Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

From Goodreads: 24 meets the X Files in the biggest teen blockbuster of the summer…

STOP THE COUNTDOWN. SAVE THE WORLD…

Leaving the beach, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit head on by a pickup truck.

And killed.

Then Ben Michaels, resident stoner, is leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows Ben somehow brought her back to life…

Meanwhile, Janelle’s father, a special agent for the FBI, starts working on a case that seems strangely connected to Ben. Digging in his files, Janelle finds a mysterious device – one that seems to be counting down to something that will happen in 23 days and 10 hours time.

That something? It might just be the end of the world. And if Janelle wants to stop it, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets – and keep from falling in love with him in the process…

Excited much? Yes I was! And man it's good!

I was completely gripped from the get-go with this book. Janelle is a great character and I loved her voice. Everything is fast paced - so much happens in this book! But I'm going to have to be careful with this review because I really don't want to spoil it.

I guess the story could best be summarised as a sci-fi thriller? I don't know, but whatever it is I like it! The 24 and X Files comparisons are spot on and I think you could also argue similarities with Veronica Mars and perhaps Roswell. Either way it's very clever, engrossing and I fell in love with it just bit!

The Janelle/Ben relationship is well done. I really did feel invested in them. But I also loved her best friend Alex. Her dad too. I loved her dad. The storyline with her mother is interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out.

One other point I should mention is that Elizabeth Norris is not afraid to take risks. So many things happened that I really didn't think would. Those 'OMG! You did NOT just do that!' moments that really add to the story. Yes, some are really sad and are not necessarily what I wanted to happen, but I couldn't deny that they made a great story even better. And completely unpredictable.

I am counting the days (yes, yes I know...) for the next installment in this series. I can't wait to get my sticky mitts on it - I'm sure it will be a treat!

Cover Wars: Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

US / UK

I actually really like both of these but I think the UK one just captures my attention that bit more. I like the way it has the countdown on it, plus I like the way her face is 'breaking up'. 

Either way the book is a must read!  I really enjoyed it - I'll have a review up nearer the release date -but my advice in the meantime?  Add it to your wish list!

So, which cover do you prefer?

I want to read that...

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

From Goodreads: Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her reincarnation, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.

I've seen this described as a cross between 24 and The X Files so YES PLEASE! It really does sound rather good don't you think?

It's published April (US) and June (UK)