Reviews

Podwieczność by Brodi Ashton

krish_'s review against another edition

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4.0

This book has everything I typically hate in young adult books. Like, the Big Ones - thin storyline, plot holes, dark and damaged boys, all the side caricatures, etc. But this book took me off guard about midway through because despite the fact that this girl's world is very clearly centered on a boy, face palm, Brodi Ashton's Everneath is a book with sincerity. That's what gripped my heart the rest of the way, through the exhilarating path to the whirlwind (pun intended) of a finale.

Nikki (also known as Nik and Becks) is back from a six-month absence from a century-long Feed in the Everneath with Cole, an Everliving. She pops up from the ground and whoosh, she's in high school. Say what? I was stunned. I knew she came back for Jack but couldn't she have just knocked on his door? Like, girl, you don't have to go through school to see him, ya know. Oh, but wait, because she explains that it was one of the deals her father made after her return. That and peeing in a cup. That for being a runaway, rehab or no rehab. Haha, okay. And he's a mayor. Haha, okay.

Anyway, I'm pointing that out because I'm still trying to accept the fact that I liked this book. I still can't quite believe it. I skimmed it. And yet I give it four stars.

Why did I like it? Because, because this book had so much heart. Nikki, really wanting to make things right this time. And Jack, just trying to tell her he still loves her. They both exert self-control that you just do. not. get. anymore. in. this. genre. And for that alone I commend them. (I promise you, if this was any one of the many other chicks I've read, she would be throwing her body herself down into the Everneath to be with the cold, cutting, no-hearted Cole). But there's more. There are some very touching, and yes, swooning, scenes between the two. Like they do stuff I would do/have done/do in real life. But ew, don't think dirty okay? This was completely cutesy-romancey love, okay, perverts.

There is some depth to this book...according to other readers. Something about how Nikki is like a recovering addict. Oh wow, yeah, totes man! Cole was totally her drug. Snap fingers, light bulb over head. I see it now. Ahem. In all seriousness, though, it's true. It's just subtle, so it's easy to miss. But nice one, Ashton.

So back to Nikki/Nik/Becks and Jack. :D . Whatever else this book has going for it, I read it (mostly) purely as a romance (you saw the 'mostly', right?). Because Becks and Jack are an absolute Aww!! JUsT LEt THEm bE TogETher Puhleeese! I mean yes, she may be a bit bland (but who isn't sometimes?) and he may be a bit too good to be true (no guy like him exists so why deprive ourselves in our own imaginations?)...but it totally worked for me.

I swooned, I ugly-cried, I air-punched, I may have at some point yelled out "you go girl" or "that's my boy" or "stop cock blocking him, Cole" or "this is eeeepiiic!!".

Judge me.

I dare you.

But before you do, I need to tell you that I didn't edit any of that. So like, don't judge my grammar or my overuse of commas or my addiction (oops, haha, inappropriate!) to italics I just like em okay. But my mentality, haha, yeah, I already know, don't worry.

XXX

That's triple kisses, not triple ex like porn oh my god stop me.

nbwalks's review against another edition

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5.0

Actual Rating: 4.5

This is one of the best mythology books I have ever read! It wasn't perfect but it was pretty close.

Brodi Ashton was capable of making each page ooze emotion. Whatever Nikki was feeling, I was able to feel. When she was happy, I was happy. Etc. Etc. But the worst emotion to have felt from her was her emptiness. (So I guess that is actually a lack of emotion but whatever) It was really intense and it kind of brought me down but in a good way if that makes sense. I thought this was pretty cool since the whole novel is basically about emotions and being able to feel them brought the reading experience to a whole new level.

I loved the mystery! At first I was getting frustrated since I wanted to know what Cole was hiding and why Jack&Nikki were now Jack and Nikki. So many questions kept popping up and when an answer or two were given, all they did was produce more questions! I didn't like it at first but it kept me intrigued (Which I guess was the point...).

I also liked how it switched between the present and the past every so often. I liked being able to see Nikki when she was whole with her emotions and actually felt her pain. It showed how much she lost which makes the reader sympathize her.

At first I was iffy on my feelings towards Jack. I never fully trusted him in the beginning because of all the mystery surrounding what he did to Nikki that made her not want to feel. He was also described as a typical first-string QB who has basically dated the whole cheerleading squad which did not help his cause. But then, as we finally got to know him, I think I have found a new book boyfriend! He became the sweetest thing ever to the point where it was like I was meeting a less intense version of Peeta (I don't think any guy can take Peeta's spot on my list as the sweetest boy ever). The great thing about the relationship between Nik and Jack was that it didn't feel rushed since they had a history. The flashbacks helped build their relationship which made it more genuine.

As for Cole, I still have mixed feelings about him. I want to hate him for what he did to Nik but I can't...He has that whole broken-bad-boy thing going on which, sadly, I am a sucker for. His vulnerable moments were my favorite and I couldn't help feeling sorry him (I mean the boy doesn't even have a heart!! How can you not empathize that??) You could also tell that he somehow has at least some feelings for Nikki despite the fact that he says he can't feel. Poor boy is probably confused and doesn't know how to deal with things so he brings out his snarky side.

I was also tricked by this author! I believed that the guitar was Cole's heart!!
SpoilerI had no idea that it was really the pick! I started having suspicions that it wasn't the guitar but I never figured out what it was until Cole pulled it out of his pocket!!
Bravo Ashton for actually catching me off guard!!

What could have made it a perfect 5:
I would have liked to see some more development for the subordinate characters. I barely know Jules. I only know that she feels hurt or betrayed or something by Nikki but I don't really know why. I just know the basics, and since the relationship between the two wasn't developed, the detail felt insignificant since something was missing.
I also wanted the family relationships to be more developed since Nikki felt bad about not being able to say goodbye to her dad and Tommy when she left the last time. Her guilt made sense because of the fact that they were family but otherwise then it was empty. I didn't understand her family at all.
With the lack of the character development for subordinate characters, it was like there were only 3 people in the world. Sure they were the focus of the story, but it still needed more. We got glimpses of other characters, and some were a little more developed than others, but when the story had these interactions it felt empty.

Nikki was my other problem. She was a good protagonist but she wasn't as strong as I would have liked. It seemed like she gave up when she should have been fighting. She was stronger with Jack but I like a strong girl without needing a man that does that to her. She should have been her own hero.

The Redemption
The ending. It was perfect. It made me love Jack soooo much more and *sigh* I can't even talk about it because it made me happy and it made me depressed at the same time.

Final Point: Read it because it is one of the best mythology books out there!!!!

tiffml's review against another edition

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3.0

Interesting take on a well known myth.

ohmycookies's review against another edition

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4.0

Enjoyable book and verry easy to read. But i do wish she ended up with another guy.

juliajoanneblack's review against another edition

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4.0

Actual rating is 4.5 stars. If it wasn't for Jack I would have given it a full of 5 but anyway. Can't wait for Everbound.

berkekilic's review against another edition

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4.0

Orijinal yorum: http://kitaphayvaniningunlugu.blogspot.com/2013/02/kitap-yorumu-yerkara-brodi-ashton.html

İlk önce söylemek istiyorum ki, kitabın isminin çevirisini çok beğendim. Orijinal adı Everneath. Yerkara olarak çevrilmesi çok iyi olmuş. Benim aklıma dahi gelmezdi, çok uyumlu olmuş.

Yerkara, Brodi Ashton’un aynı adlı üçlemesinin ilk kitabı. Kitap, mitoloji ve aşkın harmanladığı başarılı bir genç yetişkin romanı örneği. Bir kere çok hızlı okunuyor. Öyle ki, bir gece oturdum ve 334 sayfalık kitabın yüzde yetmişini okudum. Sabah kalktığımda ise geri kalan kısmını okudum. Yerkara’nın böyle hızlı okunmasının nedeni tabii ki hikâyenin akışı. Yazarın anlatımı oldukça sade. Bunun yanında merak unsurları ve karakterler sizi kitabın içine anında çekiyor.

Peki, nedir bu Yerkara? O, bir tür yer altı şehri. Hani Hades’in Ölüler Ülkesi gibi. Ancak Yerkara’ya ölünce gitmiyorsunuz. Aksine, sonsuza kadar yaşamayı seçtiğinizde gidiyorsunuz. Buranın sürekli sakinlerine Sonsuzyaşamcılar deniyor. Sonsuzyaşamcılar, sonsuzluklarını Yerkara’ya getirdikleri ölümlü insanların enerjilerine borçlular.

Nikki, bir yıl önce yaşadığı kötü gecenin ardından Cole’la Yerkara’ya gitmeyi seçti. Şimdi, yaşam enerjisi ve hafızasının bir kısmı kaybolmuş halde Yeryüzey’e, yani bildiğimiz dünyaya, döndü. Nikki’yi mümkün olmadığı sanıldığı gibi Yerkara’dan kurtaran bir şey var; sürekli düşündüğü eski sevgilisi Jack.

Nik, Yeryüzey’e döndü dönmesine, ancak burada istediği kadar uzun kalamayacak. Çünkü aslında eski yaşamına Jack’i doyasıya görmek ve ailesiyle son kez vedalaşmak için gördü. Omzundaki Gölgeler’in açtığı yara onun Yerkara’ya ait olduğunun bir kanıtı. Nikki, eğer Cole’un istediği gibi Yerkara’ya dönmezse, oranın çok daha karanlık bir yerine, Tüneller’e gitmek zorunda kalacak.

Kitap, aşk ve melankoli konusunda oldukça doyurucu. Nik ve Jack’in arasındaki ilişkisi çoğumuzun kalbini hızlandıracak türden. Elbette bir de Cole var. Nik onunla kalbi kırık olduğu için gitti ama Cole’un içinde hâlâ ümit var. Açıkçası ben Cole’u da Jack’i de çok sevdim. Dediğim gibi, Nik ve Jack’ın aşkı içime işledi ancak ortada kalan kötü çocuk Cole’a da üzülüyorum. Tahmin edersiniz ki bunda kendisinin “kötü çocuk” ve “sarışın” olmasının etkisi büyük. Yine de nefret edilesi bir karakter değil zaten Cole. O yüzden Nik ve Jack kavuşsun, Cole da huzuru kollarımda bulsun diyorum. :D

Yerkara’nın melankolik bir yanı olduğunu söylemiştim. Kitaptaki kaybolmuşluk duygusu ve Nikki’nin yaşadıkları sizi alıyor götürüyor. Bunun içimi boğduğunu falan sanmayın sakın. Aksine, hoşuma gitti. Çünkü yazar her şeyi dozunda işlemiş.

Hades ve Persephone mitinin yeri bende ayrıdır. Yerkara’da hem bu mitten hem de Orpheus ve Eurydice, Osiris gibi mitolojik hikâyelerden ilham alınmış. Bir mitoloji âşığı olarak kitaba karşı biraz daha olumlu bakmamı sağladı bu.

Eğer rahat okunacak, farklı bir YA romanı okumak istiyorsanız Yerkara’yı kesinlikle öneriyorum!

charlottenw1's review against another edition

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4.0

Despite the reviews, I really enjoyed this book. I think it was an easy read and I loved the storyline to it.

jen286's review against another edition

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2.0

While I was instantly drawn into this book and started off loving it, by half way through it was still good but...I don't really know what it was about it that I didn't like as much. I have been thinking on it for a while and I can't explain why I just thought it was okay, not great. I thought the idea was really interesting, the writing just didn't make me love it for some reason. I really don't know why. Like the end should have been really exciting and make me want to go right out and read the next one to see what happens, when instead I just felt eh. And I don't know why.

beforemyway's review against another edition

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2.0

I enjoyed the last couple of chapters of the book. I read the first couple, and the last couple chapters. The middle chapters i found long, laborious, and unimportant, so i skipped through them.

pixelski's review against another edition

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3.0

For some reason my chest is constricting and my cheeks are wet and WHY when I didn't even like this that much? Not a huge fan of Cole and I sort of warmed up to Jack in the end but Nikki was so flat for me. Who is such a goody two shoes? The concept was great but I felt that the way things happened was really meh. And then the ending hit me and everything just really hurts right now. LIKE THAT LAST PAGE I CANNOT. I must get the rest of the series.