It's hard to use the word 'disappointing' because it implies that I expected or wanted something out of it when, in actuality, I had pretty much no preconceived notions about this book. What was most disappointing about Michelle Hodkin’s story? I wasn't even that big of a fan of the original trilogy so I can't imagine how longtime fans must have felt. The whole story was unnecessarily confusing and the ending/cliffhanger felt like Michelle Hodkin ran up, chucked a physical, hardback copy of the book at my face, then kicked me in the shin for good measure. What disappointed you about The Becoming of Noah Shaw? Noah has his father’s files now, and I just want to sit down and read them all… As always Hodkin hooked me, and despite not being thrilled with the narration, I need to know more. The story offers a mystery as something is happening to the gifted ones. We all know Mara is the anti-hero and Noah will be tested. He’s depressed and unsure, and Mara is his anchor.

Noah is a complex character with not only baggage but a gift that often feels more like a curse. We knew Mara was an unreliable narrator but wowzers. Threads left unexplored in the first trilogy are addressed, but new questions arise, and we see flashbacks of events from the first trilogy. Creepy characters, threats, and danger for them all kept me listening. The Becoming of Noah Shaw addresses many questions, delves into Noah’s Dad, gives us Noah’s perspective and shares some rather enlightening and freakish details about Mara. I was like, who are these people? I understand why the publishers went with a male narrator, but for the listener’s sake, I wish they had kept Romano.

While I appreciated his accent for Noah, I loathed his voice for Mara, and it was jarring to hear these characters with a different voice after becoming used to Romano’s interpretation. The Becoming of Noah Shaw is narrated by new to me narrator, Joe Jameson. The Dyer trilogy was told from Mara’s perspective and brief perspectives of Noah. I listened to the first series on audio, narrated by Christy Romano, so I didn’t even hesitate to go that root this time. For me, there were a few threads, and questions like that ominous prophecy regarding Mara and Noah left unanswered so, I had to dive in. I’ve come to learn that when it comes to Mara Dyer, nothing is ever at it seems. If you loved the way, the Mara Dyer trilogy ended and are in a happy place this series may upset that peace.

The noah shaw series