Monday, April 23, 2012

Review: Unraveling

Book: Unraveling
Author: Elizabeth Norris
Series: N/A (for now!)
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 445
Source: HarperCollins Canada (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5
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.


(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS: 

Mind-blowing, gut-wrenching, original, exceptional... It's been over a week since I finished this book and I still can't stop thinking about it or find the words to describe it!  

Unraveling kicks off with a running start when Janelle dies hit and killed by a speeding pickup truck and is brought back to life by the most unlikely boy possible: Ben Michaels. As the smart, strong, and kick-ass daughter of an FBI agent, Janelle begins to unravel the strands of his secret all the while figuring out that there's something bigger happening, something exponentially more dangerous, and she has to find out what before it's too late.  

With shorter chapters that always start with an ominous countdown, saying this book is intense doesn't even begin to describe it! The concept is literally out of this world. There's not much I can say without being spoilery, but the sci-fi elements are so DIFFERENT from what you'd expect that I can't even put a single label on it. Except maybe amazing. And epic. 

Other than loving Janelle completely, I think that Elizabeth Norris created the perfect cast! They're real and anything but typical. And they sweara lot, which I totally loved. Ben is 100% swoon-worthy while being so different from regular book boys; her best friend Alex isn't a love interest (there's actually no love triangle at all ) but I promise he'll steal your heart anyways; Elijah and Taylor Barclay make for unexpected awesome; and Janelle's FBI father and friends are complex as well.   

Unraveling isn't a fairytale. Like nothing I've ever read before, it's hardcore and intense and gripping and unique. It's also one of those rare gems that remind us how real life doesn't always close with a happy ending the huge twist at the end knocked me off my feet! I wanted to cry and beg for a sequel at the exact same time.   

In short, Unraveling is one of the most brilliant and gut-wrenching debuts I've ever read! You have to read it   it will blow your mind away! :)

BUY or BORROW?: For books like this one, this is such a pointless question! Buy it and love it, then please come tell me what you think after so we can cry together! :')  

-Mimi

41 comments:

  1. AMAZING review, Mimi! Oh, I adore you so much - how do you know that I want to read some reviews about this book before I buy it later? And here you are with your brilliant review, answering my wish! ♥

    Intense and gripping read? Yes, please! ♥ I love it that there's no love triangle in this book! I can't stand more love triangles LOL! x) And the fact that the heroine, Janelle, is completely brilliant and a kickass? Oh wow, it just can't get better! :)

    I'm not exactly sure about the swearing part though. Brought up as a good girl, I have problem with people who swear. :P Still, I think this book has definitely made my wish list! x)

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  2. Brilliant review Mimi! I also finished it a week ago and my review is all over the place, how can she leave us with that ending?? I hate having to wait for the second book! :(

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  3. Thanks a lot, Mimi! Now I'm DYING to get this book even more now! Thanks. A lot. haha. Fantastic review as always! I'm totally sold.

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  4. Geeee!!! Mimi! That's an awesome Review and if I wouldn't have been already in love with this book I would go and pre-order it right now!! I agree, this book was so intense and I loved every freaking minute! I was never bored and I loved the whole underlying plot idea and I just didn't see any of this coming! The ending was so schoking I was sobbing! But, I heard that this is going to get a sequel. because seriously I need more of this!!!

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  5. Mimi, your review is PERFECT! I agree with EVERYTHING you mentioned<3 I've officially fallen for Ben Michaels :) Gahhh he's SUCH A SWEETHEART<3 And ALEX! Don't you just love how he's her best friend but you know he won't ever fall for her! AND YES, HE STOLE MY HEART AS WELL!!!
    HAHAHAHA, Yesss, they swear A LOT! LOL You know my favourite swearing part?
    Ben: "I fucking love you " SADIUSAHDIUSAHDIUSAHDISAHDAS I LOVED THAT PART!!!!!
    Eeeeeee! Now I feel like ditching my maths homework & finishing off Unravelling!<3

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  6. As if my TBR needed to take another hit!! It's been a while since I read anything sci fi but this sounds like it's going to be incredible. Thanks goodness for the lack of love triangles. And I adore that Janelle has a male best friend who she doesn't fall in love with. I'd almost given up hope that boys and girls could be just friends. Great review as always Mimi.

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  7. I can't wait to get my hands on this book! It looks amazing! I'm so glad you liked it and amazing review! :)

    ~Emily@Emily's Crammed Bookshelf

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  8. EEEEEE, I am so excited to read this book now!!!! I love the summary and the cover though I will probably get the UK cover! If Mimi tells me to buy it, then I will! ;)

    Awesome review, Mimi! <3 So glad you enjoyed it!

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  9. I can't wait to have a copy of this book! It sounds interesting, and it looks amazing! I hope I can buy a copy of this book as soon as the book is released. Amazing review! :)

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  10. Oh wow Mimi - that's an incredible review! I've had this one on my TBR list for a while now and definitely can't wait for it to be released tomorrow. Janelle sounds absolutely awesome and Ben I'm sure will have me swooning too. Everything about Unraveling has me so excited to finally be able to read it!

    Thank you so much for sharing Mimi - Have a great week! <3<3<3

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  11. Ooh-I love short chapters. I find I can books like that much faster because generally the author keeps the pacing tight and I have to read through to the conclusion. I didn't know much about the plot for this book so thank you for reconfirming my desire to read this!

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  12. You don't know what this review does to me, Mimi! I remember Maja saying the same thing about finishing the book and still thinking about it days after. I've been waiting for this one, I like the sound of the intensity and it really does sound like a unique story!! I love it when the entire cast is well developed. And I can't wait to fall in swoon with Ben and Alex. :)

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  13. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay MIMI!!!! I loved this one so much too! I wasn't sure what I was going to think going in to it and it was just amazing:) I really enjoyed the shorter chapters and the countdown as well, it made the pages fly by and I was dreading every new chapter because I new those numbers would be lower than they were the previous chapter. Fantastic review!!!!!!

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  14. OH MY GOODNESS this sounds absolutely amazing. Brilliant review!! I am so excited to read this. Intense action and countdowns?! Ahhh! *runs around in circles*

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  15. I am so excited for Unraveling!! I've read so many raving reviews about this that I'm crazy with anticipation! Great review, Mimi. :)

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  16. OK, I wanted this book before, but hell, after reading THIS, OMG OMG!! I NEED THIS BOOK NOW!! Mimi you're amazing. I will never stop saying that, you are!! :) And I love you!! Have I told you that before? Not enough times. MARRY ME, Mimi!! hehe :P :P I said it before and I meant it, I want a copy of your first book shipped to my place when you get your first ARC!! And no, it's not open to negotiation! Remember that Mimi!! Because OMG your writing. You make every book sound like OMG I NEED IT NOW.

    Thank you Mimi for this amazing review!! I love it! And I can't wait to read this book and then we can discuss it til death! lol :D

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  17. YAY MIMI!! I can't wait to be blown away by this book tomorrow! I'm so so excited to meet Janelle, she seems like such a fantastic protagonist and I've been hearing so much about the sci-fi elements. I don't think there's anything else that can make me even more excited for this book, ha. I can't wait to gush about this book with you. ♥

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  18. I already wanted to read this but wow, your review makes me want to read it even more!! I will definitely be picking up a copy of this one soon! :)

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  19. I totally loved this one! This book is so intense and I completely fell for Ben. Also, that ending totally killed me! I need the next book like now. Awesome review :)

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  20. I am almost done with this, will be finishing it today. I agree this book is so riveting and so many unexpected developments, I love Alex and Ben. Now I can't wait to finish it!

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  21. Hi Mimi! Great review! I'm so happy that you liked this one. I'm really interested in it. Love the idea of the book and I can't wait to read it!

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  22. This is probably one of my favourite debuts too. It makes me so happy to know that you loved this book as much as I did! Great review Mimi! I can't stop thinking about it either and I wish there were more YA sci-fi books like this. It was pretty much perfect! Now all we can do is wait for the next one. Let's hope the wait is worth it! :D

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  23. Wow, everyone is loving this book! And I'm so glad to hear that there is no love triangle (what a relief). The characters sound so great too,

    Fabulous review! :D

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  24. Dude, seriously?! I had absolutely NO interest in this book (it's not even marked as to-read on Goodreads)....BUT. Mimi, you have worked your magic yet again. I'm thinking I need to read this book as SOON as I can get my hands on it. Yes? Yes. Ben sounds amazing, NO LOVE TRIANGLE OMIGOSH RELIEF!, and it's refreshing she doesn't fall for her bestie. And I loooove sci-fi, so I think, WHY DID I NOT READ THIS BEFORE?! Thank you for waking me up, Mimi, and setting me back into reality where this book sounds absolutely AMAZING! ;)

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  25. Oh yes you won me over with no love triangle! LOL I've actually been pretty excited about this book for awhile. I love sci fi and I've heard a lot of people say there are a lot of surprises which I love. Ben sounds really awesome and I'm glad he is different from the average book boy. They swear a lot haha well I do like that because I think in some instances the things happening in the book would make anyone swear such as dying and being brought back to life. That would make me swear. I love books where they are just so amazing you don't know what to say although it does make it difficult to review them but you did a great job. Can't wait to read it!

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  26. The concept is literally out of this world.

    Lol, you're amazing, Mimi. I love this review so much, and of course I share your love for this book. I've been thinking about it a lot too, and even after reading a few different, negative reviews, I remain convinced that it's a really special book.
    It is hardcore and intense and gripping and unique and like you, I loved every second of it.
    Janelle is really an extraordinary heroine, and I don't think I need to talk about Ben at all. He is, plain and simple, perfect. I hope everyone gets to read this book soon so we can all gush and squeal and behave like 5-year-olds over it.

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  27. ARGH. I wanted to wait until June for the kindle version to come out, but now... I don't think I'll be able to wait for so long!

    If the summary sounded amazing, you made it sound even more so with your review! ♥ I'm in need of a gripping story with lots of action. And non complicated romance! I'm dying to meet Ben. AND Alex, although for very different reasons, of course, but you intrigued me about him.

    Thank you for the review, Mimi, now I have absolutely no doubts this one is a must read! ♥

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  28. Ooh my god chick you make this sound INCREDIBLE!! ANd I was already super excited to read it. I can,t for a few weeks though I'm super behind *sobs* but I will VERY soon I got it from Edelweiss thank god! I LOVE the sounds of it. The countdown totally blows my mind! GAH!! Awesome review dollface!!

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  29. Oh wow I can feel the love you have for this book seeping through your words and it has me excited. I'm glad to know it was such an awesome read with elements that haven't been thought of or touched yet. I can't imagine the ominous feeling of a countdown. This one sounds exciting, and fast-paced and fascinating. Definitely another YA novel to add to the TBR.

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  30. I just - this book - GAH. I need it in my life. The countdown thing. And NO LOVE TRIANGLES. And did I see the phrase "swoon-worthy" in your review? *dies* And then there's the way you talk about this... "gut-wrenching." Oh my. I AM going to have to get my hands on this one. Oh yes. Thanks for the great review, chickie!

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  31. Oh my gosh, fantastic review! Mimiiiiii, I need to read this! Like yesterday. I seriously cannot wait to dig into it and luckily it won't be long now! You tease too good. ;)

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  32. One of the most brilliant and gut-wrenching debuts you've ever read? Mimi! Why must you torture me so!!! I'm not allowed to spend any more money on fun books until AT LEAST the end of the school year. **pouts** Lol.

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  33. I want to read it even more now! You write such fantastic reviews!

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  34. OMG, dunno why whats taking me so long to read this book , Mimi your review is sooo wonderful, I just cant wait to get started! So glad you loved it. <3

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

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  35. wow you're in a really great period, it's nice. You always have some great books you love and whose I'm very curious about. Thanks for this new amazing review Mimi!

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  36. MIMI. Your review is too epic to describe.

    I seriously. Can't even. Tell you.

    Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for this one!! I usually like to pour my heart out in song for each of your BRILLIANT reviews for BRILLIANT books, but I'm still a little shocked about how awesome this sounds so I'll get back to you, alright? Who would've thought that sci-fi could be this awesome?! (': Fanfreakingtastic review, Mimi-Doll! <333333333

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  37. OhmyGOD! You make me want to read Unraveling RIGHT AWAY. Short chapters? Building urgency? Sci fi with unique twists? Awesome characters and NO love triangle? One of the most gut wrenching tributes? I'm sold!! I want to read this RIGHT AWAY now! Thanks so much for the AMAZING review, Mimi!! :D

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  38. OOH.

    OOOOOH.

    OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!

    MIMI! OMG. UNRAVELING. I was super eager to read before, but now I AM SO EFFING CRAZY EXCITED! *bangs against walls in giddiness* It sounds AMAZING. And man, I have a feeling I'm going to fall so in love with these characters. And this Ben guy I hear people raving about in reviews! What is the sci-fi element?? That has me SO intrigued!

    GAAAHH. I hate you. I love you. Why are you so talented at getting my hyped at? AMAZING REVIEW.

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  39. Yay. Sounds like this was amazing. So glad to see you liked it. =)

    Awesome review, Mimi <3 Can't wait to read this now :)

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  40. MIMIMIMIMIMIMIIIIII!
    AMAZING! AAAAAAAH! YOU KILL ME DEAD!
    I am SOOO excited for this one, and when you go and write a review like this... well... COME ON. SERIOUSLY.

    The thing that's killing me the most is that I have it RIGHT HERE, but I have another book I have to read first :(

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  41. WOW, I totally have to read this! Great review! :D
    -Heather

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