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witchy_book_babe's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 star read for me. Wow, Juniper Unraveling came in hitting hard. This story is one that is going to stick with me for a long, long time. It was utterly heart breaking, multiple times. Keri truly knows how to write such an immersive tale. This is one of those books, where going in with as little information as possible, truly will boost your reading experience and make it that much more fun.
So, to preserve anyone's reading experience that is debating on whether or not to pick up this book, know this. Keri does not hold back. This world is not for the faint of heart. It is as close to reality (if in fact, this situation happened to occur) that the scenarios and scenes in here will hurt to your core. This book is a dark colored Dystopian, where the actions of Humans are of a cruel nature and nightmares become a constant for the innocent. Mercy will not be found in this book. But, with that being said...the tragic beauty of this story is so unlike anything I've read before. The mysteries, rush of anxiety, and strength of humanity intertwined in this story had me chasing each page, eager to learn what was going to happen next.
So, to preserve anyone's reading experience that is debating on whether or not to pick up this book, know this. Keri does not hold back. This world is not for the faint of heart. It is as close to reality (if in fact, this situation happened to occur) that the scenarios and scenes in here will hurt to your core. This book is a dark colored Dystopian, where the actions of Humans are of a cruel nature and nightmares become a constant for the innocent. Mercy will not be found in this book. But, with that being said...the tragic beauty of this story is so unlike anything I've read before. The mysteries, rush of anxiety, and strength of humanity intertwined in this story had me chasing each page, eager to learn what was going to happen next.
drymming's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the world this was set in. However, the romance was not for me. The insta love doesn't cut it and the fact that "six" wasn't really mute and had a complete shift in personality was really revolting. I had no connection to the characters, however the setting and the plot twists kept me going.
cala_p's review against another edition
5.0
This book went from 3 stars to 5 stars within one chapter! The first half of the book is told in two perspectives, about three main characters. Both with VERY different tales about life in this new dystopian world. One is a female masking as a male so she isn’t killed while she works in a lab in a place with the most powerful and smartest working on people’s genetics to look for cures and create super humans to battle against the new world and the “ragers” (zombies). The other character is hidden away with her father up in a cabin, just living day by day. She finds a mute boy and after a while, they fall for each other.
I spent the entire first half of the novel trying to piece together these two characters, and two lives. Seeing how the connect. The synopsis gives nothing away. I was getting frustrated at the randomness of it all. Hints start to be dropped later on but nothing concrete. Reviews were saying how they love the alpha romance stuff and I was thinking that I had a different book entirely because this is very YA dystopia. And THEN the book makes sense! A giant light bulb goes off while reading.
I had immense respect for the author and her writing here. The fact that I was lost, but intrigued by both girls and their lives at the same time…sad for both of them... Is a great point in the author’s favor. THAT what I just explained is good writing. She kept me hooked on the story but then threw a twist at me. I had to step back from my reader here and really think about the OMG part that I just read. Not only is it good writing; it’s unique. Not many authors would pull something like this and I appreciate her for doing it.
This leads into the second half of the book. You have a new respect for Wren and all she’s been through, but more so, you get more of Six here. WOW…do you ever get more of Six here… Now I see why people commented on the alpha hot sex. It does indeed exist in this book and it’s written in a way that just makes you want more and more. The two characters together just warms my heart. I really enjoyed Six. While I was reading I kept going back to him. In the first half, he’s a protective sweetheart. And in the second half he’s alpha protective but equally as sweet, in his own way. I couldn’t wait to see where this book took their lives.
The overall plot is very dystopia. I enjoyed it through. Little bit of zombies, little bit of science fiction lab stuff, mixed with family, romance, and death. There’s something for everyone in this book. Even age; it goes from YA to NA in a page. I feel like I could say so much about this book, but it just won’t do it justice.
I want to thank the author and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this. I took a chance on it and am not sorry. I will definitely read this book again and will be checking out the author’s other books.
I spent the entire first half of the novel trying to piece together these two characters, and two lives. Seeing how the connect. The synopsis gives nothing away. I was getting frustrated at the randomness of it all. Hints start to be dropped later on but nothing concrete. Reviews were saying how they love the alpha romance stuff and I was thinking that I had a different book entirely because this is very YA dystopia. And THEN the book makes sense! A giant light bulb goes off while reading.
I had immense respect for the author and her writing here. The fact that I was lost, but intrigued by both girls and their lives at the same time…sad for both of them... Is a great point in the author’s favor. THAT what I just explained is good writing. She kept me hooked on the story but then threw a twist at me. I had to step back from my reader here and really think about the OMG part that I just read. Not only is it good writing; it’s unique. Not many authors would pull something like this and I appreciate her for doing it.
This leads into the second half of the book. You have a new respect for Wren and all she’s been through, but more so, you get more of Six here. WOW…do you ever get more of Six here… Now I see why people commented on the alpha hot sex. It does indeed exist in this book and it’s written in a way that just makes you want more and more. The two characters together just warms my heart. I really enjoyed Six. While I was reading I kept going back to him. In the first half, he’s a protective sweetheart. And in the second half he’s alpha protective but equally as sweet, in his own way. I couldn’t wait to see where this book took their lives.
The overall plot is very dystopia. I enjoyed it through. Little bit of zombies, little bit of science fiction lab stuff, mixed with family, romance, and death. There’s something for everyone in this book. Even age; it goes from YA to NA in a page. I feel like I could say so much about this book, but it just won’t do it justice.
I want to thank the author and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this. I took a chance on it and am not sorry. I will definitely read this book again and will be checking out the author’s other books.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
4.0
Hmm, how to describe this book. 4.5 stars. It was well written and dark. I almost stopped since I wasn't in a good place emotionally to handle this. But I am so glad I kept going!
It brought back to my memory some really dark apocalypse stories like "Fallocaust" by Quil Carter. Now THERE is some dark shit. I couldn't finish that. Also it brought to mind the "Monstrous" series by Lily Mayne. Dark but glimpses of love.
This was dark and horrifying since " there is no monster more terrifying than the human being who lacks compassion."
Good twist in the story there, between characters, who is Dani? Papa? Wren? Six and Rhys? I knew who Rhys was right away but sat up reading late until Wren figured it out! I wished Six had been more obvious to Wren as to who he was, but I guess he figured it was better to believe that the sweet boy she had loved was gone. What he didn't realize was that the sweet girl he loved was not who she seemed to be. Nor Papa.
The introspection was spot on:
"I’ve also come to realize that pain doesn’t strike at once, as one might think. It’s organic. From the moment you fall in love with someone, your pain begins."
Wren and Six are separated for 8 years and both are changed, hardened from their experiences. But the love that was their foundation stayed strong:
“What’s to keep you from punching your fist into my chest and ripping out my heart?”
He shakes his head and rubs his thumb across his palm.
“Because it isn’t your heart, anymore, Wren. It’s mine. You’re my life. If you die, I die.”
Sigh.
The ending didn't really make strong sense, trying to trade a cure for freedom. Wren should have know better, there IS no negotiating with evil. It just needs to die.
Looking forward to the next book!
It brought back to my memory some really dark apocalypse stories like "Fallocaust" by Quil Carter. Now THERE is some dark shit. I couldn't finish that. Also it brought to mind the "Monstrous" series by Lily Mayne. Dark but glimpses of love.
This was dark and horrifying since " there is no monster more terrifying than the human being who lacks compassion."
Good twist in the story there, between characters, who is Dani? Papa? Wren? Six and Rhys? I knew who Rhys was right away but sat up reading late until Wren figured it out! I wished Six had been more obvious to Wren as to who he was, but I guess he figured it was better to believe that the sweet boy she had loved was gone. What he didn't realize was that the sweet girl he loved was not who she seemed to be. Nor Papa.
The introspection was spot on:
"I’ve also come to realize that pain doesn’t strike at once, as one might think. It’s organic. From the moment you fall in love with someone, your pain begins."
Wren and Six are separated for 8 years and both are changed, hardened from their experiences. But the love that was their foundation stayed strong:
“What’s to keep you from punching your fist into my chest and ripping out my heart?”
He shakes his head and rubs his thumb across his palm.
“Because it isn’t your heart, anymore, Wren. It’s mine. You’re my life. If you die, I die.”
Sigh.
The ending didn't really make strong sense, trying to trade a cure for freedom. Wren should have know better, there IS no negotiating with evil. It just needs to die.
Looking forward to the next book!
nightstalker's review against another edition
5.0
Keri Lake has officially become my favorite author. She not only got me into reading as an adult with the "Nightshade" series but also pulled me out of a nasty reading slump with "Juniper Unraveling". Her storytelling is incredibly captivating—I'm usually a slow starter with books, but Keri's writing grabs me right from the start. Even when tackling dark and uncomfortable themes, her prose remains stunningly beautiful, which is one of my favorite parts about her books.
Her characters are another gem. The depth of emotion she brings to them makes it feel like I'm right there with them, experiencing every moment. I adore how well she portrays these very dark, deep, and raw emotions. I find myself cherishing every word, not wanting the books to end.
And let's talk about the world-building—it's phenomenal. It effortlessly draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. If I'm being honest, I wasn't sure if I would even enjoy reading about a post-apocalyptic world, but now I am certain that Keri is excellent and could make any kind of world she chooses extremely enticing.
While I'm sad to leave behind the characters from this book as the series continues, I'm certain that the other books will be just as, if not more, enjoyable.
Thank you, Keri, for this unforgettable journey of pain and epic romance. This book will stay with me for a long time! I can already see myself re-reading all of her books, as nothing scratches that itch as well as she does.
Her characters are another gem. The depth of emotion she brings to them makes it feel like I'm right there with them, experiencing every moment. I adore how well she portrays these very dark, deep, and raw emotions. I find myself cherishing every word, not wanting the books to end.
And let's talk about the world-building—it's phenomenal. It effortlessly draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. If I'm being honest, I wasn't sure if I would even enjoy reading about a post-apocalyptic world, but now I am certain that Keri is excellent and could make any kind of world she chooses extremely enticing.
While I'm sad to leave behind the characters from this book as the series continues, I'm certain that the other books will be just as, if not more, enjoyable.
Thank you, Keri, for this unforgettable journey of pain and epic romance. This book will stay with me for a long time! I can already see myself re-reading all of her books, as nothing scratches that itch as well as she does.
alina_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
What an epic love story - wow! Very dark themes. I saw all twists coming at the beginning but I didn’t mind at all - didn’t want this book to end. The writing and world building was immaculate.
berlinish's review against another edition
3.0
DNF. This was my second Keri Lake read, and I'm just going to throw it out there - her books definitely come with Trigger Warnings. Do your research before you read. I read Master of Salt & Bones previously and enjoyed that book, and so I came to Juniper Unraveling. I like the concept of this book and it started out even with a warning from the author herself. I may return to this book at some point, which is why I gave it 3 stars. I just found myself in an odd place where I could only read at night, and the themes and imagery in this book made that difficult to do and sleep comfortably after.
atrailofpages's review against another edition
3.0
Wow was this story DARK. I will admit I’m not a fan of apocalyptic stories, but I’ve been in a dark romance kick and wanted to give this one a shot after reading Master of Salt and Bones.
This book has two POVs, following two girls, Dani and Wren. Dani is taken by soldiers disguised as a boy in order to survive and is taken to this basically like a science camp where they do experiments on boys trying to find the cure of the disease that was unleashed on the world, at least that’s what they want us to think that’s going on. Dani becomes the assistant of a scientist there, and let’s just say she learns a lot there and all she wants to do is save her brother little Abel. The other POV follows Wren who lives with her father in a safe community away from the Ragers who meets a boy from outside the wall who is mute and she calls Six. As she gets to know him, she slowly begins to learn about him, what he has gone through, and more about her father.
The way this story came together was very well done. I had my suspicions from the beginning and I did figure it out, but it was so well done. The story about these two girls and Six is utterly heart wrenching and just awful. I mean the positions they’re in learning how to survive no matter what, especially if it means saving those you love and care about. It was just sad, dark, and emotional.
The romance was very cute, and I loved the family aspect in this book too. It was a very dark book, and so I had to take a break for a bit and read something else after, but I will say if you love dark romances and apocalyptic stories, then you’ll love this one!
This book has two POVs, following two girls, Dani and Wren. Dani is taken by soldiers disguised as a boy in order to survive and is taken to this basically like a science camp where they do experiments on boys trying to find the cure of the disease that was unleashed on the world, at least that’s what they want us to think that’s going on. Dani becomes the assistant of a scientist there, and let’s just say she learns a lot there and all she wants to do is save her brother little Abel. The other POV follows Wren who lives with her father in a safe community away from the Ragers who meets a boy from outside the wall who is mute and she calls Six. As she gets to know him, she slowly begins to learn about him, what he has gone through, and more about her father.
The way this story came together was very well done. I had my suspicions from the beginning and I did figure it out, but it was so well done. The story about these two girls and Six is utterly heart wrenching and just awful. I mean the positions they’re in learning how to survive no matter what, especially if it means saving those you love and care about. It was just sad, dark, and emotional.
The romance was very cute, and I loved the family aspect in this book too. It was a very dark book, and so I had to take a break for a bit and read something else after, but I will say if you love dark romances and apocalyptic stories, then you’ll love this one!
maria_1124's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0