by Imogen Howson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 8th 2014
Untold dangers await telepathic twins in this sequel to the futuristic, romantic thriller called classic sci-fi, space-travel adventure at its best. After Elissa and Lin exposed the government's secret experiments in Linked, which Booklist called a roller-coaster ride into space that just about everyone should enjoy, their home planet Sekoia is thrown into chaos. Determined to do their part to help the planet they've hurt, they return to Sekoia only to discover that things are far worse that they imagined. Resources are suddenly scarce, people are scared, and there's a rising current of anger against the Spares. When Lissa and Lin find themselves among another group of Spares and twins, they feel like they've found their kindred spirits at last. But a threat none of them could have expected is lying in wait for Sekoia's Spares.
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.
Elissa / Lin
Adelaide Kane
I know I've used her before but I just think she could pull off the role of Elissa and Lin perfectly. She's good at playing someone who is tough but still innocent.
Cadan
Drew Van Acker
FELICIA
Alex Kingston
IVAN
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
(you describe someone with big arms, I of course think The Rock)
MARKUS
Javier Bardem
Most of the songs make me think of Elissa/Lin and their relationship but there is also Elissa/Caden as well. One of my now favorite love stories. :)
I enjoyed books in a slightly unorthodox way, too – many of my childhood books have ragged edges where I tore paper from the margins in order to eat it.
I wrote my first book at eight. It was entitled The Dragon in the Teapot and would probably have been a huge hit if I hadn’t lost the only copy on a family day out.
Some years later, armed with several different types of backups, I’m busy writing romantic science fiction and fantasy for young adults and adults.
I live with my partner, our two teenage daughters, and three cats, near Sherwood Forest in England. I’m a Christian, a feminist, and a lover of cheese, chocolate, stationery shops and eighties pop music. I still read in most places, but I no longer eat paper.
I’m a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the group blogs The Lucky 13s and Author Allsorts, and the online writers’ community Romance Divas. I’m represented by Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary Agency.
