Saya Senpai : The Retribution Of Mara Dyer

Title: The Retribution Of Mara Dyer
Series: (Mara Dyer #3)
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
Publication Date: November 4th 2014
Format: ebook

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.

(Spoilers down there!!)

So a couple of days ago, I've read The Retribution Of Mara Dyer.

This was me on the 12th of November:

"I don't know how to feel about this... I love the ending but there's too much loose strings. I just wish there were more information, it was almost rushed. I was like freaking out with happiness and then literally ten minutes later it kind of dawned on me.
I'm in shock right now so I'll get back to you when I'm more... together."

And this is me, being 'together'.

Let's talk about the cover. (Yes, I am stalling, shut up.)

I love the Mara Dyer covers so much but I think this one is my favorite. Because the colors are gorgeous, and don't you think it kind of makes a pattern?
The first book: Noah trying to fix Mara.
The Second Book: Them Being separated.
And both of them were in the dark but then, the third book is like a sun rise lighting with them holding on to each other. *squeals*

I love that dress, I have to say.

Okay.. ya'll ready for the real review now? Let's do it.

So Mara Dyer took on a science fiction turn in this book and I quite enjoyed that. I felt like it added realism to the story. I almost believed it is real when I finished it.
I loved this book to ruins. The twists and turns were too much and the writing was absolutely captivating, I couldn't put it down.

Somethings really fucked with my mind, and Mara scared the crap out of me. She practically became a blood lusting murderer and that was like the most creepiest thing ever. No. To be honest, I think the creepiest part was when she cut her stomach, Oh my God. I felt it in my guts. It hurt.

Also, the pregnancy thing... I kept closing the book because I was just too damn scared to know if she's pregnant or not. When she was like 'get them out' I was just like holy shit what the fuck is living in there. I was very much relieved when I found out they were only pills. Bloody hell Michelle.

I loved every part of The Retribution. Sometimes it felt like a road-trip book and I enjoyed that so much. But... I have issues.

Let's Talk Characters first:

Jamie:

He made all of it a hundred times lighter and I couldn't help but love him. His jokes are always on point. (The Hunger Games reference killed me.) Although, I must say, I couldn't imagine Jamie at all. I was confused on his color (just for imaging purposes) which I ended up knowing at like the last 3 pages of the book. I was also confused on his sexuality (also, just for imaging purposes) which I also confirmed at the ending. And his height, oh his height. I couldn't at all imagine how tall is he compared to Mara and she describes it differently every time. I wanted to pull my hair out.
He's one of the best sidekicks (If not counted as a main character) I've ever read about. He's such a loyal friend and I'm happy he was there for Mara.

Stella:

Not really much to say, she did add a lot to the book and I really liked her. She was brave and I admired her for that. I don't blame her for leaving, she did have a point so yeah.

The Original Mara (lol see what I did there?):

We got to see her every time Mara passed out, which is A LOT. Her story was so interesting and even though Mara was seeing all of the memories it felt like a different voice. I am so sad that was her fate.

Abel Lukumi/Armin Lenaurd / Abraham / Alexander / Alim /Arthur /Abdul /Aldis/ Alton/ Alonzo /Aloysius/ The Professor *Heavy Breathing*:

That son of a bitch. breaking girls' hearts. Killing people's children. I know why he did it, ok? But it's still annoying and it pisses me off so fucking much. It's like he knew everything from the fucking beginning and he's just like 'nope, you got to find out yourself.'
They could've died you bloody asshole!

Noah :

LOL DO WE EVEN SEE THE KID? Noah was not present for more than 70% of the book, which surprisingly, wasn't so bad. What am I supposed to say about Noah? I love him and he's bae. He obviously has problems but really, don't we all?

Mara:

Ah, Mara...
Mara is a great main character. Really scary. Really creepy, but really great. I felt like she went head-on with her problems and she didn't need any savior. She saved her own life, she's definitely been through a lot and I couldn't help but tear up on the conversations she had before her death scene and I also teared up when she was walking with Jamie and she said that people would think they're normal while their laugh is a bit bitter. Her and I have a connection that I won't ever be able to explain.

*And now for the things I'm skeptical about*

Okay, don't get me wrong, the ending is so nice and happy and I would've loved it if I had gotten more information about the other stuff. Did you put that sex scene in there so we would be distracted? Because it pretty much worked *giggles* best scene ever.

Oh my God I'm swooning all over again...

OKAY FOCUS.

There were so many loosed strings and almost... plot holes I guess?

What the hell happened to David? Did he just like fucking give up? Was he just like 'ah, blimey. They'll never listen to me anyways *shrugs and moves on*' ?

And Jamie's vomiting? why was that happening? Was that a diagnose of the gene that I've missed?

Where the fuck did Stella go? I mean, if she's really out there she must've died. I'm just saying.

Weren't we supposed to- Oh, I don't know- maybe, know what Mara's decision was? Did she wear the necklace? THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT YOU KNOW.

I think we all understand that the relationship Noah and Mara are having might end literally two days after the book ends which I guess can happen to everyone but knowing it... feels different. Feels sad. That's why I thought the ending was deceiving.

What were the pills inside of her? And what was with all the mirror talking thing? Mara tried a couple of times to talk to her reflection but she never spoke back. Was it hallucinations? It couldn't have been.

Did Noah actually live because she wished so?

Jude said she manifested. That's huge! And we don't even know what happens after that.

So many questions with no answers.

I'm secretly hoping this is a Selection case where they'll see how much it sells and decide on making a fourth book. It probably isn't, though.

I feel like Michelle Hodkin explained herself in the last page which said:

"... It isn't horror, even though parts of it are horrifying. It isn't science fiction because the science and the story are real... This is a love story. Twisted and messy. Flawed and screwed up. But it's ours. It's us. I don't know how our story will end, but I know how it will start. I pick up my pen and begin to write."

I felt like she was sending a message that said that all of our questions weren't the point. A love story is what it was all along.

Which made me change my rating on the first book from four to five. My main objection on the first book is that it was a love story more than a creepy book. And now I realize it was a love story, after all.

Overall, I really loved The Retribution and I rated it 4.75 just for the sake of my questions.