Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Home    Challenges    Reviews    Features    Contests    Review Policy    Contact

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris + Giveaway

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.
___________________________________ 

The cover and description of Unraveling are interesting enough that I had Elizabeth Norris' debut on my to-read list, but it was the book trailer released by Harper Teen that elicited the most excitement (and the undeniable need to read it). I was, understandably, pumped to find a copy of Unraveling in my mailbox, but I had no idea how seriously badass it would be.

I thought this novel was primarily a thriller and hadn't realized that it would have some solid  science fiction elements as well. I can't really tell you what I specifically loved about this book without some major spoilers, but holy macaroni is it fantastic. For now, I suppose you'll just have to take my word for it, but I seriously can't wait to see how people react to the twists and unique elements.

I will say, I'm not sure this idea is wholly original... There were a couple popular television shows with definite similarities that came to mind as I read. But, then again, many stories have similar plots. I would only have had a real issue with this if the rest of the novel (characters, dialogue, setting, etc) fell short, which wasn't the case.

The only aspect of the novel that I sometimes struggled with was the romance. I actually quite liked Ben and Janelle together, but I felt like Janelle fell for Ben a bit too quickly. Norris clearly explains Ben's feelings for Janelle, but sometimes I wondered if Janelle's main attraction for Ben was inspired by his strong feelings for her. Basically, he likes me so I like him. Not that Ben didn't deserve her attention... he so did.

I expected Unraveling to be good, but it exceeded my expectations by far. I can't wait to read more from Norris!

Balzer+Bray, HarperTeen, April 2012, Hardcover, ISBN: 9780062103733, 445 pages

Check out the book trailer: 







a Rafflecopter giveaway

39 comments:

  1. Fantastic review - I love how you brought up the romance! It sometimes annoys me when it happens to fast, like its being forced. It has to flow :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. THANK YOU for the fantastic giveaway, and for making it international at some silly girl's request (uh, that's me :P )

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'll be honest and admit when I first read that "got hit by the truck" bit in the summary I thought the book would be a If I stay/Before I fall kind of book (not sure how to classify them)

    After reading your review I'm all pumped for the book as well. xD
    Hopefully the romance aspect won't bother me too much, I can't really stomach those insta-love ones.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, glad to know that it has science fiction elements as well. I am really looking forward to reading Unraveling!

    Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yay! Good to know. I was a little worried I wouldn't like this one, but it seems like it will be a solid read. Hurrah!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Omgosh I so want to read this one it looks so good yay giveaways!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ever since I first heard about Unraveling, through Janet Reid's blog, I've been dying while waiting for it. Literally, a little piece of me dies each day. ;-) I can't wait to read it, and an ARC would be AMAZING. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Sara :)
    Thank you for the thoughtful insightful review. I've put Unraveling on my TBR list now.
    All the best,
    RKCharron

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the review! Now I really want to read it! lol but I have to agree, the cover is interesting but the trailer is FAB! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great review! So glad to here that it was epic. I've heard nothing but awesome things about it and have wanted to read it since I saw it on GR! Thanks for the Giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the reveiw. I'm so glad it exceeded expectations because I am also very very intrested in reading this. The cover is just excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  12. My review posted today as well:) I loved this book, I have heard about the similarities with certain TV shows, but having not watched said shows, it didn't affect me at all! I received my ARC as part of a tour (so I had to send it on) so I would love a copy of my own:) Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great review! I have heard so much about this book lately, and it is DEFINITELY on my TBR list now! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your review just made me even more excited to read this! Glad to hear such good things. And thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Holly Macaroni! I love that expression! great review! I'm so excited for this book to finally come out!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Really looking forward to this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can't wait to read this! I had heard a little bit about the book but didn't realize there would be sci-fi aspects. That is good to know! Thanks for the review and giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great review, thanks for the giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm so excited to read this! I'm glad you thought it lived up to the hype. :)
    Thanks for the review and the give-away!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is awesome!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've been really cautious lately, so I'm glad to know I might actually enjoy a book this year!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway! The book sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Intriguing review. Certainly makes me want to read!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great review. The more I hear about it the more I want to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you so much for your review! The first time I saw the book, was like love at first sight! I can't wait to read it! Thanks for this amazing chance!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, that actually looks interesting! I just adore loner boys!! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, that actually looks interesting! I just adore loner boys!! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow, that actually looks interesting! I just adore loner boys!! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, that actually looks interesting! I just adore loner boys!! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I've had my eyes on Unraveling for some time now. Your review makes me sure that it's a must-read book. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've heard such fabulous things about this one I'm so excited for this to release. Thanks for this giveaway opportunity!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for the Review :) the book looks pretty intertesting but I wasn't too impressed with the Trailer. It might just have been the girl's acting that bothered me. Anyway, It seems like It would be a good read

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great review. This book sounds really good!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I feel lik a lot of the time the MC falls for the love interest too quickly. I've liked the few times I read something and the MC was already with someone and the author made you fall in love with them too.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Woah. I get more and more excited by the day! I'm super excited and looking forward to reading Unravelling even more so after your amazing review! Well done :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I hadn't seen the trailer before, but I'm really intrigued by the comparison to Veronica Mars! I'm looking forward to this one and glad to hear it didn't disappoint :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Awesome review. I can't WAIT to read Unraveling. It looks like such an awesome book. So excited!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm so glad you liked the book trailer and UNRAVELING too! Thanks for reading it and posting the review!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Great review! I can't WAIT to read Unraveling!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your review definitely left me needing to know more about the book! Now I HAVE to read it!

    ReplyDelete

Make sure you whisper, I'm hiding!