Everneath (Everneath, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Nov 15, 2011 Darlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2012, for-review, galley, arc, 2012-debut-author-challenge

I received this e-ARC for review from the publisher through NetGalley. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

This is Ashton’s debut novel, and I found it very hard to put down!

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover. I love the red/black colour combination, and that dress is simply amazing!

At the beginning of the story, 17 year-old Nikki Beckett is awakening from something called “the Feed.” She is with Cole, the E I received this e-ARC for review from the publisher through NetGalley. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

This is Ashton’s debut novel, and I found it very hard to put down!

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover. I love the red/black colour combination, and that dress is simply amazing!

At the beginning of the story, 17 year-old Nikki Beckett is awakening from something called “the Feed.” She is with Cole, the Everliving that she was feeding for 100 years in a place known as the Everneath. Cole has been feeding off Nikki’s emotions, and she shouldn’t have survived the Feed...yet, somehow, she did. Cole wants her to become an immortal, like him, and live with him forever but she wants to return to her home. The only thing that she can remember about her life back on Earth (the “Surface”) is a boy with brown eyes and brown hair, and Nikki feels compelled to find him.

Nikki returns from the Everneath to find that only six months have gone by. She cannot explain her absence, and everyone thinks that she became addicted to drugs and simply ran away. No one would believe her if she told them where she really was. Because of Nikki’s decision not to remain in the Everneath with Cole, she has only six months on the Surface before she has to return to the Tunnels to power the Everneath for eternity. She is determined to make things right and say her goodbyes and not leave without a trace like the last time. Coming back is a selfless act, because she knows that she cannot stay and that she will only have to return to the Everneath. For Nikki, coming back will make it ultimately more difficult on herself because she has to leave again.

The story jumps back and forth from the present tense with a countdown to her time left on the Surface, to the past tense where we learn about the events that led up to Nikki’s trip to the Everneath. I thought that the countdown technique that Ashton employed was cleverly anxiety-provoking! It definitely made me feel uneasy watching Nikki’s time wind down, and it make it hard for me to put the book down!

The boy with the brown hair and brown eyes, Jack, was Nikki’s boyfriend. What’s not to love about Jack? Nikki doesn’t make it easy for him to be around her, but he senses that there is more going on than she is letting on and lets her know that he has her back. He never forces her to talk or open up but, rather, waits until she feels ready to let him in. Jack is the type of boyfriend that is every high school girl’s dream!

I hate to say it, but I even loved Cole! Despite the fact that Cole is supposed to be the “bad guy,” his feelings for Nikki appear to be genuine. I think that Jack said it best: “Trust me, Becks. I know exactly what loving you looks like on a person. And he loves you.”

Ashton did a great job with everyone’s character development. I loved Nikki’s character growth, and my heart just ached for her because she felt that she deserved what she got and that there is no such thing as redemption.

I have always been a fan of mythology, and I love how Ashton integrated it into the story. The ending was a jaw-dropper, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!!

MY RATING: 4 stars! I really enjoyed it and would recommend it!! Thanks to HarperCollins for the opportunity to review this book! ...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it really liked it

Are you a fan of Greek Mythology ? Love to read the tale of Persephone and Hades ? The one where Persephone found herself captured by Hades and then after a certain amount of time decided whether her life was to spent in the Underworld with Hades or on Mount Olympus. Reading Everneath by Brodi Ashton reminded me alot of the books "Abandon" by Meg Cabot and "Goddess of Spring" by PC Cast as they both contain their version of a contemporary rendition of the Greek mythology of Persephone and Hades. ...more

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Nov 27, 2010 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: mythology

4.5/5

Find more of my reviews on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It’s gotten a lot of mixed reviews and so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’ve always loved mythology, and even though Greek myths are sort of overdone (especially the Hades and Persephone myth), Everneath had a very unique and creative twist to it. Think about it: 6 months in the human world is 100 years in the Everneath. Already, I’m hooked.

This book had a lot to do with the roman 4.5/5

Find more of my reviews on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It’s gotten a lot of mixed reviews and so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’ve always loved mythology, and even though Greek myths are sort of overdone (especially the Hades and Persephone myth), Everneath had a very unique and creative twist to it. Think about it: 6 months in the human world is 100 years in the Everneath. Already, I’m hooked.

This book had a lot to do with the romance. The only thing that helps Nikki hold onto her old life is remembering Jack’s name. Jack was Nikki’s boyfriend before something happened and she found herself in Everneath with Cole, who apparently is Hades. Except that he doesn’t rule the underworld; a queen does, and he’s trying to overthrow her. And somehow Becks (Nikki) fits snuggly into this situation. Cole has been looking for someone for so long that can survive the feeding intact, so he’s not about to let her go.

Let’s start by saying I did not like Cole. He was mean, sadistic, a bigot, and just a generally bad person. He may have had his moments where it was obvious he cared about Nikki, but he’s a selfish creature by nature and when it comes to anything besides Nikki, he’s not very compassionate. Jack, on the other hand, was amazing. I had read some reviews where people mentioned not liking either of the boys, and I was thinking that doesn’t seem right. Well, I love Jack. He’s patient with Nikki, who’s getting re-acclimated to the human world again (a world where people think she got addicted to hard-core drugs and that she went away for rehab). They didn’t exactly part on good terms, and so this is, yes a paranormal romance, but also a story of redemption and forgiveness.

I was pleasantly surprised by Everneath. It ended a bit suddenly, but I can’t wait to see where this series goes. And the cover is absolutely gorgeous! Even more beautiful in person. The people at Harper Collins know what they’re doing. If you’re really into mythology, this should be on your list. While the mythology isn’t blatant (like, Percy-Jackson blatant), it’s a beautiful and romantic twist to the Hades-Persephone myth. So utterly different, but it works. Definitely pick this one up. ...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Ezmirelda rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, 2011, paranormal, romance, fantasy, beautiful-cover

You can see my full review at blog: P A R A F A N T A S Y

Everneath started off for me as a book that kept me turning the pages mostly because of the amount of things I didn't know. What exactly is the Everneath? Why did Nikki have to stay huddled with Cole for a century & where? Why did that person betray her? What happened in the past that I don't know about that the rest of the characters in the story do? Among many other questions I had running rampant in my head that day.

I sighed and began You can see my full review at blog: P A R A F A N T A S Y

Everneath started off for me as a book that kept me turning the pages mostly because of the amount of things I didn't know. What exactly is the Everneath? Why did Nikki have to stay huddled with Cole for a century & where? Why did that person betray her? What happened in the past that I don't know about that the rest of the characters in the story do? Among many other questions I had running rampant in my head that day.

I sighed and began to think that this was one of those stories where you're kept completely in the dark until the very last few chapters, and until then you're left wandering aimlessly...confused. BUT this was not one of those books. The more I read the more the pieces began to fit together. And I found as the small details began to materialize in front of me that the story got quite addictive. Now, with most of my questions answered I was able to really think in depth about what was going on between Nik, Cole, and Jack and the mystery that was the Everneath. I still feel like the characters haven't really explored the Everneath, but I'm almost 80% sure we'll find out more about the place in the 2nd book. I have a feeling the protag will want to go take a visit there for awhile (just a guess though!)

At first I had a hard time connecting with the protagonist—Nikki—because of how distant she was. But then later I find that there's a reason for that: Living in the Everneath has drained her of her emotions. As the affects of the Everneath fade Nikki's true character begins to show, and I loved seeing the real her with all her emotions intact. I felt like she was a great heroine. Her actions in this book tell me she's not the type to stand in the background and watch things happen. She caring, and adamant in making her vision become a reality (even if she knows the odds are really against her). I loved Jack! He's not an Everliving with super powers. Just an regular human guy with a great personality. And although Cole was the antagonist of this story, I found myself feeling pity for him throughout the whole book. I pictured him constantly as a hurt puppy. (Don't ask me why). You can tell that he's not entirely evil just by reading the dialogue, and he really cares for Nikki....but he's a bit selfish. He will get what he wants at the expense of other people's lives. But then, he's an Everliving so what do you expect? Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am ~~really~~ incredibly excited to read the next one. Hopefully the wait won't be that long.
...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Kirstyn rated it it was amazing

No words for this book; I thought it was incredible! I LOVE that mythology is used throughout the novel; that was always one of my favorite parts of school. What a cliffhanger..hated that!! Jack is amazing, end of story. Excited to start the second book though; I need to know what happens ASAP. Such an original idea for a book..I think everyone should read it =)

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Jul 01, 2011 Avital rated it really liked it

more like 4.5.
This book was amazing. And so, so sad.
I simply loved Jack. He was so caring, so dedicated.
At first I really didn't like Nikki ignoring him. It was obvious she was hurting him more.
This is one unique plot. Original.

Well done, Ashton! ...more

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