The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Retribution of Mara Dyer
Mara Dyer: Book Three
Written by Michelle Hodkin
Paranormal, Fantasy
Published November 2014
480 Pages
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.
It's only been a matter of days, since Mara was forced into treatment at the Horizon's facility, uncertain what has happened to Noah or even if he's still alive. She's being tested, dosed on experimental drugs that it's hoped will cure of her deadly abilities that are now slowly manifesting to maturity. Along with Jamie and Stella, Mara is being held against her will... Until the opportunity arises to escape. But salvation will come in the form of an unlikely source, the very one who once drove Mara to self harm. But can he be trusted?

Leaving a death toll in her wake, bloodied and bruised, the three teens on the run seemingly have no where to go, making the trio targets for unsuspecting opportunists. With no money, supplies or clothing, they have no where to turn but home. Mara needs Daniel, he may not believe her plight, but his New Theories in Genetics reference on genetic disorders may just hold the clues to finding the elusive Lukumi, and Noah in the process.

Mara begins to lose her humanity, sentencing her own form of justice against those she believes the world would be safer without. Daniel is in New York carrying the answers they so desperately need, and armed with little more than their abilities, the three teens will discover what they are, and more importantly, how they came to be. But they aren't the only ones seeking answers. Lives will be lost, alliances will be formed and friendships will lie in ruins.

The world is at a dangerous crossroads, and Mara must face the ultimate decision, go quietly, or go down swinging.


The Retribution of Mara Dyer was an action packed finale that verges on brilliance. The storyline begins with Mara having been committed, her family convinced she's both a danger to herself and others. But she isn't being treated, she's being abused. Noah is presumed dead, which further fuels her rampage. Where the previous two book in the series were still engaging, Retribution is darker, far more sinister and Mara is on the verge of snapping and wiping out everyone around her when she does. Dishing out her own brand of vigilante justice, even friends Jamie and Stella are scared what she's capable of.
There's a bomb ticking inside of her, waiting to go off. With one thought, one wrong thought, she could end millions of lives.
I loved it. It was dark, delicious and this side of gruesome. Mara is losing her humanity and often strays between the scared grieving teen and cold slayer. Along for the ride are best friend Jamie and Stella, both in control of their abilities and also seeking answers to who they are. Along Mara's journey to ultimately find Noah, the flashbacks of her grandmother become increasingly vivid and begins entwining with Mara's own storyline. I loved seeing all the seemingly loose ends all clicking into place. As with the previous two books it's wonderfully written, but feels much more mature in content, rather than just another teen paranormal.

I've loved this series and sad to have to say goodbye. Even though the ending wraps up nicely, I don't think it's entirely impossible to hope for perhaps a fourth book or even a novella. Fingers crossed.

31 comments

  1. Ooooh I hadn't thought of the opportunity of a fourth book or a novella, but I'm definitely hoping that happens... I'm glad you enjoyed the last book in this series, I too loved it and I was honestly beside myself almost the entire time. Stuff just kept happening?! Great review :)

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    1. Thanks Lara. Even though it wrapped up nicely, I think it was left opened ended and left room for another book. I'd love to see where the characters are a year down the track.

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  2. This truly was amazing, wasn't it? Perhaps one of my favorite books ever. The dark nature of this book was a lot prominent than the others, and like you, I loved it. The ending was seriously great and, but really is so hard to say goodbye.

    Great review, Kelly! <3

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    1. The ending was a tad too cutesy for me, but as far as finales go, it was awesome. I loved how dark and brooding Mara became. The books only got better with each release.

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  3. I know!!! With that ending I felt that there had to be more, I still had so many questions. This book was darker and I loved it. That part when they were in the subway, talk about a ticking time bomb. I loved this book and I really loved this trilogy. Great review, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Wasn't it just! Much more mature than the average young adult series and I loved it! Sure there HAS to be more doesn't there? I'm so glad you loved it too Taylor, fingers crossed we see some sort of superhero spinoff series even.

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  4. You know, I never really liked the first book in the series, but I did think that the second was really good. So I'm hoping I'll at least enjoy this one; I have seen a couple of mixed things about this one. xD And I tend to find that last books in series usually have people divided. Glad to hear this isn't just another teen paranormal, though. That DOES help. Great review. :)

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    1. Book one was pretty bland compared the the rest of the series, as it just gets darker and darker with each installment. As far as finales go, this is one of the great ones. It wasn't all about the romance, but more so revenge and Mara was deliciously sinister.

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  5. I loved this first book!! It was beautiful, really! Mysterious and dark and confusing and it left me with so many questions! And Noah? Oh well, Noah.
    The second book was just as good though it started getting a bit worse in the ending.. And some friends of mine who read the third one didn't like it, so now I'm a bit unsure whether to read it or not. I can't bear the thought of reading a bad ending to a series. It happened with Mockingjay and it was such a disappointment :(

    Ps. I have a blog as well, if you want to stop by I'd appreciate it so much! It's both in Italian and in English :3 -> http://frannieinthepages.blogspot.com/

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    1. Fabulous blog Frannie, have just visited and followed.

      I was disappointed by Mockingjay too, mainly because the series was already incredibly hyped up at the time and they were currently making the first film in the franchise. The Mara Dyer series started as a paranormal romance, but ended up pretty dark, verging on a thriller of sorts. I'd definitely give this one a go, if only to see how it all wraps up. I don't know about you, but I usually need that closure and hate leaving a series open.

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  6. I haven't read this series yet but I hope to soon! Sounds like the type of series I would rad, glad that you enjoyed it. Brilliant review!!
    Naomi @The Perks Of Being A Bookworm

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    1. Thanks Naomi. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  7. ARRGHHHH!!! I STILL NEED TO READ THIS!!!! GOSH DARN MY READING BAN!!!! *flails* I've heard so many good things!

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    1. Nooooooooooooo. No reading bans Renee! Have you seen how many incredible books are being released this month!

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  8. Can I meekly and very very quietly admit, that I had no idea this series was a paranormal story?? Don't be ashamed to know me!! I'll rectify this reading oversight soon!

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    1. Oh no, you'd be forgiven if you didn't know Alyssa, especially with book one, it doesn't give away too much of what the storyline is actually about. It's a great series, one of the last big release paranormal ones to wrap up I think.

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  9. Glad you enjoyed it so much! I haven't read anything from this series yet, it's probably one of the most controversial ones I've heard about as there are some crazy mixed reviews! Some people seriously seemed to hate it whilst others loved it all round. I think I'll have to read it and see for myself! Great review (:

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    1. I think either readers have loved the series or hated it, I haven't seen many indifferent reviews actually. It begins as a typical paranormal romance, but gets so much better with each book Shan, I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  10. I really love the sound of this series and the darker psychological side of things, although I'm not sure I'm in love with the sound of the romance. Thanks for the review Kelly, so glad to hear you enjoyed this one <3

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    1. The romance is a little cliche in the first book, but luckily it isn't so strong in books two and three and takes a backseat to the action. I love the darker, more sinister side to Mara.

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  11. I think everybody is on the same page when they say the second and third books are actually better than the first one. Aimee reviewed the first one not too long ago and didn't like it that much so I'm hesitant to read this series, so I did some "reconnaissance" or spying on my own and read reviews on books 2 and 3 and a lot of them stated the series gets really darker and sinister which are two words that I REALLY like! So I may just give this one a shot.

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Completely agree Faye. Book one was good, but really cliche and I think may have turned a lot of readers away. But book two is so much darker and now the finale even more so. Give it a go Faye, it might really surprise you.

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  12. Oohh I am glad that you enjoyed this series ender, Kelly! I've heard mixed things about the series so I'm really hesitant to start it but I do think I will because I need a good series ender in my life for once hah.

    Nice review, lovely <33

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    1. Thanks poppet. It's one of those series that has completely mixed reviews, but once you push past the first book, it'll blow your socks off.

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  13. I still have yet to read this series, and my friend had recommended it to me, said it fucked up her head, lol. But I'm stoked to read this! Awesome review, Kelly!

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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    1. Thanks Blessie. Especially books two and three, it'll certainly mess with your head. I'd love to see what you think of it. One of the better young adult paranormal series I've read so far.

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  14. I don't remember much about this series. Something tells me I need to re-read the first book. There'd been so many fantastic reviews about this, and I can tell I'm missing a whole lot.

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    1. I'd just pick.it up again from.the second book Joy, book one was more for establishing characters and relationships really, and there'll be plenty of reminders. The real action begins after book one.

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  15. I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and I absolutely loved it! But because I'm so unfaithful when it comes to series and trilogies, and I haven't even started the other 2 books yet. I own both, so hopefully I'll sit my ass down and READ them lol!

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    1. I'm the same Martika. This year I'm vowing to try to catch up with all those series finales that have escaped me. Off to a good start so far with this one.

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  16. I loved the first novel in the series, it's one of my favorites<3 I read the second one, but wasn't a huge fan of it so I left the series hanging .. lol bad move:( I should get started reading it again seeing how much you loved it! Great review :)

    Benish | Feminist Reflections

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