Everbound (Everneath #2)

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.

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 because the ending was nothing short of clever.

Final Verdict: 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. Fans of Everneath will loves this and those who weren't particularly impressed with the first book, will find a better novel here.

What I Loved:

I loved Everneath with the fiery passion of a thousands flaming suns, so I went into Everbound with high expectations. I'm so pleased to say that Ms. Ashton delivered an incredible sequel with all of the heart and soul of Everneath, but with even higher stakes.

What stands out to me the most about this book is the authenticity with which Ms. Ashton creates her characters. Not only do each of her main characters have distinct personalities and agendas, their personal emotional journeys ring very true for me. I really enjoyed getting to know Cole better in this book (though I am still Team Jack!), and I liked seeing Nikki start moving out of her grief and despair and into the kind of heroine who considers the cost of taking on the Everneath and then does it anyway because true love is worth the sacrifice.

I also loved the worldbuilding. We get to spend significant time within the Everneath, and it was amazing. I could see it vividly, and it felt as real to me as the scenes on the Surface.

Finally, I loved the plot. From about 1/4 of the way into the story, this book was impossible to put down. The stakes keep rising, the obstacles are FIERCE, and the ending? If I thought Ms. Ashton nearly killed me with the ending in book one, this one is infinitely better/worse. I can hardly wait to get my hands on book three!

What Left Me Wanting More:

For some reason, the beginning felt like it moved a bit slow for me, and I didn't really hit my holy-cow-I-can't-put-this-book-down stride until about 1/4 of the way in. However, I was still invested in the story from page one. Ms. Ashton has a gift for immediately connecting her readers with her characters.

Final Verdict:

Everbound is a complex, captivating story full of action, betrayal, drama, and heart. If you haven't yet given this series a try, I highly recommend it.

I enjoyed Brodi Ashton's debut, Everneath, but that one does not come near the brilliance of its sequel Everbound. It is thrilling, exciting, and completely unpredictable. Everbound is everything I was hoping for in a sequel to Everneath and more. Stunning, completely stunning.

Every card was played just right. Everbound builds with each chapter until the ultimate high at the end of the book. Everbound really explains a lot of about the Everneath and more of the rules of Cole's world. I find that world so fascinating. I love how Brodi Ashton has take a completely classic myth and morphed it into something completely new and awesome.

Cole is one of the best villains out there. Brodi Ashton plays him just right - I know he's the villain, yet I cannot help to completely love the guy. This was my feeling in Everneath and in Everbound, I fell even harder for him. I love that in Everbound readers really get to see a different side of Cole and really learn more about him and a little of his past.

The books end, I cannot even. Holy bananas! Things get real intense and real emotional. I was staring at my book in complete shock unsure of what had just happened and had to reread it again to double check. It was pure brilliance. And it has me SO excited for the third and final book in the trilogy. I love the path Brodi Ashton has set and cannot wait to see how it turns out. While I didn't see the ending coming, as soon as it happened, everything fell into place for me and it made my love for Everbound that much great. It just made so much sense.

Everyone should check out Everbound regardless of your feelings about Everneath. It was just so great! The only complaint I can come up with is the fact that I have to wait a whole year for the epic conclusion to Nikki, Jack, and Cole's story.

Warning: Take note that I'm assuming you intrepid review readers have already read Everneath or have no fear of spoilers for that book.

What I Loved:
As you know, at the end of book one, Jack went to the Tunnels instead of Nikki. This leaves her on the surface miserable and hated by the town for being the last person to have seen the missing golden boy. Given Jack and Nikki's incredibly strong connection and her guilt over his sacrifice, she will literally stop at nothing to get him back.

The first few chapters are a bit slow, but everything speeds up with the arrival of Cole back in town. Basically, Everneath alternated between awesome Everneath bits and flashbacks. In this installment, the flashbacks are greatly reduced and the plot has sustained forward momentum. While I did enjoy the flashbacks in the last book, they work to much greater effect here, and keep the reader from being thrown out of the present moment. The more linear storytelling fits this story perfectly.

Going into Everbound, I hoped to learn more about the Everneath and that is precisely what Ashton delivers. Her world building continues to be entirely excellent. Her fantasy world references so many different classic stories, mostly mythological in origin, though I felt some distinct shades of Alice in Wonderland in places, but still manages to be something entirely new and magical. I have some theories that I cannot wait to find out the correctness of in the next installment, particularly about Shades.

If you dread love triangles, have no fear because this one is awesome, and Ashton really doesn't rub it in your face. The feelings involved are complex, but Nikki knows what she's doing. She never questions herself or her actions, even though the reader does sometimes; her goals are set, and I love her dedication. Though I've never personally had a connection to Jack, I admire Nikki for not being the sort to be easily swayed, especially since it makes their love so much more believable.

Two things made Everbound absolutely incredible. The first is that, as they journey through the Everneath in an attempt to rescue Jack from the Tunnels, Ashton really digs in and develops Cole's character. He spends much of his time on the periphery of Everneath, remaining largely a mysterious figure, but here we get a much closer look at the real Cole. Getting to learn some of his past and try to parse his precise feelings for Nikki will keep you intrigued and unsure all the way through.

The second thing is the ending. As soon as I finished reading, I immediately had to message a friend to discuss what happened, because shit gets real. The ending totally caught me off guard and fits the story completely perfectly. I didn't see it coming, but as soon as it happened, I knew that it was precisely what needed to happen. Ashton brings various plot threads together to weave a gorgeous tapestry and to deftly set up the next book in the series.

What Left Me Wanting More:
The fact that I have to wait a whole year for the next book, when that ending makes me want it immediately!

The Final Verdict:
Whether you loved Everneath or were on the fence, I urge you to give Everbound a try, because Ashton's work is just getting better. I have a lot of faith that the next book will be even more astounding, and I only wish I did not have to wait another year to read it.