~Tales of Ever is an action packed young adult novel, enjoyed by adults and teens yet also suitable content-wise for readers 10 and up. Originally written as a novella series, it has been reworked and is now available as a complete stand alone novel. Amazon Hot New Release! Amazon Top Reader Rated! Amazon Fantasy Best Seller!
A few months ago, I was a normal girl. Life sucked, and just like everyone else, I took the simple things for granted. At least until I got this new power, a "gift" my mom called it. Apparently, I'm a firestarter. I didn't want to be. I didn't ask to be. It would be cool if it wasn't so dangerous and I knew how to control it. When an uncle I'd never heard of showed up to take care of me after my mom died, I should have been grateful. As it turned out, my whole family isn't normal and more than a little bit crazy. I thought things couldn't get any worse. I was wrong. They banished me to Ever.
* * * * *
Welcome to Ever.
Ever; a deadly realm where feared, powerful, and dangerous magical beings are banished. It's not a world, but a magically created prison you can never break out of. Who, or what, made Ever? I've no idea. They were powerful, and cruel. That is all I can tell you. Ever is like, and unlike, every other world. Nothing is safe. Safety is a dream. Ever is a nightmare. Few survive their first day. Nothing is what it seems. If something appears safe, it isn't. If something appears dangerous, well it is, but probably more than you think. Ever has no sun, no moon, and no stars at night. Time is told by the ever changing color of the sky where portals open, dropping new inhabitants or new terrors. Time does pass. Don't worry, you won't get old. You won't live that long. The landscape changes without reason from desert to jungle. The flora isn't safe at any time. There is food, if you can find it without getting eaten yourself. Most plants and animals are poisonous. So is the water. Are you afraid? You should be. This is the end. It gets worse of course. Remember the portals? Do you think angels come through? Innocent people rarely do. Mostly, it is evil people, people too powerful to kill. Their magic works here. The creatures are worse. Do you understand? Well, you will eventually, or you'll die. There is no escaping Ever. Ever.
Jen Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.
Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.
Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories.
Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her two boys and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.
EBook review copies available upon request. Please see website for email.
I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.
Firstly I would like to thank the author for givng me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
Whoa!!! What a great read!!!
I really enjoyed this read. It's adventurous and really thrilling and I loved each and every scene so much that I read it in just one sitting. The descriptions of the place called Ever is so gripping and horrific that I just kept replaying the scene over and over in my head and visualize this place and the horrors it involves.
A prison for supernaturals is a new concept to me and when the unexpected plot twists left me shell shocked then I realized how unique and brilliant this concept is and not to mention it's intelligent execution which made this read a win-win!!!
The characterization is remarkably well done and I loved the main character very much, she is mature and strong and doesn't loose hope even in grave situations. The action scenes are kick-ass and I loved the other characters too especially Shade, man that fellow has a shadow that can fight!!! I would give anything to get this cool superpower. The creatures of ever are hideous and I really enjoyed reading about them. The daily fight that the captives has to endure to survive was described in details and it somehow connected me to the plot and this strange world.
It's a great read and I would highly recommend it to others too and hope that you guys will love it as much as I did.
I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book that I could read again and again. If you've read any of my postings, you know that's quite unlike me. You know, so many books so little time. This book is downright fun, clever, entertaining and riveting. I did not want to put this book down at all. It's also an easy read, which is great for the younger readers and those looking for a story that quickly pulls them from reality and into a different world.
When I first started reading it, I wasn't sure what to expect. Misha, who is the main character of this story is a firestarter but doesn't really realize what she is capable of at the beginning of her journey because things had been kept from her. Her father disappeared years prior and almost as soon as her mother comes clean about her lineage and starts to train her, she dies. At the last second, she's rescued than in a blink of an eye she's been banished by those that should have kept her safe. This story is about Misha's entrance into the land of Ever, the people she meets along the way, the dangers that are present every day, the good, the bad and the ugly of life in Ever. We meet Misha as a sheltered teen and see her grow into a strong, determined, sincere and loving young woman before our eyes.
Being multiple volumes joined into one book, I was worried about the flow of the story when one volume ended and the next started. The author did a wonderful job as she didn't cut the story short at the ending of the volumes and didn't go into overdone detail in the beginnings. The reader gets a small rehash, but nothing that will make the eyes roll or sending the reader in a speed read to get away from the details. They are merged smoothly and the story just keeps on rolling, bringing us from the scary first day in the land of Ever to the amazing changes going on at the end.
Ever. A land that feels like a dream on paper. The details paint the reader a picture that even though a bit odd, seems right. People and creatures are banished to Ever through portals, daily, but nothing leaves. A mish mash of colors, creatures, plants, food, dangers and adventures. A bird man, witch, shadow that moves on its own, dragons, animals that look partly like puppies and partly like squirrels are just a few of the oddities that you will get to know in Ever, if you live the fall from the portal. There is no sun, clouds nor wind but you will learn the cycle of the day through the colors of the sky.
There isn't really any qualm I have with this story except that a few of the details could have been better detailed. With all the action in the crystals I couldn't get a perfect feel of the scenery at that moment. Also, there is a time that Shade is upset with Misha over something she did, involving a bunch of burnt lizards but nothing is really said on why he was mad and if the author reads this, can you give me a little insight, because I'm still very curious.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story, mixed with fantasy but not extreme fantasy. This reminded me of stories I read as a young adult and weren't complex but still carried the story at a level that was enjoyable. There were also plenty of times that the author threw in humor that made me chuckle and made me love this story that much more. I would like to read more about Ever and hope that the author returns to the land in further novels. Please Jen...more Ever...PLEASE!
When I first started reading this book, I was a bit skeptical because I’ve read a lot of YA books that had a weak heroine who always hid behind the men in the story. I was pleasantly surprised that the heroine in this story, Misha, was no pushover and could take care of herself.
Misha was an ordinary girl but everything changed when the fire appeared. She could suddenly see fire everywhere and for some strange reason, her body was overheating all the time. One day, while her mother was doing yoga, she accidently burns her; with just her hands. She then learns about her power and how to begin to control it. When events take a turn for the worse and Misha is found alone, she is shocked to hear that she has an uncle, from her father’s side of the family. Her mother never mentioned him and since her father went missing over ten years ago, she never even knew if her father had family. Her uncle offered her a home, safety and comfort, only to banish her when he finds out she has the power to control fire. Women in their society can’t control fire and when they can, that means there dangerous.
He banished her to the world called Ever. Where you can never leave. Ever. It’s a dangerous place where everything there can and will try to kill you. You’re not supposed to survive your first day, but some do. With the help from some people also banished to Ever, Misha will fight to survive—one day at a time. Will Misha survive Ever? Or will her life flicker out like a flame?
This is, so far, my favorite book of 2014! I’ve haven’t found a book that kept my attention in a while. I stayed up early into the morning reading this book. I love Misha and Jadus and Shade. One of my favorite things about Ever was the sky changing color and depending on the color, you could tell what part of the day it was. Very, very clever!
One conclusion I made when I was reading this book was that, if I ever got banished to Ever, I wouldn’t last one hour, let alone one day. I admired the strength, speed, and resourcefulness of Misha, Jadus, and Shade. They’re the people I would want around if I ever went to Ever!
The ending was great, but I wish it didn’t end at all! I really hope that the author will one day make another book explaining what happened to all the characters and continue their adventures. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author in the future!
I recommend this book to everyone!
My favorite quotes:
I spread my arms. “In the Rainbow Jungles of Ever there lives what I affectionately call, killer ducks.”
“He scowls and glares at me quite a bit. I can tell he’s feeling better.”
“I stick my tongue out at it. Ugh. I should be committed to an insane asylum. At least I’m not talking to a volley ball.”
“I am not going to get eaten by ducks!”
“He thinks I’m his! That I’m gonna cook and have babies or something!” Jadus stares at me in shock and then turns to the man. “She can’t cook. She burns everything.”
Jen Wylie´s narrative style is magical. She is able to transport you to Ever through her wickedly detailed writing. She keeps doing what she does best, creating wonderful and unforgettable stories. As always, her characters are a master piece, they are complex, believable and inspiring. The trio of characters is formed by a brave and powerful heroine (Misha), a loyal best friend who ends up being something more (Jadus), and a fearless and fierce protector (Shade). Misha is the nucleus of the group while the boys are focused on her. The book is set in Ever, a dangerous fantasy world that works as a kind of character because of its importance along the story. Ever is a prison, not the typical world full of rainbows and happiness, everyone there has been condemned to an existence of fighting trying to survive the dangerous world. Usually people don´t survive for very long periods but Misha is lucky enough to meet Jadus on her first day in Ever and they share and instant connection forming a bond of friendship.
I am so happy that Jen decided to compile all the volumes in one book because I know wouldn´t have been able to wait for the next one. At the end of every tale you are left wanting more because of the tension she creates. There are some huge cliffhangers between volumes that left speechless, I almost had a heart attack at the beginning of volume 3, I have to admit that I cried a lot in that part. She is able to turn everything around in a couple of lines. She uses tension and twists so perfectly, there are some books from other authors where you know what is going to happen because they are so predictable but Jen always leave me breathless. Every time I read one of her books is like riding a rollercoaster of emotions and full of surprises while reading them and when you finish the book you are left wanting more. Jen creates addictive stories, and before reading Tales of Ever I was obsessed with her writing but now my obsession has definitely grown up to further levels. So yes, Tales of Ever is a must read suitable for a wide range of people because it doesn´t matter how old or young you are. Jen Wylie´s Tales of Ever is going to cast a spell on you and you won´t be able to stop reading it.
I would love to read more about Ever, to get to know more about Jadus, Misha and Shade. I also think it would be awesome if she narrated other characters stories set in Ever since it is a big world and we are left with some unresolved questions at the end of the book.
The Tales of Ever is a Young Adult book by Jen Wylie. This isn't her only book she has out in the market. Her other best selling books include: THE BROKEN ONES SERIES, FLASHY FICTION AND OTHER INSANE TALES, SWEET TALES and more. If you are looking for a book that: makes your blood rush from insane intense action scenes, unique story line that will make you read from hours end, sweet romance, then The Tales of Ever is the book for you!
From the moment the book was landed in my hands, I had a feeling this story was going to rock my socks off. Misha, a young girl, sees everything on fire where ever she goes. She didn't know what was wrong with her until she learns she posses a gift of starting fire. Her mother starts teaching her of how to control it but, but soon dies. Misha then finds herself before a family member who she never met before that also posses magic and learns her whole family was not just ordinary people. They soon saw Misha has a certain strong power that she shouldn't have (which I cannot really describe. Don't wanna ruin it for you :) ) so they banish her to another realm... EVER.
From there, they story blew my mind. The author took me to another world full of mystery, danger and wonder. I loved her writing technique and was able to describe a new foreign world that I could visualize in perfect detail in my head and her well developed characters. Especially Jadus and Shade. Who I love and I couldn't help of becoming jealous of Misha of having two boys falling for you.(you will know what I mean once you read the book.) Misha of couse I like. She never gave up hope, determination on her adventure.
But there was a flaw. I felt the story needed more. It ended where it was supposed too. A ending that I couldn't be happier with. But I would love to see more sequels from this book. It has great potential for the story to continue. So this is my plea to Jen. PLEASE write more!!!
I would highly recommend this book. It has amazing action and romance. Just what I love in a book that blow my mind.
Fans of Suzanne Collin's series, Hunger Games, or J.K. Rowling's, Harry Potter will thoroughly enjoy Jen Wylie's, Tales of Ever. Tales of Ever is a constant death thrilling adventure until the very end, AND there is a freaking love interest in the mix, which made reading it more kick @ss.
In a world where nothing is as it seems, sixteen year old, Misha is propelled into a world where survival is the only way of life.
Misha learned to deal with the loss of her father at a young age, and when tragedy comes around again by the death of her mother, she is left as a ward of the state...until an unknown relative discovers her. The story really picks up here when Misha's long lost uncle takes her to the safety of her new home.
Of course safe is relative and her uncle learns why Misha and her mom were hidden for so long. Misha is told that her father is in alive...but in a different world? Since she was born with the full power to wield fire like her dad, Misha is labeled as wild, unstable. So, with a quick, forceful push through a portal, into another world, Misha finds herself in Ever. Shit just got real.
Falling into a deathtrap, Misha discovers plants, creatures, the sky and other means of 'normal' have transformed into a living nightmare. Giant, poisonous spiders, killer ducks, dragons and more fill the pages with constant worry. However, she's determined to find her dad. Soon enough, Jadus, a human-ish (swoon worthy) guy swoops in, saving Misha before certain death (of course!).
Still, hell has no ending while in Ever and the adventure grows more troublesome.
Hunky Jadus and Misha are separated, forcing Misha to find her way to safety alone and also left searching for her dad without him. Crap, I just wanna tell you what happens, but I can't. That wouldn't be fun, right? The story takes off from page one and before you know it, you're finished with the entire book. I'd love to read more about Ever and by that I really mean read more about Misha and Jadus! I really heart him, or whatever he is. Great job, Jen!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After reading the blurb on the book the first thing that went through my mind is the song Hotel California, You can check out but you can't ever leave. Which then lead me to thinking that I really needed to read this story as if some deep carnal desire was being pulled from the depths of the unknown calling to me begging me to read Tales of Ever. Not knowing exactly why this was being deemed the book I must read at that moment I gave in to my desire and began to read it. I was completely enveloped into a story that was ever changing. Misha the main character went through so many life changes in such a sort span of time and I was mystified by each and everything that happened to her and then like breathing needing to know more about her became something I just did. I had no idea where we might end up but it was a for sure it would be a journey not forgotten. Where the path ended however was not necessarily the place one may want to be because once you are in Ever you may not leave. Tales of Ever captivated me in ways no other story has and kept me so involved and always, alway wanting to know more. Jen Wylie does a excellent job of keeping a vivid picture going through out the book of the scenery as well as each character it was almost hypnotic at times. I found myself constantly feeling as if I was walking Misha's path beside her several times and for me that is the telling of a great story. For an author to be bold enough to posses the ability to pull the reader in and have them become one with the book to me is amazing! I so completely have been pulled into Misha's story that I hope that we may find out more someday. Thank you Jen Wylie for giving me and every reader out there such a memorable story. Tales of Ever go get it today!
This book is classified as young adult, but I have to say as an adult I really enjoyed it. I felt that the author did a great job of creating this paranormal/fantasy world of Ever and sucking the reader into the story. This is a great story about a girl that is different and learning to come into her own, she has to learn to be strong and use her differences. The main character Misha has the power to start fire, and on Earth it is considered wild in women. She is banished to Ever by her uncle, who also banished her father there 10 years prior.
Ever is a place where nothing is as it seems. Ever has deadly creatures at every turn, it is challenging to find safe places to sleep, things to eat, and you have to survive the others that have been banished there. It takes courage and strength to survive. Misha has to learn these things and quickly. Misha has a goal to see if her father has survived in Ever and to be reunited with him. Her journey has her in the company of two young men Jadus (a bird like man), and Shade (a man that has a shadow that can fight). These two young mean teach Misha to be strong, control her gift, and to survive.
This story has action and adventure. The author creates a lead character that makes mistakes and has to learn from them. She also creates a lead character that has to learn to be strong and have courage. I feel that is what makes this great for young adults, how many times as someone younger do you feel out of place and different. Misha learns that her differences are powerful and she can be strong.
Seriously addicting! Misha is a kick ass fire starter! Not knowing what the changes are that are happening to her she is confused.. Her mother tries to explain what is going on with her. With her father disappearing when she younger, her mother did her best to pay the bills and keep things hidden. As Misha come to terms with her new gift, her mother dies of Cancer. Misha is alone and has nowhere to to. With Misha about to go into state custody a man speaks up as being her uncle.. Misha is taken to a lavish home to learn her uncle is a fire starter as well and so is her cousin and when she shows her ability, she is banished. Next thing Misha knows she is falling from the sky to land in a very awkward place. She *saves* Jadus, who is turn helps her! Ever is not a place for an ordinary person! Ever is a place of routine as the day is fortold by the colors of the sky.. safety is key and knowing what is safe and what is not is always a good thing. Misha is on a mission to find her dad whom she learned was banished as well and with knowing she is a Fire starter Jadus agrees to help her and he needs her. you will also meet Shade.. your typical bad boy who will also join them as Shade needs Misha to help keep his shadow protector out and about.. This is a book of love, protection, trust. you will encounter evil ducks, funky blue squirrels, dragons, and many other creatures! This is a very well written book that makes you want more but ends well.. a must read!
This story grabbed me from page one, I thought it would be an angsty, coming of age type story. I love those. But this? This was beyond what I could have ever expected! You connect to Misha from the beginning, her story pulls at your heartstrings. And then you are thrown into a world that I can only describe as Dr. Seuss meets Stephen King. The book is composed of 6 novellas that flow smoothly from one adventure to the next carrying you throughout a colorfully bizarre and terrifying world.
Without giving too much away and I want to emphasize the theme that felt laced this story together so nicely. Misha was different and essentially she was shunned and discarded for that. Instead of wilting, Misha reveled in her difference and by doing so she connected with others who appreciated her just as she is.
I consider myself a true fan of Jen’s at this point. Her storytelling and imagination both intrigue and inspire! She builds these beautiful characters, these fascinating worlds and refuses to release you until she is ready! I give Tale of Ever 5 out of 5 stars without hesitation! Now can we get a movie deal or something because I am dying to see Ever come to life! No pun intended…
I received Tales of Ever from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very interesting magical book. Misha has just found out she can start and control fire, when her mom dies from cancer. Circumstances out of her control get her banished to Ever. No one ever escapes from Ever. Ever is a scary place with poisonous plants and water, dangerous animals of every crazy sort, and dragons. What I found ironic here was that Ever is a rainbow. Throughout the day the sky changes to the colors of the rainbow, which seems uber friendly, but not so much. And the only drinkable water is the rainfall that comes every day when the sky is green.
Now Misha is on a quest to survive and find her dad that may have been banished there ten years ago. Thankfully she doesn't have to do it all alone, and she meets a few boys on the way. Some are a little rough around the edges like Jadus and Shade, and one is just a loony king named Merrick. Their mission of survival was full of adventure, and I loved the descriptions of their environment and the scary animal attacks.
Tales of Ever was a great series full of adventure, fighting, humor, magic, and a little romance. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read what happens next.
A fantastic book. The author has created a truly fantastic world full of many strange creatures - most of which seem content to eat people, each other, or whatever else they can find. Misha's story is told through six short stories - each one self-contained - but together forming an enthralling tale of fear, survival, loss and love. I loved Misha's character and how despite being constantly afraid, she never gives up on herself or her friends. Shade and Jadus were also really interesting characters. It was a joy to follow her on her journey to find her lost father, and watch as she learned to survive and use her gift to fight off the terrifying monsters of Ever. It was also cool to see the themes about redemption and second chances come through for those unfortunate enough to be banished to Ever. The only thing that I was disappointed with in this book was how abrupt the ending was. Even though it was a happy ending, I was enjoying the story so much I just wanted it to continue! Overall, a very creative and well-written book which I'm sure I will be reading again sometime.
This is an amazing book about a girl who finds out she has the power to start fires. But when the family she had never met until the passing of her mother find out about her power they say she is too dangerous and banish her to Ever. This is a place for those too evil or dangerous for whatever world they come from. It is a magical prison where escape is impossible, thus the name.
I love how the author is able to make a world that sounds so alien, so magical and yet you are able to really visualize and understand this dangerous prison. The nonhuman characters are made so realistic, alien and yet with some relatable human characteristics. I really admire the main character of the story and her determination to stick to her moral compass in spite of her circumstances.
I highly recommend for youth and adults alike who enjoy stories that can take you to another world, entertain you and move you.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. When I read the blurb on a friend’s blog site, I just had to get my hands on it and read it. This is not my usual type of read but honestly it was a compulsion like no other. So I hopped to it and requested a copy. I was not to be disappointed; not for a second. You are instantly pulled into the storyline and hooked, and I didn’t want to put it down. When I reached the end I was still craving more, and saddened that the story was over.
The book was so amazing. The storyline, the characters, the world-it was so well fleshed out that while fantastical and unreal it was so easy believe for Ever; it was a living, breathing entity of its own. Kudos to the author for this refreshing and captivating read; and I absolutely loved the journey I was taken on! Both my kids, my 16 yr old daughter and 10 yr old son are wanting to read this after my telling them about the storyline. That is a rarity for sure.
Loved this book! It is a YA book! It had me at the first page. I was unable to put it down till I finished it! Misha has had a harsh life! Things are weird for her because everywhere she looks she sees fire. once her mom dies, she's claimed by an uncle. Things go from bad to worse. She is pretty much banished to Ever. A land meant for the most dangerous. She learns how to become self reliant upon her journey to find a father she hopes is there. I am definetly buying my son a copy of this book! I look forward to more tales from Ever! This is a very riveting book! Very hard to put down. Once it is over you want to know more!! Going to be hard to wait on sequels for this one!! I am pretty sure people who like dystopian and fantasy books would enjoy this little gem!
An enthralling tale that I couldn't put down. I am very glad I didn't have to wait for each installment of this tale, as the suspense built with each part was immense. Misha is a young girl with a powerful gift. When she is banished to ever, she has no clue how to control her power. She is given a hint that her father may have been banished as well, but nothing else. Misha must learn to survive with the help of those she meets as well as learn how to harness her gift properly. There is adventure around every corner. I must thank Jen Wylie for sharing this amazing book with me in return for a fair review, it is a superb read. I have enjoyed all of the works that I have read by Jen Wylie and highly recommend all of them!
I was given a copy of "Tales of Ever" by the author, Jen Wylie, in exchange for an honest review. I love fantasy, and though I am only a few months from 50, I enjoy YA fantasy. One of the reasons is they are usually not so packed with sex and foul language. This one was perfect! It lacked both of those things, but had romance and danger. This was such a fun book. The characters were strong, yet vulnerable, the creatures were weird and some downright funny. The hostile world that our heroin finds herself in is filled with magic, good and bad. The writing is simple with just enough description. I think it is great for ages 12 and up. I give it a solid 5 stars and say "way to go Jen!"
I received an arc copy of this book to review. I LOVED IT!!! It captivates you from the first chapters. You get to know the characters and through them you can feel all of the emotions and adventures that the characters go through. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what is next. I could not put it down until I was finished. I don't want to give any of the story away so I just say read it you will love it. I was in a book slump and this book made me want to read again. Jen we need the story to continue, I need more of Misha, Jadus, and even Shade. Please continue the story.
By the way I will be putting other book by Jen Wylie on my TBR list.
This is a book every young girl should read! Misha is such a strong character who never gives up, even when the situation seems impossible. With beautiful world-building and fast pace, I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for my ten-year-old to read it so we can talk about all the amazing creatures living in Ever!
I fell in love with this book. It was completely amazing. I just could not put it down. So I didn't. The characters are well developed and you slowly see a story within each one and why they act the way they do. This book is probably my favorite read this summer! I definitely wished there was a second book!!
Where's a sixth star? Oh my goodness I loved this book. I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review and this is was by far my absolutely my favorite I have done. I really want to know what happens next.
This compilation and story is amazing!! I could not put it down!! The characters are very well developed and the story flows really well!!! Cant wait for more
Jen Wylie's Tales of Ever is a collection of short stories. All stories are accounted for in this Volume 1-6 edition. The first story develops the main character, Misha. Misha explains the onset of her "gift" and how she has learned to relax using techniques like yoga. She describes her father's death 10 years ago and the death of her mother just after discovering that Misha was also a "firestarter." As an orphan, an unknown uncle takes her in for the night. Until they find out that her gift isn't dormant like it should be in women. She is banished from Earth, right after her uncle indicates that Misha's dad was also banished 10 years ago. All banished things, humans and creatures, go to the same magical world of Ever, name as such because there is no escape, EVER!
Ever is a terrifying magical prison of which is used by all realms for the purpose of banishment by magical beings. Misha falls from the portal in the sky, which is how beings enter Ever. She ends up saving the bird like humanoid, Jadus, who teaches her fundamentals of living in the rainbow jungle and becomes her companion.
Ever's sky cycles through the rainbow colors at 3 hour intervals and black for 6 hours. The colors indicate the time of day. Green and purple are the two most important colors. Green brings rain, the ONLY drinkable water, and purple denotes the upcoming black and a need to find shelter from the creatures who lurk at night. This does not mean the day (red-purple) is safe. Almost everything in Ever is deadly. The cute and cuddly looking green ducks with pink bills end up being deadly with their razor sharp teeth and long tongues that grab their prey. Nearly all the creatures are terrifying, from lizard creatures to giant spiders. Also, most of the plants are either poisonous or they come alive with contact.
Misha meets different people with sorted pasts. As she meets people, who are few and far between, she either learns information that may lead to her father or is saved/helped (except the initial meeting of Merrick, the seven foot viking king who kidnapped her for the purpose of making her his bride). I love all these characters as they are all unique in features and personality. Being told in first person allows the reader to understand Misha's emotions: fear, courage, loyalty, love, and even her strength and innocence. While staying with Jadus and after being rescued from Shade, shortly after being torn apart from Jadus, Misha hones her skills as a firestarter. Shade decides to stay with Misha since she can create fire from nowhere, this allows his shadow to be released giving another fighter on their side and a protector during black. Both boys are very protective of Misha when they are around as they search for the hidden city and Misha's dad.
My only criticism of this book was the strange elapse of time. For example, the beginning. I understand it was to give the reader insight to Misha's character, but I think it could have been done through inner dialogue or her telling her story to a companion within Ever. Her time on Earth was so little and a whole summer passes in a matter of a page, I felt that the important things could have been mentioned rather than shown without details. The final battle took about as long as the first battle in Ever. Plus, it was a little disappointing that Misha needed to be rescued throughout the book. Although she held he own in the last battle and protected her boys from one dragon, she would have not succeeded if it were not for another character being introduced. I would have liked to see Misha overcoming the dragons, but I do understand that she needed to be rescued to make the rest of the story plausible.
The short stories come together to be a standalone book. Yes, there are questions at the end, which leave it open for a squeal, but it is not needed for the reader to be satisfied. I would love to know the story behind Jadus and Shade although their stories were alluded to during this book.
I literally could not set this book down! It is that good!
Tales of Ever by Jen Wylie is a collection of 6 short stories about a girl banished to a place called Ever. Misha is a sixteen year old orphan who like her parents before her is a firestarter. Because her gift isn't dormant like most women, her family she didn't even know she had banishes her to Ever, a magical prison for people from all realms who have done wrong. Ever is unlike any place she's known. A rainbow colored sky that indicates time and when drinkable water will be available, plants that will eat you and creatures that look cute but are deadly, Ever is Misha's personal hell. But when she finds out that her dad was banished to Ever as well, Ever becomes a place she can have a family again, all she has to do is find him.
I loved these characters! Told in first person from Misha's perspective, we get a glimpse into her fear, courage, and loyalty/love. For a sixteen year old, Misha is surprisingly a strong character, taking what happens in Ever in stride and not really wallowing in self-pity like I'm sure most would if their evil Uncle banished them to a magical realm of death. But Misha isn't alone. On her first day in Ever she meets Jadus, a young man who isn't human, in fact though most of his features look human, he's quite bird-like. Misha accidentally saves Jadus on her first day in Ever and Jadus takes her under his wing. Teaching her what she needs to know to survive this new world. I like Jadus, he's honorable, loyal, and very protective/sheltering of Misha. Then there's Shade. Misha meets him when she is split from Jadus. Shade is her shadow boy. When there is light he can project a shadow of himself that thinks and acts of its own accord. I love Shade, he's like an annoying older brother you can't get rid of.
But it's not the characters that make this story, it's Ever itself. This world is unlike anything I've ever read. Ever is a magical realm created to hold those who are banished. It's full of dangers. Pretty much all the food is poisonous, the plants can eat you, cute and cuddly animals have a mouthful of shark teeth ready to devour you in a moment of weakness. Then there's the not so cute animals that are just large and scary, like giant spiders, hawks the size of a small plane, and dragons. Then there's the beautiful imagery of the rainbow colored sky and the description of these deadly animals and plants. I felt like I was there. I just loved it!
My only dislike of this book was that I felt like the story moved too fast at times, and I would go back and reread a section thinking I'd missed something. Like in the very beginning when Misha becomes an orphan and her mother dies. One paragraph her mother is teaching her about her firestarter abilities, the next paragraph the summer is over and Misha is at her mother's funeral. I thought I'd missed something, but no it happened that fast. There were other instances throughout the book that I felt like there was missing time and I had a hard time keeping straight the timeframe of the story because of it.
Did this affect my overall liking of the book? Absolutely not. I still found this story intriguing and I really hope there will be more tales from Ever. This book can easily be a standalone, the author doesn't leave you hanging. Yes there are more questions at the end of the book, but for the most part it is all wrapped up neatly. Even so, I sincerely hope there will be more. I'd love to hear Jadus's and Shade's stories and others! Overall, if you enjoy YA lit, coming-of-age fantasy stories, this one is a must read! I don't think you'll be disappointed. I know I wasn't :)
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was surprisingly an enjoyable read. I say surprisingly cause all the fantasy books that I've been reading lately were just not good enough.
This has been written as a series of short stories and that is what it read as. As a short story each book was really good. Some deserving 5 stars. A few deserve 4. But the way I read it was as a full length novel and that was my mistake cuz it did not fully live up to that expectation. In spite of that I still think it was a good read with a very exciting adventure. Think The Hobbit (sorta!)
Misha is a 16 year old who is a loner. Not because she is anti social or anything but because she can't seem to fit in. She has no friends. And with all the weird things going on with her she can't handle being around normal people anyways. As if losing both parents wasn't enough she gets banished to Ever! By her own uncle, after he finds out she has the ability to manipulate fire. Though Ever isn't a world. More of a prison for dangerous creatures. And nobody comes back from Ever, EVER! So you either learn to survive there or you die!
Ever is a fascinating place despite the dangers in it. But how can you survive in this place
With furry beasts?
Giant spiders? (without Bilbo of course)
Dragons?
And many more!!! Such and exciting read, full of action.
The beginning of the book seemed very rushed, I wish the author took her time with it and I did find the book lacking. I wish it was a full length novel. It could've been even more epic. I know I usually complain about extra unnecessary details in books but this one lacked details. I wish the author spend more time in describing the world and the monsters and animals in it. Also on all the characters other than Misha. The author focuses on Misha herself the entire story. Misha's character grows from someone who is weak and dependent on others and not knowing how to work with her own powers to someone who is powerful and has the potential to grow even more powerful.
"Her soul is purer than any of yours, she is innocent. She has never taken a human life. She would rather help than harm, but will fight to protect those she loves. She loves deeply. She is faithful. Though some darkness shadows her past, she is a fighter and has grown stronger lately. She is stronger than many, but has not yet reached the potential of what she could be."
The other characters needed more work on their background stories. They were good but they could be great. I wanted to know more about them. And more about where they came from.
The ending was good but didn't seem like an ending to me. It was so sudden I had to make sure I didn't skip any pages. I'd love to know more about Misha and her adventure. There is room for a lot more. I'll be waiting.
And in spite of all the problems I had with the book I still would've given it 5 stars if it wasn't for the ending. Because, yes! It was that good.
And did I mention that it was clean? The romance is to a minimum. Beside few cuss words the rest was clean.
Jen Wylie has done it again. Tales of Ever is wonderful, I couldn’t put it down and felt for the characters in the story. You find yourself caring for them and hoping that they’ll survive the dangers of Ever. Jen is a wonderful story teller and the description of Ever and it’s wonderful creatures (granted most you wouldn’t want to meet) are fabulous. Tales of Ever is a must read. I loved it! Opening Scene:
Fire. I see it everywhere.
The Review:
Misha has just found out she is has the ability to create fire. An ability she has inherited from both her mother and father. Her father disappeared ten years ago and now not long after finding out about her powers and learning to control then Misha’s mother dies. An uncle she never knew about collects Misha and upon learning that she has full fire powers, he with a bunch of other creepy people banishes her from Earth and sends her to Ever to die, but before they throw her through the portal Misha is told that her father was sent through it too. Luckily for Misha she lands on a beast and saves Jadus a handsome boy from being eaten, and an unlikely friendship arises between them. On the hunt to find her father and trying to stay alive, Misha embarks on a wild adventure and meets other banished people. But when everything is a predator including the plants, Misha must learn to rely on herself and her fire to protect not just herself but those she befriends too. After all in Ever most don’t survive the first day never mind forever!
Notable Scene:
“Thank you,” he says quietly. I blink at him stupidly. “You’re welcome?” Looking at his face, the fine features fit his soft voice. His eyebrows are weird, too; straight lines, but the hairs almost look feathered. Maybe they are tiny feathers. I resist the urge to lean forward and check. He smiles a little. “Your arrival worked in my favor. I was about to be dinner.” Ah yes, the furry beast. “Oh,” I manage to say. My brain still isn’t working very well. He holds out a hand. “I’m Jadus.” “Misha.” I shake his hand and smile a little. Where am I?” “Ever.” He looks over his shoulder and then back quickly. “You helped me, even if it wasn’t intentional.” He smiles again. I like his smile. “So I’ll help you. Yes?” I nod. Perhaps I’m in shock. Everything is just too weird. This place is called Ever? “So I’m not on Earth anymore?” “That is your world? Then no.” He looks me up and down, nodding slightly. “At least you aren’t dressed too badly.” He steps forward and tugs my sweater sleeves down to cover my hands, then reaches up and flips my hood over my head. I try to swat his hands away. “What are you doing?” “Ever is dangerous. Most of the plants are poisonous.” His head cocks to one side and he stares at the zipper. “Interesting.” After a moment he zips my hoodie up as far as it will go. Do they not have zippers here? Jeepers. “Great. So if this is a different world, how is it you understand me?” I can’t figure that one out. Earth has how many different languages? But in this place they speak English? “Magic. Ever is a place of magic. Nothing is impossible.” His smile is sad. “Except leaving.”
FTC Advisory: Jen Wylie provided me with a copy of Tales of Ever. Published through Untold Press. Kindle Edition. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
I was drawn into the story from the moment I read the Forward. How could such a terrible place exist? How could you survive? And what if you were innocent and sent there to die? And of course, knowing there is magic and deadly creatures and survival is unlikely? Yeah, I was hooked right away. The story is broken into six volumes, but the action is continuous throughout the book. Volume 1- Banished When Misha discovers she can control fire neither she nor her mother are happy about it. She has seen horror movies that start with that, and they didn’t go so well. You think your family is bad? Hers banishes her to Ever just for being born with the gift she was given. If it wasn’t for meeting with Jadus within minutes of arrival, Misha would have died. Volume 2- Fire Girl Misha learns how to survive in the strange and dangerous land of Ever. She meets a few more inhabitants, and a few more dangerous creatures. She and Jadus begin to travel together, and Misha learns more about how strong she can be when things get tough. Volume 3- Shadow Boy After getting separated from Jadus, Misha encounters another boy in the forest, but he is only civil, not nice. He is also very dangerous, but if found myself liking Shade a lot more than Jadus, maybe because he is so dark and broody. In any case, Misha needs his help surviving in the Forest as it is so different from the terrain Jadus had taught her to survive. Volume 4- The Lost Tree During her travels, Misha has learned that the people of this world leave things at a place called The Lost Tree to find those that survive. When her uncle banished her, he mentioned that her father had been banished before her, so she wants to see if he survived. Jadus eventually meets up with her, and both Shade and Jadus agree to help her find her dad. Volume 5- Dragon Rising Of course, Shade and Jadus both have a thing for Misha, and now all three are traveling together. There are awkward moments, and the three have to learn to work together. I love the interplay between the three as they travel. So far, there hasn’t been a single character introduced that I can’t wait to learn more about. Volume 6- Sanctuary The City if Sanctuary is the trios final destination, but it isn’t easy getting there. Dragons, monsters, and the fight for survival itself seems set against them reaching their destination. I love the surprises, the characters and the harsh but unique world if Ever, even if I will pass on visiting. Hopefully, the story doesn’t end here, and we will see more from Misha and Jadus, and maybe some stories from other character’s point of views, as well. FTC Disclaimer- This book was either purchased by the reviewer or given by the author/publisher for a fair and honest review. The reviewer is not compensated in any way by the author and/or publisher of the book(s) being reviewed.
Fans of Suzanne Collin’s series, Hunger Games, or J.K. Rowling’s, Harry Potter will thoroughly enjoy Jen Wylie’s, Tales of Ever. Tales of Ever is a constant death thrilling adventure until the very end, AND there is a freaking love interest in the mix, which made reading it more kick @ss.
In a world where nothing is as it seems, sixteen year old, Misha is propelled into a world where survival is the only way of life.
Misha learned to deal with the loss of her father at a young age, and when tragedy comes around again by the death of her mother, she is left as a ward of the state…until an unknown relative discovers her. The story really picks up here when Misha’s long lost uncle takes her to the safety of her new home.
Of course safe is relative and her uncle learns why Misha and her mom were hidden for so long. Misha is told that her father is in alive…but in a different world? Since she was born with the full power to wield fire like her dad, Misha is labeled as wild, unstable. So, with a quick, forceful push through a portal, into another world, Misha finds herself in Ever. Shit just got real.
Falling into a deathtrap, Misha discovers plants, creatures, the sky and other means of ‘normal’ have transformed into a living nightmare. Giant, poisonous spiders, killer ducks, dragons and more fill the pages with constant worry. However, she’s determined to find her dad. Soon enough, Jadus, a human-ish (swoon worthy) guy swoops in, saving Misha before certain death (of course!).
Still, hell has no ending while in Ever and the adventure grows more troublesome.
Hunky Jadus and Misha are separated, forcing Misha to find her way to safety alone and also left searching for her dad without him. Crap, I just wanna tell you what happens, but I can’t. That wouldn’t be fun, right? The story takes off from page one and before you know it, you’re finished with the entire book. I’d love to read more about Ever and by that I really mean read more about Misha and Jadus! I really heart him, or whatever he is. Great job, Jen!
Misha was a normal girl until she discovered she had a gift. she was a firestarter. learning about her ability lead her to understand their community as well. while men in their bloodlines were active firestarters, women were mostly dormant. those who were found to have active abilities were banished once found, saying to be highly unstable because of their emotions. Misha's father went missing 10 years ago, leaving behind a burnt car. after barely starting their fire lessons, Misha's mother died of cancer. before she was picked up by social services, Uncle Jeff appeared at her doorstep, claiming to be her father's brother. Misha was hopeful when she joined his family, but barely one day in their house, the community decided to banish her because of her active ability.
i received a free e-book from the author in exchanged for a review. it was such an easy and captivating read that i found myself flying through the pages in one sitting. Misha's growth made her a very lovable character. i especially loved how she played with her ability, which caused her to come up with something new and became even more impressive along the way. her coming across Jadus, Merrick, Shade, even Sage made it interesting. while she was often easy to trust because of her innocence, i found myself doubting each and every one of these characters, along with their initial intention towards her. the possibilities during each turning points were so expandable it was impossible to predict how their relationship would progress. while i was initially overwhelmed with the details and surroundings of Ever, i found it helpful as i remained longer in it. but most importantly was how Misha kept me interested in everything that happened around her. with how amazing the story went, it would certainly be the most amazing to find more continuations of it.
I was provided a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Tales of Ever (Volumes 1-6) By Jen Wylie- I absolutely enjoyed this book. A quick read for me but it grabbed my attention and I just couldn’t put it down. The characters you meet along the way stay with you, and the story and environment sucks you in.
Misha struggles with a secret that she keeps close to the cuff and has never told another soul, she sees fire everywhere. One day, while spending time with her mother, it comes out that she is a firestarter. From that moment it seems like her world just goes downhill from there. After being banished to the cruel and dangerous world of Ever, Misha finds herself not only in a treacherous land with beasts and deadly plans, but finds other beings that are banished there too. Now she struggles with surviving to live another day, budding love, and trying to find her father. (Keep in mind, he’s 16!.. I mean, wtf?)
I liked the book. Another reviewer said that if you liked Harry Potter and Hunger Games that you will like this book too. I agree. Misha struggles with some pretty big things. First, she’s thrown into this other dimension that wants to kill you, and will most likely succeed if you are not fast, strong or smart enough to keep moving. Secondly she finds other beings along her way; some want to kill her, some want to mate with her but most want to eat her for supper. Add in some man eating vines, a few hundred dragons and you start to have the basis… But wait, there’s more! I’m so not going to give anymore away, you HAVE to read it to find out.