Monday, January 14, 2013

Review: Everbound

EVERBOUND
Everneath #2
Brodi Ashton
Paranormal Young Adult
384 pages
Balzer + Bray
Available January 22nd
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.


MY THOUGHTS
A darkly thrilling sequel, Everbound is one of those stories where the title takes on a myriad of new meanings once we've experienced Nikki's search for Jack in its entirety, forcing us to tip our chins to Ms. Ashton in a nod of acknowledgement of a job well done. While this second installment could have easily fallen prey to many of the pitfalls that so often plague sequels given main couple Nikki and Jack are separated for nearly ninety percent of the story, Ms. Ashton adeptly prevents readers from getting frustrated at a familiar separation-of-main-couple-while-new-romantic-player-makes-his-move setup with her careful and beautifully executed handling of the various relationships. Emotional connections to both Jack and Cole are strengthened as we see new sides of them both, and we're riveted to Nikki's journey through the Everneath from first page to last, thoroughly impressed by Ms. Ashton's ability to so skillfully play with our hearts and minds.

The Nikki we first met in Everneath was a shell of her former self, keeping us at a bit of a distance until her time on the Surface restored the emotions Cole drained from her in the century-long Feed, but we start out Everbound with a tether to Nikki instantly in place, our hearts still reeling from the concluding events of book one. She possesses a strength we can't help but find admirable, holding herself together as much as possible even as an entire town sets the blame for Jack's disappearance on her shoulders with a meaningful glare or callous remark. She further earns our respect when Cole reenters her life and agrees to help her locate Jack in the Tunnels, refusing to play some of the games so many young adult heroines do when a second boy makes his affection for her known, instead remaining steadfast and true to Jack. Though her love for Jack never wavers, she's acutely aware of how her feelings for him pain Cole, and thus she makes it clear what role Cole has in her life and what role he doesn't with a consideration and thoughtfulness we don't see all that often.

Though Nikki's story is told from her first person perspective, Everbound is most certainly Cole's book, the complexity of his character deepened as we get not only a glimpse of his past, but also a quick look at Nikki through his eyes thanks to a quirk of the Everneath itself. Those who fear the development of a love triangle should rest easy though, because while we spend a great deal of time with Cole in this second installment, he is at no point a true threat to Nikki and Jack's relationship. Nikki's attachment to him is its own separate and unique entity, something that is strong and thriving but yet cannot challenge the love she feels for Jack, so we're able to enjoy his presence in Everbound without experiencing the lingering feelings of trepidation that he'll wrestle Nikki's affection for Jack away in his absence. Cole is a deeply fascinating character, the motivation behind any and all of his actions always deliciously murky, lulling us into thinking he's revealed something important about himself before we realize what a brilliant illusionist he truly is – only allowing us to see exactly what he intends for us to and absolutely nothing more.

Everbound is simply a delight to read, Ms. Ashton's ability to further a relationship between two characters despite one being physically absent while simultaneously developing a second relationship of equal yet drastically different emotional intricacy is hugely impressive. The end is something that brings a smile to our faces, not necessarily because we're happy, but rather as an admission to Ms. Ashton that in the game she's so masterfully playing with this series we are unworthy opponents, and she's currently bested us with a move in the final chapters we didn't see coming.

Rating: 4.5/5

47 comments:

  1. I'm so glad this one didn't fall prey to the sequel syndrome, and also that both relationships are developed without us doubting for her love for Jack. Also, Cole was very mysterious in the first book, so it'll be nice to understand him better. You've got me excited for my pre-order! Can't wait to read it :).

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    1. Cole is such a great character I think - just when you think you have something figured out about him, he proves you wrong. So good:)

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  2. Another book I should read :) And yes I am happy it didn't suffer from middle book syndrome. I had two of those in the last week

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    1. I thought she did an amazing job with this sequel, especially given the fact that the girl and her love interest are apart almost the entire book. Somehow their relationship still seemed to strengthen:)

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  3. I'm one of these rare people who haven't read Everneath. I know I should and I hopefully will. I'm glad to see that the sequel didn't disappoint :) Great review :)

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    1. TANJA! YES! You need to read Everneath, it's fabulous. I think this sequel might be even better though:)

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  4. AAAHHH I'M SO EXCITED! :D I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Jenny, and now I can't WAIT! I NEED TO KNOW THAT PLOT TWIST! Plus, I'm dying to know about Cole's past! Gosh, can Jan 29th come sooner already?(; Amazing review, dearest!

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    1. Oh Keertana, Brodi got me good with this one. I did not at all expect some things to happen and I just got this huge smile on my face at the end because she totally caught me off guard:)

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  5. WOOT! The first one is on my maybe list for my YA reads. I am thrilled to hear that the second one was such a big hit for you. I ADORE unexpected plot twists (when I know they are coming and can be prepared LOL)

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    1. YESSSS FELICIA! I hope you give this series a try:)

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  6. COle! OMG! COLE, the things he did in this book made me want him soo bad. But AGHHHH!

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    1. Cole was brilliant in this book I thought. I just wanted to stand up an applaud him:)

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  7. OMG, so excited for this book! Everneath completely blew me away and exceeded my expectations. It was definitely my favorite debut of last year. I'm thrilled this one doesn't have middle book syndrome and I'm really curious to learn more about Cole though I'm SO on Team Jack's side. LOVE him!

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    1. YEAH!!! I hope you love it as much as I did Rummanah! And oh yes, TEAM JACK!

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  8. AHHHHHHHHHHH!! Im burning with envy!!! I need to read this PRONTO!!!!

    Loved your review Jenny!

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    1. You need to email me as soon as you read it so we can chat:)

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  9. I scanned your review, because I haven't read book one yet and am dying to, but I see you gave this 4.5 stars, which is a relief! I didn't want to start a new series and have only book one be really good, which has been happening to me a lot lately!

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    1. I thought this one was even better than book one, though I think I gave them the same rating:) I just loved how she handled the Nikki-Cole-Jack relationship:)

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  10. What a great review! I just finished the first book - how nice to hear that the follow-up is so good! :D

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  11. I'm in love with this book already! I'm so gald Nikki doeson't give into the temptation that is Cole. He grew on me in Everneath, but I think Nikki is destined to be with Jack. Her being rational rather than irrational is what I want to see. I want to get to know Cole better for sure. I got Neverfall last week and I'd be delighted to dive into it as soon as I'm done with this last exam. Thanks so much for this! I'm definitely more eager to read it now than ever:)

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    1. I agree, Nikki and Jack all the way. I felt for Cole in this one and I wanted more for him, but I didn't want that more to include Nikki. I thought she handled it really well:)

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  12. One word ...EEP! I pre-ordered this and oh my goodness this sounds delicious and everything i was hoping for!

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  13. *narrows eyes* I smell a love triangle. (Somehow even a irrelevant second love interest is enough to make my nose turn up. I can't HELP it. =/)

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    1. Fear not. While there are 3 players, there is no actual love triangle. Cole wants her, but Nikki is fully dedicated to Jack and never wavers from that:)

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  14. I cannot wait to read this one. I have been waiting sooo long.

    Great review. :D

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  15. Yeah, this sounds like it surpassed expectations. I just read a middle book that suffered from the second book syndrome and from your review this is not the case with this one. I was also happy to read that this does not move into love triangle territory. Even though Nikki is with Jack, I think somehow that I would be rooting for Cole. Sigh. I need to read this series.

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    1. I was worried about the triangle since I knew Jack was going to be absent for most of the book, but I didn't need to worry at all. And I was rooting for Cole in this book, but not for him to be with Nikki, I was just sort of wishing good things for him in general:)

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  16. I was quite worried when I heard Jack isn't present for much of this (that happens too often in second books), but I'm glad to hear you thought it was handled well. I'm actually reading this at the moment but haven't read much yet. Though I'm looking forward to getting stuck in after your review. :) Great job, Jenny!

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    1. I honestly don't think she could have done a better job with the circumstances. We got some really nice flashbacks to her relationship with Jack before the Feed and I loved those, it kept him present throughout.

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  17. I want this. I want this NOW. Your review has me chomping at the preverbial bit to get my pre-ordered copy. Sigh.

    I WANT IT, JENNY!

    I'm a Jack fan to the end, but I have a feeling I may start having feelings (GASP!) for Cole when this is all said and done. It's a long wait to the final book in the trilogy next year!

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    1. I'll be interested to see what you think of Cole by the end of this one. I just had to smile and shake my head after the last chapter. All I have to say is this: Well played:)

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  18. I have the first book staring at me willing me to read it and I haven't yet. *hangs head in shame* I suck. Now you write this wonderful review urging me to read the second book. I'm weak, Jenny! You are breaking me and I'll have to read that first one and get this second one. I'm wanting it now. WANTING... Yes, I'm a wanton reader... your fault... ;)

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    1. MELISSA! YOU NEED TO READ THIS SERIES! I accept full blame for your bookish wantonness. You're welcome:)

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  19. I am reading this one right now, Jenny! IT'S SO GOOD! I don't know who I love more, though: Jack or Cole???? They are both just so awesome. I'm glad that Cole gets a lot of time in this one. :) He had me beyond curious in Everneath.

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  20. I wasn't in love with the first book and wasn't planning on reading the second. I'm kind of rethinking that though. Since you liked it so much I might have to pick it up and I'm certainly curious to see what happens. I'll watch for it at the library and if it 'happens' to be one day I'll grab it. :)

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    1. It's not a story for everyone, but I just adore it. I think a lot of people who had some trouble with Nikki in book one because she was so lifeless in the beginning will enjoy her in this one. She's got some fire back:)

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  21. Oh Jenny, I've been dying to read this as I loved Everneath so much, but I've been scared because of the heartbreaking quality of the first book. Your wonderful review has answered all my fears and made me totally excited to pick this up. Brilliant review. :)

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  22. Okay so, I haven't read the first book yet because I wasn't convinced it was the book for me, but this review of yours for the second book goes a long way to convincing me that I need to read this series now. This sounds like an excellent sequel and I think I would be very impressed with the way Nikki and Cole's relationship was handled. I think I'll probably wait until the third book comes out still, to see how the trilogies handled on the whole - and to avoid any wait - but I am definitely encouraged!!

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  23. Wow...I'm so glad I read your review before starting Everbound :) I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing while Jack and Nikki are apart, Nikki doesn't fall prey to Cole's advances! Phewww...
    I'm so glad this was a great sequel! Loved your review Jenny <3

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  24. Can't wait to read this one and learn more about Cole!! Glad to hear that it lived up to the first!!!

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  25. Great review. This is another one of those series that I have been wanting to read. It sounds so good. Hopefully I will get to it soon.

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  26. Lucky you getting your hands on a copy! I still have a week more to wait :) I'm so glad that we see more of Cole without having to worry about a love triangle since I thought Nikki and Jack made a great couple.

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  27. Yay, Jenny!! Your feelings = my feelings :) If I were to point out everything that you wrote that summarizes how I feel, I'd be repeating your review.
    I was lucky enough to win a copy of Everbound from Epic Reads, so I read Everneath and Everbound back to back. Annnd, I loved every minute of it! The ending of Everbound?! I was cheering and metaphorically cracking my knuckles. Me: "Let's get this started."
    Wonderful review, dear!

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