Book Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling
Unraveling #1
Author: Elizabeth Norris
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal/Science Fiction
Released: April 24th 2012
Review Source: Library
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Sixteen-year-old Janelle Tenner is used to having a lot of responsibility. She balances working as a lifeguard in San Diego with an intense academic schedule. Janelle's mother is bipolar, and her dad is a workaholic FBI agent, which means Janelle also has to look out for her younger brother, Jared.

And that was before she died...and is brought back to life by Ben Michaels, a mysterious, alluring loner from her high school. When she discovers a strange clock that seems to be counting down to the earth's destruction, Janelle learns she has twenty-four days to figure out how to stop the clock and save the planet.

Unraveling had garnered enough buzz to catch my attention (from the five star reviews, to my friends gushing about it) that I finally gave in. Also, the fact that it was getting compared to Veronica Mars made me want to dive right in. I can honestly say that Norris grabbed my attention from the very first chapter. It's been awhile since I've read a book that got me hooked that quick. Before I go any further I want it to be known that I had a pleasant time reading this story.

Here's the first thing you should know: Jenelle Tenner died. She was hit by a car that literally came out of nowhere! Yes, I did just say Janelle died. So, how you may ask is she still alive? Two words- Ben Michaels. She has no idea how, but she knows that Ben brought her back. Things get a little more interesting when they find the body of the person driving the unknown car. His whole body looks to be melting from radiation poisoning, lets add to the fact that there is no record of this persons existence.
This book had so much potential, but it ended up lacking a bit for me. I was entertained for the most part, but I feel like so many unnecessary things happened (sub-plots that we could have done without) that it kind of messed up the flow of the story. Even though the chemistry between Janelle and Ben is electric, I feel like if Norris would have switched up the point of views we would have had a bigger impact on their relationship. 

Even though Unraveling has a Fringe/Veronica Mars type feel, in the end it falls short. We do get a bit of sci-fi, I feel like this was more of a mystery/romance read. All in all I am intrigued to see where Norris goes from here with this series.