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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Mr. Shusterman sure does like to have books with a male and female protagonist accompanied by a young child, huh? This one was alright, definitely not as disturbing as "Unwind". I actually like this one.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Car accident
I remember reading this book when we were moving in to our first house in Quartz Hill. It was spooky and interesting and very enjoyable.
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
been thinking about ghosts lately so I remembered I loved this book when I was about 13 and decided to reread! the ghost ideas in here are still pretty fun and interesting, but the rest hasn't aged very well. there's an attempt at diversity, though it isn't executed very well. there's also the weird recently-post-9/11 cloud surrounding it. then again, it was written in the early 2000s
this one is definitely the best out of the whole trilogy imo
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Liked
*I like books that ponder what's after death
*Everlost is an interesting place
*The "rules" of how and why things and kids end up in Everlost was interesting
*The narration was pretty good
*Enjoyed some of the real world historical elements
Disliked
*The whole Mary and Nick attraction thing was eeeew they're like 14 and dead
*Definitly more suited for younger readers
*I like books that ponder what's after death
*Everlost is an interesting place
*The "rules" of how and why things and kids end up in Everlost was interesting
*The narration was pretty good
*Enjoyed some of the real world historical elements
Disliked
*The whole Mary and Nick attraction thing was eeeew they're like 14 and dead
*Definitly more suited for younger readers
This is a young adult book and definitely is written for juveniles so reading it as an adult was a little too childish to me; however, the topic was interesting to contemplate. I'll be checking out the second book just to see where the story line goes.
I really liked Everlost! This book is just so good, I can’t tell you! It takes a very unique view of what happens to us when we die, and oh, it was just amazing!
A lot of thought has gone into this book; a lot of urban fantasies I’ve read lately have been based around some sort of myth, but as far as I can tell, Everlost has been completely made up, and the world building is just brilliant! The rules of the world, the way this new world effects some people, the “magic” of the world; with each page turned, there’s something to be amazed by, but it’s not so farfetched as to not be believable. As I was reading, it just seemed that this place between life and death could actually exist, but I couldn’t tell you if this is a place I’d want to go to or not.
I really loved the cultural and historic references in this book. As well as people making their way to Everlost, objects and buildings can make their way there, too, for various reasons. One of the main settings in Everlost are the Twin Towers, and it plays an important part in the story as what it stands for, for certain characters. The Twin Towers aren’t the only “things” to have come to Everlost that a reader will recognise either from their own life, or as from historical events. It’s just superb how Neal has interwoven real real life into his story; it does that little bit more to make Everlost believable.
There are some really great characters in this story! Everlost is a multiple point of view story, and so we get to understand on a certain level all five of the main characters; Nick, Allie, Lief, Mary and the McGill. Nick is a little deluded by Mary, but through some of the events that happen in the book, he becomes a really strong and powerful character. Allie is stubborn and in denial at first, but she’s smart, and she sees things – and people – for what they really are; Lief is such a lovely boy! I really wanted to give him a hug so many times; he’s sweet and kind, and his own version of brave. Mary is hard to figure out exactly, she has her heart in the right place in some ways, but she’s also kind of selfish in others – I actually think she’s quite twisted and disturbing. The McGill I can’t really get into, but I’ll tell you he’s complicated. Together, they all make for interesting reading!
The action in the novel isn’t action as I normally use the word, it’s more a series of events that move the story forward; if one event didn’t happen, the ones that followed wouldn’t either. Suspense and wonder run throughout the novel, and you can’t help but keep reading! Everlost is a real page turner!
If I was to criticise anything in the book, it would be Mary and Nick’s relationship. No, not their relationship exactly, more how they’re in love with each other. In my opinion, not enough happens between them for them to be in love; they fancy each other, yes, perhaps are even infatuated with each other, but it doesn’t feel like love to me. There isn’t enough development in their relationship for love, but that’s just my opinion.
All in all, Everlost is a fantastic book, and I implore you all to give it a go! Next on my reading list is Everwild, the sequel, which is released on 4th February, and I can’t wait to pick it up! Really, this is such an awesome book, you must read it!
A lot of thought has gone into this book; a lot of urban fantasies I’ve read lately have been based around some sort of myth, but as far as I can tell, Everlost has been completely made up, and the world building is just brilliant! The rules of the world, the way this new world effects some people, the “magic” of the world; with each page turned, there’s something to be amazed by, but it’s not so farfetched as to not be believable. As I was reading, it just seemed that this place between life and death could actually exist, but I couldn’t tell you if this is a place I’d want to go to or not.
I really loved the cultural and historic references in this book. As well as people making their way to Everlost, objects and buildings can make their way there, too, for various reasons. One of the main settings in Everlost are the Twin Towers, and it plays an important part in the story as what it stands for, for certain characters. The Twin Towers aren’t the only “things” to have come to Everlost that a reader will recognise either from their own life, or as from historical events. It’s just superb how Neal has interwoven real real life into his story; it does that little bit more to make Everlost believable.
There are some really great characters in this story! Everlost is a multiple point of view story, and so we get to understand on a certain level all five of the main characters; Nick, Allie, Lief, Mary and the McGill. Nick is a little deluded by Mary, but through some of the events that happen in the book, he becomes a really strong and powerful character. Allie is stubborn and in denial at first, but she’s smart, and she sees things – and people – for what they really are; Lief is such a lovely boy! I really wanted to give him a hug so many times; he’s sweet and kind, and his own version of brave. Mary is hard to figure out exactly, she has her heart in the right place in some ways, but she’s also kind of selfish in others – I actually think she’s quite twisted and disturbing. The McGill I can’t really get into, but I’ll tell you he’s complicated. Together, they all make for interesting reading!
The action in the novel isn’t action as I normally use the word, it’s more a series of events that move the story forward; if one event didn’t happen, the ones that followed wouldn’t either. Suspense and wonder run throughout the novel, and you can’t help but keep reading! Everlost is a real page turner!
If I was to criticise anything in the book, it would be Mary and Nick’s relationship. No, not their relationship exactly, more how they’re in love with each other. In my opinion, not enough happens between them for them to be in love; they fancy each other, yes, perhaps are even infatuated with each other, but it doesn’t feel like love to me. There isn’t enough development in their relationship for love, but that’s just my opinion.
All in all, Everlost is a fantastic book, and I implore you all to give it a go! Next on my reading list is Everwild, the sequel, which is released on 4th February, and I can’t wait to pick it up! Really, this is such an awesome book, you must read it!
I really adore Shusterman's writing and inventive worlds. In all my wildest dreams I would not have imagined Everlost. The idea of the McGill, and the fear of sinking into the earth and losing your form as you forger what you looked like in life: these all seem like interesting takes on what life might be like when you are incorporeal and live indefinitely. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book a lot.
Our two main characters, Allie and Nick were also quite compelling to read. It was nice to see two people with different drives and personalities not just give in to what one or the other was doing, and each decision being their own. Going in, I thought the two would be "inseparable" since they came into Everlost together. But seeing them make different decisions and take different (though still related) paths was really refreshing.
As many others have said, compared to some of Shusterman's other works, this book is nothing particularly special. However, I think it really highlights Shusterman's strengths in writing. I quite enjoyed this, and will probably pick up the sequels at some point.
Our two main characters, Allie and Nick were also quite compelling to read. It was nice to see two people with different drives and personalities not just give in to what one or the other was doing, and each decision being their own. Going in, I thought the two would be "inseparable" since they came into Everlost together. But seeing them make different decisions and take different (though still related) paths was really refreshing.
As many others have said, compared to some of Shusterman's other works, this book is nothing particularly special. However, I think it really highlights Shusterman's strengths in writing. I quite enjoyed this, and will probably pick up the sequels at some point.