by Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #3
Narrator: Christy Romano
Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
Source: Audible
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups
Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she's been told. There is. She doesn't stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead. She should. She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance. She will now. Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer's story. Retribution has arrived.
The wait to get my hands on the audiobook of The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin seemed like a long one with the cruel cliffhanger I was faced with in The Evolution of Mara Dyer. The mind blowing, twisted, breath-holding plot continued and I removed my ear-buds both satisfied and spent. Hodkin gave us one heck of a ride with her unreliable narrator and twisted plot. Gads!
One of the things I like most about this trilogy is that each novel has been stronger as Hodkin lured me into this crazy impossible rabbit hole of manifestations, conspiracy and fated romance. The tale picks up back on the island with the testing and soon we are lost within the pages.
While Mara can be annoying and frustrating it is her strength and tenacious search for answers, as well as her unwavering loyalty that had made this unreliable narrator endearing. Secondary characters are further developed as the author slowly stitched all the pieces of this impressive quilt together and a picture began to emerge.
“I feel something, I do it. I want something, I take it.” ― Michelle Hodkin, The Retribution of Mara Dyer
I have spent most of the series looking for clues and trying to piece together what is reality. Hodkin weaved in another story throughout this final book taking us back through other life times and the revelations were mind-blowing. Villains, abilities and Mara’s friends had me flipping the pages.
“You can’t be fixed. You can’t be saved.” ― Michelle Hodkin, The Retribution of Mara Dyer
The romance? Sorry darling spoilers. I love Noah. That. Is. All.
“I know what I can do to a girl with a word, a look, a touch. And I want to do them all to her.” ― Michelle Hodkin, The Retribution of Mara Dyer
There is so much I want to talk about, but the synopsis is so vague. I think this journey is best discovered on your own. I will say this; the revelations are fascinating and the tale takes some dark turns. There are moments I wanted to scream in frustration and I was never truly sure of where Hodkin would ultimately leave us. There are fantastic gut wrenching scenes with beloved characters and secondary characters. We experience the characters fear, uncover clues with them and feel moments of absolute desperation. Hodkin does weave in moments of humor and gives us glimpses of the once normal adolescents before these events marred their lives. The clinic, experiments, testing, and truth of it all is brilliant. It is all quite maddening, really, if you think about it. I would love to sit down and share coffee with the author. Her mind is diabolical and it is clear she has been in total control of this tale from the onset.
Christy Romano has made listening an absolute pleasure. Her inflection and unique voices for the characters added an additional element of enjoyment. Her pacing and tone notched up the suspense and the hours slipped by in the blink of an eye.
If you have not started the Myer Dyer series, I recommend that you do. This is one of my favorite young adult paranormal. Fans of unreliable narrators will loved the experience. The Retribution of Mara Dyer was a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Paij Slater
Dang…audio books are AWESOME! I love this review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was Amazingballs Paij 🙂
Candace
I don’t know that I could handle listening on audio unless I was going on a trip. I think it’ll be one crazy intense ride! I just got a copy of this this week and I’m so eager to read it!
kimbacaffeinate
I have become an audio addict. I listen while cleaning, cooking, walking, shopping and right before bed.
Kat Stark
I’ve heard both good and bad about this series, but your review definitely makes me wanna do some grabbyhands, plus audiobook sounds pretty good 🙂 I love being able to listen while running errands or doing chores. Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
The audio added a nice element to the plot. Book one was middle of the road rating wise for me, but two and three..loved them
Olivia
It sounds like there is an awful lot to the ending of this book and series, and in the end you enjoyed it completely. I haven’t read any of them yet but they are on my TBR. I intend to buy them all one day and read them!
kimbacaffeinate
Book one was middle of the road for me, but the second and final..eek gads.
blodeuedd
It does sound strange and good
kimbacaffeinate
It is really well done with twists a plenty.
Cynthia
I absolutely loved that series! The final one was awesome.
kimbacaffeinate
*squeals* I am so glad you love them too Cynthia!!
Trish
I like the narrator. OK, I’m going to get to this series SOON. I love that it’s all out now so the cliffhanger won’t kill me! Sounds like a very tricky series 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo…I think you will like these book one was the my least favorite but it was because of all the questions. They get answered and the rest of the trilogy is amazing
Madiha
Gah, I know exactly what you mean. I just got my hands on this and cannot wait to dig in. NOAHHHH
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..enjoy! I cannot wait to see what you think 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
So I kinda skimmed because I still have to read it but FIVE coffees!?! Yay! I adore Mara Dyer and I can’t wait…can’t wait to read this final installment! I’m glad you loved it, Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh Brandee these are sooo good. I love an unreliable narrator and the story just get’s more intense and jaw dropping as you go
Alise
Sounds like I definitely need to give this series a chance! I picked up the first book awhile ago and was a bit confused so I dropped it and never came back. Unreliable narrators are incredibly interesting, and it seems like this was written really well. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
The first book for many was a different sort of beast, darker and gritty. Book two and forward are simply amazing!
Jess
What an intriguing review! I haven’t read this series, but I have been wanting to for a while. I love that the whole series sounds so good! I enjoy a good audio- so I am excited that this series sounds like it awesome on audio. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
I think the audio notched up the unreliable narrative and allowed me to slip into the story and become trapped 🙂
Angela Adams
“There are moments I wanted to scream in frustration” — actually, that is one of the signs of a great book! Five cups — such an honor for the author! Thanks for the post!!
kimbacaffeinate
I couldn’t agree more…the more involved I become the better 🙂
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
I actually bought this series as a present for a friend of mine. I think it is something both she and her daughter would enjoy experiencing together. I love that you feel it ended beautifully and strong!
kimbacaffeinate
Lucky friends I had fun getting caught up in the tale
Heidi
I am so glad I put this series off as I am binge listening to them. I just finished the audio for book two last night and holy cow! What an ending. I can’t wait to see what happens in this one. So glad it delivered for you.
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo..and you don’t have wait!
Rosa
I haven’t read any books in the Myer Dyer series yet, but after reading your review, I definitively plan to read them. Thanks for this great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I am glad and hope you enjoy the ride
Nick
I need to continue this series and restart it. I didn’t enjoy the first book, but I think it has to do with my maturity at the age I started. I reckon if I read it now I will enjoy it more. I’m so happy this was such a satisfying ending for you, Kim and if the books only get better over the course of the series, then I better get to it!
Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Book one left me with so many questions but yes Nick each book is better.
Sophia Rose
I only peeked a little b/c I haven’t started this series yet. Glad its awesome to the end.
kimbacaffeinate
I was careful, but understand. I hope you dive into these 🙂
Debbie Haupt
OMG the coveted 5 cup review this one is a must for me Kim, but I prefer the read variety will not listening to it make it any less of a super star read?
thanks for this fabulous review I’m sharing this for you
kimbacaffeinate
Reading it is fine Debbie. I am sure it will still retain it’s 5 cups 🙂
Christine
Just got my copy of this! Can’t wait to read it — though I really need a refresher re-read of the first two first I think.
kimbacaffeinate
read or listen to the last chapter of book two..it will all come back to you.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I, too, must start this trilogy soon! Should I download the first book now…or wait until I am caught up on my reading? Wait, that might be never! LOL
Thanks for sharing…I can feel your excitement through the blogosphere.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. These are ones you will want to binge read or at the very least read one a month.
Katherine
This sounds good! I’ve had this series on my radar for awhile but haven’t put any effort into finding out more about it. Definitely sounds like I should have them all before I start with your cruel cliffhanger mention! I’m glad to know the audio was enjoyable. I’m frequently able to get to audios before print books. As usual, great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Katherine. I really enjoyed these on audio.
Karen
It’s been so long sine I read book #2 that I don’t remember much. Do you know if there’s a recap somewhere? I’ll have to check.
I’m glad you like how it all wrapped up.
kimbacaffeinate
I didn’t wait as long in-between. I would recommend listening to the last chapter or re-reading it. I did.
Glass
I am so happy that you enjoyed listening these books, Kimberly. I hope I’ll like them as much as you did.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you love them too.
Lupdilup
I got the first book and I started it, but it didn’t grab me, but I think it was mostly me, that happens sometimes. I’m going to give it another go this coming year, I like that you said every book gets better 🙂 And they do sound like I’d should love them.
Thanks Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I was unsure about book one and my review fell around a 3.5 but I hope you try again..because it just gets so dang good.
kindlemom1
Okay, that is it. I am starting this series before the year is over!
Christy
I’m so excited for this one, I’ll be receiving my copy next week and I can’t wait to see how everything ends! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Christy, I think she did an excellent job delivering on the final book
Jeann
Great to hear that it’s one of your favourite YAs, I haven’t yet started this series yet but everyone’s thoughts on it always make me really curious y’know? Great review Kimba, glad to hear it met your expectations.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Jeann. I don’t read a ton of YA but love an unreliable narrator.
Alreem
Ooooh sound like you really liked it ,, I’m so happy for you I have the three books for this series and plan on reading on 2015 🙂 GREAT REVIEW
kimbacaffeinate
I see a binge in your future:)
Melliane
Oh I love when a plot is made like that, it sounds so well done! I heard a lot about this one but I confess that I haven’t tried the author yet. I hope I’ll be able soon! I’m intrigued. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try it. The first book I wasn’t sure but wow the second and third blew me away
Lorna
This sounds really interesting. Not sure exactly what exactly is happening but I think I should look into the first book at least. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo it is so good, I hope you try them Lorna and yes read them in order.
Christy
Okay, I am without a doubt going to read the first book by the end of January. DON’T LET ME FORGET!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe…just remember you opened the door and let me in…bwahaha