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kelleemoye's review
4.0
Where will we go when we die?
In Shusterman's book, if you are a child, it is a middle land called Everlost. Everlost is a shadow of the living world filled with all the "dead" objects of the world (an object must be loved to pass to Everlost, though).
When Nick and Allie awake in this weird land, with a weird boy staring at them, their only thought is to go home; however, this is easier said than done.
This book follows Nick and Allie, both newly dead (Greensoul Afterlights) and Leif, the weird young boy who has lived his entire after life in a forest, on an adventure to reach a resolution to this limbo they are in.
Everlost is very unique and has tremendous characters that are easy to connect to. The book has action, adventure, deceit, betrayal, friendship... just about everything you would want in a book, and it is also anything but predictable.
In Shusterman's book, if you are a child, it is a middle land called Everlost. Everlost is a shadow of the living world filled with all the "dead" objects of the world (an object must be loved to pass to Everlost, though).
When Nick and Allie awake in this weird land, with a weird boy staring at them, their only thought is to go home; however, this is easier said than done.
This book follows Nick and Allie, both newly dead (Greensoul Afterlights) and Leif, the weird young boy who has lived his entire after life in a forest, on an adventure to reach a resolution to this limbo they are in.
Everlost is very unique and has tremendous characters that are easy to connect to. The book has action, adventure, deceit, betrayal, friendship... just about everything you would want in a book, and it is also anything but predictable.
booksong's review
5.0
Addicting, creative, fascinating tale that weaves something that could have been either cliched or overly creepy into something brilliant and original.
Allie and Nick are dead, killed instantly in a car crash that involved their respective family's cars. According to the laws of the universe, they should have crossed over. But the thing is, not all children cross over. Some trip, stumble, or resist the journey into the light...and end up in Everlost, just like Allie and Nick have.
Everlost is a between-place, and Shusterman throws it wide open in amazing, utterly commendable style. Rarely does an author have the talent to make a world their own so fully, as well as flesh the characters that inhabit it. There are rules to be followed, monsters to be feared, leaders to be looked to. It is a full and fascinating world in its own right.
Allie and Nick are different from most Afterlights; they're not content simply to wander eternally, forgetting their lives and falling into ruts of endless patience. They want answers, they want life, and they refuse to take no for an answer.
But their quest will take them into the heart of New York and up and down the East Coast as they become enmeshed among Everlost's most well-known characters; Mary Hightower, who zealously protects the Afterlight children who come under her care; the Alter Boys, a rough and tumble gang who only respect might; the Haunter, who knows all kinds of tricks for interacting with the living; and the McGill, the horrific monster whose very name terrifies everyone who hears it. And the further the two go, the more they realize what powers they possess, and how they fit into the grand scheme of Everlost.
Weaving all these and more together, and exploring their relationships, their motivations and personalities, and in the end their destinies, Shusterman has truly made a stunning beginning novel to this trilogy. None of Everlost's components are heavy-handed or ridiculous. Any religious or scientific quarrels are neatly circumvented, as reaching the afterlife beyond Everlost is simply referred to as "getting where you're going." Real world places, things, and events are cleverly and tastefully referenced, often in unexpected and amusing ways (I especially found the significance of the Twin Towers to be creative and well-handled, and keep an eye out for a hilarious Amityville Horror reference.)
All in all, I can't wait to return to Everlost in the sequel.
Allie and Nick are dead, killed instantly in a car crash that involved their respective family's cars. According to the laws of the universe, they should have crossed over. But the thing is, not all children cross over. Some trip, stumble, or resist the journey into the light...and end up in Everlost, just like Allie and Nick have.
Everlost is a between-place, and Shusterman throws it wide open in amazing, utterly commendable style. Rarely does an author have the talent to make a world their own so fully, as well as flesh the characters that inhabit it. There are rules to be followed, monsters to be feared, leaders to be looked to. It is a full and fascinating world in its own right.
Allie and Nick are different from most Afterlights; they're not content simply to wander eternally, forgetting their lives and falling into ruts of endless patience. They want answers, they want life, and they refuse to take no for an answer.
But their quest will take them into the heart of New York and up and down the East Coast as they become enmeshed among Everlost's most well-known characters; Mary Hightower, who zealously protects the Afterlight children who come under her care; the Alter Boys, a rough and tumble gang who only respect might; the Haunter, who knows all kinds of tricks for interacting with the living; and the McGill, the horrific monster whose very name terrifies everyone who hears it. And the further the two go, the more they realize what powers they possess, and how they fit into the grand scheme of Everlost.
Weaving all these and more together, and exploring their relationships, their motivations and personalities, and in the end their destinies, Shusterman has truly made a stunning beginning novel to this trilogy. None of Everlost's components are heavy-handed or ridiculous. Any religious or scientific quarrels are neatly circumvented, as reaching the afterlife beyond Everlost is simply referred to as "getting where you're going." Real world places, things, and events are cleverly and tastefully referenced, often in unexpected and amusing ways (I especially found the significance of the Twin Towers to be creative and well-handled, and keep an eye out for a hilarious Amityville Horror reference.)
All in all, I can't wait to return to Everlost in the sequel.
krist10reads's review against another edition
3.0
I had high hopes for this book because I really enjoyed other Neal Shusterman books. This one just didn't do it for me. It was an interesting world but I felt more could have been done with the storyline. Some of it was just really strange for me.
oofie's review against another edition
3.0
At first, I was horrified with this book, but it got better as it went on, and the end was good. SO, better than I expected.
alkay's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ljesica's review against another edition
3.0
Nick and Allie die in a car accident. On their way to the light, they bump in to each other and are thrown off course. And when they come to, they are in Everlost.
Everlost is an in between place, only inhabited by children. There are "dead spots" that are safe for them to inhabit. Places that were loved or where loved ones were lost that are safe. Otherwise they will sink to the middle of the earth.
They meet other Afterlights in Everlost and are learning their way. As in life, there are good kids and bad ones. But sometimes it's hard to know the difference.
This is the first in the Skinjacker trilogy. I'm currently about halfway through the second one, so I'll keep ya'll posted!
Everlost is an in between place, only inhabited by children. There are "dead spots" that are safe for them to inhabit. Places that were loved or where loved ones were lost that are safe. Otherwise they will sink to the middle of the earth.
They meet other Afterlights in Everlost and are learning their way. As in life, there are good kids and bad ones. But sometimes it's hard to know the difference.
This is the first in the Skinjacker trilogy. I'm currently about halfway through the second one, so I'll keep ya'll posted!
lrnunez's review
3.0
A fun filled Alice in Wonderland type story with a twist of humor. I read this book in eighth grade and over all had fun with this carefree story. It's an interesting take on life after death with a plot that promises excitement all the way through.
goosemixtapes's review
on a quality level i can make no statements about this book i just remember it was such an incredible mindfuck for me, at the age of 13, that i still remember some of the scenes uncannily well
klockworkprincess's review
4.0
such an interesting premise. I've also been lucky enough to meet the author, and he was really cool.