Review - Ten

by Gretchen McNeil
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: September 18, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 304
source: from the author

From Goodreads:

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

I don't make a habit of reading many murder mysteries.  They usually just don't manage to grab my attention all that much, as I like my books both fanciful and thrilling.  When I found out that Gretchen McNeil had written Ten, however, I knew I had to give it a go.  She successfully scared the crap out of me with Possess, so I was confident she would write a mean murder mystery.  As it turns out, my assumptions were correct and I was treated to one heck of a thrill ride.  Ten brought on the mystery plot with a whole lot of ominous tone.  From the first page, I knew I was in for it.

When it comes to Meg and her best friend, Minnie, the description above does not do justice to the true nature of the relationship between these two.  To say that Minnie is codependent and Meg is an enabler is an understatement.  From the start, you know that what you're reading isn't a typical friendship.  Instead, it's based on something more akin to baby-sitting and walking on egg shells.  Meg starts out as such a push-over that you have to wonder just how the story is going to play out in regard to her.  However, as she begins to realize more and more the consequences of her enabling behavior, she becomes a bit stronger and a more sympathetic character.  I wanted someone to put a gag in Minnie's mouth half the time, but I can't deny that she added a lot of edge to the story's undercurrents.

I simply loved the setting for Ten.  It doesn't get much spookier than a heavily forested, storm-ravaged island along the Pacific Northwest coast.  It added so much more urgency to the teens' plight and made for a heck of an atmosphere.  Between that and the enigma that is the identity of the killer, you'll be kept on the edge of your seat.  I truly could not deduce the killer's identity until they revealed it themselves.  Consider my mind blown.  When a book comes along that takes me completely by surprise like that, I'm a happy reader, indeed.

It's safe to say that Ten left me very satisfied in the thrills and chills department.  Though I would have liked to see some more depth to Minnie's character (I honestly couldn't define what Meg saw in her), the variety in the cast worked out very well.  With a foreboding setting, character conflict, and a tight lid on the killer's identity, Ten makes for a pretty great mystery.  If you're a fan of the genre or want to try it out for yourself, Ten would definitely be a good place to start.

Buy Ten at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

This advance review copy was provided to me by the author as part of a contest.  No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - For Darkness Shows the Stars

by Diana Peterfreund
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: June 12, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 398
source: from a friend

From Goodreads:

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot’s estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she’s lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

For Darkness Shows the Stars has the surprising distinction of being an adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion AND a post-apocalyptic novel.  Being a huge fan of Jane Austen's works and an especially appreciative fan of Persuasion, I knew that this would be a book that I just had to read.  I was fortunate in that a dear friend was able to send me a copy that she obtained at a conference.  Reading For Darkness Shows the Stars proved to be an intriguing experience that made me think about both the similarities between the two books and the variations on the themes present in Persuasion.  

If I had to describe Elliot North, I would say that she's a more stubborn, outspoken version of Anne Elliot.  The ways in which she deals with her heartbreak over Kai are filled with more anger than we see with Anne.  Though we only got a second-hand view of Anne's feelings due to a difference in narration, Elliot came off as a much more fiery girl than Anne did.  She was both similar enough to Anne that I enjoyed reading about her as an extension of Anne, and different enough that I enjoyed her as a character in her own right.  Kai, in keeping with the intensifying emotions present in For Darkness Shows the Stars, makes for an intriguing version of Captain Wentworth.  Though his cruelty is much more pronounced and, at times, hard to hear, we also get to learn more about the ways in which Elliot's refusal to run away with him as she originally promised affected him as a person.  Overall, these characters, while not the embodiment of their sources, proved to be successful in giving Jane Austen's story both new life and a new audience.

The setting in For Darkness Shows the Stars is an interesting one.  The estate system that is in place has similarities to the Antebellum plantations that were present in the south during the 19th century, as well as to the colonies held by England during the Victorian era.  That it all takes place on an island just added another nuance to the story, one that added credence to the importance of the maritime pursuits of the Post-Reductionists.  The hierarchy created for this story was also a novel addition to this story.  It upped the stakes for both Elliot and Kai and gave the post-apocalyptic setting a point of contention that added to the problems and conflicts present.

I've read several variations on Jane Austen's work and, I have to say, For Darkness Shows the Stars is my favorite, so far.  Thanks to its setting, societal issues, and intensified versions of the characters found in Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars proved to be well worth the time it took to read it.  I found the experience to be one of both reminiscence and discovery as I explored the new world that Peterfreund created.  If you're a fan of Jane Austen, you must give this book a try.  Even if you aren't, I still recommend it.  It is my hope that this book finds not only many fans for itself, but also new fans for one of my favorite authors of all time.  Read For Darkness Shows the Stars.  Read Persuasion.  It just might rock your world.

Buy For Darkness Shows the Stars at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Glimmer

by Phoebe Kitanidis
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: April 17, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 352
source: SBB ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

What if you forgot your identity and had to rely on other people to tell you who you were?

And what if to discover your true self, you first had to unravel a mystery so big and terrifying you were not sure you’d survive solving it?

When Marshall and Elyse wake up in each other’s arms with zero memory of how they got there or who they are, it’s the start of a long journey through their separate pasts and shared future.

Terrified by their amnesia, the two make a pact to work together to find the answers that could jog their missing memories. As they piece together clues, they discover they’re in the idyllic mountain resort town of Summer Falls, where everyone seems mysteriously happy, but as Marshall and Elyse quickly learn, darkness lurks beneath the town’s perfect facade. Not only is the town haunted by sinister ghosts, but none of its living inhabitants retain bad memories of anything—not the death of Marshall’s mom, not the hidden shame in Elyse’s family, not even the day-to-day anguish of high school.

Lonely in this world of happy zombies, Marsh and Elyse fall into an intense relationship...but the secrets they uncover could be the death of this growing love—and the death of everyone, and everything, they love in Summer Falls.

Glimmer first piqued my interest when I read the plot description on the Southern Book Bloggers site.  As it was coming up for an ARC tour, I signed up and anticipated an interesting read.  After all, I am a huge fan of ghost stories, so a town overrun by "sinister ghosts" and residents with a Stepford-like quality sounded too good to miss.  However, what you see isn't always what you get.  While the above-mentioned elements do make up a sizable chunk of the story, there is also a number of quirks that made Glimmer somewhat confusing to read.

When we are first introduced to Elyse and Marshall, they are in a very unusual predicament.  The two wake up naked, in bed together, and with absolutely no memory of who they are or how they got there.  From that point on, these two are one big bundle of confusion and accusation as they set out to figure out who and where they are.  Whether due to the nature of their situation or some other reason, I found these two characters to be very difficult to connect with.  I vacillated between liking and disliking the both of them, which made the reading experience less smooth than I would have liked.

The premise is a very interesting one.  I definitely agree with the description of sinister for the ghosts.  Their habit of appearing out of nowhere and smiling maniacally as they try to catch various people succeeded in giving me the creeps.  Also, the town itself was surprisingly sinister in its own right.  Things might appear to be happy and idyllic, but there are some seriously odd things going on in Summer Falls.  I enjoyed the plot the most out of all the elements in Glimmer.

Glimmer had both good points and bad points for me.  Among the good points were the great setting and plot.  They really made for a unique and enjoyable read.  My main point of contention lies with the main characters.  They both ran very hot and cold and I found myself having a difficult time gaining a lock on them.  This added a level of detachment that was detrimental to the reading experience.  Overall, however, I enjoyed the book.  If you enjoy ghosts in your reading choices and are looking for a new approach to them, pick this one up!

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Unraveling

by Elizabeth Norris
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: April 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 445
source: DAC ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save hers,elf, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

What I Thought

There once was a time when science fiction novels just did not manage to capture my attention.  Luckily for me, that has been changing.  Otherwise, I probably would have missed this little gem of a novel, and that would just be sad.  Unraveling packs such a surprising amount of scientific jargon, intrigue, and romance into one book that I was completely caught up.  The story I was about to sink into was a total treat, one which held several good points for me.

Janelle is a pretty no-nonsense character, all things considered.  I can only imagine that what happens to her completely knocks her for a loop.  As Janelle is a very analytical and observant person, however, she is readily able to accept her own memories of the incident and, rather than fall apart about what happened, Janelle sets out to find answers.  Ben was a bit of a surprise for me.  At first, I was expecting a typical bad boy type.  However, the truth behind Ben was more than that and I found myself liking him as Janelle's love interest in this story.  After all, it's hard to ignore a guy who knows his literature!  These two characters work very well together, so I am left without a single complaint, on that front. 

The pacing of Unraveling started out a bit laboriously, leaving me concerned that I was going to find finishing the book to be a struggle.  This wasn't the case, however, as things began to progress fairly quickly after that.  The premise is very interesting and has something for almost everyone: science; crime investigation; mystery; romance; and action.  Ms. Norris weaves these various threads together into a very compelling story.  You would be hard-pressed to not find something about Unraveling that you like.

I certainly hope that Unraveling is the beginning of a series, as I enjoyed both the characters and the premise immensely.  The ending left my eyes damp and my curiosity piqued, so I have all the more reason to hope for at least one more installment.  If you're looking for a fun blend of science fiction and romance, Unraveling would be an excellent choice.  Elizabeth Norris has written a fun, harrowing story that will both challenge your mind and leave you with butterflies in your stomach.  If at first you find yourself concerned with the pacing, keep at it.  You won't want to miss out on this book.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Slide

by Jill Hathaway
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: March 27, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 187
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

What I Thought

I have become more and more interested in YA murder mysteries as of late, especially if they contain some element of the paranormal.  When I initially read the description of Slide on Netgalley, I knew that I had to give it a go.  The concept of a person being able to see through the eyes of a killer is an intriguing one, and for that person to be a teenage girl is even more interesting.  That it lacks the typical psychic angle confirmed my need to read this book.  I am glad that I did.

Vee is an emotionally bruised girl who wants nothing more than to hold herself back from those around her.  Fearing disappointment and heart-break, she has resorted to shielding herself through her outward appearance as well as her outward attitude.  Her armor is about to be cracked, however, as the body count begins to rise and an unexpected attraction to the new boy makes her reconsider everything.  I felt very empathetic toward Vee as I learned more and more about her and her past.  Though she maintains a stubborn veneer throughout the novel, I couldn't bring myself to be irritated by her.  Instead, she evokes much concern until you find yourself wishing for something to come along to make things better for her.  She is a very well-written main character that I very much enjoyed reading about, as well as an effective narrator.  She made the story easy to comprehend and provided a fantastic amount of useful information.

Slide is a very evenly paced, well-written mystery that kept me guessing right up until the end.  As I often am able to glean enough information to figure out the culprit at the wrong stage, the fact that this story threw me for a loop left me feeling very satisfied.  The plot twists are excellent and the themes touched upon (i.e. bullying, underage drinking, and suicide) are important ones.  The impact of such themes are exhibited, which provides important insight into the dangers.  Overall, Slide is an excellent paranormal mystery with an added layer of import.

Slide has left me with a stronger interest in mystery novels thanks to its impeccable storyline and ability to provide a complete surprise as to the perpetrator and their motive.  Jill Hathaway has written an engaging, imaginative story that will make most anyone a fan of mystery novels.  If you're looking for an engrossing, well thought-out story, I recommend Slide.  Whether it is to remain a standalone novel or is the beginning of a series, Slide is an enjoyable book that should not remain absent from your TBR shelves for long.  I give Slide 5 hoots for ease of reading, intrigue, and re-readability.

  
Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Waiting on Wednesday - February 29, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

There have been so many fantastic cover reveals in the past week that I wasn't quite sure as to what I wanted to pick for my Waiting on Wednesday post this week.  I decided that this week calls for a 3 part WoW, just so I can fit in as many fantastic books as I possibly can.

Pick number 1 is the follow-up to one of my favorite 2012 debuts.  Lucky for me, its release date has been announced as October 9, 2012, so I won't have a year-long wait on my hands.

The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges
Coming October 9, 2012 from Random House Children's Books

From Goodreads:

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

Why I'm waiting on it: I simply adored The Gathering Storm and am beyond ready to see what other adventures Katerina has in store.

 
My second pick is the third book in a series, the last two of which I devoured voraciously.  With a release date of October 2, my October to-read list grows even further.

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien
Coming October 2, 2012 from Roaring Brook Press

From Goodreads:

Gaia Stone has challenged the ruthless regime of the Enclave, she's crossed a terrible wasteland to live in Sylum and even adapted to their strange new ways. But now she faces her biggest challenge ever: leading the people of Sylum back to the Enclave in the hopes that they can find a way to peacefully co-exist. The Enclave has grown even more cruel in the time they've been away, and now Gaia has the added burden of feeling responsible for the safety of the former residents of Sylum as well as her own. Gaia's always been strong-minded, but is she willing to pay the price of being a leader? And what if what's at stake is her and Leon's future?

Why I'm waiting on it: I read both Birthmarked and Prized within a 48 hour period.  These books are one of my most favorite dystopian series and I can't wait to read more.

  
My third and final pick is a 2012 debut.  Not only does the plot sound awesome, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Coming August 28, 2012 from Balzer+Bray

From Goodreads:

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Why I'm waiting on it: That plot description has me completely sold.  I can't wait to get my hands on this book.  It already has a home on my "books I would dance a jig for" list.
  

Cover Alert 2

There were three more awesome cover reveals today.  Hasn't it just been a great week for cover reveals?  This time, the reveals were for Ten by Gretchen McNeil, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, and Glass Heart by Amy Garvey.  First up is Ten...

Ten by Gretchen McNeil (coming September 18, 2012 from Balzer+Bray)

Gretchen McNeil has a way with thrillers, as evidenced by her debut, Possess.  Though Ten won't be a paranormal thriller/horror novel, I can't wait to read it.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (coming June 5, 2012 from Henry Holt BYR)

I was surprised to get an ARC of this book in the mail this week from Macmillan and am thrilled to get the chance to read it.  Now that I can see what the final cover looks like, I am even more excited!  You have got to read this plot description. 

Glass Heart by Amy Garvey (coming October 2012 from HarperTeen)

There is just something about this cover that I really like.  I haven't read Cold Kiss as of yet, but I do have it and am really looking forward to it.  I plan to read it as soon as I possibly can.  I just have to whittle down my review list first.

Cover Alert!

There have been some fantastic cover reveals today.  Three upcoming titles all had their covers revealed on various blogs and I couldn't have been more excited.  Think of it as a 1-2-3 punch of awesome, as there is a 2012 debut, a 2nd in series, and a 3rd in series to behold.  Be sure to click on the titles to add these books to your Goodreads shelves and read the descriptions. 

Defiance by C.J. Redwine (coming August 28, 2012 from Balzer+Bray)

Isn't this cover gorgeous!?  The plot description sounds just as amazing as the cover looks.  I'm looking forward to this 2012 debut.

The Unfailing Light (Katerina Trilogy #2) by Robin Bridges (coming October 9, 2012 from Random House Children's Books)

As if the cover wasn't enough, to find out that the sequel to The Gathering Storm comes out this year is the best news I've heard all day!  I had thought I would be waiting until next year.

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien (coming October 2, 2012 from Roaring Book Press)

I am so in love with this series that I nearly forgot to breathe when I saw Caragh O'Brien's blog post feed on Goodreads.  This cover goes beautifully with the other two in the series and I am sure that the book itself will be as amazing as its predecessors.

Waiting on Wednesday - February 22, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

Wow!  I hadn't realized it, but I haven't done one of these since mid-DECEMBER.  I know I've been pretty busy since then, but wow, that's a long time to refrain from participating in one of my favorite memes.

My top pick this week is a June release from Balzer+Bray.  Ever since I first heard that this book is inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion (one of my very favorite Austen novels), I knew I had to read it.  The fact that it is a post-apocalyptic novel with a dystopian bent further cemented my need to read this book.  In fact, it is currently on my "books I would dance a jig for" shelf at Goodreads.  The sooner I read it, the happier I will be.  What book do I refer to?  The book in question is For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund, to be released on June 12th.  

From Goodreads:

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him.

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—-one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

Review - Everneath

by Brodi Ashton
publisher: Balzer+Bray
date of publication: January 24, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 240
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

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...

What I Thought

I was very curious to see how the concept of the underworld (known as the Everneath, in this book) would be handled.  Having always been fascinated by the Persephone myth, I was very excited to read Ms. Ashton's debut novel.  When I finally got to read Everneath, I encountered a dark, creepy world in which a century passes while a mere 6 months has gone by on the surface world.  What followed was a bleak, moving novel about life, the power of love, redemption, and the importance of goodbyes.

The plot for Everneath is every bit as mysterious and intriguing as I would have hoped.  Ashton's descriptions of the dank, shadowy world in which Nikki awakens is chilling and disturbing, which definitely added to the overall mood of the book.  When compared to Nikki's hometown in Utah, an even bigger emphasis is made on just how separate the Everneath is from everything else.  That Nikki can disappear from such a place and wind up drained of her emotions and memories in a cavernous world is especially eerie.  Even then, there is more.  The underlying secret society factor and the nature of the disappearances of the Forfeits ("Forfeits" being those who are fed upon by the Everliving, by the way) comes together to tell a frightening tale surrounding mortality and the human spirit.  The only thing that left me with reservations with regard to the storyline was the pacing.  At times, the ways in which the timeline was broken up and shuffled left the story bordering upon lagging for me.  Combined with Nikki's initial air of ennui, this method just didn't come together as well as I would have liked. 

I truly felt for Nikki, though I did have some difficulty in becoming in tune with her as a character.  The way in which the novel is constructed makes figuring out her motives for willingly going with Cole to be somewhat difficult to decipher.  Even during the flashback sequences, there was a sense that she may have been either lying to herself or relying too heavily upon someone else for her happiness, if not both.  I really took issue with her final straw, so to speak, that finally sent her to Cole and, essentially, her doom.  It's a hard pill to swallow, but I have to say that it does make her a complex character.  As for the two leading men in this story, Cole and Jack, I liked that there wasn't a love triangle, per say.  Though Cole and Jack are interested in Nikki, Nikki is never truly invested in Cole, so there's none of that woe-is-me-which-guy-do-I-like-more? upset that one often sees in literary triangles.  I found that refreshing, to say the least.  However, Jack wasn't my first pick, either.  It took a long time to get a lock on his character and motives, so he definitely had to do some convincing on all counts.  Overall, the characters were intriguing, even if they did leave my head spinning, at times.

Everneath quickly became a fascinating read filled with a great plot and very good characters.  If not for a few pacing issues that I found difficulty with, I would have been like a giddy schoolgirl after having finished.  Overall, however, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to what else is in store for Nikki, Jack, and Cole.  Everneath is yet another awesome debut for 2012, one which I definitely recommend, especially for those who enjoy a new and interesting take on mythology.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.