Everlost (The Skinjacker Trilogy, #1) in YA and Beyond

Apr 18, 2011 Amber rated it liked it

Shelves: reviews, books-i-own

From the first line to the last, Everlost is one of those novels that is unlike anything else out there. It's full of imagination, bigger than life characters, a rich and well developped world and boosts a snarky narrator voice. This type of read felt a bit more middle grade to me and thus wasn't my usual read but it was delightful and something I'm really happy I picked it up to read.

Everlost is one of those worlds that will stick in your head. It reminded me of an upside down Neverland. After From the first line to the last, Everlost is one of those novels that is unlike anything else out there. It's full of imagination, bigger than life characters, a rich and well developped world and boosts a snarky narrator voice. This type of read felt a bit more middle grade to me and thus wasn't my usual read but it was delightful and something I'm really happy I picked it up to read.

Everlost is one of those worlds that will stick in your head. It reminded me of an upside down Neverland. After Allie and Nick die in a car crash and don't "get where they are going" they wind up in Everlost as "Afterlights" or ghosts. They sink in places not in Everlost (aka places people haven't died or places that haven't been lost to the world), they glow, fortune cookies tell you the real furture and there are monsters and legends taller than the Tall Tales Americans are so fond of. Full of fun stories of ships sinking into the ocean from a belch in the sea and hideous monsters that can't harm those it huants so must "chime them" (hang them upside down and go to swing them around and bore them), it is this rich imaginative world that immediately captures the reader. This is only enhanced by little snippets of some of the character's own books with rules and guidelines.

The characters of this novel are no less big than the place they inhabit. Each has their own legend and the way people talk about them is all heresay. We see it first hand in the plot. The McGill is a hideous monster but the more time we spend with him, the more we find out about his motivations and who he might be underneath. Mary Hightower is a benevolent caretaker to her charges or The Sky Witch or Mary Queen of Snots to others of Everlost who have heard of her. It's all about who you talk to. Allie and Nick were both fun leads and I liked that they didn't always stay together but their paths did cross and effect each other.

The narrator's voice in this novel is just perfect. In an all knowing third person, it feels like some off kelter fairytale. Sometimes snarky, sometimes funny and always a step ahead, it was perfect for the story told. I did feel that the story dragged on a bit and some of the descriptions where just a bit over board. Also, this type of story felt young to me and that's not my thing. However, it was a pleasure to read.

I'm not giving this one a higher rating because I feel it's geared towards younger audiences and wasn't really my thing. But if you love middle grade, this is the book to pick up. Would I read the sequel? Yes! Did I rush to get through this one? No. If this was my type of novel, it would get a five. It's so inventive and fresh! So if you like what you've read, please pick this one up! You won't be disappointed. ...more

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May 12, 2011 Tish rated it liked it

I liked this book, but based on the description of it here on Goodreads and on the book's jacket, I expected something deeper. Something to make me think a bit. What I got was an enjoyable (even humorous) read, but one that seemed a bit younger and more lightweight than I had expected. I thought most of the characters and the resolutions of their various crises were rather simplistic.

One thing just bugged me: the explanation for how the kids came to be in Everlost in the first place. Nick and A ...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Faye rated it really liked it

Really liked this book, reminds me of Saturday morning kids club at the movies. A different take on ghosts and the afterlife, can recommend this for some escapism

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