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Everworld #10
Understand the Unknown
There is a place that shouldn’t exist. But does. And there are creatures that shouldn’t exist. But do. Welcome to a land where all of your dreams and nightmares are very real—and often deadly. Welcome to Everworld.
There are some things that you know you’ll never do. And though you may dream of riding a winged horse, or speaking to a dragon, you pretty much know it isn’t going to happen. Unless, of course, you find yourself in Everworld. David, Christopher, April, Jalil, and Senna are in Everworld. And even though they’ve found Senna, the person they thought would be their ticket home, Everworld holds onto all of them even tighter than before. Now they have to find out why.
But not before another encounter with the surreal. David and the others have been called back to Olympus to help the gods battle Ka Anor, and the fastest way to get there is by boat. Unfortunately, Neptune, ruler of Everworld’s seas, doesn’t like trespassers. Now David and his friends are about to discover the lost city of Atlantis…
There are some things that you know you’ll never do. And though you may dream of riding a winged horse, or speaking to a dragon, you pretty much know it isn’t going to happen. Unless, of course, you find yourself in Everworld. David, Christopher, April, Jalil, and Senna are in Everworld. And even though they’ve found Senna, the person they thought would be their ticket home, Everworld holds onto all of them even tighter than before. Now they have to find out why.
But not before another encounter with the surreal. David and the others have been called back to Olympus to help the gods battle Ka Anor, and the fastest way to get there is by boat. Unfortunately, Neptune, ruler of Everworld’s seas, doesn’t like trespassers. Now David and his friends are about to discover the lost city of Atlantis…
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
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K.A. Applegate
251 books488 followersalso published under the name Katherine Applegate
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May 5, 2020
The only book in the series ghostwritten by another author, something I did not know reading it the first time around. There are some clues lingering around though, subtleties easily missed. One of which is the more descriptive nature of the writing. Although I have to admit, it kind of worked for this story. Especially in the beginning, establishing the visual details of the underwater Roman city was cool to experience as the story started to unfold.
It is clear that apart from one revelation, this book does not move the overarching story forward much. Which is a bit of a shame, but understandable. While there have been transitional novels, focusing more on laying the groundwork and setting things up for future adventures, this story mostly stays trapped in its own little bubble inside the Everworld universe, much like the underwater city itself.
The whole underwater city thing screams awesomeness. Atlantis being so well-known all across the globe is a perfect example of that. But apart from a kick-ass opening scene and a cinematic description of the underwater city, this book kind of fizzled out as the story went on.
It is clear that apart from one revelation, this book does not move the overarching story forward much. Which is a bit of a shame, but understandable. While there have been transitional novels, focusing more on laying the groundwork and setting things up for future adventures, this story mostly stays trapped in its own little bubble inside the Everworld universe, much like the underwater city itself.
The whole underwater city thing screams awesomeness. Atlantis being so well-known all across the globe is a perfect example of that. But apart from a kick-ass opening scene and a cinematic description of the underwater city, this book kind of fizzled out as the story went on.
February 17, 2016
Note: Right off the bat, I notice that this was ghostwritten by Elise Smith (who wrote my least favourite Animorphs book ever, but that's neither here nor there...). I took to some publication date research to figure out why KAA handed over the reins, and immediately figured it out: this came out in November 2000, while the Ellimist Chronicles came out in October 2000.
KAA had to take a break from her current series because she was too busy tearing out our hearts and stomping on them in her previous series aaaaugghhh
ANYWAY. Understand the Unknown! It's interesting revisiting this series, because I flat-out remember absolutely nothing from this back half, whereas the first 4-5 books are very very clear in my memory -- obviously I reread them a lot, but probably never came back to these later books. This one is all about the ocean: Neptune and Poseidon as unhinged gods warring it out over Atlantis. I liked seeing Greek & Roman mythologies finally crashing headlong like this, their competitiveness with one another, because damn straight they would be all tangled up in each other and their identities overlapping with one another -- and the melting-pot hodge-podge juxtaposition of mythologies in Everworld has always been one of my favourite elements of this series, like Hel rattling off a list of the other chthonic deities that function as rivals in her underworld domain.
Since it's ghostwritten, the writing's actually a bit more descriptive & visual this time around, which I did like. There's no real character development on anyone's parts, though, in favour of advancing the Main Plot with
That said, I have a feeling that only 2 books remaining is not enough time to be able to address all of this properly -- Stephanie, buddy-reader, be forewarned that from what I remember of the ending, it is NOT satisfying at all, so I'm kind of steeling myself for disappointment.
It's so great seeing the team working so well together now, and not at each others' throats all the time. The first few books were a little (necessarily) repetitive in terms of them all snapping at each other, rubbing each other the wrong way, but now they've now sanded down the friction, to the point where they know each other and understand each other and don't really quarrel anymore.
One thing I found myself thinking about David is that, by virtue of him aligning himself with Senna so often, and him carrying around that 'leadership' position, he's also somewhat isolated from the rest of the group. I can wax poetic about Christopher and Jalil's unexpected friendship, how back in the real world they give each other girl advice, come to each others' rescue, and actually seek each other out just to hang (whereas earlier in the series you saw more of "I get enough of these people in Everworld, byeee", and April still purposefully sticks to her girlfriends rather than JACD); April and Jalil are juxtaposed as faith vs. reason, and yet seem to share the most implicit, easily-won trust out of the group; Jalil actively took on Senna to undermine her, and she's consequently sharpening a hatchet against him; Christopher and April have a great sort of flirty-banter going, which reminds me a bit of Marco/Rachel (which is probably why I love it), and she likes him as a person and carries hopes for his redemption.
Romance is not a thing in this series (which I appreciate tbh, speaking from 2016 with YA's plethora of insta-romance and love triangles), but the chemistry is so good in this group that I could see pretty much any combination of Christopher/Jalil/April clicking with one another.
But apart from David/Senna, what can you really say about his relationships with the rest? He's cast into the role of General Davideus, the one they rely on to come up with the plans, but -- unlike Jake in Animorphs, who had pre-built connections to literally every single Animorph, being the only one connected to everyone from the start -- that distances him from them. It means he isn't really one of them (which might also fit with his role as New Kid In Town back in the first book). This is exemplified by David/Senna taking one chariot, and Christopher/Jalil/April taking the other. (And those latter three are my favourite characters jsyk.)
Anyway. It's an okay installment, as most of them have been, but. The plotting/pacing especially goes off the rails in the last third-ish: they spend a lot of time in Neptune's realm, but after they escape, it's just careening blindly from weird obstacle to weird obstacle, bounce to chase scene, bounce to Scylla, bounce to Neptune suddenly appearing 5 feet away from them (???), bounce to Atlantis, bounce to land, and it comes across really uneven.
Random sidebar: I really appreciate that Jalil explains the proper definition of a vomitorium! I had this incorrect perception of the Romans for a REALLY LONG TIME too, until I looked it up just a few months ago and learned that a vomitorium was just an architectural passageway, and the whole eat-and-purge-and-eat thing is just a myth. Clearly I just should've remembered Everworld better.
Quotes below:
KAA had to take a break from her current series because she was too busy tearing out our hearts and stomping on them in her previous series aaaaugghhh
ANYWAY. Understand the Unknown! It's interesting revisiting this series, because I flat-out remember absolutely nothing from this back half, whereas the first 4-5 books are very very clear in my memory -- obviously I reread them a lot, but probably never came back to these later books. This one is all about the ocean: Neptune and Poseidon as unhinged gods warring it out over Atlantis. I liked seeing Greek & Roman mythologies finally crashing headlong like this, their competitiveness with one another, because damn straight they would be all tangled up in each other and their identities overlapping with one another -- and the melting-pot hodge-podge juxtaposition of mythologies in Everworld has always been one of my favourite elements of this series, like Hel rattling off a list of the other chthonic deities that function as rivals in her underworld domain.
Since it's ghostwritten, the writing's actually a bit more descriptive & visual this time around, which I did like. There's no real character development on anyone's parts, though, in favour of advancing the Main Plot with
That said, I have a feeling that only 2 books remaining is not enough time to be able to address all of this properly -- Stephanie, buddy-reader, be forewarned that from what I remember of the ending, it is NOT satisfying at all, so I'm kind of steeling myself for disappointment.
It's so great seeing the team working so well together now, and not at each others' throats all the time. The first few books were a little (necessarily) repetitive in terms of them all snapping at each other, rubbing each other the wrong way, but now they've now sanded down the friction, to the point where they know each other and understand each other and don't really quarrel anymore.
One thing I found myself thinking about David is that, by virtue of him aligning himself with Senna so often, and him carrying around that 'leadership' position, he's also somewhat isolated from the rest of the group. I can wax poetic about Christopher and Jalil's unexpected friendship, how back in the real world they give each other girl advice, come to each others' rescue, and actually seek each other out just to hang (whereas earlier in the series you saw more of "I get enough of these people in Everworld, byeee", and April still purposefully sticks to her girlfriends rather than JACD); April and Jalil are juxtaposed as faith vs. reason, and yet seem to share the most implicit, easily-won trust out of the group; Jalil actively took on Senna to undermine her, and she's consequently sharpening a hatchet against him; Christopher and April have a great sort of flirty-banter going, which reminds me a bit of Marco/Rachel (which is probably why I love it), and she likes him as a person and carries hopes for his redemption.
Romance is not a thing in this series (which I appreciate tbh, speaking from 2016 with YA's plethora of insta-romance and love triangles), but the chemistry is so good in this group that I could see pretty much any combination of Christopher/Jalil/April clicking with one another.
But apart from David/Senna, what can you really say about his relationships with the rest? He's cast into the role of General Davideus, the one they rely on to come up with the plans, but -- unlike Jake in Animorphs, who had pre-built connections to literally every single Animorph, being the only one connected to everyone from the start -- that distances him from them. It means he isn't really one of them (which might also fit with his role as New Kid In Town back in the first book). This is exemplified by David/Senna taking one chariot, and Christopher/Jalil/April taking the other. (And those latter three are my favourite characters jsyk.)
Anyway. It's an okay installment, as most of them have been, but. The plotting/pacing especially goes off the rails in the last third-ish: they spend a lot of time in Neptune's realm, but after they escape, it's just careening blindly from weird obstacle to weird obstacle, bounce to chase scene, bounce to Scylla, bounce to Neptune suddenly appearing 5 feet away from them (???), bounce to Atlantis, bounce to land, and it comes across really uneven.
Random sidebar: I really appreciate that Jalil explains the proper definition of a vomitorium! I had this incorrect perception of the Romans for a REALLY LONG TIME too, until I looked it up just a few months ago and learned that a vomitorium was just an architectural passageway, and the whole eat-and-purge-and-eat thing is just a myth. Clearly I just should've remembered Everworld better.
Quotes below:
May 12, 2016
Can I just say, YES ATLANTIS! I am a sucker for underwater-related stories, especially ones that work in Poseidon/Neptune and weird mishmashes of air and water in the middle of the ocean. (And for the record, yes, I absolutely adore reading the Percy Jackson series in large part due to the nature of his water abilities/that he is . It makes me all giddy and happy inside – more so than a kid in a combination toy and candy store!)
That being said, Everworld-version of a sunken Rome. I love the beauty of this underwater realm, the corals and the seaweed, the weird mix of land and sea at the bottom of the ocean in both design and inhabitants. How air bubbles follow you around while you walk through a water-filled street, or the house you are staying in one moment is full of water and you’re breathing cool breathable water (!) and the next air is filling the house but open the shutters and there is no barrier between the air and water, they are right next to each other with no spillage.
The descriptions of scenery, of new characters (Neptune, Poseidon, the merfolk, the giant, Scylla, etc.) are mind-blowing, very detailed – more so than the previous books, I would hazard to say. Plus either this has some of the most lengthily detailed scenes, or I’m just more inclined take my time reading the descriptions and building them up in my mind. At any rate, it makes for a really visual read.
However, the plot. Oh, that slippery as an eel thing, that plot. We’re still floating along with JACD, following them as they ride the currents and moods of whichever god/goddess whose territory they happen to dive into. There is still a lack of cohesion in the plot, and while Senna still rocks the negative side of JACD’s positively-inclined polarity, there is a lack of surface tension between the Everworld kids despite David keeping his meeting with the a secret. Also, there is a brief passing reference to how Keith has disappeared, and the cops paid Jalil (but not Christopher) a visit on this account. Oh, and did I mention that – here’s me stretching now – apparently a particular type of a bomb can make a temporary hydrogen bond between the real world and Everworld? It was a once-in-a-lifetime event (that we know of), and while it is a very interesting point, the depths of the possibilities were simply not plumbed as much as they could have been. (Sorry, just had to fit that last one in there, haha!)
As for our narrator, David: I feel like he was somewhat… static in this book, or the things that were presented about him only reinforced what we already knew about him. Except for: his little foray into being a “great wizard” in front of Neptune; the further detailing of his love of sailing and all things nautical; and his assuming that because April is of Irish descent that she would know about Celtic gods and goddesses. In the long run, though, he didn’t seem to “change” much or have much character/personal plot advancement, except for that little foray in the real world at the nice mansion off Sheridan. I feel like this book contributes (other than to more world-building) more to the stones being laid out for the final stretch, so the focus is getting pieces into place instead of making sure that there is adequate character evolution. There were also some really nice moments between JACD – they’re really coming together as a team now, and it’s a much smoother cohesion between them. The advantage to having had Senna narrate the next book vis-à-vis this book is that now when David notes that she is silent, or standing slightly apart, we can pretty easily determine what is going on in her head. But how interesting it was to see her caught and in a “weak” position when .
In regards to the end:
All in all, another 2.5-ish rounded up. This time because of how much fun I had reading the descriptions of Neptune's kingdom.
Quotes:
Honestly, I’m kind of surprised how little I found to mark/type up from this installment. Not much really “popped” insofar as being poignant – actually, only TWO of them I marked for poignancy -- and I actually included some of the jokes for once.
That being said, Everworld-version of a sunken Rome. I love the beauty of this underwater realm, the corals and the seaweed, the weird mix of land and sea at the bottom of the ocean in both design and inhabitants. How air bubbles follow you around while you walk through a water-filled street, or the house you are staying in one moment is full of water and you’re breathing cool breathable water (!) and the next air is filling the house but open the shutters and there is no barrier between the air and water, they are right next to each other with no spillage.
The descriptions of scenery, of new characters (Neptune, Poseidon, the merfolk, the giant, Scylla, etc.) are mind-blowing, very detailed – more so than the previous books, I would hazard to say. Plus either this has some of the most lengthily detailed scenes, or I’m just more inclined take my time reading the descriptions and building them up in my mind. At any rate, it makes for a really visual read.
However, the plot. Oh, that slippery as an eel thing, that plot. We’re still floating along with JACD, following them as they ride the currents and moods of whichever god/goddess whose territory they happen to dive into. There is still a lack of cohesion in the plot, and while Senna still rocks the negative side of JACD’s positively-inclined polarity, there is a lack of surface tension between the Everworld kids despite David keeping his meeting with the a secret. Also, there is a brief passing reference to how Keith has disappeared, and the cops paid Jalil (but not Christopher) a visit on this account. Oh, and did I mention that – here’s me stretching now – apparently a particular type of a bomb can make a temporary hydrogen bond between the real world and Everworld? It was a once-in-a-lifetime event (that we know of), and while it is a very interesting point, the depths of the possibilities were simply not plumbed as much as they could have been. (Sorry, just had to fit that last one in there, haha!)
As for our narrator, David: I feel like he was somewhat… static in this book, or the things that were presented about him only reinforced what we already knew about him. Except for: his little foray into being a “great wizard” in front of Neptune; the further detailing of his love of sailing and all things nautical; and his assuming that because April is of Irish descent that she would know about Celtic gods and goddesses. In the long run, though, he didn’t seem to “change” much or have much character/personal plot advancement, except for that little foray in the real world at the nice mansion off Sheridan. I feel like this book contributes (other than to more world-building) more to the stones being laid out for the final stretch, so the focus is getting pieces into place instead of making sure that there is adequate character evolution. There were also some really nice moments between JACD – they’re really coming together as a team now, and it’s a much smoother cohesion between them. The advantage to having had Senna narrate the next book vis-à-vis this book is that now when David notes that she is silent, or standing slightly apart, we can pretty easily determine what is going on in her head. But how interesting it was to see her caught and in a “weak” position when .
In regards to the end:
All in all, another 2.5-ish rounded up. This time because of how much fun I had reading the descriptions of Neptune's kingdom.
Quotes:
Honestly, I’m kind of surprised how little I found to mark/type up from this installment. Not much really “popped” insofar as being poignant – actually, only TWO of them I marked for poignancy -- and I actually included some of the jokes for once.
June 26, 2017
Understand the Unknown is simply not very good (and it appears to have been written by a ghostwriter). It's filler that has David narrating a trip underseas where Poseidon and Neptune wage war over Atlantis, which is much more exciting in concept than in execution. The author forgets the principle of "show don't tell" for large stretches, with the effect of having read an outline. New series plot elements are merely introduced and quickly passed by. This book feels disjointed with the rest of the series.
October 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this one!
It was incredibly nice to hear David's perspective after being released from Senna's magic. David has grown so much as a person throughout this series. He's become brave, strong, and a good leader and critical thinker. It's all so much the better now that he isn't under Senna's control. The Neptune/Poseidon dynamic was also very interesting, as it is kind of the first time we see cultures crossing.
It was incredibly nice to hear David's perspective after being released from Senna's magic. David has grown so much as a person throughout this series. He's become brave, strong, and a good leader and critical thinker. It's all so much the better now that he isn't under Senna's control. The Neptune/Poseidon dynamic was also very interesting, as it is kind of the first time we see cultures crossing.
October 13, 2013
In the tenth book of the stunning Everworld series written by K.A. Applegate, David and his friends find themselves in Neptune's kingdom. How will they get back to Olympus in order to defeat Ka Anor? Secrets are hidden under the sea that are meant to be found.
Over the years, Everworld has become a series I read the next book of whenever it feels right or I need it for a certain challenge. It's been months since I have read the ninth book and I don't remember much of it. I remember the basic plot of the series and a couple deceased characters along the way. I did enjoy Understand the Unknown because it finally clued us in to what needed to happen before they could return to the real world. With the introduction of Brigid, a lot of things once hidden have become clear to the reader.
Over the years, Everworld has become a series I read the next book of whenever it feels right or I need it for a certain challenge. It's been months since I have read the ninth book and I don't remember much of it. I remember the basic plot of the series and a couple deceased characters along the way. I did enjoy Understand the Unknown because it finally clued us in to what needed to happen before they could return to the real world. With the introduction of Brigid, a lot of things once hidden have become clear to the reader.
February 8, 2012
This one almost got three stars but in the end I couldn't justify it because the only interesting and worthy part of this book was the last twenty pages.. This book for some reason was slow and I can't exactly pinpoint why other than nothing really happened. Mainly, the last twenty pages of this one was where the important information was and the rest of the book was just filler. Uninteresting filler. The author I think failed with this one but I can't say that I blame her. After ten books, you've got to be running out of idea's.
On to the next and here's hoping it'll make up for everything that this one lacked.
On to the next and here's hoping it'll make up for everything that this one lacked.
July 24, 2011
I wish these books would have all been put into one big novel. They are fantastic reads, leaving you begging for more at the end of each story line.
January 21, 2015
this was ok but not my favourite. didn't really love the under water part as much as I thought I would. but the stuff introducing Brigid and the existence of the scroll was intriguing.
December 24, 2020
I understand this book was ghostwritten, which perhaps explains why it is such a visual book. There's a lot more detail, which I do appreciate as it is a book about underwater realms. I always find such things interesting. I wish they were a little more unique though, rather than the standard "sunken Greek/Roman city in a bubble" type of thing. And despite the intriguing glimpse we get of Atlantis, we barely spend any time there, which is a real shame. Nevertheless, I did like the chariots drawn by sea creatures.
Neptune is basically Nero, and I liked the idea of him fighting his Greek counterpart Poseidon for rule of the seas.
Senna, after having such an interesting point of view in the previous book, returns to being somewhat of a wet fish in this book. Which makes me realise that when you're outside of her POV, she seems almost like a spear-carrier character, tagging along with the others and barely speaking. Which in turn justifies Applegate giving her her own POV book. Without it, Senna's machinations would have come out of thin air.
Senna has what you might call flexible morals: Whatever she does to other people is fine; what anyone does to her is unforgivable.
David knows Senna is cruel and manipulative. He says he is over Senna, that he doesn't need her anymore, but when things go wrong, he immediately thinks of her, of having to get to her, and saving her. I think he's still in deeper than he realises.
I tried to think about all that, tried to play Napoleon, to see the way to win. But I had a steering oar in my hand and tucked under my arm, and I felt the living deck of the ship under my feet, and I heard the creak and splash of the oars and the steady music of water rushing along the hull, and my mind was seduced away by those basic pleasures. I love boats.
Now, I have to give him points for being a sailor. Can't help it. I love boats too. However, one thing I sometimes can't stand about David is he thinks he's Kratos. Thinks he can take on a god when he's just about competent with a sword. He also still exhibits that often toxic alpha male masculinity. It gets old every time I see it, and is one of the main reasons I will never fully like David. He also tends to think in stereotypes, which I expect more from Christopher. Honestly.
This book seemed to have a bit of continuity error. In one scene it says the mermen balance on their tails when out of water. In another they swim through air.
Also didn't Keith go on a shooting spree in Egypt? No one heard the gunshots in the last book? What happened to him?
The revelations that are given to the group in Atlantis are intriguing, but I really do wonder if they'll be fully explored in the remaining two books. I can't remember how it goes, but I hope it isn't rushed.
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly great either, so it's maybe 3.5 stars. After Senna's perspective, which I really liked, going back to David felt underwhelming. Maybe because of the ghostwriting not being as good, or maybe because compared to the villain in this series, the protagonists are blander. At least, that's the conclusion I'm coming to.
Neptune is basically Nero, and I liked the idea of him fighting his Greek counterpart Poseidon for rule of the seas.
Senna, after having such an interesting point of view in the previous book, returns to being somewhat of a wet fish in this book. Which makes me realise that when you're outside of her POV, she seems almost like a spear-carrier character, tagging along with the others and barely speaking. Which in turn justifies Applegate giving her her own POV book. Without it, Senna's machinations would have come out of thin air.
Senna has what you might call flexible morals: Whatever she does to other people is fine; what anyone does to her is unforgivable.
David knows Senna is cruel and manipulative. He says he is over Senna, that he doesn't need her anymore, but when things go wrong, he immediately thinks of her, of having to get to her, and saving her. I think he's still in deeper than he realises.
I tried to think about all that, tried to play Napoleon, to see the way to win. But I had a steering oar in my hand and tucked under my arm, and I felt the living deck of the ship under my feet, and I heard the creak and splash of the oars and the steady music of water rushing along the hull, and my mind was seduced away by those basic pleasures. I love boats.
Now, I have to give him points for being a sailor. Can't help it. I love boats too. However, one thing I sometimes can't stand about David is he thinks he's Kratos. Thinks he can take on a god when he's just about competent with a sword. He also still exhibits that often toxic alpha male masculinity. It gets old every time I see it, and is one of the main reasons I will never fully like David. He also tends to think in stereotypes, which I expect more from Christopher. Honestly.
This book seemed to have a bit of continuity error. In one scene it says the mermen balance on their tails when out of water. In another they swim through air.
Also didn't Keith go on a shooting spree in Egypt? No one heard the gunshots in the last book? What happened to him?
The revelations that are given to the group in Atlantis are intriguing, but I really do wonder if they'll be fully explored in the remaining two books. I can't remember how it goes, but I hope it isn't rushed.
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly great either, so it's maybe 3.5 stars. After Senna's perspective, which I really liked, going back to David felt underwhelming. Maybe because of the ghostwriting not being as good, or maybe because compared to the villain in this series, the protagonists are blander. At least, that's the conclusion I'm coming to.
November 3, 2021
This book honestly wasn’t especially worse than any other in the series; I certainly didn’t respond to it with the same vitriol that I did to FEAR THE FANTASTIC. But I continue to be disappointed by how little the series seems to be developing toward its endgame, or else how shoddily done it is. The only way I know to express that disappointment is by giving a lower rating, but think of this more as a 2.5 if that helps. It’s a fine book, I guess, but that’s just not enough.
Here the group is pulled under the sea by Neptune. The scene where they gets sucked under the waves is admittedly kind of cool. After that is a bit of tomfoolery as they try to avoid Neptune’s wrath with their tried and true “we’re minstrels” routine. I guess we’re supposed to feel tension in Neptune’s capricious maliciousness, the way he kills random people at, well, random. I didn’t feel it, though.
They run and are chased by mermen, who David murders with Galahad’s sword. There’s a brief moment of “Oh the depravities we’re forced to commit to save our skins”, but it feels perfunctory and not very sincere. After that it’s a quick encounter with the Scylla, then into Atlantis which is different than Neptune’s city how? To be fair, it is run by the good mayor Jean-Claude LeMieux who by virtue of being an Old-Worlder himself can think outside of the box when it comes to governance. LeMieux tells the group about the Scroll of the Gods, which conveniently would give the person in control of it the ability to alter the rules of Everworld, you know to wave a wand and fix it in whatever way one likes. This feels like such a lame way to resolve the series—*this* is the best idea Applegate could come up with? I wanted Jalil to crack the code, not to have them find the answer magically. It’s too easy.
I suppose the last two books could throw a wrench in things and I sure hope so but this book left me feeling cold. We’re still just having generic adventures this close to the end, with a little bit of uninspired nods to the long-game in the mix. Shock me! Surprise me! Move me! This, while passable, ain’t it.
Here the group is pulled under the sea by Neptune. The scene where they gets sucked under the waves is admittedly kind of cool. After that is a bit of tomfoolery as they try to avoid Neptune’s wrath with their tried and true “we’re minstrels” routine. I guess we’re supposed to feel tension in Neptune’s capricious maliciousness, the way he kills random people at, well, random. I didn’t feel it, though.
They run and are chased by mermen, who David murders with Galahad’s sword. There’s a brief moment of “Oh the depravities we’re forced to commit to save our skins”, but it feels perfunctory and not very sincere. After that it’s a quick encounter with the Scylla, then into Atlantis which is different than Neptune’s city how? To be fair, it is run by the good mayor Jean-Claude LeMieux who by virtue of being an Old-Worlder himself can think outside of the box when it comes to governance. LeMieux tells the group about the Scroll of the Gods, which conveniently would give the person in control of it the ability to alter the rules of Everworld, you know to wave a wand and fix it in whatever way one likes. This feels like such a lame way to resolve the series—*this* is the best idea Applegate could come up with? I wanted Jalil to crack the code, not to have them find the answer magically. It’s too easy.
I suppose the last two books could throw a wrench in things and I sure hope so but this book left me feeling cold. We’re still just having generic adventures this close to the end, with a little bit of uninspired nods to the long-game in the mix. Shock me! Surprise me! Move me! This, while passable, ain’t it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2019
Sure, I read this book. But, as it turns out, I can't think of a whole lot to actually say about it.
As I recall, this is about the point where I petered out and lost what momentum I had the first time I tried reading this series, and in hindsight, it's easy to see why. There's just... very little in the way of new developments. We get to see yet another instance of our protagonists trying desperately to get from Point A to Point B and nearly getting themselves killed in the process, we get to see yet another infantile immortal with an entitlement complex and all the horrible ways he can kill you with a thought, we get to see yet another wondrous setting where the impossible is an everyday occurrence... but there's no actual forward movement to back it up.
I mean, it's not as if there isn't an overarching plot. There's no character development. There's the group's goal of getting back to Olympus to help with the encroaching Hetwan. There's whatever Senna is planning with her little army of psychos. And we see precisely none of it. The whole book is nothing but one long case of "How do we get away from Neptune?"
It is kind of neat when they find out that On the whole, though, it's mostly just an interlude.
As I recall, this is about the point where I petered out and lost what momentum I had the first time I tried reading this series, and in hindsight, it's easy to see why. There's just... very little in the way of new developments. We get to see yet another instance of our protagonists trying desperately to get from Point A to Point B and nearly getting themselves killed in the process, we get to see yet another infantile immortal with an entitlement complex and all the horrible ways he can kill you with a thought, we get to see yet another wondrous setting where the impossible is an everyday occurrence... but there's no actual forward movement to back it up.
I mean, it's not as if there isn't an overarching plot. There's no character development. There's the group's goal of getting back to Olympus to help with the encroaching Hetwan. There's whatever Senna is planning with her little army of psychos. And we see precisely none of it. The whole book is nothing but one long case of "How do we get away from Neptune?"
It is kind of neat when they find out that On the whole, though, it's mostly just an interlude.
July 17, 2020
Fun fact: this book was ghost written. Which explains why it felt so off from the rest so far and earned its spot as my least favorite book in the series so far.
Anyways. I’m very annoyed that we skipped April and went straight to David again. Just because Senna got her own book doesn’t mean April doesn’t deserve hers!!
Rant over. New rant. So many unanswered questions!!!
How did Merlin follow them out to sea? If Merlin is the guy who runs Everworld, how did he not know Neptune would get mad at him for manipulating the winds/why would Neptune get mad at Merlin, who commands the respect of so many legends and gods? Where is Keith?! Where the heck did Brigid come from, how did a French Russian spy from the freaking Cold War show up in Atlantis, and can we please keep Everworld in Everworld?
Whew.
Anyways, I am glad for the whole Atlantis side story, because if that’s not the perfect setup for David to be able to stay in Everworld happily ever after, then I don’t know what is.
On the other hand, this whole Great Scroll thing really threw me in for a loop and I sincerely hope that if anyone gets their hands on it, it’s April or Jalil. Please don’t let Senna have it, PLEASE.
The whole Neptune v Poseidon thing was interesting enough, but could have been executed better. Neptune as a whole is just a sucky character here.
Senna has gone back to being as dull as a doorknob.
I don’t see how this is going to wrap up in two books, but let’s go
Anyways. I’m very annoyed that we skipped April and went straight to David again. Just because Senna got her own book doesn’t mean April doesn’t deserve hers!!
Rant over. New rant. So many unanswered questions!!!
How did Merlin follow them out to sea? If Merlin is the guy who runs Everworld, how did he not know Neptune would get mad at him for manipulating the winds/why would Neptune get mad at Merlin, who commands the respect of so many legends and gods? Where is Keith?! Where the heck did Brigid come from, how did a French Russian spy from the freaking Cold War show up in Atlantis, and can we please keep Everworld in Everworld?
Whew.
Anyways, I am glad for the whole Atlantis side story, because if that’s not the perfect setup for David to be able to stay in Everworld happily ever after, then I don’t know what is.
On the other hand, this whole Great Scroll thing really threw me in for a loop and I sincerely hope that if anyone gets their hands on it, it’s April or Jalil. Please don’t let Senna have it, PLEASE.
The whole Neptune v Poseidon thing was interesting enough, but could have been executed better. Neptune as a whole is just a sucky character here.
Senna has gone back to being as dull as a doorknob.
I don’t see how this is going to wrap up in two books, but let’s go
July 9, 2021
1.5 stars. While on their way back to the Greeks, the cast are swept into the underwater kingdom of the tyrannical and unhinged Neptune. This is easily the worst book in the series so far, and not just because I always dislike the aesthetics of the water level. It encapsulates everything wrong with the series: another narrative cul-de-sac that just slows plot progression; the conceptualization of the divine is insulting flat; the Old Worlders are the only competent into characters despite that they're entering complete established civilizations inspired by real-world ancient peoples. The series frequently defaults to "bad, but readable"--this is much more of a slog.
April 25, 2018
“La calma prima della tempesta. È così che si dice. Forse è un’espressione nata tra i popoli che vivevano a stretto contatto con l’oceano e che nel tempo avevano imparato a interpretarne i ritmi e gli umori. [...] comunque, anche per noi era la calma prima della tempesta. Di nuovo. Perché a Everworld praticamene c’è sempre una tempesta in agguato, che aspetta solo di abbattersi su di te. La calma è sempre e soltanto temporanea.”
June 26, 2020
La narrazione torna a David. Un capitolo abbastanza riempitivo dove i ragazzi si trovano nel mezzo di una guerra tra Nettuno e Poseidone.
Compare una dea che è rimasta intrappolata nel Vecchio Mondo, ma non fa sostanziali rivelazioni. Mentre il sindaco di Atlantide, un umano del Vecchio Mondo trasportato in Everworld da un'esplosione, rivela come la leggenda narri che esista una sorta di progetto di Everworld che permette a chi lo trovasse di modificare quel mondo a suo piacimento.
Compare una dea che è rimasta intrappolata nel Vecchio Mondo, ma non fa sostanziali rivelazioni. Mentre il sindaco di Atlantide, un umano del Vecchio Mondo trasportato in Everworld da un'esplosione, rivela come la leggenda narri che esista una sorta di progetto di Everworld che permette a chi lo trovasse di modificare quel mondo a suo piacimento.
June 3, 2024
📖 personal library
I haven't liked David's perspective as much as the other characters, but this one was better than I thought it would be when I first started reading. The author was able to introduce new psychopathic gods and settings and keep things fresh. It would be easy to get in a rut after this many books, but the momentum hasn't slowed or stagnated. I'm excited to be getting near the end and to see how everything resolves.
I haven't liked David's perspective as much as the other characters, but this one was better than I thought it would be when I first started reading. The author was able to introduce new psychopathic gods and settings and keep things fresh. It would be easy to get in a rut after this many books, but the momentum hasn't slowed or stagnated. I'm excited to be getting near the end and to see how everything resolves.
September 2, 2025
This one was...fine? It's the only book in the series with the ghostwriter text on the dedication page, and it feels rushed, with lots of typos, awkward prose, and contradictory descriptions. There are some cool things related to the ongoing plot that are introduced here, but much of the bulk of the book is fairly boring action stuff. I know the next two books will be better, but this one -- pun fully intended -- feels like treading water.
March 8, 2018
Un Nettuno completamente andato (SPOILER9
Ed ecco finalmente tirata in ballo anche la civiltà di Atlantide,dopo essere passati nel regno del dio del mare che non ci sta più con la testa.
Tutti i nostri eroi forniscono un aiuto,mentre Senna...lei sa solo parlare, ma ormai si sa ha il potere.
Sullo sfondo compare una dea che vive ai giorni nostri e che è circondata da un alone di mistero.
Ed ecco finalmente tirata in ballo anche la civiltà di Atlantide,dopo essere passati nel regno del dio del mare che non ci sta più con la testa.
Tutti i nostri eroi forniscono un aiuto,mentre Senna...lei sa solo parlare, ma ormai si sa ha il potere.
Sullo sfondo compare una dea che vive ai giorni nostri e che è circondata da un alone di mistero.
April 7, 2021
not my favorite in the series, but still good. Now our gang is stuck underwater with a psychotic god of storms trying to get back to Olympus. not much really happens to further the story, but it was a fun trip to atlantis.
July 29, 2018
This series continues to be an excellent page turner. I'm just concerned that it's book 10 of 12 and I don't see it wrapping up completely satisfyingly in the last 2 books.
October 7, 2019
This was a little bit better one. I liked Atlantis and the mermaids. 2 more books till I'm done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2019
It was okay. Wondering how its gonna be wrapped up since it feels like plot hasn't progressed and there's two books left.
December 17, 2019
Really cool underwater cities of Neptune and Poseidon.
May 4, 2020
4.5 stars. The first half was a little slow, the second half was great!
January 21, 2022
I really like how David's grown. And I really wish this book was longer so we could spend more time in the underwater realms.
August 31, 2025
Our heroes no sooner leave Egypt behind when they run into Merlin, who's fantastic display of ocean-related magic pisses off Neptune and gets everyone dragged to the bottom of the sea. Fortunately, Neptune can grant you the ability to breathe under water! Until he doesn't... (which might be one of the worst deaths since Ganymede was eaten alive by Ka Anor.)
David does a lot of heroic things in this volume and is largely pretty responsible for keeping everyone alive. Special mention to April who, as always, was quick enough on her feet to bring back the bit about them being minstrels. I really enjoy every time that gets brought up again. It seems there is at least one god leftover in the real world and Brigid begs David to eliminate Senna by any means possible.
After escaping from Neptune (and Poseidon), and giving a hilarious nod to the fact that the Greek and Roman gods are our heroes take a pit stop in mythical Atlantis and run into *gasp* someone else from the real world! We end with a great meal and everyone leaving Atlantis to wash up on the shore of a land ruled by rotting giants. (I'll be honest, I don't know what mythology we're going for next.)
This one was a strong volume. As always, I like David's narration and I like to see how conflicted he is when he returns to the real world. He really likes EverWorld and wants to be there. I liked seeig Brigid and learning about how some parts of EverWorld were created and how not everyone made it onto the godly party bus. 3/5
David does a lot of heroic things in this volume and is largely pretty responsible for keeping everyone alive. Special mention to April who, as always, was quick enough on her feet to bring back the bit about them being minstrels. I really enjoy every time that gets brought up again. It seems there is at least one god leftover in the real world and Brigid begs David to eliminate Senna by any means possible.
After escaping from Neptune (and Poseidon), and giving a hilarious nod to the fact that the Greek and Roman gods are our heroes take a pit stop in mythical Atlantis and run into *gasp* someone else from the real world! We end with a great meal and everyone leaving Atlantis to wash up on the shore of a land ruled by rotting giants. (I'll be honest, I don't know what mythology we're going for next.)
This one was a strong volume. As always, I like David's narration and I like to see how conflicted he is when he returns to the real world. He really likes EverWorld and wants to be there. I liked seeig Brigid and learning about how some parts of EverWorld were created and how not everyone made it onto the godly party bus. 3/5
December 3, 2015
The EverWorld gang find themselves trapped underwater in Neptune’s realm and must escape before the psychotic god decides to murder them for no reason.
Oh boy, I’m tired of this series. I’m tired of filler books with no substance where nothing happens. I’m tired of this gang of characters who aren’t even friends but have to stick together. And most of all, I’m tired of Applegate trying to make things that don’t make sense make sense.
Welcome to EverWorld.
This book mostly takes place underwater, in a bubble within a bubble within a bubble. I don’t even know. It didn’t make much sense. The kids could breathe water thanks for Neptune, yet they moved between water bubbles and air bubbles. Mermaids walked on the tips of their fins. There was horse racing of actual horses way underwater, but the audience were in water while the racing was in air.
It’s not so much that it didn’t make sense, but it wasn’t consistent.
Because of the inconsistency it wasn’t that enjoyable. That, and the only thing that propelled the plot forward was David meeting a goddess in the real world who demanded Senna be murdered. Then they escaped Neptune’ world and made it to Atlantis where they met some guy from the real world who told them his sad story for no reason then helped them escape.
And the ending was crap, too. Like, I don’t even know what anyone’s doing and then it suddenly stops in one of the worst cliffhangers ever.
This book fails.
Bring on the end.
Oh boy, I’m tired of this series. I’m tired of filler books with no substance where nothing happens. I’m tired of this gang of characters who aren’t even friends but have to stick together. And most of all, I’m tired of Applegate trying to make things that don’t make sense make sense.
Welcome to EverWorld.
This book mostly takes place underwater, in a bubble within a bubble within a bubble. I don’t even know. It didn’t make much sense. The kids could breathe water thanks for Neptune, yet they moved between water bubbles and air bubbles. Mermaids walked on the tips of their fins. There was horse racing of actual horses way underwater, but the audience were in water while the racing was in air.
It’s not so much that it didn’t make sense, but it wasn’t consistent.
Because of the inconsistency it wasn’t that enjoyable. That, and the only thing that propelled the plot forward was David meeting a goddess in the real world who demanded Senna be murdered. Then they escaped Neptune’ world and made it to Atlantis where they met some guy from the real world who told them his sad story for no reason then helped them escape.
And the ending was crap, too. Like, I don’t even know what anyone’s doing and then it suddenly stops in one of the worst cliffhangers ever.
This book fails.
Bring on the end.
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