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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
3.5 stars.
Part of an emo buddy read with the MacHalos.
In the world of YA paranormal fiction this was relatively entertaining but it still suffered from the things that frustrate me about some YA novels. Dear book: it’s not you, it’s me?
Anyway the first half of this book was mediocre to me. I feel like the story would have been better without the drama and questions about people’s true feelings, etc. How and why Jack and Nikki formed such a deep connection seemed confusing to me. I just wish they had just moved beyond the drama earlier, I would have felt more connected to the characters.
Despite this - I was able to listen without groaning too many times. Nikki is pretty self-aware - I understood her decisions (good and bad) and could relate them back to my teen self. She also cared deeply for her family and friends despite feeling alienated from them.
In the second half things pick up, the last fourth even more when the characters start exploring the mythological ties to Nikki’s predicament. Characters are more fully developed, things start happening – overall a much better story.
Since I enjoyed the second half I plan to read the next books when I have some time between buddy reads.
Part of an emo buddy read with the MacHalos.
In the world of YA paranormal fiction this was relatively entertaining but it still suffered from the things that frustrate me about some YA novels. Dear book: it’s not you, it’s me?
Anyway the first half of this book was mediocre to me. I feel like the story would have been better without the drama and questions about people’s true feelings, etc. How and why Jack and Nikki formed such a deep connection seemed confusing to me
Spoiler
he always loved her but dated the whole cheerleading squad, huh? They only dated for a few months but they had been friends before – this was unclear as children or as teenagers? I feel like their relationship was all stated but not shown in the first half. What was the point with the jealousy and her friend?Despite this - I was able to listen without groaning too many times. Nikki is pretty self-aware - I understood her decisions (good and bad) and could relate them back to my teen self. She also cared deeply for her family and friends despite feeling alienated from them.
In the second half things pick up, the last fourth even more when the characters start exploring the mythological ties to Nikki’s predicament. Characters are more fully developed, things start happening – overall a much better story.
Since I enjoyed the second half I plan to read the next books when I have some time between buddy reads.
Overall impression:
Everneath failed to provide any sort of emotional attachment to its characters, prompting me to give up reading. If you like mythology retellings, I would go with Abandon or The Goddess Test for Persephone/Hades. If you just want a retelling in general, Fury by Elizabeth Miles is excellent.
Read the full review on Book Revels.
Everneath failed to provide any sort of emotional attachment to its characters, prompting me to give up reading. If you like mythology retellings, I would go with Abandon or The Goddess Test for Persephone/Hades. If you just want a retelling in general, Fury by Elizabeth Miles is excellent.
Read the full review on Book Revels.
“I didn’t tell him I’d thought of him every day. That even when every other memory had faded, he never left."
Everneath is about a girl, Nikki Becket, who manages to defy all odds and come back from a place that is basically the underworld so that she can see him. Yes here we have a ‘heroine’ who lives through 100 years of soul sucking (more on this later) so that she can see her one true love– her high school boyfriend.
I would try to extrapolate a bit more on the plot– except for there isn’t much more to add. Basically Nikki is allowed six months of time back on Earth before she is forced to go back to the Everneath and live forever as a battery in its mysterious ‘Tunnels’. But Nikki also has a choice. The reason she was stuck in the Everneath in the first place is because of Cole. Cole is an Everliving. He feeds off people’s souls and emotions to survive forever. Every 100 years he needs to feed off of a human. Cole meets Nikki, and at a low point in Nikki’s life, she agrees to go with Cole to have her soul sucked out of her. Sounds kind of stupid to me, but the reason Nikki chose it is because the soul sucking process also takes away any pain Nikki is feeling. Why is Nikki in pain? Because she saw her true love Jack with another girl and jumped to conclusions that he was cheating. Oh also her mom had just been murdered. That may have contributed to her pain a little bit. Anyway, Nikki has the choice to become a battery in the Tunnels or to rule the Everneath as an Everliving with Cole.
This book reminded me a lot of the Twilight series. In this scenario Cole is like the vampire. Except instead of consuming blood he sucks souls. Nikki is very similar to Bella because she spends the majority of her time thinking about Jack and bouncing back and forth between him and Cole. Unlike Twilight this book didn’t have a strong cast of secondary characters. Almost all of the dialogue is between Nikki, Cole, and Jack.
The other really big red flag in this novel was the poor immersion of Greek and Egyptian mythology. The Everneath is likened to the underworld and the Hades and Persephone myth but the author never really expands on that story. Instead she transitions into using Egyptian gods and hieroglyphics to carry on the story. It seems like she couldn’t decided if she wanted to use Greek or Egyptian mythology, so she just used both instead of really developing the myth within this novel.
“Yes,but it’s obviously the wrong choice. Return with me. To the Everneath. And we’ll live in the High Court. And you won’t be a battery in the Tunnels. You could be a queen.”
“The Everneath has a High Court?”
“Of course. It’s where Osiris and Isis ruled. Hades and Persephone. Every realm in every dimension has people who give orders and people who take orders. And I’m tired of taking orders, Nick.”
This book does continue on in a series but you can be sure that I will not be reading the next one. Two out of five stars.
Everneath is about a girl, Nikki Becket, who manages to defy all odds and come back from a place that is basically the underworld so that she can see him. Yes here we have a ‘heroine’ who lives through 100 years of soul sucking (more on this later) so that she can see her one true love– her high school boyfriend.
I would try to extrapolate a bit more on the plot– except for there isn’t much more to add. Basically Nikki is allowed six months of time back on Earth before she is forced to go back to the Everneath and live forever as a battery in its mysterious ‘Tunnels’. But Nikki also has a choice. The reason she was stuck in the Everneath in the first place is because of Cole. Cole is an Everliving. He feeds off people’s souls and emotions to survive forever. Every 100 years he needs to feed off of a human. Cole meets Nikki, and at a low point in Nikki’s life, she agrees to go with Cole to have her soul sucked out of her. Sounds kind of stupid to me, but the reason Nikki chose it is because the soul sucking process also takes away any pain Nikki is feeling. Why is Nikki in pain? Because she saw her true love Jack with another girl and jumped to conclusions that he was cheating. Oh also her mom had just been murdered. That may have contributed to her pain a little bit. Anyway, Nikki has the choice to become a battery in the Tunnels or to rule the Everneath as an Everliving with Cole.
This book reminded me a lot of the Twilight series. In this scenario Cole is like the vampire. Except instead of consuming blood he sucks souls. Nikki is very similar to Bella because she spends the majority of her time thinking about Jack and bouncing back and forth between him and Cole. Unlike Twilight this book didn’t have a strong cast of secondary characters. Almost all of the dialogue is between Nikki, Cole, and Jack.
The other really big red flag in this novel was the poor immersion of Greek and Egyptian mythology. The Everneath is likened to the underworld and the Hades and Persephone myth but the author never really expands on that story. Instead she transitions into using Egyptian gods and hieroglyphics to carry on the story. It seems like she couldn’t decided if she wanted to use Greek or Egyptian mythology, so she just used both instead of really developing the myth within this novel.
“Yes,but it’s obviously the wrong choice. Return with me. To the Everneath. And we’ll live in the High Court. And you won’t be a battery in the Tunnels. You could be a queen.”
“The Everneath has a High Court?”
“Of course. It’s where Osiris and Isis ruled. Hades and Persephone. Every realm in every dimension has people who give orders and people who take orders. And I’m tired of taking orders, Nick.”
This book does continue on in a series but you can be sure that I will not be reading the next one. Two out of five stars.
For a high-school love-triangle story it was really good. As a modern re-telling of the Persephone myth; it struggled. Looks like there are further books in (or planned) which might weave more of the mythology and fantasy into the very-much-modern-high-school-drama that this ended up being. Still, it was well written for the most part and left me mildly curious about the future of the characters by the end. Not a thrilling book but good to curl up with on a cold day when you don't mind that you might be interrupted often (because you won't lose the simple plot thread).
I truthfully don't know how to rate this book. I absolutely loved it, but the ending just has me so upset. I knew it was coming and yet I really wanted to hope it wouldn't happen as I feared. I am looking forward to reading Book 2. It has to end better than this one...*crossing fingers*
I really wanted to like this book. I really did. I just couldn't get into it at all. A few years ago I probably would have loved it, but now (given everything I've read) I just can't get into the plot anymore. The characters were quite bland, although Cole was rather complicated and was the only reason I read on as long as I did.
I may try and come back to this another day, but for now I'm just going to leave it on my bookshelf.
I may try and come back to this another day, but for now I'm just going to leave it on my bookshelf.
From the opening of this story the reader knows that Nikki is doomed. When Nikki comes back to the world and reenters the lives of her friends and family she sees the destruction she has caused by simply disappearing. The reactions of her little brother are so simple and true that they are remarkably touching. Watching Nikki struggle with herself and trying not to cause any further harm to those she loved is also moving. It’s a very emotional read and just following along with Nikki’s line of thought can be distressing. There were a number of times that I teared up at the thought of how alone Nikki felt with the information on her future and the realities of her life. The love she felt for Jack is both what caused her to end up in the Everneath and led to her return and it is something so strong that she hangs on to it by her fingernails. Everneath isn’t a run-of-the-mill pretty story where everything ties up nicely and you are done. And even though it’s a paranormal read, it’s still a thought provoking story that is both gritty and tender all at once. If this is how Brodi Ashton debuts, I can’t wait to see what else is hiding up her sleeves.
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
4.5 stars
Wow. That's the best way to start this review. Brodi Ashton delivers on this beautifully original paranormal romance. The story, shrouded in mystery that unravels at just the right pace, will keep you reading until deep in the night.
The story is rooted in Greek mythology. I've always been a fan of the Persephone myth. It's my favorite of all the Greek myths. Persephone is my favorite goddess. I think that helped a lot with being sucked into this story. But it worked so well. The execution was amazing. The concept was really original, creative, and well constructed.
So the story tells the tale of Nikki, who was tricked to follow bad boy Cole into the Everneath (underworld) to let him Feed on her (not vampire type stuff, energy sucking stuff). It simultaneously tells the events leading up to her descent into the Everneath and the events during her six month Return (before she is sent back to the Everneath forever). That means a lot of time jumps (or flashbacks, I guess). I'm amazed by how much this didn't bother me. Each scene, present or past, revealed one more element of the mystery surrounding the Everneath and Nikki's decision. Therefore, each scene sucks you in and keeps you reading. The pacing is just wonderful. You gradually get more insights into this world, and before you know it you've been absorbed by the whole story and can't stop reading until the end.
There is a potential love triangle. Which, just as the time jumps, I usually hate. But not here. Wow, Ashton, you really did a remarkable job. I digress. The love triangle is different from your average love triangle. Both love interests have distinct personalities. With Cole, you're tempted by the hints of redeeming qualities, while at the same time desperate to know what he's scheming. With Jack.... oh, Jack. It took a while for me to understand the history behind their relationship (at first I thought it was ridiculous, a 'normal' girl dating the quarterback, like wuuut?) but as that gradually got revealed, wow. I just want to hug him. And, yeah. It's a love triangle that kind of has me dying for more (wow, that never happens) -- although I am more on the Jack side of things.
Aside from it being a love triangle, this book screams paranormal romance. Which, also, is something I usually do not like. The novel is very romance-centric - which usually I hate (I want depth, story, action). God, this book is surprising on so many fronts. Because I was so sucked in, I didn't mind. Any of it. You may have converted me, Ashton.
The only negative thing I can say about this story is that the pacing (which, again, I found to be perfect) does mean that character development and depth also gradually comes about - it took me quite a while to actually get a sense of who the characters were and what they were like. It's not the strongest connection I've ever had to characters. But overall, the story was so well executed that this doesn't bother me as much as it might in another novel.
Summing Up:
Overall, I'm amazed. Ashton can take some of the most hated plot elements and make you love them. Her pacing, story telling, and world building will blow you away. The ending cliffhanger will leave you heartbroken and desperate for more. I NEED that sequel, Everbound.
Do I even need to mention how stunning that cover is?
Recommended To:
Just... everyone?
Wow. That's the best way to start this review. Brodi Ashton delivers on this beautifully original paranormal romance. The story, shrouded in mystery that unravels at just the right pace, will keep you reading until deep in the night.
The story is rooted in Greek mythology. I've always been a fan of the Persephone myth. It's my favorite of all the Greek myths. Persephone is my favorite goddess. I think that helped a lot with being sucked into this story. But it worked so well. The execution was amazing. The concept was really original, creative, and well constructed.
So the story tells the tale of Nikki, who was tricked to follow bad boy Cole into the Everneath (underworld) to let him Feed on her (not vampire type stuff, energy sucking stuff). It simultaneously tells the events leading up to her descent into the Everneath and the events during her six month Return (before she is sent back to the Everneath forever). That means a lot of time jumps (or flashbacks, I guess). I'm amazed by how much this didn't bother me. Each scene, present or past, revealed one more element of the mystery surrounding the Everneath and Nikki's decision. Therefore, each scene sucks you in and keeps you reading. The pacing is just wonderful. You gradually get more insights into this world, and before you know it you've been absorbed by the whole story and can't stop reading until the end.
There is a potential love triangle. Which, just as the time jumps, I usually hate. But not here. Wow, Ashton, you really did a remarkable job. I digress. The love triangle is different from your average love triangle. Both love interests have distinct personalities. With Cole, you're tempted by the hints of redeeming qualities, while at the same time desperate to know what he's scheming. With Jack.... oh, Jack. It took a while for me to understand the history behind their relationship (at first I thought it was ridiculous, a 'normal' girl dating the quarterback, like wuuut?) but as that gradually got revealed, wow. I just want to hug him. And, yeah. It's a love triangle that kind of has me dying for more (wow, that never happens) -- although I am more on the Jack side of things.
Aside from it being a love triangle, this book screams paranormal romance. Which, also, is something I usually do not like. The novel is very romance-centric - which usually I hate (I want depth, story, action). God, this book is surprising on so many fronts. Because I was so sucked in, I didn't mind. Any of it. You may have converted me, Ashton.
The only negative thing I can say about this story is that the pacing (which, again, I found to be perfect) does mean that character development and depth also gradually comes about - it took me quite a while to actually get a sense of who the characters were and what they were like. It's not the strongest connection I've ever had to characters. But overall, the story was so well executed that this doesn't bother me as much as it might in another novel.
Summing Up:
Overall, I'm amazed. Ashton can take some of the most hated plot elements and make you love them. Her pacing, story telling, and world building will blow you away. The ending cliffhanger will leave you heartbroken and desperate for more. I NEED that sequel, Everbound.
Do I even need to mention how stunning that cover is?
Recommended To:
Just... everyone?