Review & Giveaway: Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris

Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: April 23rd 2013
My rating: 4.5 stars

 Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but life is finally starting to resume some kind of normalcy. Until Interverse Agent Taylor Barclay shows up. Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring, kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths—and Ben is the prime suspect. Now his family has been imprisoned and will be executed if Ben doesn’t turn himself over within five days.

And when Janelle learns that someone she cares about—someone from her own world—has become one of the missing, she knows that she has to help Barclay, regardless of the danger. Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. But as the clues begin to add up, Janelle realizes that she’s in way over her head—and that she may not have known Ben as well as she thought. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?

**Spoilers ahead for those who haven’t read the first book, Unraveling.**

Unbreakable was an action packed sequel that will have your heart-pounding, and you furiously turning the pages to see what happens next. Elizabeth Norris knows how to weave a little bit of everything I love into one exciting story!  

The story picks up about four months into the future since Ben and Janelle have parted ways.  Ben left to go back to his family and home after seven long years of separation.  Janelle is left in her universe trying to pick up the pieces in the shattered world that now exists.  She may have adverted Wave Collapse but the earth bears the scars of near destruction.  Adding to the survivor’s anxiety is the growing number of people who seem to disappear.  Janelle is now working for Sturz as a temp/intern in the FBI, and so each time someone goes missing she is along for the investigation.

Even with all there is to do, Janelle has an overwhelming sadness that nearly consumes her at times due to Ben’s absence.  She has no idea if or when she’ll ever see him again.  But everywhere she turns something reminds her of him and emphasizes his void.

There’s always a second where I’m lost in the memory and I feel happy and light.  A giddy smile will overtake my face, and it will almost feel like he was just here. 

Almost.

Then the heaviness of reality sets in, and I remember that I’m alone. That Ben is gone.

And it’s like my heart breaks all over again. *

The last thing she expects is IA Agent Taylor Barclay to show up in her life again.  But he does, and with horrible news.  Ben’s missing and wanted in connection to human trafficking charges, and his family will be executed shortly if he doesn’t turn himself in.  Janelle is sure there is no way Ben could be involved but the evidence is stacked against him.  Taylor wants Janelle to help find Ben and solve this mess.  The stakes are pushed higher when a close friend of Janelle’s goes missing and she is sure this mystery is all connected. 

Talk about a wild ride!  This story had me hanging on for dear life!  Ms. Norris sure has no problem putting her characters (or her readers) through the ringer.  Janelle and Ben go through so much, but sometimes this barely registers because you’re thrown from one dangerous situation to the next so quickly.  I was on the edge of my seat in anxious anticipation in several spots!  Still, when things calm down, I had to wonder if these two were going to come out okay, emotionally and physically.  In Unraveling the romance, even though it wasn’t the main focus of the story, was the thing that touched my heart the most.  So of course I wanted these two to have their happy ending!  There’s a bumpy road but there are swoony moments as well:

My thoughts are scrambled, my blood is tingling, and it feels like my skin is on fire.  We’re just lips, tongue, hands, and skin—two people who have everything and nothing to lose at the same time.*

Janelle our heroine is more level headed than I think I could ever be, and even when she has moments of panic, fear or sadness, she gets a grip and soldiers on through.

If you haven’t picked up Undone, the novella in Ben’s POV, I highly suggest you do.  It’s not very long but it gives some background and understanding to Unbreakable that you wouldn’t have otherwise. I just wanted to wrap Ben up in a tight hug and never let go after finishing it! *sniff*

Unbreakable was a satisfying conclusion, but I am sad to say goodbye to the characters even so.  I guess we might see more of this story, because I read on the back of my ARC that the film rights have been sold to MTV with plans to develop this into a TV series. I could easily see this story coming to life in that way, and I think it’s perfectly suited for that idea. 

*Quotes are taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

A copy was provided by Balzer+Bray in exchange for an honest review.  

As a show of appreciation for all you lovelies, I decided to give away my Advanced Readers Copy of Unbreakable to one lucky reader!  Just fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win. The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by! 

  
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