Wow! How do I even begin to describe AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED, which defies categorization? It's a mystery-suspense story wrapped around a typical girl-coming-of-age tale, and as a result it is so much more.
Delia is a darling, an unassuming high school girl with a lot of bad luck but an equal amount of smarts on her hand. In straightforward, attention-grabbing prose she tells us how the transition from California to NYC is, how living with her crazy aunts after her by-the-book mom is, and how important it is to her that she get to the bottom of this mystery with her mom. The plot is definitely the best thing about this book, for the hint of a mysterious and dangerous conspiracy in an otherwise normal YA novel is unusual, and thus delightful.
Besides for Delia, most of the other characters are interesting as well. Her aunts Charley and Patty are complete opposites of one another, and yet neither of them feel cliched or unrealistic in their differences. Jennifer Sturman has the crazy-awesome ability to make even the most minor of characters have personality. The only character that falls slightly short in my opinion would be Quinn, Delia's love interest, who's gallant and noble and infuriating but still a little fuzzy in my head.
However, since the ending of this book clearly promises a sequel or two, I am confident that I will only fall more and more in love with Delia's world. AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED is a stellar start to what promises to be an exciting, heartwarming, AND nail-biting series. Can it really get better than that?
Delia is a darling, an unassuming high school girl with a lot of bad luck but an equal amount of smarts on her hand. In straightforward, attention-grabbing prose she tells us how the transition from California to NYC is, how living with her crazy aunts after her by-the-book mom is, and how important it is to her that she get to the bottom of this mystery with her mom. The plot is definitely the best thing about this book, for the hint of a mysterious and dangerous conspiracy in an otherwise normal YA novel is unusual, and thus delightful.
Besides for Delia, most of the other characters are interesting as well. Her aunts Charley and Patty are complete opposites of one another, and yet neither of them feel cliched or unrealistic in their differences. Jennifer Sturman has the crazy-awesome ability to make even the most minor of characters have personality. The only character that falls slightly short in my opinion would be Quinn, Delia's love interest, who's gallant and noble and infuriating but still a little fuzzy in my head.
However, since the ending of this book clearly promises a sequel or two, I am confident that I will only fall more and more in love with Delia's world. AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED is a stellar start to what promises to be an exciting, heartwarming, AND nail-biting series. Can it really get better than that?
I loved this book! It has a nice mix of mystery and romance. A real page turner!
Fun easy read!
Reviewed by Angela S. for TeensReadToo.com
Delia is devastated by the news that her mother, T.K., is dead after going on an expedition to Antarctica. Although everyone around her thinks that this is the case, Delia knows in her heart that her mother is alive and out there somewhere, but no one believes her.
So, she is sent off to live with her two aunts - who she's never met! - in New York.
Once in New York, Delia is forced to go to a new school, make new friends, and adjust to the hectic New York life, all while still searching for her mother. She has to keep secrets from her aunts and find out who she can (and can't) trust in the process.
AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED is a great mix of mystery, romance, and finding your inner strength in the face of adversity. The characters are intriguing, and the book keeps you on edge right until the very end!
Delia is devastated by the news that her mother, T.K., is dead after going on an expedition to Antarctica. Although everyone around her thinks that this is the case, Delia knows in her heart that her mother is alive and out there somewhere, but no one believes her.
So, she is sent off to live with her two aunts - who she's never met! - in New York.
Once in New York, Delia is forced to go to a new school, make new friends, and adjust to the hectic New York life, all while still searching for her mother. She has to keep secrets from her aunts and find out who she can (and can't) trust in the process.
AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED is a great mix of mystery, romance, and finding your inner strength in the face of adversity. The characters are intriguing, and the book keeps you on edge right until the very end!
