Made For You by Melissa Marr Published by HarperCollins on September 16, 2014
Source: Borrowed
Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Young Adult
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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.
Featuring a creepy, religious stalker who is a complete psychopath when it comes to loving and killing women, Made For You creeped me out so much I had trouble sleeping. Not only is it told from the clueless victim, we also get the point of view of the killer who is so obsessed and twisted that he believes it’s okay to kill women because he’s ‘saving’ them.
I can’t think of anything creepier than that, especially when we read about his sick obsession with Eva and the way he abuses relationships with women. This book literally brought shivers up my spine and I kept on having scary stalker dreams – pretty much every girls worse nightmare. I wish there was more background to why Judge was brought up that way and what his sick religious fantasies were about, but perhaps it’s better not knowing.
Today, I’ll find another girl, a substitute for the girl God made for me.
When you realise Judge is just another student at Eva’s school, that’s when things get really creepy and I constantly tried to figure out who it is. It isn’t really a mystery though, seeing as there’s only 2 main men in the book – but I admit, the book surprised me. Unlike other thrillers I’ve read, it doesn’t withhold information just to whack you with it in the final conclusion, and the killer’s identity is revealed sooner than I thought. It doesn’t follow the classic thriller formula, but I still found it disturbing and creepy.
Eva played her part as an unsuspecting victim well, although I think her accident was overemphasised for convenience. She suffered from multiple brain injuries and still operates normally, except she has a weird affliction where she can foresee someone’s death if they touch her. I didn’t expect this paranormal twist to it and wanted more explanation for why she could do this.
“If you touch me, I see your death.” – Eva
The romance with Nate was fairly sweet, especially because it was a best friend romance and it was nice to see that evolve for once. Nate was an understanding and supportive character who didn’t judge Eva even after she suffered cuts all over her face, but then why would he ignore her for years? I liked that their romance was developed slowly, but I just didn’t believe in him as a character – especially since he slept with a lot of women.
Every single teen character in this book seems to be sexually active – Nate, Judge, Eva and Grace included and I was pretty uncomfortable with some of the implications about what the characters did. There’s a bit of slut shaming and even sexual violence, so I wouldn’t recommend this for the younger YA reader.
As a result, I found Grace, Eva’s best friend to be the only character I actually liked in the book. She was smart, strong and loyal and was an awesome friend to Eva. I did find her point of view unnecessary to the main storyline though, other than to buffer the intensity between Grace and Judge’s perspectives.
Their deaths feel like my fault.
And it makes me sick.
What did I say or do that made this crazy person fixate on me and my friends?
Made For You is a creepy, disturbing and intense thriller about an obsessed stalker and psychopath. Featuring deaths, threats, obsessive thoughts and violence, all from the killer’s point of view, there is nothing that could be creepier. The book does fail to explain a few key points, like how Judge turned out that way and why Eva can see premonitions for people’s deaths. It also unexpectedly features sexual violence which I found disturbing. Overall it’s a unique and disturbing thriller, but only if you can handle it – and definitely for the mature YA audience.
As for me, I think I’ll go easy on the thrillers for a while.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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All things considered yes it was totally creepy but I thought it was really well done except I think the paranormal aspect wasn't even needed and this coming from me who prefers that in all my books. As for why judge turned out that way it was because his father was that way and was teaching him. At least that's the total gist I got.
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Creppy stalker is on the extreme side of religion… scary! I was scared half to death by this other stalker book I read a while back so I'm not sure I want to dive into this one.
The sexually active part is okay but if it made you uncomfortable I can tell that it was brought up too much.
I love sweet best friend romances in books but yeah.. I'd probably feel the same way as you ni the believability department.
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I still need to read this one! I hate that the love interest is a player (so sick of that trope) but I guess it's good that he redeems himself. It's been a while since a book has actually crept me out, so I'm curious to see if this would do the trick.
Lovely review, lady!
I have probably read more than my share of creepy serial killer type books so while this would bother me, I would totally read it. Where this loses me, is that it's YA and the sexual violence, and all being sexually active-just not appropriate for the YA audience that it's geared toward-the sexual violence in particular.
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Yeah, it was more of a mature YA, definitely not suited to anyone younger than 15.
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Ooh, this sounds totally creepy and kind of awesome and definitely up my alley. I never read the Wicked Lovely series but I think I will add this to my TBR.
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Yayy, happy to add to your TBR Rachel!
This book definitely sounds a little weird, and very mature. I'm glad you did like it though. I'll probably skip this one because as much as Eva's premonition sounds cool, I think I'll be fine without the weird stalkerish things.
Nice review Jeann!
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Yeah, the stalker thing made the book really creepy. Thanks Val!
I'm a fan of creepy thrillers (that sounds so weird to type), so I think I would really like this one. It definitely sounds memorable. I have to agree with those who commented before me . . . the paranormal aspect seems like it would be out of place. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't like that part either.
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Ah, this sounds totally up your alley then Kaitlin!
This sounds so creepy. I've been wanting to read it and now I definitely will. Just when night time is far away though 🙂 I'm not really big on HA thrillers but I guess I'll give it a go anyway. Great review!
Oh it is so creepy, I'm glad you're keen on picking it up!
It's been awhile since I read Marissa Marr, so I definitely have been eyeing this book. But it's sounds like I'm going to have to be in a certain mood before I pick it up! Thanks for your insightful review!
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Definitely, it's a really creepy book and worth reading still!
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JEANN I've been craving a creepy book for a while now(yeah, i'm weird like that). For whatever reason I've surrounded myself with romance reads lately and I just need something to break the pattern. Maybe this one is it for me? *crosses fingers* Great review!
Yes sometimes you just need a break, this one is a creepy book if you're in the mood lol!
This sounds incredible creepy, but the paranormal elements have completely turned me off. Why! *shakes fist* otherwise this probably would have been a brilliant psychological thriller.
Brilliant review nonetheless, but I think this one might shit me a little too much <3
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Yeah, it would have been a lot better without it, I don't really think it added much to the story. Thanks Kelly!
Religious zealots make for the best serial killers, don't they? I don't know what it is but they do bring up the creep factor to another level. I just finished a horror with a different kind of stalker myself. This one is a dead stalker. Yep. Ghost. *shudders*
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Oh I know, I can't help but think it was added in here for convenience though. That sounds really freaky ><
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THIS is my kind of YA.
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I've been wondering about this one for a while, and it's in my list of books to get once I lift my book buying ban!
Great review! Creepy thrillers are the best! Not happy about the slut shaming bit though…
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Glad to hear you're keen on the book, really creepy! Yeah, I think we still have a ways to go about the slut shaming bit in books.
I did want to read this one but the reviews keep saying how creepy it is and I'm a bit of a chicken and I don't think I'll be able to read this one.
Great review.
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Hehe I can see why Rochelle! Definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Slut shaming and violence aside, I was pretty happy that this was such a sex positive book! 🙂
I am really glad to see you enjoyed the book as well, Jeann! I read this one a while ago (after awaiting it eagerly) and I was so happy to not be let down. I also think the author does the mystery/thriller aspect well and I like how she doesn't make us dance around for information.
This book could definitely be scary at times though…. .-. Judge's identity may not have been a surprise but his actions… O_O
Anyway, I am just really happy to see you enjoyed the book as well!
Lovely review!! 😀
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I know right, Judge was so totally freaky it chilled me to the bone! It was definitely a different kind of read, not perfect but still a great thriller. Thanks lovely!
I am so glad I read your review! I've been looking for a creepy read for quite some time, and now I know what I'm going to bump up on my to read list. I kind of like the fact that they reveal the killer early on. It kind of brings sonething different. Greag review, Jeann!
Although I probably won't read it right before I go to sleep. Lol.
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Glad to hear you like the sound of it Marianne, it's a great thrilling read as long as it's in broad daylight XD
Oooo, yes, I liked this one very very much. It was creepy, it was authentic, it was really really good, one of my most impressive reads of last year, and that's a feet and a half. I'm pleased you liked this, yay! 😀
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Glad to hear you liked it Amanda, it was definitely a lot creepier than some other YA thrillers I've read!
I really liked the Judge characters in this one because they were so creepy and disturbing, but I have to agree with you. I would have loved to see more of his background to understand his issues more.
Great review, Jeann! I'm glad you liked it overall! 🙂
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He was definitely disturbing and creepy, needed a lot more background for me though. Thanks Nick!
I've been intrigued by this title ever since I learned that it was from the killer's POV because that's not something you see very often. I fully expect the story to be creepy, however I don't like sexual violence. I can do dark, but I draw the line there. Thanks for the warning!
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It's super creepy and dark Carmel, definitely needed to point out the sexual violence *shudders*
I think this book is for me 😀 For some reason, reading a book through the bad guy's perspective interests me. Your review also made me curious as to why you liked Grace among all the characters in the book. 😉
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Ah yay, I'm glad to hear you love the sound of it Dre! Hopefully it helps with your reading slump.
I had the exact same thoughts as you when it comes to this one Jeann! 🙂 I felt the book could have been much stronger without the paranormal element, you know? It's like you have this haunting, sadistic thriller that sends chills up your spine…and then you have this unrealistic, laughable paranormal aspect. It almost doesn't make sense, you know? It seemed more like a plot device than anything else, which annoyed me. But, alas, like you said, the book was extremely well-written and chilling regardless. Thanks for sharing Jeann, and, as always, brilliant review! <3
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I know, that paranormal thing just didn't fit in and it was weird. But yes, very freaky! Thank you Zoe <3
Huh. The paranormal twist seems a little out of place, however I just realised how long it's been since I read a good thriller. So I think this will go on my list (I'll just have to remember to not read it at night lol I get so easily freaked out).
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It definitely does, it's pretty weird they added it in without expanding much. Lol yes don't read it at night
Heck yeah for creepiness and violence. I'm so weird, but I love twisted and bizarre reads like this!
This is actually my next read after I finish All the Bright Places, so let's see how I get on!
Oooh Allie I can't wait to see what you think of it! It's so creepy.
SEEEEE I don't really want the paranormal twist to this one. I just want the thriller. BUT everyone does say that it's rather good, and get's the heart beating so I definitely want to get this read some time soon. It's just, I NEARLY picked it up until I realised how small the book was (or averagely sized) BUT oh holy, that font was big. That always puts me off for some odd reason. But mind me not LOL Beautiful review, Jeann! x
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ME NEITHER JESS. The Paranormal twist was kind of unnecessary I think, especially since it wasn't developed. LOL for the big font – I totally agree!
Oohh, I LIKED THIS ONE TOO. Okay. Wait. That sounds wrong. It is so hard to approve creepy thriller books, honestly. >.> *ahem* So I HATED parts of this but I loved that I hated them. OKAY THAT'S NO BETTER.
*melts into a puddle of frustration*
You know what I mean. x)
I think Judge was such a creepy sicko. the entire book was FREAKY and I couldn't put it down. I agree parts weren't explained enough but but but I couldn't stop reading. It's up there with Dangerous Girls for me.
It was weird, and disturbing, but that's why we pick up a thriller yet? I was exactly the same! Although I loved Dangerous Girls more.
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Wow this definitely sounds more creepy than most of the thrillers I've read – and I think it's definitely good to have some lighter books in between when reading novels with heavy themes. I have seen this book mentioned/reviewed by a few Aussie bloggers, and I can't help but be intrigued by it to see what it's all about for myself. Hope you find something fluffy to even things out after reading that Jeann!
It's quite a creepy one considering it's mature YA as well! Thanks Genie, I need s bit of a break from thrillers for a while lol