This book was okay, but apparently a sequel? That was super confusing.

I read this ARC in June. Right after I read Unblemished. For me, picking up Unblemished was not too exciting, for I picked it up at the wrong time. It's a good book, just not for me at the moment. Same with this one. I did look forward to certain scenes, but I ended up just skimming through it. I do recommend it because it is totally appropriate for all ages.

Pros:
~ The love triangle reaches resolution!
~ Eliyana experiences more character growth
~ The relationships of the characters evolve and grow
~ Pirates?? Seven dimensional seas?? ATLANTIS?
~ I really do like the love story
~ KY
~ There’s a particular love-triangle centric trope I HATE in here
~ BUt..... I think it works. It was built up from book 1 and felt natural
~ LOVED the inclusion of Ebony and Khloe
~ Especially the Ebony Evolution™

Cons:
~ I’m sorry... but the butterfly thing is just too cheesy even for me
~ Eliyana isn’t exactly OP in this book, but she possesses all this untapped
power, and I know she will be OP in time
~ Not sure if there needed to be multiple POVs...
~ SHUT UP JOSHUA!!!!!! NO ONE WANTS YOU AROUND!!!
~ If you looked up asshole in the dictionary there’d be a picture of Joshua
~ I’m not sure if I’m supposed to care about Joshua, and that’s why that’s
a con
HERE BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK ONE! Spoiled men tell no tales, so mateys, read at your own peril.

Unraveling resumes two months after Unblemished left off. The time jump is a little jarring, but what is most shocking is what has happened in those two months.

Ky is gone. He disappeared at the end of the first book (though we, the reader, do see his redux/epilogue) without word to Eliyana. She fully believes he’s left her forever to find his little sister, and is left to govern the Second as the new vessel of the Verity and queen, with acting-King Joshua at her side.

And Joshua’s proposed.

Right? Right. Eugh.

So the little lovebirds are engaged, but Eliyana is not fully satisfied with her current life. Everybody respects Joshua as king but not really her as queen, which I can kind of understand. How can she be queen when she literally just discovered this world existed? That’s like me finding out I’m princess of Genovia and trying to rule immediately. Then Isabeau and her unfulfilled-promise-self returns, along with traitor Gage, and they attack during the coronation. It wouldn’t have been so bad, except that because Eliyana is queen, Mirror, and Verity vessel, the Callings (their magic powers) are dying, and Isabeau’s attack succeeds.

Eliyana decides the only person who knows enough and is desperate enough to help after being imprisoned in the last book is Ebony, her ex-friend and half-sister. When they snoop in Joshua’s stuff for info Eliyana ends up discovering that Ky did leave word for her. Turns out, he knew Joshua would keep it from her, so he left a hidden note.

We end up following Eliyana on her search for Ky and the reason the Callings are failing. She travels to the Third Reflection, joins a pirate crew, discovers Atlantis, as well as the extent of her own powers.

Ky’s search for his adopted baby sister, Khloe, has taken him to the Third, which is, literally, Atlantis. We meet a lot of new characters, most especially the pirate crew Ky has commandeered, but they’re not as fleshed as they could’ve been. The real development lies in Ky and Eliyana’s relationship. Ky is there for her through everything, especially because he is in her head, and they grow together a lot because of this.

As in the first book, Eliyana herself experiences good growth. Her relationship with her mom, Makai, and her new baby brother is sweet, but I really liked how she made more female friends. She suffers a lot between Ky and Joshua. Joshua has been a dick the whole time (in my opinion since the first book) by keeping things from her, manipulating her, lying outright, and believing her to be his possession and treating her as such. And since their shared Kiss of Infinity, Eliyana has heard Ky’s voice in her head, responding to her thoughts. For a while she thinks it’s her imagination, till she realizes it’s really him.

Ky is very supportive and sweet. He is all-around better for Eliyana than Joshua, who has frankly put his douchebaggery on full display, to the point where he is completely susceptible to Void taint.

Joshua’s possessiveness and lies warp him into something villainous. I won’t spoil, but generally when one love interest is made to be crappy and mean or even evil to force the MC into choosing the other guy, I find it cheap and lazy. But Joshua’s questionable motives here… I think they work. Because he absorbed half of the Void vessel at the end of the first book (a subject which I am still admittedly hazy on, due to confusing exposition), he is highly susceptible to, well, turning evil. Plus he was sketchy from the beginning. But he is given room for potential redemption, so, in all, an interesting plot line.

Another fabulous development was Ebony! She was a total beeyotch in the first book and was not much better in the beginning of this one. But she does change and grow close with her half-sisters Khloe and Eliyana. I loved that the mean girl of the first book became a close friend and sister of the MCs!

I have to say, the characters are where this series shines. The exploration of the Third Reflection is interesting, but not as much as the Second because we really don’t get to see it all that much. And as ever, the worldbuilding is very cute, as are the Callings. Eliyana is the Mirror and the Verity vessel now, so she has access to all of the Callings. A couple are awakened in this book, including Eliyana’s shapeshifting power which is obviously going to be the cutest thing possible… look at the cover. IMHO, Eliyana is too OP. In this book alone she has a lot of powers, and since they’re not all fully tapped, it’s going to get worse.

Would I say Unraveling, in the end, is better than Unblemished? … No. I enjoyed the plot of Unblemished more than this, in spite of the gratifying relational growth. In some ways Unblemished has a stronger plot because it is contained in itself. Isabeau is an all right villain, but this feels like we’re stretching.

Overall I have to deduct points for:

1. killing off one of the few (only?) characters of color

2. the cheeeese

3. that STUPID TROPE USED AT THE END

If you’ve read Mockingjay, the Cahill Witch Chronicles, or watched any soap opera, maybe you can guess what this trope is. I’ll just say, the force of the Lethe river is strong with this one.

If you liked Unblemished, you will assuredly like its sequel. (unless you were for Joshua, which, I don’t know why you would be…) But the same problems in that book are prevalent in this one, so maybe skip this series if you can’t get into the first book.

In Unraveling, book two in Sara Ella’s Unblemished trilogy, all is not well. Despite the defeat of the evil Jasyn Crowe, something is happening to the callings of those who follow the Verity.

As El wrestles with the question of whether she is worthy of being the verity’s vessel, her people are starting to wonder the same. Was there a mistake made?

The love triangle between El, Joshua, and Ky grows more complicated and twisted as this book continues. As one man’s love for El fights the Void within him, the other’s gives it roots. Will El listen to her heart or her history?

I had a hard time getting into this story. The love triangle angle come on too strong for the first half of the book even though Ky’s input was only included as an aside. It wasn’t until El journeys out of the Second Reflection to the Third and then on to the Fourth that my interest was captured.
Another issue I had with the book was with the characterization of on particular person. How can someone I rooted for in the first book become someone I don’t like at all in the second? Don’t worry, when you read it, you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.

Ella’s world-building is impressive as readers are taken to not one but two new Reflections. The Fourth is rooted in myth (which added a unique twist), and there’s only been a glimpse of fifth thus far. And the new relationships El develops with her sisters is heartening.

Unraveling definitely leaves readers with more of a cliff-hangar ending than the first. It’s been a year since I read Unblemished and perhaps that has a little to do with why it took me so long to become engaged in the story. I’m optimistic that book three brings readers full-circle and gives us answers to the questions posed thus far as well as happy endings for everyone who deserves them. I do recommend reading this one so we’re not all totally lost when book three comes out.

Oh, and after reading the book, this gorgeous cover becomes even more so with context!!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I love this series! Unraveling, the second book in the series, started off just after the first book (Unblemished) left off. Eliyana is now getting ready to take the throne and learn to rule her people. She is feeling very "in over her head" and looking to Joshua for help. And yet, she is quite sure where she truly stands with Joshua, or what part the Kiss of Infinity truly played in their story. Eli must rise to the occasion and decide what type of leader, and woman, she is going to become.

The beautiful cover drew me right into both 'Unraveling' and its prequel. 'Unblemished' is an excellent YA paranormal read, what with hidden magic, other worlds, and a young heroine trying to make sense of it all. 'Unraveling' picks up where book 1 left off and readers are thrust back into the action. Great read!

Oh. My. Goodness. I think I just died. This book, people--if you're going to preorder a book in 2017, then make it this one. It is so worth it.

Okay, this review is going to sound totally fan-girly, and will probably contain spoilers from the first book. You've been warned.

SQUEAL! I loved this book so much. It has the best romance since Parvin and Solomon, and some of the swooniest scenes in all of romance history. The best part? It's totally clean!! That makes me so happy. :D There is a few content issues, which I will mention in the content guide below, but nothing to cause me to rate it under 5 stars. <spoiler> I adore Ky. He's is now one of my favorite book crushes (right up there with Jude Hawke). I melted into a little puddle when he washed El's feet. It was so beautiful! And self-less! And swoony! Sigh. He's a true knight in shining armor. </spoiler> I loved most of the characters in this one. The author did an amazing job with their character arcs, transforming them just enough without making it seem unbelievable. <spoiler> Notice I said I loved most of the characters. There is one notable exception--Joshua. ARGH! I hate that jerk. </spoiler>

I am amazed by all the worlds--or rather, Reflections--that Sara Ella keeps coming up with. It's so cool how she ties them altogether as well! She mixes all sorts of cultures, real and imagined, in her world-building. Like El says in the book, perhaps we ought to already be expecting the unexpected. <spoiler> I especially loved how she threw Atlantis in there. </spoiler>

The plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I raced through it in record time. Unfortunately, that also means I have to wait for book 3, which isn't even on the horizon yet! The life of a reader. Sigh. Anyway, I was curious where Sara Ella could go with this one. After all, Crowe is dead, the Reflection saved, and El is about to be crowned queen. What could possibly go wrong? (Hint: the answer is anything and everything, my friends. Anything and everything.) The only part I didn't care for a whole lot out of this book <spoiler> besides Joshua and his obsession with El </spoiler> was the allegorical aspect. I'm not totally sure where the author is going with this. It's not a Biblical allegory, so far as I can tell. Or if it is, it's a twisted one. And those always make me a little twitchy. Regardless, I can't wait to see what happens in the next (and last!) book.

Overall, I adored this book. I loved it even more than the first one! (Which is very rare--the only other sequel I liked more than the first is A Time to Speak by Nadine Brandes.) I highly recommend this one (and it's definitely a buy-it-instantly kind of book)!

Rating: 5 glowing butterflies

Recommended: Yes. 14 and up. (Too confusing for younger readers, and some content issues.)

Content guide:

Language: 0/10 (that I can recall)
Sexual content: 5/10 (some non-sexual nudity, desire to kiss or touch, heavy kissing, some touching, innuendo, one scene could be interpreted the wrong way)
Violence: 7/10 (quite a few injuries and deaths, but most non-graphic. definitely some darker content in this one.)

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy to review!*

For more book reviews, or to request your own book to be reviewed by yours truly, visit gabriellenblog.wordpress.com

And the excitement continues with book two in this wonderful series from Sara Ella! After the ending of book one, I was a little nervous in how the suspense and surprise would continue. Rest assured, my attention was held from beginning to end. I was still on the edge of my seat awaiting answers about Eliyanna, Joshua and Ky.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the way the author wrote the characters. I could not make up my mind who was truly a good guy and who wasn’t. This was especially true of Joshua and Ky. I kept flopping back and forth because I just could not put my finger on who was going things for the right reasons. Thank goodness the truth came out before the end because I do not think I could have waited until book three to find out!

The ending on this book was very frustrating, but in a good way. Sometimes I like getting angry at the characters – it’s fun! I was definitely angry with a certain character towards the end of this book. What this person did was a HUGE game changer, and I look forward to seeing how it all plays out in book three. Be prepared readers. You may want to smack this character!
Overall this is a great example of good versus evil. Whether we want to admit it or not, this battle is inside all of us. Much like the characters in this book, we have to constantly and purposefully choose the good over the evil. If we don’t, the evil may start to slowly take over (you see this in the book too!). See if you can pick up on this message while you’re reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sara Ella has truly bewitched me with Unraveling. So many twists, so many emotions, so many aspects that will leave you speechless and unable to move...More than once my husband would look over at me and say "Shhhh"...Because HE was trying to read his book and I was over here repeating myself..."NO!!!! Noooooo!!! NO!" or "WHAAAAAAAAAT?????" (you get the picture?)


With an eloquence that is rarely seen (especially in YA) Sara Ella has created "a whole new world" for us to discover! Infused with the life force of music and song, this aspect of Eliyana truly speaks to my heart. For readers who have not delved into the heart of fantasy fiction, this is a really good place to start (although I recommend starting with Unblemished first). Because Sara merges the real world and the fantasy world so seamlessly it is so much easier to follow along. Yes there are new phrases and places and words that you have never heard of, but the familiar is referenced enough throughout the story that I was able to stay grounded and my mind sane. One of my favorite parts of this book is all of the music references. From having song lyrics as the chapter titles, to the melody El hears in her head. Music is her strength, her life. And I love how we discover her TRUE nature, the fierce and bold person that rises to the surface.


The bottom line is that I LOVE this book. Be prepared for a MASSIVE book hangover. (Please resist throwing your Kindle and/or book at anyone or anything after you finish...I understand I do....but we only have to wait

Please note that this is the SECOND book of the series. You will be totally lost if you pick up Unraveling without reading Unblemished first. My review will be available this summer for Unblemished.

I received a complimentary copy of Unraveling from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Y’all. I can’t even. This book. This series. I am undone.

In my inner card catalog, I file it right next to The Chronicles of Narnia and the Harry Potter series because of the sheer joy it brings me as I unearth each new layer of what lies beneath the story.

There’s so much I want to rave about, gush about, FLAIL about. But I can’t… not until you’ve read it too. Because – spoilers. But let me just say that very little played out like I thought it would in this second installment of Sara Ella’s fabulous series. Unraveling held me captive just as much – if not more – than its predecessor Unblemished. Eliyana. Joshua. Ky. And all the other players in this gorgeously creative story kept me riveted and invested and feeling as though I myself had joined them on this emotionally-intense journey.

Unraveling is brilliantly crafted and charmingly written. With nods to pop culture and classic literature, there is something here for every reader. Humor shows up at just the right moments, and Eliyana makes a completely delightful heroine. The love triangle that I agonized over in Unblemished is, in some ways, more clear cut in Unraveling and more complex in others. AND I LOVE IT!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaa!!! I’m still flailing. And grinning. And crying a little inside. (And this from a person who as a rule hates love triangles.)

Bottom Line: The story that’s being told here is simply exquisite, and with each new bit of information uncovered I fall more in love with this trilogy. I cannot wait for book 3 to see how it all plays out, but at the same time I don’t want to see it end. Sara Ella’s writing style is endearing and creative, her characters a reflection (see what I did there?) of her voice. I cannot recommend these books highly enough – and I would suggest that if you haven’t already read Unblemished you grab it before you start on Unraveling as their story threads are so closely aligned.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

"Without him now, darkness descends.

Where it begins, my light does end."

(Ella, Unraveling)

With the continuation of book one, Unblemished, Unraveling will draw you deeper in to the faerie tale. You will be immersed in to the legend of the Verity and the Void. You will be tossed around, like a ship on the sea, by the emotions and heartache, and you will be left wondering if light will truly prevail over darkness.

The Plot: Following the events of Unblemished, El is now training to understand her calling and her status as a mirror. Being the new vessel for the Verity, coronation day comes quicker than she would like. Believing all is right in the reflection, and finally having Joshua outwardly profess his love, El begins to feel safe, until all goes terribly wrong during her crowning. Discovering that the callings are beginning to fade away, and that she is now psychically linked to Ky, El embarks on a dangerous journey to find answers and restore her kingdom. Can she find the truth, save Ky from the Void, and figure out who she truly loves?

I began Unraveling in hopes of having a mild reprieve from the craziness and confusion in Unblemished. Instead, the book jumped right back in to the thick of it all. I enjoyed the faerie tale aspect of the books, but still just feel like the writing style is not for me (i.e. there is no real separation between real time story line and memories, Eliyana does a lot of internal speaking and weird onomatopoeia actions, like gasp or huff, without clear separation from the narration, and it feels like the author tries too hard to throw in real word references, like song lyrics being sung in El's head, or movie references). Again, I feel like there was enough uniqueness and intrigue within the story to keep me reading, but the writing style and the forced love triangle keep me from jumping to recommend the books.

From the ending of Unblemished, we learn that the Verity felt that El was pure enough to become its vessel and since she loved both Josh and Ky, they both took on the burden of being vessels for the Void. Because El gave Ky a Kiss of Infinity, they are both physically linked as far as feeling each other's pain. Since Josh gave El the same kiss, he can feel her pain and she can be healed by him since he is an Ever, which means Ky can also be healed indirectly. It's a somewhat interesting and new approach to the love triangle trope, but it still feels a little forced, and confusing. It also leads to the confusing point of the plot. El embarks on her journey to find out the origin of the Verity and Void. In book 1 we learn that they balance each other, and one cannot exist without the other, but El's journey leads us to search for answers on how to destroy the void. What?

"It should be easier to trust the boy I've known for years rather than one I just met." (Ella, Unraveling).

I didn't intend to be quite so negative in the review. I enjoyed the books enough that I will pick up the 3rd one when it comes out so I can find out what happens. I just felt that the love triangle was forced and over used. El seemed so much more focused on figuring out her love triangle situation than she did about really learning about her abilities or figuring out how to save the kingdom.

I did enjoy the faerie tale feel. It seemed that the author took inspiration from Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Beautiful Creatures, and City of Bones. I still feel that the world building for the reflections was enchanting and does help make up for the overused trope.

"This Reflection continues to astonish me. A beautiful Troll. A hulking merman. A childlike leviathan..." (Ella, Unraveling).

I would rate this book about 3-3.5 stars. It had enough unique qualities to keep my interest and I will be reading the 3rd book when it is released. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First book from this Author and of course it was book 2, but now I MUST find all of the books and read them

Unraveling is an enjoyable YA novel with really well-drawn characters and an interesting world.

When I finished Unblemished I had a serious book hangover, and then Unraveling came along. Worse book hangover! Sara Ella is a master at world-building, but her characters are what draw you in, you care for them, root for them, yell at them. From page one the action starts and the story grips you all they way to the end and then....and then you are wailing because you want more!

All I can say is that I can't wait for book 3 and much more from this super talented author.

This book was fast flowing and I really enjoyed the way this sort was written I'm really glad I read it

I really could not get into this book. I really tired, but the writing style just wasn't for me and I found it really kind of confusing and it was too much of an information dump at points. I couldn't even really finish it because I couldn't get into it and I never really understood what was going on. This definitely was not my favorite book.

While I really enjoyed the first book in this series, I felt like this one was a bit of a disappointment. I liked Eliyana in the first story, but I got tired of being in her head with this book. And, it seemed like there wasn't quite as much going on, nor as many surprises as with the first book. I will still read the final book to see what happens, but it will be with the hope that the story will have more going on like the first book did.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my review.

Better than the first! Loved the writing and get got a chance to dive deeper into the world and characters! Do not miss the sequel!