A Delightful Teen Thriller

I’m always on the lookout for a new favorite author.  I stumbled upon the Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris after a quick visit to my library to pick up the kids’ reads.  One of the reviews on the cover promised a thriller and I have to admit I’m impressed.

The Unraveling tells the story of Janelle Tenner a sixteen-year-old girl who is killed and resurrected by Ben Michaels, a boy she barely noticed until that day. Like most teenagers Janelle has a regular job, boyfriend and best friend, Alex. Unlike most teenagers she is practically raising her younger brother because of her mother’s bipolar disorder and her father’s demanding job. The day she is killed and reanimated is a day that changes the course of her life forever.

The Good

Janelle is a likable character. She’s well written and fleshed out. She feels like a real teenager struggling to deal with rivals and her decreasing interest in her boyfriend. She is skilled at investigation due to years of helping her FBI agent father solve cases without his knowledge. She also carries around a lot of real emotion. She is tormented by her father’s unwillingness to deal with her mother’s illness. He lives for his job but still seems to love both her and her brother. I think that he is too affected by his wife’s condition to pull the trigger on the decision that would permanently change his family. Janelle also like most teenagers keeps a lot to herself including the trauma she suffered at the hands of her former best friend.

Once the story starts is just keeps going and getting better. There are so many twists and turns that it’s difficult to imagine what will happen next. The read was easy and enjoyable! I loved the introduction of Ben and his friends and especially the twist at the end.

The Not So Good

The pacing gets a bit strange halfway throughout the book. I admit I was reading it very quickly however the story switches quickly causing you to have to be readily engaged in the story. Fortunately, it's not difficult due to the events that unfold but some of the choices are bracing. Also, the love story between Ben and Janelle feels rushed instead of progressing naturally. Again, this could be a response to the events in the book but I don’t buy the desperate love she feels suddenly for a guy she didn’t notice before.

The Verdict:

  

Overall, I liked it! The story was a rollercoaster that made you want to stay on until the end. When all was finally revealed, I was left shocked and speechless. It wasn’t predictable at all which was a welcome change. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a fun ride without the real entanglement of a love story.