Book Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling (Unraveling #1)
by Elizabeth Norris
Release Date: April 4th, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: ebook, 228 pages
Source: ePubBud
ISBN: 978-0-06-210373-4
Get a Copy:
      Barnes and Nobles
      Amazon

Goodreads Summary: 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.

Cindy's Review: The teaser from Goodreads was very captivating. Therefore, I decided to try the book out and see how it goes. Many people marked it as their to-read, so why not? 

The Cover: 

Even the cover catches your eye. Even though it's not brightly colored or anything, but you get the sense of science fiction in it. ;) And science fiction young adult books often leads to dystopian, which is my favorite genre of all times. 

The Characters/Plot: 

Janelle Tenner - The main character of the book is a strong-willed, courageous girl. I think she's either sixteen or seventeen. The story takes place in present day, when Janelle is hanging out on the beach, with her boyfriend, Nick and some other people. But when she was about to go home, she gets hit by a flying truck that literally came out of nowhere. 

Ben Michaels - Janelle knew she was dead. Or at least that she was dying. But when Ben, a stoner from school, came out and started to heal her, she knew Ben saved her live. She knew that Ben brought her back to life. But how did he do that? Janelle questioned Ben but Ben denied everything.

Alex - So with Alex, whom is her best friend and lives right next door from her. Together, Alex (who is a guy, BTW) and Janelle starts to work and find out the answers of all the questions. Before, though, Alex wouldn't believe Janelle but after Ben admitted to Alex, Alex began to willingly help her.

James Tenner - James is Janelle's dad, who is an FBI agent (Head of the San Diego FBI department thing). Before all these things happened, Janelle was looking through her dad's office and found out about the case he is working on. The case was trying to find what is causing these people who suffered through radiation to die and look like monsters. Janelle also found a countdown to something. But what is it?

Later in the story, Janelle finds out the case her father was working on and Ben Michaels are related to each other. For the first half of the story, it seemed like a normal world, something that could possibly happen any day. But once when Ben Michaels starts explaining his story, things begin to turn into a more science-fiction, dystopian type of book.

Book Comparison:

Hmmm. I can't say this book reminds me of any other books. Just the multiple worlds thing reminds me of all kind of books that have multiple worlds. For example, Camelot. LOL. Camelot is considered in another world, right? Or is it only in the Magic Tree House series? Okay. And recently, I also read Kaitlin Gow's The Alchemist Academy series which also have two different worlds.

That's about it to my book comparisons. This plot was solely new to me. ;)

The Extras: 

I've decided that instead of talking about the ending, I'll be talking about all the rest of the things I haven't talked about. The Good and The Bad will also be included in here. And so also, I won't spoil the endings. ;) 

Romance

So, you know, the Goodreads summary mentioned only two characters in the book. Janelle Tenner and Ben Michaels. And Janelle takes sudden interest in Ben so you know what that means. They will start liking each other falling in love. Not that I don't like Ben. Honestly, Ben seems like a cool guy and everything. 

   But if Janelle had to choose between dating Ben, Alex, or Nick (her ex-boyfriend), I would choose Alex. Cuz Alex sounds like the perfect guy next door, whom is also your best guy friend. whom is also nerdy-ish, but cute enough that girls are hitting on him. Ya know. I want them together. 

   Second will be Nick. Nick is like that popular, dorky guy. Actually, he's the most popular guy in the school. And he's a senior. And he's so nice. Sure, he may be a bit dorky, but really, he also sounds pretty hot and perfect. And not only his looks are perfect, he actually has a pretty nice personality.

   Not that I hate Ben. If there was only Ben in the picture, of course I'll want Ben with Janelle, but there's two other guys in the picture in this case. And I just like the other two more. But in this case, one will never ever be with Janelle again. I cried soooooo much. Okay. You needa to read the book.

I just need to rant

There was two incidents that made my heart crack into pieces and break down and cry. And both of those incidents were deaths. One in the middle of the book. And one at the end. So yes, two people ended up dying. Well, not only two, but the two that we actually know.

The Good

What I like about this book was the emotional scenes it includes and another creative science-fiction book. I also like how the main character is stubborn and strong. I like strong protagonists. ;)

The Bad

The bad? I love this book. Really. But why why why does ____ have to die? Arggg!!! Waaa.... And Janelle didn't even cry that much too. Omg. 

The Rating: (1-10):9.5!!

Well, overall, it's a good*** book. So, you GOTTA read it!!

Okay, so I only highlighted like one quote throughout the entire book. That means, I was probably too into the book. So no quotes this time. 

Happy Reading~