Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
UNRAVELING by Elizabeth Norris
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Paranormal
Buy: B&N | Indiebound | Amazon
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. (Goodreads)
UNRAVELING is a fan-freaking-tastic debut! It’s X-Files/Fringe meets Veronica Mars and I loved it, and I’m not even a big X-Files fan! This is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2012… from the characters to the plot twists, UNRAVELING is shock full of awesomeness.
In UNRAVELING, the chapters count down from 24 days, and the story begins with Janelle being hit, and killed, by a truck. Then she opens her eyes and finds herself looking up into Ben’s face, a loner from high school that she’s never talked to, and barely noticed. She understands that she’s alive because of Ben, but she can’t wrap her head around how, or why.
As any daughter of a department head in the FBI would do (or at least want to do), Janelle snoops through her father’s case file regarding her accident. There she finds a clock counting down to something… and reports of bodies — people that died horrific deaths — being found. I don’t want to give anything away because the plot brilliantly unravels for the reader (pun intended)… but I will say that I didn’t see it coming! I feel like I should warn that there is quite a bit of profanity in this novel, though I do think it’s realistic to how teenagers talk.
Elizabeth Norris did a great job with characterization! I was able to easily connect with Janelle, the protagonist, and instantly liked her best friend Alex, and the mysterious and brooding lifesaver Ben. I loved Ben and Janelle together, and couldn’t help but root for them. I also really enjoyed the dynamics of Janelle’s family, and seeing how she struggled with mixed feelings toward her mother, and her responsibility for her younger brother Jared. I also really liked her father, an FBI agent with a fascination for the unexplained.
I was quickly drawn into this fast paced story full of plot twists, and it was near impossible to put down. Part crime drama, and part sci-fi/apocalyptic with a good dose of romance thrown in… you don’t want to miss out on UNRAVELING, so add it to your TBR list for spring! I can’t WAIT to get my hands on the next book in this new series!
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads
Twitter: NinaReads
says:
This is coming up on my to-read list, and you just made me so much more excited to read it!:D
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
YAY! I hope you love it :).
Jen recently posted..Spellcaster Blog Tour: iPod Giveaway
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
This is where you had me: X-Files/Fringe meets Veronica Mars.
Yes, please!
fakesteph recently posted..Waiting On Wednesday: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
I know, right?! It rocks. I never really got into X-Files but I think Veronica Mars is one of my favorite shows ever… if you’re a fan of either, I think you’ll love this book!
Jen recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday (46)
Yes, I’m so excited to read it now. I have one more to finish before I get to it and now I can’t wait, it sounds even better than I anticipated. Great review!
– Jessica @ Book Sake
Jessica @ Book Sake recently posted..Book Review: Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Yay, I’m so glad! Let me know what you think!
Jen recently posted..Blog Tour: Forgiving Trinity & Giveaway
You sold me on X-Files/Fringe! This sounds like a great book and a really fun read!
Christa @ Hooked on Books recently posted..Book Review: The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll & Mademoiselle Odile by James Reese
I am really excited to read this one. You’ve definitely sold me with the whole X-files/Fringe meets Veronica Mars (love those shows!) This book sounds really intriguing!
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Twitter: intothemornrds
says:
Great review! I have been wanting to read this (but can’t seem to get to it on my TBR list). I guess I need to bump it upward! Especially if it’s anything like VMars. I adored that show.
[…] Today A Book and a Latte has a very special guest! I’m thrilled to interview the author of one of my favorite reads this year. Please help me welcome the debut author of UNRAVELING, […]
[…] Unraveling (click for my review) is one of my favorite reads of 2012, and I can’t WAIT for this sequel! *grabby hands* If you haven’t read Unraveling yet, you need to! […]
[…] She’s stopping by today for an interview as part of her UNBREAKABLE blog tour! Her debut, UNRAVELING (book 1) was one of my favorite reads of 2012. Check out her Q & A below, and then enter win […]
[…] I just have to say that I love this 2 book series; I can’t recommend it enough! Unravelingcompletely blew me away, and I’ll admit I was a bit worried about Unbreakable not living up to my […]