April 24, 2012

Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling
By Elizabeth Norris
Hardcover, 445 pages
Expected publication: April 24, 2012
By Balzer + Bray

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

Unraveling was not at all what I was expecting. To be honest, I have no idea what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. The truth is, the cover didn’t catch my eye. I love the concept but the colors are so washy, I didn’t give it a second glance. And another save the world book? Blah. Another YA character turning into Nancy Drew? Blah. I just didn’t expect much. Had Dee not insisted I read it, I probably wouldn’t have even bothered.

And I’m glad she insisted. Unraveling was so good. Kick ass main character? Check. Realistic family dynamics? Check. Friendship worth the pages it takes up (and with a boy who is actually JUST a friend!)? Check. Mystery? Check. Action? Check. This book had everything I look for in a novel. I honestly can’t think of a single thing to complain about. I don’t think there’s much I can say about the plot without including spoilers, but I will say I found it refreshing.

One thing in particular that I loved about Unraveling was the fact that it feels like a contemporary novel. It definitely has sci-fi aspects and they are key to the story, but it isn’t overly technical.  I think the sci-fi aspect is balanced perfectly with the romance and Janelle’s home life, and I simply could not get enough of it.  I would highly recommend Unraveling, and I am definitely anticipating the sequel!

5/5 Stars



16 comments:

  1. Great review Amanda! This is high on my list to read =)

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  2. Thanks for the review! I'm hoping to get this one from the library in a few days! It seems great!

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  3. It feels like a contemp with si fi? That sounds awesome and I love the idea of the countdown that freaks me out!

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  4. Great review! I'm like you too since this book really didn't catch my eye, but after seeing so many good reviews I'll have to read this!

    Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire

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  5. Wait, THERE'S A SEQUEL? I totally thought it was stand-alone and even said so in my review. I've never been happier to be wrong! :D

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  6. Great review! I also thought this was a stand-alone novel. I'm really excited to read it, it sounds really interesting and unlike anything else out there right now. I'm definitely putting it on my TBR list! :)

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  7. Thank you for the review...I have been thinking about this book but not sure if I should purchase it or not. I will be sure it add it to the top of my summer reading list!

    Wendy/books4me

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  8. THAT IS AWESOME! :D I love your review! I am SO looking forward to this book so I'm glad to get another fabulous review! EEP! I want this so bad now! :)

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  9. I am so excited to read Unraveling, I get to meet Elizabeth Norris at a book signing on June 7th and cant wait!

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  10. Great review! I just won the ARC of this and I amm sooo excited to read it :D

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  11. I really haven't heard to much about this book but your review has me hooked. I will add this to my tbr for sure.

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  12. I'm so glad I came across this review. I've seen the book around but just mainly glanced at it and moved on. I read so many books that I often depend on the cover to grab my attention. This was a great review and I now cannot wait to get my hands on this book

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  13. I ADORED this book. Seriously, I loved it. I went into Unraveling not really expecting to like it too much because I am not a huge Sci-Fi fan. I was blown away. I think we have an amazing new author on our hands with Elizabeth Norris. This book is a perfect mix of sci-fi (not too deep and sciency that it bored me) and Contemporary. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and the end was heart-wrenching. I will be waiting very unpatiently for the sequel. What an amazing book!!!!

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  14. The more reviews I read about this book the higher it climbs up my TBR list. I've felt the same way about this book, but now that someone with the same non-chalance about the book as me read it & loved it. Its way up there now... I'll have to read it soon.

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  15. Sounds pretty intense. Reviews have all been good, so its on my tbr...

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  16. I am so glad you liked this book because I was having some doubts on weather to read it or not but I think I will read it :)

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