Thursday, September 25, 2014

Review: Made For You

MADE FOR YOU
Melissa Marr
Young Adult/Mystery
368 pages
HarperCollins
Available Now
Source: BEA

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.


MY THOUGHTS
Made For You is the type of thriller we don’t realize we’re deeply invested in until we set it aside after reading the last page, marveling at the persistent ache in every muscle in our bodies from being tightly clenched for several hours straight. Eva’s story grabs us from page one and never once slows to let us catch our breath, her first person perspective chillingly contrasted with the first person narration of her would-be murderer to give us insight into the mental and emotional consequences for both victim and killer. Ms. Marr does a truly stunning job of crafting not only a page turner that keeps us up late reading, but also a story gorgeously character-driven at its heart.

When we first crack the spine of Made For You, we can’t help but wonder if we’re going to find a familiar setup in which the mystery stems from accident-induced amnesia, leaving Eva to relearn all the people in her life and how they fit into the increasing violence following her initial attack. Luckily though, Eva suffers no such amnesia and is well in possession of all her faculties post-near death experience, complete with an added death-centric precognitive ability. As a result, we don’t have to wade through the often tedious confusion and disorientation as a character struggles to remember, and instead simply get to leap into the middle of Eva’s waking nightmare.

Eva herself is a joy of a heroine, sitting atop the social hierarchy of her status-obsessed town but lacking the sense of entitlement that would usually accompany such a position. She’s aware that the tide of power flows toward those of wealth and reputation and recedes from those without it, but she doesn’t buy into it for a single moment. She’s surrounded by those of her ilk thanks in large part to the nature of small town life, but she also chooses the friends closest to her, and her choice has absolutely nothing to do with status or money. She speaks her mind, something we appreciate overall but particularly with regard to Nate, as she never fails to let him know the depth of the wounds he inflicted when he abandoned their friendship. Her love for him is obvious and painful in that it initially appears to be unrequited, but she doesn’t simply suffer in silence as so many young women do, instead she’s honest and willing to throw herself off the cliff of communication with no guarantee that kind words from him will be waiting to cushion her fall.

While Eva is a true highlight of Made For You, this review would not be complete without mentioning the haunting brilliance of the killer’s chapters. Each time we’re thrust into his head we find ourselves unable to sit still, the depth of his conviction that he’s but enduring God’s test for him so that he may earn Eva as a reward making us so uncomfortable we can’t help but squirm. Even more unsettling is the fact that he’s able to hide his fanaticism and delusion so well that those closest to him have not even the slightest of inklings that anything is amiss, and go on calling him friend until the moment they’re facedown in a foot of water without the strength to fight him off.

Overall, Made For You is a must-read for any and all who love the type of thriller where progress is marked by periodic gasping inhalations, so involved are we that we simply forget to breathe.

Rating: 4.5/5
 

Find Melissa:


This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.
 
http://tlcbooktours.com/2014/06/heather-graham-author-of-the-hexed-on-tour-augustseptember-2014/

45 comments:

  1. Super excited to read this. I loved her Faerie books and can't wait to try something new from her. Great review :)

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  2. Oh man, I do so enjoy a thriller with a crazed killer narration. It's so fascinating and chilling to be in their heads.

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    1. YES!!! He's just so sure he's doing what God wants him to do. Super unnerving, but really well done:)

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  3. Well, I was pretty intrigued by the summary and in love with the cover, but after reading your review, I know I NEED to read this one! A thriller that will keep my turning pages like mad and Eva being a great main character are two big selling points, but the killer's chapters? So intrigued!
    Thank you for a fantastic review, Jenny!

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    1. I think you'll really enjoy this one Pili! I couldn't put it down:)

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  4. I keep hearing great things about this one and I"m glad yo see you had a good time too. I need to try it! It's been a while since I read a book by the author. But I liked the ones I got into.

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    1. It was fantastic Melliane! I highly, highly recommend:)

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  5. Awesome review. Jenny! I am so glad you liked this book. I did as well and it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. The chapters from Judge's point of view really added to the suspense!

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    1. Oh yes Christina, I was definitely on the edge of my seat the whole time:)

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  6. Great review, Jenny! I've seen this one compared to The Body Finder in some other reviews, so definitely sounds like something I'd like!

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  7. We're review twins today and we had the same thoughts about this one. I loved it so much and I especially liked the killer POVs too. They were so well-written and full on creepy.
    Lovely review, Jenny!

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    1. *high five Nick* I couldn't get enough of this one. I need her to write more mystery/thrillers, please:)

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  8. Ooo, I really like the sound of Eva. Also, I love reading from a killer's perspective so it's good to know those chapters are well written too. I've never really connected with Marr's books that I've read so I'd given up on reading future books from her, but might make an exception and give this one a try now, Jenny. Hopefully, it will convince me to change my mind about her writing.

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    1. I LOVED Eva Z! She was such a great character. I would definitely give this one a try even if you didn't care for her faerie series:)

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  9. Woohoo! So glad you loved this every bit as much as I did Jenny!

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  10. I've been seeing this book around a lot. So glad you enjoyed the book.

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  11. The killer freaked me out hardcore for obvious reasons. "Waking nightmare" is an excellent description. I loved Nate as well and really liked Grace as a supporting character. I wasn't quite as crazy about Eva at first, but she did grow on me.

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    1. He was super creepy. He was so calm and utterly convinced he was doing the right thing, it was extremely disturbing:)

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  12. I've not read anything by Marr before, but this book sounds absolutely amazing! Eva sounds like a wonderful character, I do like my character who don't mope about. And I'm so curious about the killer's chapters, especially as no one has a clue to who he could be! Thanks for putting this one on my radar Jenny! :)

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    1. Definitely give this a try Jasprit! It's so well done, and you'll get sucked in, I know it:)

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  13. Ahh this is the fifth review i've seen for this one today snd i'm already dying to get my hands on it! Love the fact that this one just completely worked for you! I cant wait to immerse myself in the mystery of Made For You!

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    1. I was in a bit of a funk when I picked this one up, and it was everything I hoped it would be and more Lily!

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  14. "Even more unsettling is the fact that he’s able to hide his fanaticism and delusion so well that those closest to him have not even the slightest of inklings that anything is amiss, and go on calling him friend until the moment they’re facedown in a foot of water without the strength to fight him off."

    Woah, you just gave me goosebumps, chica! I've been really disappointed with Marr's last few works so I'm really glad she's back to her game with this one. I know a lot of teens who would love this one so I'm going to order it for my library. :)

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    1. I only read the first book of the Wicked Lovely series and wasn't blown away as so many were, but I definitely was by this one. I could not put it down Rummanah!

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  15. Of all the genres I thing that thrillers disappointed me the most in the past. I never really got to see that thriller part of it, but this one seems to have plenty of it and then some more which actually what I want. I love the sound of this one and I cannot wait to read it. Amazing review, Jenny :)

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    1. I can't recommend this enough Tanja! It will definitely set you on edge:)

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  16. Okay, you talked me into it. The synopsis didn't interest me that much, but your review is very convincing.

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  17. MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS, PLEASE!!!!

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  18. I still got a book to read by her, I am so behind

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  19. I agree completely, Jenny! The strenght of this book is first and foremost Eva herself. I admired her for being so aware of her social status, and yet so completely unaffected by it,and I deeply admired her unflinching honesty and openness. Overall, I thought this was brilliant and even though it was unexpected, I'll know better next time I'm picking up one of Marr's books.

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  20. YES, JENNY!! I just wasn't quite sure going in and then, well, I was completely sucked in! How does she do that? Woman is fabulous. And so is Eva.

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  21. "-the depth of his conviction that he’s but enduring God’s test for him so that he may earn Eva as a reward making us so uncomfortable we can’t help but squirm." Eeek! I love how Marr keeps the reader guessing as to who the killer really is. This sounds like a great thriller and I enjoyed her Wicked Lovely series-so I need to check this one out for sure. Wonderful review Jenny :)

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  22. I've been hearing SUCH great reviews regarding this novel which makes me incredibly excited as I definitely want to experience a Marr series in its entirety. The Wicked Lovely books were spoiled for me and I never continued past the first one but this seems to be a fantastic read and the perfect place to pick up with Marr's novels. Fantastic review, Jenny--bumping this up my TBR for sure!

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  23. I've read a few reviews that made me pop over to Edelweiss to download this baby! I'm even more excited to pick it up after your lovely review, Jenny! I love thrillers! :)

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  24. I am SO excited to read this! I have had great luck with Marr's writing in the past and I love the sound of Eva. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be terrified by the crazy killer's perspective. *shivers* Awesome review Jenny!

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  25. Oh yes, that aching muscle feeling ... I'm get that way after reading any book like this. I'm always so amped up when I close this kind of book for the last time.

    Thanks for being a part of the tour!

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  26. I'm convinced! I really love that feeling you get after reading a very intense book!

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  27. Oooh! This is a glowing review, Jenny! I especially love the way you describe this heroine as someone to be admired. I'm not sure how I feel about this Nate character yet - did you like the way the romance played out as a whole? And I'm already creeped out by this tale. Getting inside of the stalker's head is definitely a frightening touch. DId you guess his/her identity? I have a copy of this one and need to give it a shot! (I'm at present, sooooo behind on reading/blogging everything. My Goodreads challenge is a scary sight. But I love visiting you and seeing what you're up to!)

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  28. I love those reads where the characters are what make the story awesome. I'm a huge character driven reader so this sounds pretty perfect for me. I also love when the killer's head is featured in the book and you are able to get into that creepy yet fascinating mindset.
    Thanks for the great review!

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  29. Oh I am THRILLED you enjoyed this one so much Jenny! I wanted to get my hands on this one at BEA too but I missed out. I never forgot about it though and reading your thoughts here got me all kinds of excited for it :D Made for You sounds like a tightly plotted mystery that will leave me begging for more! Eva sounds like a freaking brilliant MC and those bits from the killer's POV sound perfectly haunting. Thanks for another fabulous review ^^

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