Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton

11 December, 2012 Reviews 27 comments

There are exactly two types of books that I tend to gravitate towards: Dystopians and Greek myths. Both feature characters in impossible, bleak situations. Those stories are dark, deadly and often times, down right tragic, not always ending with your standardized ‘happily ever after.’ Hmm… I’m not exactly sure what that says about me as a person, but I digress. I think the real allure is rooting for the underdogs even when it seems like they’re up against the inevitable. It’s the spark of hope in these character driven novels. The passion and determination of the main characters. The dynamic relationships that form as a result of these scenarios. But mostly importantly, it’s the nagging thought in the back of your mind, wondering what you’d do if you were in their position, which paves the way for certain type of admiration for the strength in the protagonist. Everbound was that kind of book for me.

Immediately, after starting Everbound I had the sinking feeling it was going to tear at my heart. And I was right because obviously Nikki is still hurting over Jack’s sacrifice with no way to save him. That is, until Cole reappears in her life and together they travel down to the Everneath to save Jack. And I should warn readers that this is not a happy novel and it does contain its fair share of teen angst, but, in my opinion, warranted. While Nikki and Cole navigate the Everneath, they rely heavily on her memories of Jack to show them the way. I was a little wary of the book containing flashbacks to help move the plot along because those types of novels don’t seem to work well with me. Thankfully, I enjoyed it and I feel it helped fill the void for Jack’s smallish role in this installment.

That’s right. *weeps* There isn’t much Jack in here. That made me really sad in the beginning, but then there was Cole, who is a completely different character for the better. Nikki is oblivious to Cole’s feelings for her and at times that did annoy me. What was it going to take for her to see it? Did his love have to punch her in the face? Apparently. Yet, she failed to take much notice and that, unfortunately, led to a tragic ending… And if you’re wondering, yes, there is a cliffhanger. In this case, I liked it only because I think Ashton set it up nicely even though I must now suffer more than a year to know what happens next (WHY?! *weeps* HOW SHALL I SURVIVE?).

Another thing I loved about Everbound was how much action was added this time around. Whereas Everneath moved as a slower pace and it almost felt like you could feel Nikki coming out her drugged haze, Everbound is the opposite with just enough action sequences, paired with bittersweet flashback memories of Nikki and Jack. But at the same time there is this layer of urgency to get to Jack before he disappears forever. So many obstacles are thrown at our characters, that I started to doubt if there would be any sort of resolution because Ashton doesn’t make it easy for them. After all, this is based on a Greek myth. Remember all the tragedy, pain and suffering? Ashton really doesn’t hold back and I really appreciated it.

Then there is the love triangle. And I really have to applaud Ashton for it. I know, I know. Not another dreaded love triangle. But let me tell you, I LOVE IT. Originally, I was solidly on Jack’s side, but I’m finding myself more and more conflicted as this series goes on (much like I am with the Unearthly series). There seems to be so much more to Cole than I expected. He’s such a complex character and learning more about his past in Everbound had me questioning who the true antagonist is.  Cole says there are no heroes. But is he just resisting the person he could be or has he accepted his fate and role as a true Everliving? I am unsure. All I know is that I was throughly deceived in this book. Like, egg all over my face. Feels rain down on me. Then by the end, ultimately, I drowned in it.

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Usually, I have this habit where I rate books immediately after finishing the last page and this, admittedly, leads to a lot of books having inflated ratings from me. (I’m working on that.) But even after leaving Everbound’s review waiting to be written for almost a week, I still feel this was an excellent second novel. I expected to find “Second Book Syndrome,” but instead we have a story that significantly picked up the action, dived into more complex characterization and a conclusion that left me stunned. I think fans of Everneath will loves this and those who weren’t particularly impressed with the first book will find a better novel here. There’s really not much to say other than to wonder, how many children must I offer up for book three?

Interested in winning an ARC? Check back with us at the end of the month for our Top Cuddles of 2012 Giveaway Hop. (Yes, that was a bit of shameless self-promotion. I regret nothing.)

 

ARC was provided by HarperTEEN. Thank you! As usual, no monies or favors were exchanged for a positive review. I just happened to like something all by my lonesome. Shocking, I know. 

27 Responses to “Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton”

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      cynicalsapphire I really want to know what you think about this series. But I think if you enjoyed Unearthly, you may enjoy Everneath too. Everneath is just a bit more slower, but I enjoy the writing style.

      • cynicalsapphire

        Stephanie Sinclair I would like to know what I think of it as well. I LOVE the cover. PRETTY DRESS. Everbound’s was a disappointment however. Ahem.
        MORE SLOWER. I don’t mind slow if the book is well-written and the characters full of life and awesomeness.

  2. rabbitsfortea

    I skimmed through your review as I didn’t really want spoilers either, but there isn’t much Jack in this book?! NOOO ): Sounds like the love triangle is properly fleshed out in this book though, such a love hate relationship. Sigh. And also, yes to more action. As much as I loved Everneath, it was really pretty slow. But still… moping at the lack of Jack in this book.

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      rabbitsfortea He is in it, but doesn’t have as large of a role as he did in Everneath. But there are a bunch of flashbacks with him in it. And my review is spoiler free, I promise! 🙂

  3. Melinda Harrison

    O-M-G! I can’t wait. I loved the first book. And the author writes so well. What a great review. Love the image. I am laughing, though I know the book is going to rip my heart out.

  4. Stephanie Parent

    I didn’t like Everneath that much, Stephanie, but dammit, this makes me want to read Everbound! I think this is one of your best reviews, especially the first paragraph–it really makes me want to see what you’d think of Defy the Stars (ignore that, I know it’s obnoxious). Anyway, I think I may write my new adult romance I keep blabbing about as a modern retelling of a GREEK MYTH. Now I have to decide which one…

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Stephanie Parent I think people would like Everbound better. It has a lot more action and the characters are fleshed out more. I need to read Defy the Stars! I love retellings.

  6. sazbah

    AAAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! *calls you horrible names*
    But it’s out of a place of LOVE, I promise. They’re LOVING horrible names. I just… I want Everbound. So bad. You have it, and… therefore?
    Uh, seriously though. Steph. Everything I wanted to hear about this book. And you. and… and… AND OMFG. I’m so excited to be seeing more of Cole because I DID love him in Everneath. He tore at my heart because there seems to be a genuine affection for Nikki, and that there’s more of him, that he’s conflicted and layered and while I was always Team Jack x Nikki, I’m totally Team More Cole Now Please. For the rest of us.
    And… it just sounds like Brodi’s gotten even better and I love that the flashbackiness has been pulled into Everbound, also, and… just. Your review. It is perfect. LOVE ♥♥♥

  7. Jennifer @ The Bawdy Book Blog

    OH OH OH OH OH!  *flails about wildly*  I loved the first book, ohsomuchIlovedallthefeelingsinmydarklittlesoul and I have been… *huffs* 
    I want it.
    Also, yes.  I do the same thing, where I rate right away and then books get inflated ratings and later I think…”hmmm, you know, it really WASN’T a 4….”

  8. AnimeGirlAlex

    Mmmm I read the previous book and I wasn’t that into it, so I’ll probably be skipping this one. 
    I just didn’t like Nikki or Cole (didn’t find him appealing at all). I did like Jack but you say his role in this one is kinda small so… yeah. 😀 
    I’m glad you keep on loving the series 😀

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      AnimeGirlAlex I didn’t like Cole much in Everneath either. But we learn a different side to him in Everbound.  He’s shaping up to be an interesting character.

  9. readingwishes

    You lucky duck! I want Everbound SO badly, especially after THAT ENDING. Even though we didn’t start off too well, I loved Everneath and absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Your review makes me even more excited for it because you never know with sequels – there either a hit or miss and it sounds like it ticks the first box which is AWESOME news. *cries* Not much Jack? *sobs* I adored Jack in Everneath. I kid you not, he made me squeal and shriek like a giddy school girl high. Good times those were 😉
    SO happy you enjoyed it and that it was a success. Amazing review!

  10. jarndt08

    GAH! I want to read this so very badly. But reading your review makes me realize how little I remember about Everneath. Who the eff is Jack?!?! LOL I am clearly forgetting some very important things, I remember a sacrifice at the end… hmmm…. Does is provide a bit of a catch up for readers? 
    Anyway, I can’t wait to read this. I love that they go into the Everneath.  One thing I hate in YA novels is when the chick is completely oblivious to the guy having feelings for her and yet it is so blatantly obvious, I always get really annoyed and want to resort to physical violence as well.

  11. Rywn

    Sometimes when I see reviews of books I loved I’m like ‘Oh noessss, why if they hated it and I’m just dumb?’, so thank god I’m not the only one who loves this series! Brodi Ashton really does do a GREAT job, and at the end of both books I’ve been like JUST GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE ALREADY? K? LIEK NOWZ.

    • sazbah

      Rywn Hehehe! Rywn, I have this exact problem. If someone doesn’t like a book I DID, I’m convinced it’s because I’m too dumb to see what’s wrong with it! UGH -___-

      • sazbah

        Stephanie Sinclair Rywn Oh goodness. And I think I’d be terrified to disagree with Kat. I read your review of Crewel and I was like… ‘THIS SOUNDS AMAZING! AND INTELLIGENT! AND PRO-WOMEN! AND AND AND!’ And then I read Kat’s and I was like *whimpers*