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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
This book was just okay. I felt there was something lacking. Not sure if it was with the characters or the plot, but I found myself not actually caring or being emotionally tied to the characters. The author tried to get me to believe in Jack and Nikki, but I just didn't. I NEVER felt emotionally invested in them. Sorry. As far as Cole goes, I think he's a mystery...I wish the author would have brought more out of Cole. He is supposedly the "bad boy" of this series, but it was really never shown. Like I said, I felt there was just something missing that I can't put my finger on. Usually when I read a book, I can feel SOMETHING about either boy, but actually don't feel anything for either of them. I just didn't have the "feels" that I actually have for book boys. When I get butterflies, that's when I know I care for the characters, and I got notta one. :( Hopefully that will change during the second book. I will continue the series as I don't like to flounce on a series once I've started. I just hope the future books are a bit better. Neverfall next.
Real Rating: 3.5
Honestly, I am surprised. I went into this with zero expectations, just waiting for another YA paranormal, and was met with something different. Sure, this book follows the same generic tropes, but it brings so much more to the table. It adds an interesting mythology to the generic angels/vampires/werewolves/mermaids thing that has been ruling YA paranormal, as well as an intelligent, and more importantly, selfless main character. It also brings forth a love triangle that could see the bigger problems over their petty feud. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will try to reach for the sequel when I get the chance.
Honestly, I am surprised. I went into this with zero expectations, just waiting for another YA paranormal, and was met with something different. Sure, this book follows the same generic tropes, but it brings so much more to the table. It adds an interesting mythology to the generic angels/vampires/werewolves/mermaids thing that has been ruling YA paranormal, as well as an intelligent, and more importantly, selfless main character. It also brings forth a love triangle that could see the bigger problems over their petty feud. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will try to reach for the sequel when I get the chance.
2.5 Stars.
Okay so I really enjoyed the concept of the series, brilliant concept but.. I could not handle Nikki. I mean, her relationship with Jack is sooooo cute but she jumps to conclusions way too quickly. I get it, she's a teenager but still, she's known Jack since she was 11. She should know him by now. Speaking of, if he knew he liked her since the beginning, why'd he wait so long to tell her? What was the point of waiting? If he threatened that guy (don't remember his name) about going to the dance with her, why didn't Jack just confess then? I dunno. Imho, it had so much potential because hot damn the whole Everneath, Everliving, etc. stuff was great! If only, I could withstand Nikki the weirdo. As for Cole, I love him. He doesn't deserve her! He deserves to be happy. I'm also in complete awe that she was not able to tell that Jack still loved her (really though? REALLY) and that Cole loves her. A blind man would be able to see that girl. Getchyo head in the game!
Okay so I really enjoyed the concept of the series, brilliant concept but.. I could not handle Nikki. I mean, her relationship with Jack is sooooo cute but she jumps to conclusions way too quickly. I get it, she's a teenager but still, she's known Jack since she was 11. She should know him by now. Speaking of, if he knew he liked her since the beginning, why'd he wait so long to tell her? What was the point of waiting? If he threatened that guy (don't remember his name) about going to the dance with her, why didn't Jack just confess then? I dunno. Imho, it had so much potential because hot damn the whole Everneath, Everliving, etc. stuff was great! If only, I could withstand Nikki the weirdo. As for Cole, I love him. He doesn't deserve her! He deserves to be happy. I'm also in complete awe that she was not able to tell that Jack still loved her (really though? REALLY) and that Cole loves her. A blind man would be able to see that girl. Getchyo head in the game!
I love the idea of having anchors in the people that you love, but I can't understand how you could survive without being able to touch and hold them....
See full review here!
This is a slightly spoilery book review. Be a little cautious when reading the numbered section.
I had quite a few problems with this book, but I'll try to keep this to the point. If you have answers for me, I'd love to hear them. Here we go..
1) I don't understand the time thing. I get that it goes faster in this Everneath. And Nikki keeps saying that she was there for 100 years, but in Earth time it was only a few months. She didn't age while down there, and she was able to slip right back into her old life. SO IT WASN'T REALLY 100 YEARS! Not for her anyway. I was irritated with that.
2) She also mentions that she only remembered Jack. Specifically. So why is it that she makes it home and remembers her brother, her father, Jules, her mother's death, etc? Did I miss something?
3) Really.. she's wasting her precious Returned time on SCHOOL?
4) Nikki seems like many people these days, thinking they don't have to take the consequences for her actions. She even says something about getting out of paying her debt. That's not how life works, honey. My goodness.
However.. once I got into this book, I read it pretty quickly. It was getting a bit irritating that Nikki wasn't figuring things out as fast as I was, but that's okay. Cole and Jack were pretty good opposites. As much as you want to hate Cole, you can't help but feel for him. And Jack just pulls at your heartstrings.
I think a lot of people will like this novel. It's definitely a little different. And I really did like how the author slowly fills us in on the past, the events that lead up to Nikki's choice to go to the Feed. So with all the gripes I have, I obviously enjoyed it enough to finish and actually want to read the second one by the end.
This is a slightly spoilery book review. Be a little cautious when reading the numbered section.
I had quite a few problems with this book, but I'll try to keep this to the point. If you have answers for me, I'd love to hear them. Here we go..
1) I don't understand the time thing. I get that it goes faster in this Everneath. And Nikki keeps saying that she was there for 100 years, but in Earth time it was only a few months. She didn't age while down there, and she was able to slip right back into her old life. SO IT WASN'T REALLY 100 YEARS! Not for her anyway. I was irritated with that.
2) She also mentions that she only remembered Jack. Specifically. So why is it that she makes it home and remembers her brother, her father, Jules, her mother's death, etc? Did I miss something?
3) Really.. she's wasting her precious Returned time on SCHOOL?
4) Nikki seems like many people these days, thinking they don't have to take the consequences for her actions. She even says something about getting out of paying her debt. That's not how life works, honey. My goodness.
However.. once I got into this book, I read it pretty quickly. It was getting a bit irritating that Nikki wasn't figuring things out as fast as I was, but that's okay. Cole and Jack were pretty good opposites. As much as you want to hate Cole, you can't help but feel for him. And Jack just pulls at your heartstrings.
I think a lot of people will like this novel. It's definitely a little different. And I really did like how the author slowly fills us in on the past, the events that lead up to Nikki's choice to go to the Feed. So with all the gripes I have, I obviously enjoyed it enough to finish and actually want to read the second one by the end.
The characters lacked depth and had zero redeeming qualities.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
An Overview of the Novel:
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I have mixed feelings about this one. I love retellings of Persephone and I had heard of really good things about this one. So naturally I went it with high expectations.
To be honest this novel was definitely nothing like I thought it would be. I didn't expect to be so drawn to Jack and I also expected to be drawn more to Cole. To be honest, I'm not sure who I'm rooting for.
Nikki was a character that I had a hard time connecting with. I mean I understand life is hard, but to agree to go down to the Everneath over a boy was something I really had issues over.
However, once I got past that initial premise I found the novel to be really intriguing. I felt like I really got to know Nikki's character. And the writing was solid. Also that ending was just wow. It made me really want to read the sequel.
So in short, I hated the actual premise of the novel (aka why Nikki went to the Everneath), but thought the retelling was intriguing. The plot, however, was extremely compelling and that ending was really addicting.
So why 3.5 out of 5 stars? The initial premise knocked it down to a 2, the ending knocked it up to a 4, and the last 10% of the novel was a 5. On the whole I'd say the novel was somewhere between a 3 and a 3.5. I'm super excited to read the sequel, so I'll bump it up to a 3.5
In Summary: A compelling novel that offered an intriguing take on a myth that I love reading about. I had some issues with the initial premise, but overall the novel was quite good.
The Wrap-up: I'd recommend it. It truly was quite good. Just get past the reason why Nikki went to the Everneath and then it's a really intriguing read. I'm really hoping the next book is like the last 10% of this novel. It's bound to be interesting to see the least. I'm curious to see who wins out too--Cole or Jack.
Love,
Danica Page
An Overview of the Novel:
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I have mixed feelings about this one. I love retellings of Persephone and I had heard of really good things about this one. So naturally I went it with high expectations.
To be honest this novel was definitely nothing like I thought it would be. I didn't expect to be so drawn to Jack and I also expected to be drawn more to Cole. To be honest, I'm not sure who I'm rooting for.
Nikki was a character that I had a hard time connecting with. I mean I understand life is hard, but to agree to go down to the Everneath over a boy was something I really had issues over.
However, once I got past that initial premise I found the novel to be really intriguing. I felt like I really got to know Nikki's character. And the writing was solid. Also that ending was just wow. It made me really want to read the sequel.
So in short, I hated the actual premise of the novel (aka why Nikki went to the Everneath), but thought the retelling was intriguing. The plot, however, was extremely compelling and that ending was really addicting.
So why 3.5 out of 5 stars? The initial premise knocked it down to a 2, the ending knocked it up to a 4, and the last 10% of the novel was a 5. On the whole I'd say the novel was somewhere between a 3 and a 3.5. I'm super excited to read the sequel, so I'll bump it up to a 3.5
In Summary: A compelling novel that offered an intriguing take on a myth that I love reading about. I had some issues with the initial premise, but overall the novel was quite good.
The Wrap-up: I'd recommend it. It truly was quite good. Just get past the reason why Nikki went to the Everneath and then it's a really intriguing read. I'm really hoping the next book is like the last 10% of this novel. It's bound to be interesting to see the least. I'm curious to see who wins out too--Cole or Jack.
Love,
Danica Page
NOTE: from the second time i read it in august of 2016
3 stars
ehhhhhhhh
NOTE: from the first time i read it in feb of 2014
More reviews at YA Book Queens!
4.5 Stars
The first thing that really stood out in this book to me was the world-building. Ashton was able to create a world that felt real even when it wasn't. The mythological aspect in this was super fascinating, and I loved how Nikki was submerged into the world of the Everneath. Her interactions with the characters in the story were realistic and didn't seem forced at all.
The only person in this book that I didn't like was Jules. She just didn't seem as genuine and as real as Cole and Jack were. She felt more as a person who was there just to move the pace along. This wasn't a big deal, but I think it's important to mention. She ended up being more a nuisance more than anything.
Personally, I'm more toward Jack in this book. Cole doesn't seem like the type of person that one can depend on. He doesn't seem committed to anything other than himself. He's such a stereotypical bad boy, too. Although I'm more toward Jack, I'm still not in love with Jack nor do I love him. I think the only reason I couldn't give this book a full five stars is because I'm not completely convinced that I need to be in love with these characters. They seem real and all, but I just haven't formed an emotional connection to them (yet).
I have to admit that I do personally really enjoy that Jack never gives up on Nikki. It's sweet, and I loved that about him. I suppose Cole doesn't really give up on her either, but in a different sense.
I think Aston created the perfect atmosphere for this book with her writing. She really set the tone as mysterious and borderline fantasy, which I love. For some reason, I particularly enjoy urban fantasy, so this book was perfect for me.
This book is mostly romance and relationships, so I was extremely happy when the romance didn't outside and block the plot. That just didn't happen, and I loved that about this book. I honestly tried to find something that I hated about this book and couldn't stand.
I came up blank. I recommend this book to nearly anyone. I think so many people will enjoy reading it.
3 stars
ehhhhhhhh
NOTE: from the first time i read it in feb of 2014
More reviews at YA Book Queens!
4.5 Stars
The first thing that really stood out in this book to me was the world-building. Ashton was able to create a world that felt real even when it wasn't. The mythological aspect in this was super fascinating, and I loved how Nikki was submerged into the world of the Everneath. Her interactions with the characters in the story were realistic and didn't seem forced at all.
The only person in this book that I didn't like was Jules. She just didn't seem as genuine and as real as Cole and Jack were. She felt more as a person who was there just to move the pace along. This wasn't a big deal, but I think it's important to mention. She ended up being more a nuisance more than anything.
Personally, I'm more toward Jack in this book. Cole doesn't seem like the type of person that one can depend on. He doesn't seem committed to anything other than himself. He's such a stereotypical bad boy, too. Although I'm more toward Jack, I'm still not in love with Jack nor do I love him. I think the only reason I couldn't give this book a full five stars is because I'm not completely convinced that I need to be in love with these characters. They seem real and all, but I just haven't formed an emotional connection to them (yet).
I have to admit that I do personally really enjoy that Jack never gives up on Nikki. It's sweet, and I loved that about him. I suppose Cole doesn't really give up on her either, but in a different sense.
I think Aston created the perfect atmosphere for this book with her writing. She really set the tone as mysterious and borderline fantasy, which I love. For some reason, I particularly enjoy urban fantasy, so this book was perfect for me.
This book is mostly romance and relationships, so I was extremely happy when the romance didn't outside and block the plot. That just didn't happen, and I loved that about this book. I honestly tried to find something that I hated about this book and couldn't stand.
I came up blank. I recommend this book to nearly anyone. I think so many people will enjoy reading it.
Wow.
My only words are that in the six hours that I read this book, I discovered a read that had an intoxicating love triangle and lovely and enchanting characters.
The addiction for this novel was harbored in the first sentences of the prologue.
I'm a person who is all for Greek Mythology. It's my favorite section in school and I could, literally because there's so many dramatics and sequels to their sequels, read it for days and days-- and Everneath takes the cake for retellings of Greek Mythology tales.
This book is worth it.
It's unforgettable.
It's raw.
Love-able.
It's required.
Brodi Ashton weaves together this retelling of the Persephone myth along with the realization of how limited our time is. From what you've read from the cover of the book, you think, "oh this girl has six months to redeem herself for the goodbyes that she didn't give to her loved ones"
well six months. That's a lot of time.
--
No, it's really not.
When reading Everneath, as each chapter passed by, in the story weeks, WEEKS, would slip out from under Nikki as if they were seconds. Instead of six months. She had sixty seconds. And it was heartbreaking, while reading, to really understand and realize how often time is taken for granted. How when we think of our next moment, we think of it as a stalwart- as it's always going to be there. But that's not always how it works out. And that's not how it's always going to be.
Time is precious.
--
Everneath is a beautifully tragic read. A story that develops slow and maturely and painstakingly sad.
--
For sure,
This will not be the last book I've read by Brodi Ashton.
My only words are that in the six hours that I read this book, I discovered a read that had an intoxicating love triangle and lovely and enchanting characters.
The addiction for this novel was harbored in the first sentences of the prologue.
I'm a person who is all for Greek Mythology. It's my favorite section in school and I could, literally because there's so many dramatics and sequels to their sequels, read it for days and days-- and Everneath takes the cake for retellings of Greek Mythology tales.
This book is worth it.
It's unforgettable.
It's raw.
Love-able.
It's required.
Brodi Ashton weaves together this retelling of the Persephone myth along with the realization of how limited our time is. From what you've read from the cover of the book, you think, "oh this girl has six months to redeem herself for the goodbyes that she didn't give to her loved ones"
well six months. That's a lot of time.
--
No, it's really not.
When reading Everneath, as each chapter passed by, in the story weeks, WEEKS, would slip out from under Nikki as if they were seconds. Instead of six months. She had sixty seconds. And it was heartbreaking, while reading, to really understand and realize how often time is taken for granted. How when we think of our next moment, we think of it as a stalwart- as it's always going to be there. But that's not always how it works out. And that's not how it's always going to be.
Time is precious.
--
Everneath is a beautifully tragic read. A story that develops slow and maturely and painstakingly sad.
--
For sure,
This will not be the last book I've read by Brodi Ashton.