Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling (Unraveling #1)

by Elizabeth Norris

Published: April 24, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Hardcover, 445 pages

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

4 Stars!

Review:

The science factor in this book was not overwhelming. I like science, but I am by no means a science junkie, so if a novel gets all science science on me I will probably tune out... BUT with just the right amount of science it is amazing! Also the science-fiction was believable. I've read novels where the science-fiction was sooo not believable (Lol, I know what great word choice I have.) But that is not what I like in my fiction novels. For me the fiction needs to be believable, so that I could actually imagine the things the fiction novel talks about. In fact the science behind the parallel universes was really cool! Also their gadgets were so cool!

Janelle got hit by a car. So I guessing car accidents are the lastest rage in YA? Seriously I have read sooo many YA novels that start with "A car accident that changed my life." I'm not mocking the car accidents, but there is only so many a person can take. Ok back to Janelle. So she got hit by a car and Ben (a loser-stoner guy at her high school) brought her back to life! Can I get a whhatt?! 

Ben tells Janelle that she never died and he didn't bring her back to life.... worst lie ever! Tip for people who can heal others: If you bring someone back to life, they WILL know! Eventually Ben did tell Janelle the whole truth, but there's actually more to Ben and him just healing people. Yes, Ben is an alien. Joking! Ben is different though. He comes from a parallel dimension and for the past five years, he and his friends have been trying to get back home. Ben was a nice guy. He had morals and was not as messed up as you would expect from someone who was ripped from his family at the young age of 10. Granted he was still pretty upset and angry, but he didn't go into drugs like his friend did. Although Ben was labeled as a stoner at school, I don't believe he actually was a stoner.

Janelle, I don't think her name fits her character, but I freaking love her! The sarcasm of this girl was too funny! "The Bureau tends to attract overgrown kids who love their gadgets" (98). "You do realize that the FBI isn't actually a drunk shuttle service, right?" (98). Janelle tends to judge people by appearances, but we know that appearances are deceiving. She judge Ben, but later she finds out that she and Ben have a lot in common! Janelle has a lot of responsibility on her plate, her mom is bipolar and has a lot of episodes, her dad is always absent, taking care of her younger brother, and losing her best friend. I don't know how she does it, but she does. And Alex helps Janelle out so much! (Alex is the other best friend of Janelle, ahh me and my YA best friend obsession! But seriously YA novel best friends are usually the best!) Janelle is such a fierce and strong character! Yay go girl power! Janelle's dad works for the government and that is how she stumbled upon a top secret file about random people dying and being the curious person she is...(and that's how the journey begins...)

The whole plot of this book intrigued me. The back of the book summary was eh, not too exciting, but the actual book was amazing! OMG such plot twists in this novel! I was not expecting any of those plot twists at alll. Ahhhh I NEEEED the sequel book!! Like NOW!! AHHH. Waiting is not one of my virtues. 

Read/ buy the book to find out more: Amazon / B&N / TBD