Book Review: Everneath

Everneath

By: Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Publication Date: January 24, 2012

Page Count: 384

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Audience: YA - Paranormal

I have been so excited to read this one since seeing its gorgeous cover a few months ago. I went into this read expecting another generic, but well written  YA paranormal book. However, what I found was so much more. Everneath is paranormal and draws heavily upon Greek and Egyptian mythology, but it also relies heavily on loss and desperation. Have you ever been at rock bottom without any sense of hope? What if you found yourself in this place and there was one person who could make the pain go away? Would you choose the pain or numbness?

I wasn't expecting Everneath to be so thought provoking and heartbreaking. Depressing reads aren't always my cup of tea, but there is something about this one that grabs you from the prologue. I couldn't put it down and at the end of every chapter I would text friends and tell them that they had to get this book as soon as it hit the shelves. Brodi Ashton is a strong writer and her characters ooze emotion. I honestly didn't want to like Nikki, the main character, because of her stupid choices, but you can't help but be on her side by the end. 

In addition, I really liked the unique style of the writing in this one. It bounces around between the past and present. That typically frustrates me, but once I was comfortable with the structure, I found that it really worked for this story. Ashton doesn't just dump everything on the reader; she slowly reveals crucial elements at strategic points within the novel. This is one of those books where you have to work to piece together everything, but I found that to be a lot of fun and it helped me to stay rooted in the book.

I also really appreciated the Ashton returned to the darker side of Greek myths. So many of the new novels coming out with mythological roots, make the Gods and beings out to be romantic figures with redeemable qualities. However, if you look back at the actual myths, rarely were these beings protagonists with hearts that beat for righteousness. They often were deeply flawed and motivated by selfish factors. I will admit that there were times that I felt sorry for the Everlivings, I never allowed those feelings to sway me from the fact that they were sucking out the emotions of humans in order to maintain their immortal existence. I was worried that Everneath wouldn't hold my attention after reading The Goddess Test and Abandon, but Ashton's approach to the Persephone myth is very different and worth the time. In fact, I liked it better than the other titles.

Everneath is the mythology based YA book I have been craving. Its true to the lore while still new elements to the genre and has solid writing, a heartbreaking plot, and memorable characters. The relationship between Nikki and Jack is one of the best I have seen in YA literature. This couple is flawed and has real issues, but in spite of it all, they truly care deeply for one another. That sort of relationship is real. I am getting really sick of the cookie cutter perfection that dominates YA relationships. I think its important for readers, young and old alike, to see that love isn't always perfect and it takes work to keep a relationship on the right track. 

Everneath is a compelling read that is sure to be one of my favorite reads of 2012. It will make you reflect on your own choices and relationships. I highly recommend it to fans of YA, mythology, and paranormal reads. Brodi Ashton has delivered an amazing first novel and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. However, be prepared to feel hollow at the end; the conclusion caused me to shed quite a few tears.

One Last Gripe: I had some trouble wrapping my brain around the time in the Feed and how it compared to time on the surface, but this confusion went away fairly quickly.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: Nikki's quest to avoid her fate

First Sentence: I was picturing his face - a boy with floppy brown hair and brown eyes - when the Feed ended.

Favorite Character: Jack

Least Favorite Character: Meredith's Mother

Summary:

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...