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crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
2.0
Janelle Tenner has your typical teenaged life: FBI father who overworks, alcoholic, manic depressed mother, little brother (a mere 13) that Janelle has to take care of, a nerdy best friend, an evil former friend (of course female) that may or may not have helped get Janelle sexually assaulted. But being hit by a truck, dying, and being revived by stoner, Ben Michaels, changes that. What happened to her? And does it have anything to do with this countdown timer her father discovered?
NOTE: I received this through the Amazon Vine program.
I love to read. I've been reading pretty steadily since I was in second grade, with a brief time where I didn't (that conveniently corresponded to those good 'ol college days). There is nothing quite as wonderful as getting carried away in a new world, populated with vivid characters, being whisked into a new adventure. Were it not for my love of reading, I would never have gotten addicted to my second love: reviewing.
I try to go into the books I read with a positive attitude. That I am going to learn something new, go on a new adventure, meet new best friends. I try to keep my expectations manageable--not too high, but not too low either.
But every so often I meet up with a book that isn't going to be my friend. As I continue to read, I realize we don't have a lot in common. The characters pretend to be book nerdy, but they are hardly shown reading. Characters act in ways that I cannot relate to or act WAY more stupidly than I think they would given their privileged occupation. The plot disappears as the Love Interest ducks his hand under the Main Character's vintage t-shirt. And basic science principles, that could be researched on Google in two seconds, aren't even acknowledged.
Unfortunately, "Unraveling" and I aren't going to be best of friends. We just don't have enough in common.
You see, I can take a main character I don't like. Scarlett O'Hara, from Gone with the Wind, is a woman I would have liked to slap on several occasions; but never once was I not completely and wholeheartedly involved in her story. Janelle Tenner is not Scarlett O'Hara. I wouldn't be surprised if Janelle didn't even know who Scarlett O'Hara was or if she did know, she didn't like the movie.
Janelle and I weren't that way in the beginning of our relationship. In the beginning, I admired her strength and appreciated her responsibility to her family. But as the book progressed, I began to see that maybe I had read Janelle wrong. Maybe she wasn't a strong independent woman, but a self-pitying martyr. Maybe she wasn't a bookworm, but someone that likes to name drop big books ("Ender's Game", "The Great Gatsby") because, hey, why not? Maybe she wasn't smart and nerdy, but a poser--someone who repetitively gloats about how smart they are, but when it comes to showing it, they end up saying things like "The Earth is flat" or "2+2=5". (Or they say things like "Travel through wormholes is impossible-it violates every natural law of physics." No, sweetheart, it doesn't.) Maybe she isn't really a brainiac, but someone that takes advanced classes they apparently don't like (Physics) to show off.
I didn't care for all the trauma in Janelle's life. The absentee father. The alcoholic mother. No grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins to help her out. The senseless sexual assault scene that does nothing but pad out the novel (it's VERY insulting how Janelle has coped with her sexual assault). Isn't this novel supposed to be about the mysterious Love Interest, Ben Michaels, and the creepy countdown clock? What about her near-death? Isn't that enough trauma for the poor girl? Do we have to touch on every other problem that a teenaged girl might have? Let's give Janelle an eating disorder and shoplifting problem as well!!
I appreciated Janelle's curiosity--but she breaks the laws. Several times. Snooping through her Dad's FBI case files. Stealing his laptop and case files. Copying those files and distributing to her BFF, Alex. Busting onto crime scenes. Handling a gun without a license. STEALING said gun. Hacking into her father's laptop. These are serious crimes. This isn't stealing a pack of gum at 7-11. This is messing with the FBI. I don't care if your father is an agent--you shouldn't be snooping and he shouldn't be letting you. Plus, (and this is something that Janelle brings up and then promptly drops several times), you are a teenager; how can you possibly compare to trained FBI agents?
It was a shame to see how few good, female friends and influences Janelle had. Her best friend, Kate, gave her a roofie laced beer, and now the two teens won't talk. When Kate tries to apologize, it is Janelle who behaves rudely and holier-than-thou--mocking Kate's money (which makes it seem that Janelle is nothing more than a jealous little girl). Cecily's role seems to be to giggle over the cute couple, Janelle and Ben. Nick's ex-girlfriend is cast as a stereotypical Mean Girl. As for adult females, the results are even more dire. Janelle's mother was, as said before, an alcoholic and a manic depressant, a woman so drowned in her own problems, she can't even begin to help Janelle with hers. Deidre, a coworker of Janelle's father, appears very little and isn't a person Janelle confides in. Same with Poblete, Janelle's English teacher. Same with Alex's tyrant mother.
Although men were portrayed in a "better" light, that didn't necessarily mean they were better characters. Janelle's father might not have been portrayed as a jerk, but neglecting his daughter and son is a jerk move. Not doing something about Janelle's mother--another jerk move. It's very hard for me to like a guy that appears, only to act like an idiot (using his daughter's birthday as a code on a safe--sure, I'd believe an esteemed FBI agent would do that!) and drop information so his daughter can steal it and try to "solve the case". And I'm still scratching my head over the incongruity of all the wonderful memories Janelle has of her father and his workaholic tendencies. When did they have time for all the fond memories Janelle has of them? Strutz is a goofy idiot who will let a 16 year old teenager steal a gun and just tell her to "Be safe". Barclay is a stereotypical baddie (though I was impressed at how he changed in the end). Alex is, as I said before, stereotypical Asian nerd.
The two characters I was impressed with were Nick and Ben. For once, our female MC has had experience on the dating scene when she meets her Love Interest. In fact, Janelle is psuedo-dating Nick when she meets Ben. And Nick isn't a bad guy. He is nice and polite when alone with Janelle, but when he is out partying, he becomes reckless and juvenile. And Janelle never decides she "hates" Nick in favor of Ben; she just doesn't think she and Nick mesh. As for Ben, he is pretty darned interesting. I can't tell half of what I find interesting about him, as it occurs in the latter half of the book and is VERY spoilerish, but I will say that he was a good Love Interest and not some abusive dork.
While Janelle and I may not be friends, I can recognize she had good chemistry with Ben. There are quite a few scenes that were very sweet between the two. And while their romance was fairly quick, I did feel like it wasn't exactly insta-love (there were aspects, but Janelle and Ben did try to get to know each other a bit).
I thought maybe I could like the story better. And, to be honest, I did--the first 50 pages and the last 50, that is. The first 50 pages is creepy and haunting; the discovery of the countdown sent shivers down my spine. And then the last 50 pages, where questions get answered and stuff starts happening, were pulse-pounding exciting.
However, in between, it was boring and dull, and the tone completely changed. In the beginning, there is quite a bit of teen drama--"You mean he is dating her?", "Oh, God, my schedule is horrible!" (seriously, this goes on for SEVERAL pages), and the like. But this is abruptly abandoned when Janelle starts learning more about Ben and what her father is investigating. Towards the end, when I want to be on the edge of my seat, the book will break off from the main story and the tension so that Janelle and her brother can go to Disneyland (it was a short scene, but it STILL took away from the main plot) or Janelle and Ben can wake up in her bed after a chaste snuggle.
You know those people whose entire conversation is about what Angelina Jolie was wearing in that movie or the new album they heard? This book was kinda like that person. And it got pretty annoying with all pop culture references. Just to prove I'm not making it up, here is a brief list:
X-Files
Mission Impossible 2
Tron: Legacy
Rebel without a Cause
the new Wall Street movie
The Exorcist
The Mummy
Ender's Game
The Great Gatsby
La Roux's "Bulletproof"
The Electric Church by Jeff Somers
Whole Foods
Firefly
Total Recall
Enemy of the State
The Awakening
Outliers
Star Wars
(May I add that several of these she actually does NOT like and considers "stupid" and "cheesy"?)
I was wondering when Janelle would start talking about how cheesy Star Trek was, or who her favorite Doctor was, or how upset she was that Tom Bombadil was removed from "The Fellowship of the Ring". Norris really should have gotten paid for these; I don't think I've EVER seen so many pop culture references in a book.
And the nerdy part of me obviously got mad at the book in several places (particularly at the end). You see, I am a girl that doesn't like physics; I love physics. So when Janelle made the comment about how impossible traveling through wormholes was, well, I got mad. I did a quick search on Google--and several websites popped up talking about travel through wormholes. This isn't rocket science; I'm not expecting Janelle to know everything. But Ben, a supposedly smart young man, doesn't even correct her; instead, he agrees with her. Along with radiation viruses (really?) and drinks that can tame radiation (huh?), I really hoped that the author did a wee bit more research before plugging in her plot devices.
In the author's defense, I do think that her world was more consistent and believable than I've seen in other books. Places get devastated; people have to run to shelters and desperately look for family and friends. The mechanics of some of the "sciency bits" (which aren't REALLY that sciency, but I'll pretend to be polite) are much more consistent than the time traveling bits in [b:Tempest|11455096|Tempest (Tempest, #1)|Julie Cross|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327878364l/11455096._SY75_.jpg|16065182], for instance. And, as I mentioned above, there were a few characters I liked, some scenes I thought were well done, and the writing was by no means horrible. And one of the absolute best parts of the novel was: it ended. There is no cliffhanger, no "Tune in next time", no silly cheap shot to get audiences to come back for book 2. And in this day of endless series and trilogies, I definitely appreciate THAT. (Though I'll bet my boots--the pair I don't like, of course--that there will be a book 2.)
I think I've gone on long enough to prove my point. It was nice to meet "Unraveling", but I think it's time to go our separate ways. I hope her life is great, that she meets lots of nice people, and gets to experience nice things. I wish her all the best...but I'm glad our little get-together is over. Any longer, and I would have to bring out the lightsaber.
NOTE: I received this through the Amazon Vine program.
I love to read. I've been reading pretty steadily since I was in second grade, with a brief time where I didn't (that conveniently corresponded to those good 'ol college days). There is nothing quite as wonderful as getting carried away in a new world, populated with vivid characters, being whisked into a new adventure. Were it not for my love of reading, I would never have gotten addicted to my second love: reviewing.
I try to go into the books I read with a positive attitude. That I am going to learn something new, go on a new adventure, meet new best friends. I try to keep my expectations manageable--not too high, but not too low either.
But every so often I meet up with a book that isn't going to be my friend. As I continue to read, I realize we don't have a lot in common. The characters pretend to be book nerdy, but they are hardly shown reading. Characters act in ways that I cannot relate to or act WAY more stupidly than I think they would given their privileged occupation. The plot disappears as the Love Interest ducks his hand under the Main Character's vintage t-shirt. And basic science principles, that could be researched on Google in two seconds, aren't even acknowledged.
Unfortunately, "Unraveling" and I aren't going to be best of friends. We just don't have enough in common.
You see, I can take a main character I don't like. Scarlett O'Hara, from Gone with the Wind, is a woman I would have liked to slap on several occasions; but never once was I not completely and wholeheartedly involved in her story. Janelle Tenner is not Scarlett O'Hara. I wouldn't be surprised if Janelle didn't even know who Scarlett O'Hara was or if she did know, she didn't like the movie.
Janelle and I weren't that way in the beginning of our relationship. In the beginning, I admired her strength and appreciated her responsibility to her family. But as the book progressed, I began to see that maybe I had read Janelle wrong. Maybe she wasn't a strong independent woman, but a self-pitying martyr. Maybe she wasn't a bookworm, but someone that likes to name drop big books ("Ender's Game", "The Great Gatsby") because, hey, why not? Maybe she wasn't smart and nerdy, but a poser--someone who repetitively gloats about how smart they are, but when it comes to showing it, they end up saying things like "The Earth is flat" or "2+2=5". (Or they say things like "Travel through wormholes is impossible-it violates every natural law of physics." No, sweetheart, it doesn't.) Maybe she isn't really a brainiac, but someone that takes advanced classes they apparently don't like (Physics) to show off.
I didn't care for all the trauma in Janelle's life. The absentee father. The alcoholic mother. No grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins to help her out. The senseless sexual assault scene that does nothing but pad out the novel (it's VERY insulting how Janelle has coped with her sexual assault). Isn't this novel supposed to be about the mysterious Love Interest, Ben Michaels, and the creepy countdown clock? What about her near-death? Isn't that enough trauma for the poor girl? Do we have to touch on every other problem that a teenaged girl might have? Let's give Janelle an eating disorder and shoplifting problem as well!!
I appreciated Janelle's curiosity--but she breaks the laws. Several times. Snooping through her Dad's FBI case files. Stealing his laptop and case files. Copying those files and distributing to her BFF, Alex. Busting onto crime scenes. Handling a gun without a license. STEALING said gun. Hacking into her father's laptop. These are serious crimes. This isn't stealing a pack of gum at 7-11. This is messing with the FBI. I don't care if your father is an agent--you shouldn't be snooping and he shouldn't be letting you. Plus, (and this is something that Janelle brings up and then promptly drops several times), you are a teenager; how can you possibly compare to trained FBI agents?
It was a shame to see how few good, female friends and influences Janelle had. Her best friend, Kate, gave her a roofie laced beer, and now the two teens won't talk. When Kate tries to apologize, it is Janelle who behaves rudely and holier-than-thou--mocking Kate's money (which makes it seem that Janelle is nothing more than a jealous little girl). Cecily's role seems to be to giggle over the cute couple, Janelle and Ben. Nick's ex-girlfriend is cast as a stereotypical Mean Girl. As for adult females, the results are even more dire. Janelle's mother was, as said before, an alcoholic and a manic depressant, a woman so drowned in her own problems, she can't even begin to help Janelle with hers. Deidre, a coworker of Janelle's father, appears very little and isn't a person Janelle confides in. Same with Poblete, Janelle's English teacher. Same with Alex's tyrant mother.
Although men were portrayed in a "better" light, that didn't necessarily mean they were better characters. Janelle's father might not have been portrayed as a jerk, but neglecting his daughter and son is a jerk move. Not doing something about Janelle's mother--another jerk move. It's very hard for me to like a guy that appears, only to act like an idiot (using his daughter's birthday as a code on a safe--sure, I'd believe an esteemed FBI agent would do that!) and drop information so his daughter can steal it and try to "solve the case". And I'm still scratching my head over the incongruity of all the wonderful memories Janelle has of her father and his workaholic tendencies. When did they have time for all the fond memories Janelle has of them? Strutz is a goofy idiot who will let a 16 year old teenager steal a gun and just tell her to "Be safe". Barclay is a stereotypical baddie (though I was impressed at how he changed in the end). Alex is, as I said before, stereotypical Asian nerd.
The two characters I was impressed with were Nick and Ben. For once, our female MC has had experience on the dating scene when she meets her Love Interest. In fact, Janelle is psuedo-dating Nick when she meets Ben. And Nick isn't a bad guy. He is nice and polite when alone with Janelle, but when he is out partying, he becomes reckless and juvenile. And Janelle never decides she "hates" Nick in favor of Ben; she just doesn't think she and Nick mesh. As for Ben, he is pretty darned interesting. I can't tell half of what I find interesting about him, as it occurs in the latter half of the book and is VERY spoilerish, but I will say that he was a good Love Interest and not some abusive dork.
While Janelle and I may not be friends, I can recognize she had good chemistry with Ben. There are quite a few scenes that were very sweet between the two. And while their romance was fairly quick, I did feel like it wasn't exactly insta-love (there were aspects, but Janelle and Ben did try to get to know each other a bit).
I thought maybe I could like the story better. And, to be honest, I did--the first 50 pages and the last 50, that is. The first 50 pages is creepy and haunting; the discovery of the countdown sent shivers down my spine. And then the last 50 pages, where questions get answered and stuff starts happening, were pulse-pounding exciting.
However, in between, it was boring and dull, and the tone completely changed. In the beginning, there is quite a bit of teen drama--"You mean he is dating her?", "Oh, God, my schedule is horrible!" (seriously, this goes on for SEVERAL pages), and the like. But this is abruptly abandoned when Janelle starts learning more about Ben and what her father is investigating. Towards the end, when I want to be on the edge of my seat, the book will break off from the main story and the tension so that Janelle and her brother can go to Disneyland (it was a short scene, but it STILL took away from the main plot) or Janelle and Ben can wake up in her bed after a chaste snuggle.
You know those people whose entire conversation is about what Angelina Jolie was wearing in that movie or the new album they heard? This book was kinda like that person. And it got pretty annoying with all pop culture references. Just to prove I'm not making it up, here is a brief list:
X-Files
Mission Impossible 2
Tron: Legacy
Rebel without a Cause
the new Wall Street movie
The Exorcist
The Mummy
Ender's Game
The Great Gatsby
La Roux's "Bulletproof"
The Electric Church by Jeff Somers
Whole Foods
Firefly
Total Recall
Enemy of the State
The Awakening
Outliers
Star Wars
(May I add that several of these she actually does NOT like and considers "stupid" and "cheesy"?)
I was wondering when Janelle would start talking about how cheesy Star Trek was, or who her favorite Doctor was, or how upset she was that Tom Bombadil was removed from "The Fellowship of the Ring". Norris really should have gotten paid for these; I don't think I've EVER seen so many pop culture references in a book.
And the nerdy part of me obviously got mad at the book in several places (particularly at the end). You see, I am a girl that doesn't like physics; I love physics. So when Janelle made the comment about how impossible traveling through wormholes was, well, I got mad. I did a quick search on Google--and several websites popped up talking about travel through wormholes. This isn't rocket science; I'm not expecting Janelle to know everything. But Ben, a supposedly smart young man, doesn't even correct her; instead, he agrees with her. Along with radiation viruses (really?) and drinks that can tame radiation (huh?), I really hoped that the author did a wee bit more research before plugging in her plot devices.
In the author's defense, I do think that her world was more consistent and believable than I've seen in other books. Places get devastated; people have to run to shelters and desperately look for family and friends. The mechanics of some of the "sciency bits" (which aren't REALLY that sciency, but I'll pretend to be polite) are much more consistent than the time traveling bits in [b:Tempest|11455096|Tempest (Tempest, #1)|Julie Cross|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327878364l/11455096._SY75_.jpg|16065182], for instance. And, as I mentioned above, there were a few characters I liked, some scenes I thought were well done, and the writing was by no means horrible. And one of the absolute best parts of the novel was: it ended. There is no cliffhanger, no "Tune in next time", no silly cheap shot to get audiences to come back for book 2. And in this day of endless series and trilogies, I definitely appreciate THAT. (Though I'll bet my boots--the pair I don't like, of course--that there will be a book 2.)
I think I've gone on long enough to prove my point. It was nice to meet "Unraveling", but I think it's time to go our separate ways. I hope her life is great, that she meets lots of nice people, and gets to experience nice things. I wish her all the best...but I'm glad our little get-together is over. Any longer, and I would have to bring out the lightsaber.
secamimom's review against another edition
5.0
The summer before her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a truck while walking away from the beach. As she dies, she sees images of her life flash before her eyes. Janelle knows that she’s died, but when she opens her eyes she sees Ben Michaels, a guy from her school that she’s never even talked to. Janelle knows that she died, but she also knows that somehow Ben brought her back.
When Janelle begins snooping in some of her father’s FBI files, she finds some disturbing pictures that include a countdown of some type. The more she snoops the more she begins to wonder if the case her father is working on has ties to her accident and Ben’s involvement. Desperate to find out Ben’s secrets and exactly what the countdown clock is counting down to, Janelle starts down a path that is full of mystery, danger, and murder.
I can’t tell you how much I love this book. It was very intense. Each chapter is marked with the countdown clock and you can’t help looking at the time left and wondering exactly what else can happen.
Norris did an excellent job of pulling the reader in from the very beginning. When a book starts off with the main character being hit by a truck and dying, you know that the book will be a big hit…no pun intended.
Ben…oh Ben. Let’s talk about Ben. This guy was so swoon-worthy. He tries his best to stay away from Janelle because he knows that he shouldn’t get involved with her, but finally he can’t stand it any longer.
The only bad thing, and I wouldn’t necessarily call it a bad thing, is the ending. I just pray that Norris has a sequel planned because I need to know what happens to these characters after the book.
When Janelle begins snooping in some of her father’s FBI files, she finds some disturbing pictures that include a countdown of some type. The more she snoops the more she begins to wonder if the case her father is working on has ties to her accident and Ben’s involvement. Desperate to find out Ben’s secrets and exactly what the countdown clock is counting down to, Janelle starts down a path that is full of mystery, danger, and murder.
I can’t tell you how much I love this book. It was very intense. Each chapter is marked with the countdown clock and you can’t help looking at the time left and wondering exactly what else can happen.
Norris did an excellent job of pulling the reader in from the very beginning. When a book starts off with the main character being hit by a truck and dying, you know that the book will be a big hit…no pun intended.
Ben…oh Ben. Let’s talk about Ben. This guy was so swoon-worthy. He tries his best to stay away from Janelle because he knows that he shouldn’t get involved with her, but finally he can’t stand it any longer.
The only bad thing, and I wouldn’t necessarily call it a bad thing, is the ending. I just pray that Norris has a sequel planned because I need to know what happens to these characters after the book.
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
There were many things I really liked about this book, though I did feel like it had a tendency to drag a bit at times. It probably could have hit 5 stars had a little of the fat been trimmed. Still, it's a great, exciting read. More complete review to follow.
Complete review:
Unraveling is just the sort of book to reach for when you have a craving for some page-turning suspense. It moves at a very fast pace with snappy writing, short and easily digested chapters, interesting characters, and a premise that I found pretty fascinating. This is a sci-fi novel, but not the sort that involves aliens and spaceships; seeing as how fantasy has its own urban fantasy sub-genre, I'd like to submit that we need a new sci-fi sub-genre known as urban sci-fi. There's some physics here, but nothing textbook-boring--just enough to show that the premise is grounded in some actual scientific theory. If you're a fan of mind-bending shows like Fringe or movies like Inception, you'll probably enjoy this novel. Some spoilers will follow.
It would be difficult for a novel not to have an immediate, urgent sort of feel when this one is structured the way it is, what with the countdown at the top of each chapter counting down how much time is left until the world's ultimate demise. Still, there are some slower moments where Janelle has time to reflect on life and to take a moment to appreciate the things she has. For the most part, these episodes don't slow down the novel too much and they add extra facets to the novel's characterization, but there were times when I felt like Janelle was wasting just a bit too much time, considering how little she had. Even so, this is a minor quibble. Norris does pacing very well and there's plenty of action in this book, along with enough confusion to keep you wondering up until the big reveal.
My one real gripe about the novel was that I felt it sometimes tended to do info dumps. Just as Janelle is about to learn some important information, the chapter will end with something along these lines: "Ben sighed as he prepared to tell me about the secrets of the universe." Okay, he doesn't tell her about the secrets of the universe, but he does tell her about some important aspects of the plot. What I found strange, though, was that Norris would switch into a narrator voice to give the reader the information rather than allowing Ben to dole it out via dialog. Since the novel deals with some pretty high concept stuff, I can understand the depth of the information that was presented. However, I felt it would have been better done through conversation rather than Janelle just repeating back the things Ben (or other characters) told her. This technique gave it too much of a book report sort of feel at times and it also had the effect of taking me out of the action a little too much.
As for Janelle herself, she was a character that I very much enjoyed. She's a strong, feisty, smart young woman who is also flawed. She is petty sometimes and given to pigeonholing people before she really gets to know them. This is not a criticism; a good character should have flaws or they just become a boring Mary Sue and, really, who wants to read about those characters? Janelle's voice felt very authentic to me, and I really bought her as a person separate from the plot of the novel. Norris does a fantastic job of really allowing the reader to get to know Janelle, to understand what this girl is all about.
Because the book is told from a first person perspective, there is more distance between the reader and the secondary characters. We don't see their thoughts the way we see Janelle's, so we don't become as intimately familiar with them. However, they are still very well done, particularly Alex. I did like Ben, but I probably like Alex even better and I confess I found myself wondering at times why Janelle wasn't more into him than Ben. Norris did the chemistry between Ben and Janelle well, but there was a lot more substance to Janelle's relationship with Alex. I don't think Norris was necessarily hinting that there was any sort of romantic potential between Alex and Janelle, so my thinking Alex might be a better catch was probably a purely personal reaction. It does speak, though, to how well Norris developed the relationship between the two. Alex is that sort of friend everyone should have, the one Janelle can rely on in any situation, and I really enjoyed that dynamic.
The romance side of things was well done too, but it wasn't really a big influence on my overall feelings about the book. What I did like, though, is how Norris showed that sometimes, no matter how much two people may love one another, they may be forced to make choices that could come between them. I like happy endings, but I get a little tired of everything being saccharine sweet, and I am also frankly completely over books in which one character or another gives everything up to be with the other. I'm not saying that great romantic love like this doesn't exist, but when you're sixteen or seventeen, it's probably best to focus on what you want out of life than it is to focus on what you want from your significant other. I liked that though Ben and Janelle cared for one another, they had clear lines that they were unwilling to cross in order to be together. This contributes greatly to the feeling of Janelle being a whole and complete character because she doesn't exist solely for her relationship with Ben.
Lastly, I really loved the concept that the novel explored. It's one that I find endlessly fascinating, and it allows for a lot of leeway in how the book is developed. I think it lends itself so well to media because it entices us with questions of "what if" that we, as human beings, tend to like to ponder. What if one historical event had gone another way? What if I had made a different choice at a certain point in my life? Though this is a self-contained novel, I think there is some room for future spin-offs because there's just a whole lot Norris could do with the premise, and it would be possible to do it in such a way that it wouldn't feel like she was just milking it for all it's worth.
I'm hoping that books like this one and the equally fast-paced and science-based Partials are an indication of a coming trend in YA fiction. I'm a big fan of dystopian, but I think a novel like Unraveling is really onto something. It is possible to write action-oriented stories that can also be character driven and intelligent. I will definitely be eager to see what Norris has to offer next.
Complete review:
Unraveling is just the sort of book to reach for when you have a craving for some page-turning suspense. It moves at a very fast pace with snappy writing, short and easily digested chapters, interesting characters, and a premise that I found pretty fascinating. This is a sci-fi novel, but not the sort that involves aliens and spaceships; seeing as how fantasy has its own urban fantasy sub-genre, I'd like to submit that we need a new sci-fi sub-genre known as urban sci-fi. There's some physics here, but nothing textbook-boring--just enough to show that the premise is grounded in some actual scientific theory. If you're a fan of mind-bending shows like Fringe or movies like Inception, you'll probably enjoy this novel. Some spoilers will follow.
It would be difficult for a novel not to have an immediate, urgent sort of feel when this one is structured the way it is, what with the countdown at the top of each chapter counting down how much time is left until the world's ultimate demise. Still, there are some slower moments where Janelle has time to reflect on life and to take a moment to appreciate the things she has. For the most part, these episodes don't slow down the novel too much and they add extra facets to the novel's characterization, but there were times when I felt like Janelle was wasting just a bit too much time, considering how little she had. Even so, this is a minor quibble. Norris does pacing very well and there's plenty of action in this book, along with enough confusion to keep you wondering up until the big reveal.
My one real gripe about the novel was that I felt it sometimes tended to do info dumps. Just as Janelle is about to learn some important information, the chapter will end with something along these lines: "Ben sighed as he prepared to tell me about the secrets of the universe." Okay, he doesn't tell her about the secrets of the universe, but he does tell her about some important aspects of the plot. What I found strange, though, was that Norris would switch into a narrator voice to give the reader the information rather than allowing Ben to dole it out via dialog. Since the novel deals with some pretty high concept stuff, I can understand the depth of the information that was presented. However, I felt it would have been better done through conversation rather than Janelle just repeating back the things Ben (or other characters) told her. This technique gave it too much of a book report sort of feel at times and it also had the effect of taking me out of the action a little too much.
As for Janelle herself, she was a character that I very much enjoyed. She's a strong, feisty, smart young woman who is also flawed. She is petty sometimes and given to pigeonholing people before she really gets to know them. This is not a criticism; a good character should have flaws or they just become a boring Mary Sue and, really, who wants to read about those characters? Janelle's voice felt very authentic to me, and I really bought her as a person separate from the plot of the novel. Norris does a fantastic job of really allowing the reader to get to know Janelle, to understand what this girl is all about.
Because the book is told from a first person perspective, there is more distance between the reader and the secondary characters. We don't see their thoughts the way we see Janelle's, so we don't become as intimately familiar with them. However, they are still very well done, particularly Alex. I did like Ben, but I probably like Alex even better and I confess I found myself wondering at times why Janelle wasn't more into him than Ben. Norris did the chemistry between Ben and Janelle well, but there was a lot more substance to Janelle's relationship with Alex. I don't think Norris was necessarily hinting that there was any sort of romantic potential between Alex and Janelle, so my thinking Alex might be a better catch was probably a purely personal reaction. It does speak, though, to how well Norris developed the relationship between the two. Alex is that sort of friend everyone should have, the one Janelle can rely on in any situation, and I really enjoyed that dynamic.
The romance side of things was well done too, but it wasn't really a big influence on my overall feelings about the book. What I did like, though, is how Norris showed that sometimes, no matter how much two people may love one another, they may be forced to make choices that could come between them. I like happy endings, but I get a little tired of everything being saccharine sweet, and I am also frankly completely over books in which one character or another gives everything up to be with the other. I'm not saying that great romantic love like this doesn't exist, but when you're sixteen or seventeen, it's probably best to focus on what you want out of life than it is to focus on what you want from your significant other. I liked that though Ben and Janelle cared for one another, they had clear lines that they were unwilling to cross in order to be together. This contributes greatly to the feeling of Janelle being a whole and complete character because she doesn't exist solely for her relationship with Ben.
Lastly, I really loved the concept that the novel explored. It's one that I find endlessly fascinating, and it allows for a lot of leeway in how the book is developed. I think it lends itself so well to media because it entices us with questions of "what if" that we, as human beings, tend to like to ponder. What if one historical event had gone another way? What if I had made a different choice at a certain point in my life? Though this is a self-contained novel, I think there is some room for future spin-offs because there's just a whole lot Norris could do with the premise, and it would be possible to do it in such a way that it wouldn't feel like she was just milking it for all it's worth.
I'm hoping that books like this one and the equally fast-paced and science-based Partials are an indication of a coming trend in YA fiction. I'm a big fan of dystopian, but I think a novel like Unraveling is really onto something. It is possible to write action-oriented stories that can also be character driven and intelligent. I will definitely be eager to see what Norris has to offer next.
ariaunarae's review against another edition
5.0
So far I'd rate this my second favourite book this year (And it will most likely stay that way) I have officially added a new book boyfriend to my already VERY long list. But he is in the top 5. Girls, I'd like to introduce you to Ben Micheals. Super geek, Super broody, super hot smooth talker. He is like every perfect cliched boy put into one. And can I just say that I love how he immensely cares for the main character, Janelle, with all of his heart? He doesn't try to hide his feelings or walk around them. He knew what he wanted and Janelle knew what she wanted and BAM!
Very high 5 stars for this one
Very high 5 stars for this one
sea_su's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't as good as I thought it would be but it was okay. There were many parts that made me laugh and also it was kind of a page turner.
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
(This will be the last time in a while where I talk about action movies in my reviews, I promise).
Reading Unraveling was like watching an action movie.
Not one as thrilling, humorous and heartwrenching as The amazing Spider-man 2 or as boring, dull and slow as Taken, more like Mission Impossible; a solid film with its few golden moments.
It's an action with a sci-fi twist.
The book relies on its many surprises and the fast pacing, and would be nothing without the two.
The plot is very unbelivable and extreme, one of those where you wonder what the heck is going on, especially near the end.
It does read like something you'd see on screen - a film that's easy to digest and won't get anywhere near your list of favorites, but a good one nonetheless.
Just like with [b:Obsidian|12578077|Obsidian (Lux, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328275091s/12578077.jpg|17588854], my rating of the book is mainly based on its entertainment value. And yet the flaws cannot be looked past, so therefore it's a 3-star rating.
It was enjoyable and not a book I regret reading, but one I'd never re-read.
If there's one thing I really liked about the book, it would be how self-aware it is. It calls itself out on clichés, particularly from the movies of the same genre, and makes fun of them.
"The world might end tomorrow."
"Alex, this isn't some lame-ass action movie. No good-bye monologues necessary."
"Is it wrong I'm hoping we'll get at least one diabolical monologue from a bad guy?"
One of the many examples of Janelle and Alex's funny conversations. They reminded of my own friendships, especially with a particular boy who thinks me not having seen Star Wars or Lord of the rings is a deadly sin.
I was worried that the connection between the two friends would develop into a romantic one, and we'd be tossed into another of those darn love triangles. I'm so glad the author decided not to go there, since it's one of my least favorite plot tools. They just create unnecessary drama in my opinion.
Janelle isn't a very memorable narrator. She's smart, almost too smart, and too perfect. I would've liked to her see more vulnerable and flawed. Her voice was close to robotic at times.
Unraveling has heart, though.
We see a family that is slightly involved in the story and almost manage to balance out the surreal aspects of it.
Things are rather troubled at the Tenner resident. With her father's demanding job, Janelle has to take care of both her younger sibling Jared as well as a bipolar mother.
I was happy to see this, since it made her into a more sympathetic and less stiff character.
The mental illness is well portrayed and isn't just a label sloppily placed on the mom to give her a role in the family.
The twist in the middle of the book makes Janelle open up even more, and it's interesting to see how it affects the rest of the characters as well.
Naturally the main character is involved in a romance, but it may not be with who you expected. Ben is part of the school's 'stoner gang' and Janelle has never laid eyes on him before the beginning of the book.
Soon enough they're caught in a bad romance. It's cheesy and felt unnecessary. Ben lacks personality and I don't know what Janelle sees in him. He's a guy who's just there in the corner, shows up when it's convient for the story, and the person I ended up caring the least for.
Ben is one of the more important side characters, and I wish I would've loved him. The hero is the one I always hope to like and swoon over, and just one good and bright personality can improve the entire book. Sorry, Ben, you failed the test.
The last small con is regarding the lack of female characters. I counted four, including the MC. And there are.. what, around seven or eight males? This just bugs me because I love to see a good cast of diverse side characters and wondered where all the girls were. One of the main settings is a highschool after all.
To my surprise there is a sequel to Unraveling.
Not sure if I'll read it, as I think things ended nicely in this one and can't think of anything else that would necessarily add to Janelle and Ben's story.
Final verdict:
A solid but not very memorable book. It kept me interested the whole time but was mediocre at its best.
Recommended for readers looking for a quick, entertaining read that incorporates mystery, action and science fiction.
Reading Unraveling was like watching an action movie.
Not one as thrilling, humorous and heartwrenching as The amazing Spider-man 2 or as boring, dull and slow as Taken, more like Mission Impossible; a solid film with its few golden moments.
It's an action with a sci-fi twist.
The book relies on its many surprises and the fast pacing, and would be nothing without the two.
The plot is very unbelivable and extreme, one of those where you wonder what the heck is going on, especially near the end.
It does read like something you'd see on screen - a film that's easy to digest and won't get anywhere near your list of favorites, but a good one nonetheless.
Just like with [b:Obsidian|12578077|Obsidian (Lux, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328275091s/12578077.jpg|17588854], my rating of the book is mainly based on its entertainment value. And yet the flaws cannot be looked past, so therefore it's a 3-star rating.
It was enjoyable and not a book I regret reading, but one I'd never re-read.
If there's one thing I really liked about the book, it would be how self-aware it is. It calls itself out on clichés, particularly from the movies of the same genre, and makes fun of them.
"The world might end tomorrow."
"Alex, this isn't some lame-ass action movie. No good-bye monologues necessary."
"Is it wrong I'm hoping we'll get at least one diabolical monologue from a bad guy?"
One of the many examples of Janelle and Alex's funny conversations. They reminded of my own friendships, especially with a particular boy who thinks me not having seen Star Wars or Lord of the rings is a deadly sin.
I was worried that the connection between the two friends would develop into a romantic one, and we'd be tossed into another of those darn love triangles. I'm so glad the author decided not to go there, since it's one of my least favorite plot tools. They just create unnecessary drama in my opinion.
Janelle isn't a very memorable narrator. She's smart, almost too smart, and too perfect. I would've liked to her see more vulnerable and flawed. Her voice was close to robotic at times.
Unraveling has heart, though.
We see a family that is slightly involved in the story and almost manage to balance out the surreal aspects of it.
Things are rather troubled at the Tenner resident. With her father's demanding job, Janelle has to take care of both her younger sibling Jared as well as a bipolar mother.
I was happy to see this, since it made her into a more sympathetic and less stiff character.
The mental illness is well portrayed and isn't just a label sloppily placed on the mom to give her a role in the family.
The twist in the middle of the book makes Janelle open up even more, and it's interesting to see how it affects the rest of the characters as well.
Naturally the main character is involved in a romance, but it may not be with who you expected. Ben is part of the school's 'stoner gang' and Janelle has never laid eyes on him before the beginning of the book.
Soon enough they're caught in a bad romance. It's cheesy and felt unnecessary. Ben lacks personality and I don't know what Janelle sees in him. He's a guy who's just there in the corner, shows up when it's convient for the story, and the person I ended up caring the least for.
Ben is one of the more important side characters, and I wish I would've loved him. The hero is the one I always hope to like and swoon over, and just one good and bright personality can improve the entire book. Sorry, Ben, you failed the test.
The last small con is regarding the lack of female characters. I counted four, including the MC. And there are.. what, around seven or eight males? This just bugs me because I love to see a good cast of diverse side characters and wondered where all the girls were. One of the main settings is a highschool after all.
To my surprise there is a sequel to Unraveling.
Not sure if I'll read it, as I think things ended nicely in this one and can't think of anything else that would necessarily add to Janelle and Ben's story.
Final verdict:
A solid but not very memorable book. It kept me interested the whole time but was mediocre at its best.
Recommended for readers looking for a quick, entertaining read that incorporates mystery, action and science fiction.
halynah's review against another edition
5.0
Offbeat, abundant in action and twists and turns of the plot book with the sweetest romance, great characters and a heartbreaking ending. I really liked Janelle and her relationships with her Dad and brother, and with Alex. The first part of the book was better than the second (which was a little bit abrupt and muddled in events), and I hope the sequel will mend my broken heart and we'll see again those two characters that left in the end. Thrilling read - highly recommended!