Everneath Review

I accidentally met Brodi Ashton last year whilst attending BEA (Books Expo America) in New York City. Obviously, at the time I had no idea who she was but she told me that she had written a book and showed me the cover which I fell in love with immediately (I know, but LOOK AT IT). I’ve been dying to read this book for ages so I was very happy when I learned it was going to be published in the UK and was sent a copy to review. I’m happy to say that I absolutely LOVED this book. A LOT. And I’m still thinking about it days after I finished reading. Here’s the synopsis:

“Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..”

Everneath is of course based on the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone and in case you haven’t noticed, there has been an influx of YA books coming out based on Greek mythology lately. Whilst part of me wants to sigh in response at this, the other part of me is always curious and I have to say that this is the best one I’ve read so far. I thought Everneath was an amazing read, there was never a dull moment, no lagging middle section and I never found my thoughts wandering at any point. I would have read this in one sitting if I could have!

Now I KNOW you want to know about the guys, right and who’s been added to my ever growing list of literary boyfriends? Well, there are TWO of them. Yes, you read that right. First up is Jack who is a totally swoonworthy hero and I can’t see how any girl can resist him. Whilst he once was the quarterback football hero and a bit of a player with the ladies (I know what you’re thinking, that doesn’t do it for me either but wait...) he has turned into a one woman guy with an eyebrow piercing no less who will stop at nothing to get Nikki back. I really enjoyed the way that Brodi messed with the stereotypical image I have in my head of a quarterback as we find out at some point that Jack wears glasses. I realise this might sound stupid but I was surprised at this and it just made him cuter so it worked.

Now then, I bet you’re curious about guy number two and how he might compare to Jack. Enter Cole who has spent over 100 years with Nikki in the everneath and it’s clear that he has some sort of connection with her by the way that he treats her. I loved the fact that Cole wasn’t painted as the bad guy, it’s a case of he is what he is although nothing is set in stone it would seem and I can’t wait to see how his character develops in book two. That’s all I can say about that but I do expect to see a lot more of him! ;)

Overall, I thought Everneath was an impressive debut novel that held my attention and would not let go even after reading. I loved both the plot and the characters and I can’t wait for book two!

Everneath was published in the US on 24th January, 2012 and in the UK on 2nd February, 2012. To find out more about Brodi and her books, please click here to visit her website.