Aug 31, 2011, midnight EST.