Thursday, September 25, 2014

Book tour (review): Made For You by Melissa Marr

http://xpressobooktours.com/2014/07/14/tour-sign-up-made-for-you-by-melissa-marr/

My review follows:
NOTE: I received the eARC via Edelweiss for my tour stop in exchange for my honest review.

Melissa Marr is a name that always gets me a bit high. I loved her Wicked Lovely series so of course I wanted to read Made For You. Different genre and all.

Picking up this novel, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I knew there'd be a murder mystery, a creepy stalker and of course, a romance. I just didn't know who would end up doing what and for what reasons. So yeah, lots of variables wrapped up in a bestselling name. Here goes my dissection..

Writing style:
I really liked the switch between Eva's and Judge's POVs, Judge being the nicknamed killer. The subtle clues that Marr dropped here and there had my brain going wild. I can honestly say that it was a well written and well edited story that could definitely keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat.

Story line:
Eva seems to have a stalker who knows entirely too much about her. Also, he tried to kill her in the opening scene. Other girls weren't so lucky. The story progresses from there with one murder after the other, each followed by a clue that the killer is adamant Eva would be able to understand. Because after all, she was made for him. And wouldn't you know it, he has quite the justification for his actions.
I can't say I figured him out early. It took me quite a while, to be honest. Which only ups Marr's story-telling/mystery-keeping skills.

Themes:
- true friendship and how it can pick you up after something terrible happens.
- psychopaths can be largely misunderstood
- live seems different from the eyes of the murderer
- second chances are really a good thing
- friendship can sometimes lead to love, but it can also lead to obsession.

Characters:

Eva Tilling was the most popular and wealthiest girl in town. She had a large following because of it. What was good about her - she never took advantage of who she was. Her background didn't much matter to her. She had friends of all parts of society and she valued them all. But she also knew who she could count on and who was just a casual acquaintance. After Judge tried to kill her, things changed a bit. She became a bit insecure. And she also started seeing these visions that she couldn't quite place, or trust. Then her long lost friend/crush, Nate, stumbled into her life and the old feelings revived. I wasn't sure how she'd react to his life story, but was impressed that she took him in and loved him for who he was.

Nate had a difficult childhood. With a father who couldn't care less, a sick half-brother, and nothing left of his family's prior glamor, he turned to alcohol, drugs and girls. But that was the before Nate. The now is quite different. He's considerate, responsible and isn't afraid to show his feelings to the people who matter. Him taking care of Eva, worrying over her and protecting her was really sweet.

Grace was Eva's best friend. She wasn't at all in the same social standing as Eva, but that didn't make them any less close. I really liked how the two girls had each other's backs at all times. I also was impressed by the inner strength that Grace showed. Even cuffed and cornered alone with a serial killer, she tried to keep her cool and think of an escape plan.

Judge... well I'm not sure there's much to say about this psycho except that I hated he was so young. How could someone his age get so screwed in the head? It was sad and I wish I couldn've actually hated him more. But I think I just pitied him.

In conclusion:
Melissa Marr has woven another great story - a murder mystery for teens. The book is good for both genders and I really recommend it. 
My rating is:
Book & Author details:

Made for You by Melissa Marr
Published by: HarperCollins
Publication date: September 16th 2014
Genres: Southern Gothic, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?
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.


Purchase:

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AUTHOR BIO
Hmm, I’m never good at the bio bit. I used to teach college & bartend, now I write novels. I love to meet new people, to hear their stories, to walk through new streets and see new vistas. I enjoy art in all its guises–graffiti, surrealist paintings, classic sculptures, tattoos, interesting buildings, Renoir, photography . . . Art & nature, they feed my soul & thus my muse.



Giveaway details: Tour-wide giveaway (US & Canada)

Prizes:
All 5 of Melissa's Wicked Lovely books (paperback),
The Desert Tale - Wicked Lovely companion book (paperback),
A hardcover copy of Made For You

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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