Title: The Becoming of Noah Shaw
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: The Shaw Confessions #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release: November 7, 2017
Pages: 384
In the first book of the Shaw Confessions, the companion series to the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer novels, old skeletons are laid bare and new promises prove deadly. This is what happens after happily ever after.
Everyone thinks seventeen-year-old Noah Shaw has the world on a string.
They’re wrong.
Mara Dyer is the only one he trusts with his secrets and his future.
He shouldn’t.
And both are scared that uncovering the truth about themselves will force them apart.
They’re right.
Trigger warning: suicide/suicidal thoughts, self-harm, assault, victim blaming, death of teens, ill humor.
THE BECOMING OF NOAH SHAW was definitely a bit of a surprise. I had no idea what to think going into this book about what this was even going to be about. Because of the way the Maray Dyer trilogy ended, I felt like this book was a bit unnecessary, but because Noah Shaw is a gift I decided I needed to it. However, I still feel a little confused about where this new spin off is going and why it was even needed? The entire plot felt a little lack luster and underwhelming. Even though I loved being inside Noah’s head and his POV was definitely something I enjoyed more than Mara Dyer, I wish the story moved a little faster.
The book takes place some time after RETRIBUTION OF MARA DYER, where Noah’s evil father has “committed suicide” and while they are at his funeral, Noah and Mara discover a dead body of a fellow Gifted teen who presumably killed himself. As more and more deaths of Gifted teens turn up, the gang discover new secrets. Noah begins doubting Mara and if he can even trust her. Being inside Noah’s head was definitely something I didn’t expect. He is more morbid and it broke my heart. He truly loves Mara more than anything so it hurt when he began to doubt her actions (although completely understandable).
THE BECOMING OF NOAH SHAW was entertaining to read, but a little too slow for my taste. I look forward to seeing where this new spin off will go because of that cliffhanger, but it’s not really something I am super excited for. I am thankful that we get more Noah Shaw though because Noah is perfect.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
the bookish khaleesi 