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michalice's review
5.0
I am super excited to be reading this book. I absolutely loved Unravelling last year and I have been counting down to the release of Unbreakable what feels like forever.
Unbreakable picks up after the events of Unravelling, Janelle has saved the world but not without losses. She has lost family and friends, thousands of people are dead and the entire planet has been destroyed. Houses, shops, roads, and people....gone. The devastation has swept across the world with tornadoes, tsunamis, wildfires, all life is suffering and to make matters worse people are still disappearing each and every day. Janelle has been one of the few lucky ones, she is in a small military house with her brother and Agent Struz. She also helps at biggest evacuation centre in San Diego, Qualcomm, an abandoned stadium that was run by Cecily's uncle. She has a home, a family, clean water and food. Her life that she now knows is soon to come to a halt when Taylor Barclay turns up to enlist Janelle's help in finding out what is happening to the people who are disappearing. He wants Janelle to go to Prima and free Elijah from jail in the hopes they can find Ben, who is suspect number 1 on the IA's list.
It took me a few days to read Unbreakable, and that was a few days too long. With work and training it was hard for me to sit and read this book in one sitting, so when I finally had a few hours spare I found a nice comfy spot and did not move until I had finished Unbreakable. From the moment I began reading I was hooked, and as the story progresses the world and plot build up slow and steady, making sure you understand everything going on, and what is going to happen. The tension is high, the stakes are even higher, and even though I wanted Janelle to win, to find Ben and clear his name, there was still doubt in my mind about whether she could do it. Don't get me wrong, Janelle is a kick ass heroine that I would want on my side any day, but with the stakes and risk factor being so high and so many hoops to jump through I was never certain of their success rate, and it just made me want to read faster and faster to see what happens, will she find Ben? Will his name be cleared? Will they stop the kidnappings?
Even getting down to finding Ben takes a while, 265 pages to be exact, but by keeping him in the distance we get to focus on Janelle and her capabilities. She is strong and tough, and although she has doubts about the plan, about what she is able to do, and the occasional second guessing of Barclay, she still forges ahead, determined to save others even if it means sacrificing herself, even if Ben is a traitor.
Elizabeth has a way of drawing her readers in and making them feel part of the world, that the characters are friends you are truly invested in. Each risk that brings them closer to death brings you closer to the edge of your seat, and just when you think they are safe something else comes along that takes you back to the edge again. Her characters stay in you head even after the adventure is over, replaying things they did or things they said to each other.
Unbreakable is not without its losses, but it also has its gains, which I am not going to go into detail about. I loved getting to see characters that we know in their different 'bodies' on alternate worlds, seeing how they differ from the 'real' one we know, both in personality and dress sense. The last chapters were bitter-sweet for Janelle, but I thought it was perfect touch and a great link back to Unravelling (I know this sounds confusing but you will understand when you read Unbreakable)
Unbreakable ended far too soon for me, even though it was over 400 pages long, and I was ecstatic to discover there would be another adventure next year for these characters. I am already counting down to the next instalment.
Unbreakable picks up after the events of Unravelling, Janelle has saved the world but not without losses. She has lost family and friends, thousands of people are dead and the entire planet has been destroyed. Houses, shops, roads, and people....gone. The devastation has swept across the world with tornadoes, tsunamis, wildfires, all life is suffering and to make matters worse people are still disappearing each and every day. Janelle has been one of the few lucky ones, she is in a small military house with her brother and Agent Struz. She also helps at biggest evacuation centre in San Diego, Qualcomm, an abandoned stadium that was run by Cecily's uncle. She has a home, a family, clean water and food. Her life that she now knows is soon to come to a halt when Taylor Barclay turns up to enlist Janelle's help in finding out what is happening to the people who are disappearing. He wants Janelle to go to Prima and free Elijah from jail in the hopes they can find Ben, who is suspect number 1 on the IA's list.
It took me a few days to read Unbreakable, and that was a few days too long. With work and training it was hard for me to sit and read this book in one sitting, so when I finally had a few hours spare I found a nice comfy spot and did not move until I had finished Unbreakable. From the moment I began reading I was hooked, and as the story progresses the world and plot build up slow and steady, making sure you understand everything going on, and what is going to happen. The tension is high, the stakes are even higher, and even though I wanted Janelle to win, to find Ben and clear his name, there was still doubt in my mind about whether she could do it. Don't get me wrong, Janelle is a kick ass heroine that I would want on my side any day, but with the stakes and risk factor being so high and so many hoops to jump through I was never certain of their success rate, and it just made me want to read faster and faster to see what happens, will she find Ben? Will his name be cleared? Will they stop the kidnappings?
Even getting down to finding Ben takes a while, 265 pages to be exact, but by keeping him in the distance we get to focus on Janelle and her capabilities. She is strong and tough, and although she has doubts about the plan, about what she is able to do, and the occasional second guessing of Barclay, she still forges ahead, determined to save others even if it means sacrificing herself, even if Ben is a traitor.
Elizabeth has a way of drawing her readers in and making them feel part of the world, that the characters are friends you are truly invested in. Each risk that brings them closer to death brings you closer to the edge of your seat, and just when you think they are safe something else comes along that takes you back to the edge again. Her characters stay in you head even after the adventure is over, replaying things they did or things they said to each other.
I look up, my nose brushing against his cheek. "Remember when the world was ending?" I whisper.
He nods.
"We didn't say good-bye or make promises then, and we're not going to now."
Unbreakable is not without its losses, but it also has its gains, which I am not going to go into detail about. I loved getting to see characters that we know in their different 'bodies' on alternate worlds, seeing how they differ from the 'real' one we know, both in personality and dress sense. The last chapters were bitter-sweet for Janelle, but I thought it was perfect touch and a great link back to Unravelling (I know this sounds confusing but you will understand when you read Unbreakable)
Unbreakable ended far too soon for me, even though it was over 400 pages long, and I was ecstatic to discover there would be another adventure next year for these characters. I am already counting down to the next instalment.
zippy_julz's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great follow up book to Unravelling. Too many people die in these books but really enjoyed them anyway.
postitsandpens's review against another edition
4.0
NOTE: Please keep in mind that this review contains necessary spoilers for Unraveling, the first book in this series. As much as I tried to write this without spoiling the first book, it became apparent that doing so is practically impossible. Nothing I mention will be worse than what's already in the summary for this book, but I just wanted to mention it all the same!
Unbreakable picks up four months after the events of Unraveling. Janelle's world is a mess, Ben has gone back to his own world, and Janelle is still reeling in the aftermath of everything that happened to her and those she loves. Pretty quickly into Unbreakable, though, a new problem arises in the form of Interverse Agent Taylor Barclay, who comes to Janelle with some pretty devastating news: Ben is in some serious trouble, and Barclay needs Janelle's help to try to figure out who's actually responsible for the situation. Not only that, but one of Janelle's friends has gone missing, and Barclay is pretty sure that her disappearance ties into the whole mess with Ben.
What I loved the most about this book is the fact that Janelle is incredibly strong and stubborn. She's determined to help where necessary, and while she misses Ben, she doesn't allow her sadness to overwhelm her. There is just something very satisfying about reading a book from the point of view of an extremely well-written, well-crafted main character, and it's Janelle's strong narration that really helps pull the reader into the story. I also adored Barclay and Janelle's relationship. He's tough and arrogant, but he really brought out the best in her, and made her believe in herself and attempt things she otherwise would not have. I couldn't believe the situations he put her in, and the way she flourished and did what needed to be done. It was just a very satisfying partnership, for lack of a better word, and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
I am the first to admit that I did not like Barclay at all in Unraveling. And yet, I found myself swooning rather horribly over him in this book. I don't necessarily subscribe to the tough love approach, and that's basically what he was doing with Janelle in Unbreakable. But at the same time, he was also soft with her when necessary. For a guy who's exceedingly arrogant - with good reason, mind - he seemed to know when to give a little and just provide the support she needed. I also loved that we got some background on him, because it really helped put his character in perspective. He was a fascinating character, one who was tough, stubborn and bad-ass when required, but also willing to provide a shoulder for her to lean on. The way they interacted with each other was amazingly well-written, with quick quips, fiery comebacks and sharp retorts, but also gentle admonishments and easy humor. I just came away from this book really loving him a whole lot, to the point where he actually out-shined Ben, which I wouldn't have thought was possible, considering how much I loved him in the first book. But Barclay was just really amazing. ♥
Unbreakable has the same quick pace and breakneck action of Unraveling, but in some ways, the stakes in this book are even higher. There's a lot of danger and intrigue, and quite a lot of darkness; some of the things Janelle does had me flinching and trying to read through my fingers, but it was all extremely realistic and well-written. The book is achy in several places, and deals with some tough subjects, but Elizabeth Norris handled them all with a deft writing style that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. I was extremely satisfied with the way Janelle and Ben's journey ended, and can easily recommend this series to pretty much everyone.
***
To see more of my reviews, please visit me @ Read and Reviewed!
Unbreakable picks up four months after the events of Unraveling. Janelle's world is a mess, Ben has gone back to his own world, and Janelle is still reeling in the aftermath of everything that happened to her and those she loves. Pretty quickly into Unbreakable, though, a new problem arises in the form of Interverse Agent Taylor Barclay, who comes to Janelle with some pretty devastating news: Ben is in some serious trouble, and Barclay needs Janelle's help to try to figure out who's actually responsible for the situation. Not only that, but one of Janelle's friends has gone missing, and Barclay is pretty sure that her disappearance ties into the whole mess with Ben.
"I'm trying to compliment you," Barclay says. "Can't you just say thanks?"
What I loved the most about this book is the fact that Janelle is incredibly strong and stubborn. She's determined to help where necessary, and while she misses Ben, she doesn't allow her sadness to overwhelm her. There is just something very satisfying about reading a book from the point of view of an extremely well-written, well-crafted main character, and it's Janelle's strong narration that really helps pull the reader into the story. I also adored Barclay and Janelle's relationship. He's tough and arrogant, but he really brought out the best in her, and made her believe in herself and attempt things she otherwise would not have. I couldn't believe the situations he put her in, and the way she flourished and did what needed to be done. It was just a very satisfying partnership, for lack of a better word, and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
"That's how I am where I am, baby."
Oh yeah, the smugness is back and it's bad.
I am the first to admit that I did not like Barclay at all in Unraveling. And yet, I found myself swooning rather horribly over him in this book. I don't necessarily subscribe to the tough love approach, and that's basically what he was doing with Janelle in Unbreakable. But at the same time, he was also soft with her when necessary. For a guy who's exceedingly arrogant - with good reason, mind - he seemed to know when to give a little and just provide the support she needed. I also loved that we got some background on him, because it really helped put his character in perspective. He was a fascinating character, one who was tough, stubborn and bad-ass when required, but also willing to provide a shoulder for her to lean on. The way they interacted with each other was amazingly well-written, with quick quips, fiery comebacks and sharp retorts, but also gentle admonishments and easy humor. I just came away from this book really loving him a whole lot, to the point where he actually out-shined Ben, which I wouldn't have thought was possible, considering how much I loved him in the first book. But Barclay was just really amazing. ♥
Unbreakable has the same quick pace and breakneck action of Unraveling, but in some ways, the stakes in this book are even higher. There's a lot of danger and intrigue, and quite a lot of darkness; some of the things Janelle does had me flinching and trying to read through my fingers, but it was all extremely realistic and well-written. The book is achy in several places, and deals with some tough subjects, but Elizabeth Norris handled them all with a deft writing style that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. I was extremely satisfied with the way Janelle and Ben's journey ended, and can easily recommend this series to pretty much everyone.
***
To see more of my reviews, please visit me @ Read and Reviewed!
amibunk's review against another edition
The first book was exciting and well written from the get go. This book just doesn't feel the same- it actually depresses me every time I try to read it. Since life is too short to finish books you don't want to, I'm putting this one aside. The first book will always have a place on my shelves, but I'm going to imagine my own sequel.
pixelski's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed emotions. On one hand, what a ride - it really picked up 1/3 of the way through. On the other hand, mopey Janelle constantly drowning in self-pity about Ben drove me up the wall. I guess the ending was ok. Barclay though, what a star.
ravencourt23's review against another edition
4.0
It was really frustrating that Ben wasn't in half of the book,and also frustrating that parts of Elijah's story of what happened between the first and second book didn't match the novella, Undone. I like that Barclay was a bigger part in it, but the first book was much better.
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Elizabeth Norris' sophomore novel may just be better than her debut and I wasn't sure that was possible. Unbreakable takes readers right back into the action and suspense of Unraveling. This is one book you won't be able to put down.
Unbreakable starts off four months after the ending of Unraveling and things have changed quite a bit. Ben's gone, the world has pretty much collapsed, and, oh yeah, a bunch of people have just started to randomly go missing. Almost like they're disappearing off the face of the earth. It's up to Janelle, of course, to find out what's going on. As if that's not enough to deal with, she has to do it in five days. Or else.
Things have definitely changed in this sequel to Unraveling but it still packs the same punch as the first book! In fact, I found this one a bit more thrilling than the first. The stakes were very high and I found myself on the edge of my seat, never knowing what might happen next. Also, the countdown clock at the beginning of each chapter really added to the suspense. This book really was almost impossible for me to put down.
The same characters from the first book are back and they are just as awesome as I remember. Janelle is possibly even more bad-ass than she was in the first book. Her life may be at stake but she's not as worried about that as she is about everyone else who could get hurt. She always puts others first and I love that about her. I also love that she's the one out to save her guy, not the other way around. It's really refreshing to read about a girl who can not only save herself but save everyone else too! Taylor Barclay is also back and I really love him. Readers get to see a different side to Barclay in Unbreakable and it's so hard not to fall totally in love with him. Then, of course, there's Ben. If you aren't already in love with him from the first book I think there might be something wrong with you. Just saying.
I also have to warn you guys: you might want some tissues handy while reading this one. At first things seem fine but when the stakes are as high as they were in Unbreakable, you kind of know something bad is going to happen. I admit that I did predict what was going to happen but I still wasn't prepared for it and I teared up a little bit. Just thought I should give you guys fair warning.
Overall, Unbreakable is one of the best sophomore novels I've ever read. I'm always a bit skeptical, especially when it's a sequel, but there really is no need with Unbreakable. Read this on as soon as possible!
Unbreakable starts off four months after the ending of Unraveling and things have changed quite a bit. Ben's gone, the world has pretty much collapsed, and, oh yeah, a bunch of people have just started to randomly go missing. Almost like they're disappearing off the face of the earth. It's up to Janelle, of course, to find out what's going on. As if that's not enough to deal with, she has to do it in five days. Or else.
Things have definitely changed in this sequel to Unraveling but it still packs the same punch as the first book! In fact, I found this one a bit more thrilling than the first. The stakes were very high and I found myself on the edge of my seat, never knowing what might happen next. Also, the countdown clock at the beginning of each chapter really added to the suspense. This book really was almost impossible for me to put down.
The same characters from the first book are back and they are just as awesome as I remember. Janelle is possibly even more bad-ass than she was in the first book. Her life may be at stake but she's not as worried about that as she is about everyone else who could get hurt. She always puts others first and I love that about her. I also love that she's the one out to save her guy, not the other way around. It's really refreshing to read about a girl who can not only save herself but save everyone else too! Taylor Barclay is also back and I really love him. Readers get to see a different side to Barclay in Unbreakable and it's so hard not to fall totally in love with him. Then, of course, there's Ben. If you aren't already in love with him from the first book I think there might be something wrong with you. Just saying.
I also have to warn you guys: you might want some tissues handy while reading this one. At first things seem fine but when the stakes are as high as they were in Unbreakable, you kind of know something bad is going to happen. I admit that I did predict what was going to happen but I still wasn't prepared for it and I teared up a little bit. Just thought I should give you guys fair warning.
Overall, Unbreakable is one of the best sophomore novels I've ever read. I'm always a bit skeptical, especially when it's a sequel, but there really is no need with Unbreakable. Read this on as soon as possible!
xvicesx's review against another edition
3.0
Am I the only one who was left wondering "where's the happy ending"? The end itself frustrated me to no end because that guy was a good guy and he deserved better!
Overall, a decent second installment, though.
Overall, a decent second installment, though.
kenna92005's review against another edition
3.0
If I could give half stars I would rate this 3.5. Unbreakable was much better than Unraveling. It was way more action packed and I felt like Janelle really grew.
In the beginning I was very annoyed at the main character. Without giving too much away if you haven’t read the first book, she kept saying she accomplished so much/saved so many. I tried thinking back to that first book and I really didn’t feel like she contributed much at all.
However, she definitely stepped it up in Unbreakable. She was tough, determined, and quick to think. I definitely appreciated her more towards the end of the book.
About the romantic relationship in this story. I was never really sold on the Ben and Janelle ship. I felt there just wasn’t very much chemistry or backstory to it. They literally went on one date and they were never friends before, but suddenly she is so in love with the guy. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Ben’s character. I just didn’t like the instant love between them. I also had issues with this in Unbreakable.
To be honest, I was kind of hoping for a Barclay and Janelle romance. He challenged her to step it up and be better.
Long review short: Unbreakable was much better than the first book. It took me a little while to really be invested in it, but I’m glad I finished the story out.
In the beginning I was very annoyed at the main character. Without giving too much away if you haven’t read the first book, she kept saying she accomplished so much/saved so many. I tried thinking back to that first book and I really didn’t feel like she contributed much at all.
However, she definitely stepped it up in Unbreakable. She was tough, determined, and quick to think. I definitely appreciated her more towards the end of the book.
About the romantic relationship in this story. I was never really sold on the Ben and Janelle ship. I felt there just wasn’t very much chemistry or backstory to it. They literally went on one date and they were never friends before, but suddenly she is so in love with the guy. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Ben’s character. I just didn’t like the instant love between them. I also had issues with this in Unbreakable.
To be honest, I was kind of hoping for a Barclay and Janelle romance. He challenged her to step it up and be better.
Long review short: Unbreakable was much better than the first book. It took me a little while to really be invested in it, but I’m glad I finished the story out.