The Becoming of Noah Shaw

September 15, 2017
This first in a sequel series to the Mara Dyer trilogy brings Mara's beloved Noah to the fore."Gifted." "Afflicted." "Carrier." Depending on one's point of view, Noah Shaw could be any one of these. The white English 17-year-old possesses a gene that, when triggered, manifests as an extrasensory "gift" in the gene's carrier: Noah can heal injuries and experience the pain of others like him as they die. After the death of his estranged father, Noah uses his sizable inheritance to relocate with Indian-American Mara and their friends to New York. After Noah witnesses several Carrier suicides, he and Mara, along with her brother Daniel and their two bisexual friends--Jewish, black Jamie and blond, white Goose--join resources with others like them who might be able to help uncover the reason for the suicides. As secrets unfold, Noah's trust in Mara, who can wish people dead, begins to unravel. Noah, who narrates the story, is apparently supposed to be sardonically witty, but he merely comes off as dull and dry. The book opens with a sarcastic "Caveat Emptor" listing its flashpoint elements and telling readers, "If you need a trigger warning for that, you're reading the wrong book." Recounting of events of the previous series unfolds at an excruciatingly tedious pace over the course of the book, so those who haven't read that trilogy will feel utterly lost most of the way through. Fans of the Mara Dyer series will likely look forward to Noah's next adventure; others need not apply. (Suspense. 13-adult)

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November 1, 2017

Gr 9 Up-In this companion novel to Hodkin's "Mara Dyer" trilogy, the story picks up not long after the series end, with the point of view shifting from Mara's to Noah's. The novel opens with a funeral; upon the death of his father, Noah inherits the considerable Shaw estate. Unsure what to do with his newfound wealth and power, Noah packs up Mara and his buddies and goes to New York City. The teen's immersive visions of young people dying makes him conclude that a malevolent force is forcing teens with special abilities to commit suicide. Noah and his gang set out to find who is responsible. Without having read the previous books, this companion novel will not make much sense. How did these teens with superpowers get together? What are the dynamics among them? Perhaps because the narrative does not stand on its own, it is hard to develop an affinity for the characters. It is hard to distinguish between Noah and the other young men in the story. All of them come across as arrogant and profane (One sex scene takes place while a funeral is underway). Mara is portrayed as little more than a sex object. Noah's constant references to luxury brands and places such as the Gansevoort Hotels, the DUMBO tower, and Caol Ila whiskey wear thin. Drug use, underage drinking, and sex are mainstays in this novel. VERDICT Consider for purchase where the "Mara Dyer" trilogy is popular.-Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC

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