Review : Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

From Goodreads:

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. 

                         My Thoughts:

**************4.5 stars*****************

Okaaaaay.... I admit I loooooved books 1 and 2, like really, really love! With that cliffy-I-want-and-I'm-dying-to-know-what-happens-next kind of ending, I was super excited when I finally had the 3rd book in my hands. 

Sure thing, the suspense and creepiness intensified just as Mara ended up in a top secret medical experimental facility. I was holding my breath and silently saying, "this is the moment of truth!" I am finally getting my answers. And then....

The what seems to be unending quest to find the truth begun. Yes, key word here is "unending". It took soooo long and agonizing linking one clue to another. Each moment, I'm afraid Mara, Jaime and Stella will just go on and on ...until there's nothing but a dead end. Clue after clue...and more clues? It was like, more like this 3/4 of the book! I mean, it was engaging at first, but then, I got to the point that I grew impatient. What the hell is going on? 

The only thing that has kept me from stopping was Jaime. Yes, you read me right! I love that guy! You can never get bored with him by your side! He is entertaining , funny , witty and just know the right thing to say even at the brink of danger! 

Oh, wait, wait , wait?  Where is Noah? The swoon worthy Noah Shaw? Yes , the one and only. .... where ? I was more than halfway the book and still, no "Noah" sighting?! A little bitty disappointed there. *sigh* Why? Because.... *sigh* that will take another looooong story and a spoiler too? So, zipping my lips and going straight to ending...

The ending? The ending, is me looking like this:

Yes, a lot of "huh's??" And more ??????? <-----question marks?! Do I got my answers? No. Did I get more confused? Yes. Who's Lukami? What happened to Jude? To Noah's dad? And much , much more questions?

So many unanswered questions or was it just me? Maybe , I missed something really important here? I don't know. A reread perhaps? Maybe , someday.

Even with that, I think this book still deserved higher than average rating because:

1. Writing - style wise: Very good.

2. Character - wise : Mara , I always loved. The way she talks and think were her strong points. Noah Shaw, well, nobody for sure could ever stop me from fangirling over him. The things he'll do for Mara? Endearing. Selfless. Pure adoration and love. Always Awwww-worthy! One can never hate a Noah Shaw. Ever. Jaime, well, if I can choose a guy bff, then he's it. There's never a dull moment with him!

3. Plot - wise: Considering the first and second book, I'd say it started good( book 1) then great (book 2) then back to good (this book) , a little shaky in the middle , then Chapter 73! Yes. Chapter 73! The sum of all swoons!! I'll give you a sneak peek?

“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.”

Oh my becha by golly wow!!! That was my "finally!" Not the finally I had my answers. ( sadly ..) but Billie kind-of-finally , romance wise! Got my *smiley face here* :D

Uuh, Am I still talking about the plot here?! Now, I'm lost! Hee hee! The truth is, that particular scene made me give 4.5 stars , instead of a 4. I knoooow, something "romance-cy" is my weakness! All you have to do is throw me some petals, add something like ... Floating hearts.. Even a teeny bitty swoon? Baaam!! Then, you had me!

So, there. 4.5 stars. It's between a strong like and love. How about my love for the author Michelle Hodkin? Always been a 5! Looking forward for more, Ms. Hodkin!