January 24, 2012
Balzer + Bray
Synopsis:
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...
My Review:
EVERNEATH is an unpredictable and complex YA debut that will leave you begging for more! Full of twists and turns and a love triangle that is utterly fascinating, you won't be able to put EVERNEATH down for even a second. Ashton's characters come to life from the pages and you are sure to find yourself biting your nails and fidgeting with the high stakes that Nikki must deal with. Run, don't walk to the bookstore for this one when it hits shelves!
Nikki is an extremely complicated protagonist whose life isn't the same after she miraculously comes back after the Feed. She is special in that she didn't lose herself in the century Feed, something that has only been accomplished by few girls. Nikki has no idea what is in store for her, but she knows she only has six months to make it up to Jack and her family before she is forced back to the Tunnels to live out the rest of her life as a battery for the Everliving. What she didn't at all anticipate was Cole...
Nikki doesn't hold back at all in her story. The jealousy, anger, sadness, and love she holds for Jack are blatantly obvious throughout the novel and I am glad that Ashton didn't let Nikki keep any secrets from the reader. The flashbacks Nikki experiences of the time before the Feed add to the story development and I could see why she loved Jack so much.
There was also somewhat of a love triangle. Nikki still holds some serious feelings for Jack. In fact, her memory of him, according to her, is the only thing that kept her from losing herself in the Everneath. Jack is equal parts charming, gorgeous, and torn. But Cole, the Everliving who Fed from Nikki, also has a part in their story. He is extremely complicated. One minute I wanted to hate him, the next I could feel myself falling under his spell. This isn't an easy love triangle at all.
The lore in the story held my attention. Ashton tells of myths that we all know, but with a twist in them that adds to the plot. I reveled in every myth that was told and tried to pull them apart to see how they could fit Nikki's situation. There is mystery, paranormal, and romance galore in EVERNEATH! You won't have time to be bored.
I am so in love with Ashton for creating EVERNEATH right now, but I am also a bit frustrated with her, if only because she left the ending hanging so much! I need the sequel ASAP; I don't care how I have to get it! Be prepared to be sucked into EVERNEATH after only a few pages. You will have the time of your life with this one!
My Rating:
I've seen the cover to this around the blogosphere, but haven't took the time to read what it was about until now. Sounds interesting, plus it comes out on my birthday. Hmm, maybe a birthday present for myself.
ReplyDeleteI ADORED this book! Definitely already sitting on my shelf of favorites waiting for me to read it again and again. I loved how we flashed back and forth before and after the Feed and how we never really knew just how Nikki came to be with Cole and why she left Jack (Jack! *swoon*). LOVED IT! So glad you did too Bailey!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about how honest Nikki was until you mentioned it! I really loved her as a protagonist. :) Everneath was such an amazing book! I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. :)
ReplyDeleteNikki was a pretty hard-core character. She'd been through a lot and was still going through so much but she did just lay it all out there, leaving nothing back. I guess with so little time, that's a good way to live.
ReplyDeleteWith that beautiful cover, I'm so happy the content was fantastic!
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