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z_bookfluencer's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like the writing and idea/concept was very creative. Like Linked, Unravel read younger at times, though for longer passages of time, but this is a reflection of the age of the protagonist and how she is coping. I felt there were some thought provoking subjects to the story. It was interesting to see the different viewpoints of the characters, and what they did or did not do about those viewpoints, and I felt it was a great reflection of everyday problems that people face in life.
While different types of relationships were still explored, Unravel focused more on the family/blood related relationships and the 'romance'. It did like seeing how the dynamics evolved between the characters.
There was a strong emphasis on the psychology, social interactions, the complexities of trying to sort out emotions and opinions of relationships, and a general realization of the effects of one's mind after trauma. The characters are put through situations that would be difficult to handle, regardless of age, training, experience, or mental state. We see the consequences of traumatic events had on the minds of developing adolescence. While I can see some people finding this fascinating, this aspect of the story dragged for me, and was often wordy, and accompanied by a LOT teen angst, which I found annoying at times.
The romanticism concerning a relationship with ages that would not be appropriate in real life, that started in Linked, continued in Unravel. The romanticized relationship is fictional, and works in a fictional setting. I will say like in Linked, Unravel didn't have any explicit 'steamy' scenes which I appreciated, but more of quick yet intimate kisses.
There was a turning point for Elissa, where she comes to a realization of sorts, that affects her character and those close to her. This turning point offered a chance at maturity for Elissa and a chance of healing for Lin. I felt this particular scene was done very well.
The ending was done in a way that wrapped up Unravel in a neat little bow, if you will. The ending gave detailed accounts and conclusion of what would be next within Sekoia, for the world itself and the characters.
Unravel has more graphic content than Linked had. There is blood, severed limbs, and severe violence. There are scenes of gunfights and the events during and after grenades. There are some other potential triggering events.
Overall, while I enjoy reading Unravel, I did not enjoy it as much as I did Linked. Regardless, I do still feel Unravel is very well written and would be enjoyed most by those that like to explore and study the psychology of the characters they are reading about.
While different types of relationships were still explored, Unravel focused more on the family/blood related relationships and the 'romance'. It did like seeing how the dynamics evolved between the characters.
There was a strong emphasis on the psychology, social interactions, the complexities of trying to sort out emotions and opinions of relationships, and a general realization of the effects of one's mind after trauma. The characters are put through situations that would be difficult to handle, regardless of age, training, experience, or mental state. We see the consequences of traumatic events had on the minds of developing adolescence. While I can see some people finding this fascinating, this aspect of the story dragged for me, and was often wordy, and accompanied by a LOT teen angst, which I found annoying at times.
"Elissa found herself staring kind of blankly at what he was doing, tiredly glad of something to focus on that wasn't words and emotions and the impossible, heartbreaking complexities of a relationship that mattered more than anything and yet she couldn't seem to see how to handle." -Imogen Howson, Unravel
The romanticism concerning a relationship with ages that would not be appropriate in real life, that started in Linked, continued in Unravel. The romanticized relationship is fictional, and works in a fictional setting. I will say like in Linked, Unravel didn't have any explicit 'steamy' scenes which I appreciated, but more of quick yet intimate kisses.
There was a turning point for Elissa, where she comes to a realization of sorts, that affects her character and those close to her. This turning point offered a chance at maturity for Elissa and a chance of healing for Lin. I felt this particular scene was done very well.
The ending was done in a way that wrapped up Unravel in a neat little bow, if you will. The ending gave detailed accounts and conclusion of what would be next within Sekoia, for the world itself and the characters.
Unravel has more graphic content than Linked had. There is blood, severed limbs, and severe violence. There are scenes of gunfights and the events during and after grenades. There are some other potential triggering events.
Overall, while I enjoy reading Unravel, I did not enjoy it as much as I did Linked. Regardless, I do still feel Unravel is very well written and would be enjoyed most by those that like to explore and study the psychology of the characters they are reading about.
everthereader's review against another edition
3.0
After I read Linked, I was very excited to read the next one. However, this one kind of disappointed me. The growing relationship with Lin and Elissa, I really liked. However, I hated the romance, to be honest. Cadan seemed to be pretty mature about their relationship. But, Lissa was only seventeen and was being very immature. She kept on saying that it was a "grown up relationship" and she didn't want to be a "clingy,needy" girlfriend which she was turning out to be. I did like the ending and it it wasn't for the romance I would have really liked it.
jankmammal's review against another edition
3.0
Liked the first one, but this one was a bit too YA-angsty-romance for me.
cjmichel's review against another edition
5.0
Unravel is book 2 in Imogen Howson's Linked series, and I think I loved it even better than the first book. I originally put off getting and reading Unravel because it is 480 pages long. I have a real aversion to books over 400 pages unless I can find them on an audio format and Unravel just isn't available in that format. If Linked hadn't have been done so well, I may have passed but Linked was so well written and developed that I caved and picked up the hefty volume of Unravel. Well, I am so glad I did. Although I probably passed for a zombie at the office this past week, I just kept reading because I couldn't put Unravel down. At times I may have gotten a little disillusioned kind of feeling because Lin is sometimes very needy and Lissa doesn't always seem to know exactly how she feels, but really, that is true to most lives. Although it may be a little more difficult to get through the beginning because of this relationship snafu, it also make the end of the book that much better. I suggest everyone check out Linked and Unravel by Imogen Howson. They are good reading at its best!
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book, great wrap up to the duology, and I read that there's going to be another book in the universe, but not staring Lissa and Lin, and yeah, I can't wait for that, because this book was awesome!
nellamoon's review against another edition
4.0
Yay for finishing my first duology of 2016!*applause*
This novel improved on many of the things the first book lacked, such as the world building, the character development, and the romance.
Firstly, Howson's writing style is entrancing. Her descriptions are spot on and they make for great visual inspiration. I could see the action unfolding before my eyes like a movie.
I love the sister relationship between Elissa and Lin. The differences in their personalities compliment each other. The way they interact and depend on each other for emotional support really shows how much they love each other without having to say it. Speaking of Elissa and Lin, Lin's character is explored much more in this novel, which I greatly appreciate.
Also, hurray for the improvement of Caden and Elissa's relationship. This novel redeemed them from the instalove in Linked.
More than anything else, I think this entire duology brings up some pretty deep themes:
What does it mean to be human?
Is our love for others conditional?
Is the law always right?
If you like science fiction, if you like action, and if you like duologies, you've come to the right place. I highly recommend.
bookishzelda's review against another edition
Unravel by Imogen Howson is the second book in the Linked series and picks up shortly after book one ends. Elissa and Lin have found one another and make it to sanctuary but have decided they need to go back and help their home planet. With the help of the crew of Phoenix, they find their way back to deal with some series aftermath. This is the second book in the series so there might be some spoilers from book 1.
I really enjoyed Elissa character in the first book. I was amazed at how timid she was in the beginning and then really took charge to save her sister. She didn’t always make the best decisions because she wasn’t exactly skilled at being on the run. She would stop and try to find a new way out of it and was ready to lay down her life to protect Lin. At the beginning of Unravel now that Elissa has accomplished what she set out to do, it’s like her insecurities are catching up to her. Lin is out shining her and everyone else seems to have special skills. Elissa feels like she no longer has a place, nothing that makes her special. I loved the turn her character takes because I think it really shows how the events of the first book have impacted her. I think I would feel the same way as she does. It’s like that moment you realize your child doesn’t need you anymore (even though they do just a different way) and you can’t see how they still do. I loved seeing Elissa change and make more stupid mistakes and then realizing she made them and fixing them. Growing as she gets a better understanding and of course her hidden fearlessness that comes out in tough spots.
Oh Elissa...I actually enjoy Cadan and her romance even with her annoying insecurities. She is constantly calling herself on it all the time but there are also times where Cadan has his unsure moments and you want him to validate it as a reader. Plus throw in Cadan’s mother, or throw her overboard maybe. You know how in a lot of books the guys are so sure and the girl has doubts. It kind of felt like a regular relationship between Cadan and Elissa where they both have their moments. You could see Elissa wasn’t understanding that as much as Cadan at times made her feel insecure. She was doing the same thing to him. I liked that it’s not fate/destiny driven and it’s more about how they slowly but then all at once fell for one another. I love their imperfect perfect relationship.
Poor Lin, it’s hard not to feel for her. She no doubt PTSD from her experiences at the facilities, all the twins must. The prejudices they face after the fact are horrible. I kept getting mad at the book and yelling in my head stop calling them “clones” and “spares” they are people. It’s not fault what other people have done to them. They are just trying to learn how to be human and are not finding any good examples from the people in society. Ugh it just made me feel for her.
I continued to love the plot and it’s flawless transition from one book to the next. If you read the books back to back it flows from one to the other easily. Things are explained again but mostly when you need to be reminded and it’s not over done. I feel like that’s a pitfall sometimes of second books, the info dump summary. Which can get boring if you still remember the previous book. I also really love how this book is the aftermath of winning the war. Most series end with the victory but you don’t know how they rebuilt or if they rebuilt. This book is how you can do something good but end up with bad results. It doesn’t changed that what you did was the right thing but it definitely shows that it’s not necessarily all sunshine, rainbows and lollipops after.
I figured I would like the Linked series being a sci-fi fanatic and all but I really loved these books. I thought the plot was great and unique. I bonded with the characters and not just the main ones. I loved the romance that was involved. Plus just how the first and second books fit together and felt like they flowed one right into the next. It’s one for the shelves.
I really enjoyed Elissa character in the first book. I was amazed at how timid she was in the beginning and then really took charge to save her sister. She didn’t always make the best decisions because she wasn’t exactly skilled at being on the run. She would stop and try to find a new way out of it and was ready to lay down her life to protect Lin. At the beginning of Unravel now that Elissa has accomplished what she set out to do, it’s like her insecurities are catching up to her. Lin is out shining her and everyone else seems to have special skills. Elissa feels like she no longer has a place, nothing that makes her special. I loved the turn her character takes because I think it really shows how the events of the first book have impacted her. I think I would feel the same way as she does. It’s like that moment you realize your child doesn’t need you anymore (even though they do just a different way) and you can’t see how they still do. I loved seeing Elissa change and make more stupid mistakes and then realizing she made them and fixing them. Growing as she gets a better understanding and of course her hidden fearlessness that comes out in tough spots.
Oh Elissa...I actually enjoy Cadan and her romance even with her annoying insecurities. She is constantly calling herself on it all the time but there are also times where Cadan has his unsure moments and you want him to validate it as a reader. Plus throw in Cadan’s mother, or throw her overboard maybe. You know how in a lot of books the guys are so sure and the girl has doubts. It kind of felt like a regular relationship between Cadan and Elissa where they both have their moments. You could see Elissa wasn’t understanding that as much as Cadan at times made her feel insecure. She was doing the same thing to him. I liked that it’s not fate/destiny driven and it’s more about how they slowly but then all at once fell for one another. I love their imperfect perfect relationship.
Poor Lin, it’s hard not to feel for her. She no doubt PTSD from her experiences at the facilities, all the twins must. The prejudices they face after the fact are horrible. I kept getting mad at the book and yelling in my head stop calling them “clones” and “spares” they are people. It’s not fault what other people have done to them. They are just trying to learn how to be human and are not finding any good examples from the people in society. Ugh it just made me feel for her.
I continued to love the plot and it’s flawless transition from one book to the next. If you read the books back to back it flows from one to the other easily. Things are explained again but mostly when you need to be reminded and it’s not over done. I feel like that’s a pitfall sometimes of second books, the info dump summary. Which can get boring if you still remember the previous book. I also really love how this book is the aftermath of winning the war. Most series end with the victory but you don’t know how they rebuilt or if they rebuilt. This book is how you can do something good but end up with bad results. It doesn’t changed that what you did was the right thing but it definitely shows that it’s not necessarily all sunshine, rainbows and lollipops after.
I figured I would like the Linked series being a sci-fi fanatic and all but I really loved these books. I thought the plot was great and unique. I bonded with the characters and not just the main ones. I loved the romance that was involved. Plus just how the first and second books fit together and felt like they flowed one right into the next. It’s one for the shelves.
dms's review against another edition
http://dms.booklikes.com/post/1052176/dnf-unravel-linked-2
tazian's review against another edition
3.0
Ugh, this book would be so much better without the teenage angst. It is very believable angst, I could see a teen thinking these things. But maybe that is why I have such an issue with it (as an adult that has to deal with teens, I don't want to have to deal with it in my books too).
I think the first one was better. I also think the ending of this one was too "nice" tied up in a nice little bow. It went from everything going down the drain and possible horribleness, to happy ending in less then 20 pages.
I think the first one was better. I also think the ending of this one was too "nice" tied up in a nice little bow. It went from everything going down the drain and possible horribleness, to happy ending in less then 20 pages.