Reviews

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

analygm21's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was actually pretty good. Loved the mythology in it. It was quick paced and not hard to get into. Jack's love for Niki is quite heartbreaking and so was the ending.

I'd recommend it if you're into mythology/fantasy.

mars_aria's review against another edition

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5.0

Everneath took me by surprise. When I first started reading it, I expected the whole modern day Persephone and the Underworld type of story, but it turned out to be WAY different, though it was kind of similar. One of the things that surprised me about Everneath was that it's original. The main character is someone who... fights her impulses and is selfless, even knowing that not taking the easy way out of her VERY complicated situation means losing the life she'd had before forever. Ashton, to me, is talented. She brings to life in her writing this kind of difficult love triangle that's not really one. On one hand, Cole and Nikki's relationship is more of a "drug and user" type while Jack and Nikki have a real "I'll never give up on you and will always love you no matter what's changed" relationship. At the end of the day, it's a story that you've never read or even heard of before, but it's one of those tale's that you'll never forget either.

jenny_mts's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

avid_reader_96's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved it. I couldn't put it down. It hooked me from start to finish. And even though I adore Jack and Nikki's relationship, I find myself rooting for Cole. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book.

eghimire_'s review against another edition

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2.0

I wish I liked this book but sadly I didn't. I love the cover but I'm so glad I didn't buy this book, it'd be a waste of money to buy a book that you end up hating. My main problems:

Characters
Nikki was not a strong heroine. She didn't feel... fleshed out, I guess. I don't know how to explain it but she just felt flat and made me feel no emotions for she other than annoyance. She was also really stupid. I got irritated at her for brushing off Mary's comments as 'old crazy jabber'. I also saw what was coming before Nikki had.
Jack and Cole aren't even great love interests. Okay actually it's no love triangle because Nikki hates Cole and likes Jack. Jack was so annoying to me like I can't pin-point what exactly annoyed me but he was annoying and Cole was too.

Plot
This plot is slow moving and nothing happens other than Nikki talking to Jack and Cole stalking her. That's what I can gather from the top of my head but that's like 3/4 of the book. And well obviously, she has to find a way to defeat Cole and not get dragged by the Tunnels. The premise did sound good in the blurb but sadly, I am left disappointed.

The book is so loosely based on the Hades/Persephone myth. The mythology has no real essence to the book. Also, I saw the ending coming and the ending wasn't anything exciting at all. This book made me feel no emotions like excitement or thrill or fright. I'm left feeling hallow.

I guess I give it two stars for... uhmm, holding my interest..? I don't know. I did have to read this in two days but I guess it holding some of my interest and not making me wanna throw it against the wall gives it two stars.

klaragon73's review against another edition

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4.0

I very seldom look at reviews before I read a book. If I happen to glance at them, I might notice the average star rating or a generic comment...I avoid spoilers at all costs. Going into Everneath I was a little concerned because, no matter how hard you try, it's very difficult to avoid discovering other peoples opinions of books...especially as a book blogger who belongs to several book communities. I try really hard not to take other peoples opinions as my own and WOW, am I ever glad I didn't in this case. I was captivated before the first chapter ended.

The more mythology I read, the more I absolutely adore it. Brodi Ashton's take on the Underworld is amazing and a storyline I haven't often read. Her writing style is beautiful and flows smoothly. The novel is written in first person from Nikki's point of view, bringing her every emotion to the surface. My single negative comment is that I have a hard time following the "now vs. then" writing style that so many authors use today. Other than that...near perfection.

Nikki started off strong, refusing to forget about her life with Jack while attending the Feed. She managed to tether herself to the Surface and survive her time with Cole intact, a shock to Cole himself. When she first resurfaced, I was a little disappointed in her lack of responsiveness to her family and friends she had left behind. However, with further reading, I realized she had a reason to try to keep her distance.

I loved that no matter what, Jack refused to let her suffer in silence. The absolute beauty and humanity of their relationship brought a smile to my face. He believed in her and he stood beside her through everything, yet he wasn't Mr. Perfect.

Cole...well, what is there to say about Cole. He annoyed me to no end but I don't believe he ever outright lied to Nikki...at least not in this book. Cole is the trademark of a perfect villain...a whole lot bad and a tiny bit good. Just enough that I felt he possessed true feelings of love and pain once or twice. These feelings did not make me want to cheer him on though.

The one person I didn't have any feelings for what-so-ever was Jules. I can't quite determine why her character existed. She didn't really play even a basic "filler" role. She popped up here and there with nothing important to say or do. Maybe she'll play a larger part in the next book...who knows.

The mythology really drew me deep into Everneath, immediately. I enjoyed the way Ms. Ashton used Nikki's term paper as a symbol of the her growth from despair to hope. Mary provided the perfect delivery method for the mythology of Persephone, Orpheus, Eurydice, and Anchors.

So much about this novel screamed of brilliance. Definitely one I won't be forgetting any time soon. Bravo to you, Brodi Ashton. I can't wait for more!

smileytonya's review against another edition

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3.0

This retelling of the Persephone myth fell flat. The idea was better than the execution. The characters were boring and the story was very slow paced. For someone with only six months left on Earth, Nicki sure takes her sweet time trying to figure things out. The love story was very sappy and slowed the plot even further. I will not continue this series.

heatherliz86's review against another edition

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5.0

WoW is all I got to say......I couldnt put this book down! I love everything about this book!

jessicajessica101's review against another edition

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4.0

// Avis datant de 2013 //

Un très beau premier tome ! L'histoire est terriblement original, très bien trouvé, parfaitement exploité même si parfois, des passages m'ont semblé assez compliqué (j'avoue ne pas tout avoir compris)
J'ai adoré Nikki, son personnage est vraiment bien fait et très attachant !
J'ai aussi adoré le "triangle-amoureux" même si ce n'en ai pas vraiment un. Au début, en lisant le résumé, je m'attendais à être plus Team Cole, mais en lisant le livre, on ne peut que être touché par le personnage de Jack et on ne peut que le préféré !
Un bon premier tome, j'ai terriblement hâte de lire la suite ! Surtout avec la fin !

ttmusic's review against another edition

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4.0

Everneath was simply fantastic. I love a good modern take on fairy tales and mythology, and Everneath hit a home run. The juxtaposition of Nikki’s dwindling time left on Earth and the events leading up to her decision to go to the Everneath keeps you constantly guessing what went wrong, and hooked to the story. We didn’t get to know a whole lot about most of the characters, but what we did learn about them was enough to feel for them, Jules in particular. I hope we see more of her later, I have a feeling she’s one to watch. I didn’t even have the problem of being annoyed with and/or bored of the love triangle that I frequently get in YA novels. It seemed clear who had Nikki’s heart, but the draw to the other character was undeniable as well. Both main male characters were very interesting in their own right, and not just because they both want Nikki. Cole in particular was intriguing, every time I thought he had legitimate feelings of love for Nikki, he’d do something to push her away or we’d learn something about him in the past that pushed us away from him. The twist at the end was somewhat predictable, but I didn’t mind it so much. The twist with Mary was very well done, I didn’t see that one coming at all. The whole “Daughters of Persephone” thing was a little confusing to me, how Nikki was able to stay herself, but I expect we’ll learn more about that later. Overall, Everneath was awesome, and I’d recommend it to anyone who reads YA in general, and anyone who loves retellings of fairy tales and myths, it won’t disappoint.