Title: Unraveling
Author: Elizabeth Norris
Published: April 24th 2012
Publisher: Balzar + Bray
Read synopsis: Goodreads
Rating: 3.5 stars
Okay. I'm probably leaning a bit on the minority side. Not that I didn't like the book it was just that, with all those glowing reviews I kind of expected this book to blow my mind. Which I realized was not a very good move. Because it did not. Although there were parts that I did enjoy and had me quite impressed I was a bit sad that I wasn't completely captivated by the story.
With all the FBI investigations, bio-terrorism and pseudoscience talks, dead bodies from radiation and parallel universe this book had so much remind me of the TV series, Fringe. This made me more excited because I love that series yet it also lessen my surprise when twists and revelations came. There were revelations that still managed to surprise me a little and had me curious but the overall feel was actually just fine and still kept me pretty entertained.
Janelle was an impressive and remarkable character. She was smart, tough, brave and independent. Even though I can say that I was impressed by her curiosity and braveness to conduct her own investigation sometimes I feel like it was getting borderline nosy. Or maybe it's just me because without her being too curious I guess the story wouldn't be really interesting and engaging.
There were still things that I really like about her like the way she took responsibility in their family and her relationship with his brother, father and Alex. There were a lot of things thrown to her but she took and faced it bravely and for that I respect her character.
I like Ben and I find him really intriguing although sometimes I find him a bit awkward too. He's character was the kind that was so easy to like because he was good, caring and all and I do really like him but for some reason it was not in a swooning and gushing way. I could still say though that his chemistry with Janelle was really good and well, they could actually make some pretty hot scenes too.
I had some conflicting emotions with the romance. Not that I hate it but for the most part I was a just a bit unconcerned about it then suddenly I would grew a little fond of it. I struggled a bit to keep my connection from it. And sometimes I don't know what I should really feel for them if I should be happy or sad or whatever.
The ending was the one I really loved and it was really beautiful. It was sad and sweet at the same time. If I were Janelle at that time I might have drowned myself into depression but I was impressed that despite all those things that happened Janelle tried to see the good things and took that chance she was given to live again.
"But I'm alive.I'm alive.More alive than I was before any of this happened.Life is a fragile thing. Apparanly the whole world is fragile too.But it'll beat on.Because it has to."
Although the story wasn't really utterly original I still find some of the ideas and concepts really cool and very entertaining. And to tell you the truth I actually loved it too, if it hadn't just came a bit predictable for me and a little exhausting I would have really loved the story more. This book definitely has a lot of potential and even though it didn't blow my mind it was still a really good and entertaining read. I would still love to recommend this to you.
I really want to read this book, it sounds great! I'm not one for being able to predict outcomes, so maybe I'll find this book more enjoyable then you did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review!
Great review Eunice! I hate that when you have high hopes for a book and then it doesn't live up to expectations. This does have a lot of glowing reviews. I like having no expectations for something and then be totally surprised how much I loved it. I have this one too, so I hope it goes better for me. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel! Expecting too much wasn't always a good move and I learned that now. LOL! I really hope this go better for you, Rachel. :)
Deletehey ! you have been awarded the liebster blog award! you can go here for more info :) http://xoreads.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liebster-blog-award.html
ReplyDeleteAww it's a shame that you didn't love this one as much as everyone else. I was only able to give it four stars too, I think the pace was fantastic but it just lacked a bit which prevented me from giving it the 5 stars. But a great review Eunice! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree with you about the pacing. You can see that the pacing was actually good and fast but there was something that was abit exhausting about it too. Thank you, Jasprit. :)
DeleteYou and your awesome reviews, youuuu! :') LOL I find that the heroines of part-mystery novels are always doing things on their own to investigate when regular teenagers would probably dismiss the creepy and go straight to the police! x) But I guess that's what makes the story, right? Still, the ending was one of my favourite parts of this book too. Because most authors shy away from non-HEAs, but Liz Norris tackled it and I loved her for it!
ReplyDeleteAmazing review, Eunice! <3 I think there's going to be a sequel, which I hope blows you away more! I wonder what they'll be counting down to next time... ;)
You and your sweet comments, Mimiiii! LOL! Thank you! I love the ending too, that was my favorite part and that was where I can say that I was truly and very impressed by Janelle's character. Norris did really a good job on that one. ^^
DeleteOh now that you've said it I wonder what's gonna happen next on the sequel? Well, I hope it blows my mind away this time. :)
It's difficult not to have high expectations when it seems like everyone is giving a book 4 or 5 stars. I can understand why that might have ruined it a little for you! Still, I'm glad you liked it overall Eunice. Maybe the next book will really blow you away? ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad too that I liked it overall. I hope so too, Sam! :D
DeleteHi Eunice, just added unraveling to my TBR pile :D
ReplyDelete**New Follower** PS: luuv ur blog background.
Aww. :( Sorry the book didn't live up to your expectations, Eunice.
ReplyDeleteI read and loved the book since I found it to be really exciting and kind of original. Plus, I adored the main character. I loved how she didn't just sit there and wait for everything to happen. She actually took matters into her own hands.
I hope you'll enjoy the next one more. :)
Great review, Eunice !
Thank you, Nick. Even though Janelle irritated me sometimes she was still a very impressive and respectable character. I hope so too that I loved the sequel more. :)
DeleteHey Eunice! I've tagged you for the Liebster Blog Award. Feel free to accept or not. You can check out my blog post if you don't know what it is! (:
ReplyDelete