Book Review: Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton

Title: Evertrue (Everneath #3)
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: January 21st 2014
Length: 368 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, romance, underworld, evil queen
Source: Publisher

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Summary by Goodreads  

"You know the Everneath?"[...]
"Good. Because I'm going to destroy it." [...] 
"I'm taking the whole. Damn. Thing. Down. Are you with me?"

Isn't Nikki's declaration of war at the end of EVERBOUND inflammatory and rousing? Take the whole Everneath down and dethrone the evil queen, who often reminded me of Maleficient from Sleeping Beauty, seems like this impossible and ultimate challenge. How does she intend to do that? What about the dangers that will be awaiting them on their way?
I couldn't wait to find out what would be happening in the conclusion to her story, can you?  Nikki practically mobilises the reader to support her no matter what. And so I grabbed EVERTRUE right after I finished reading EVERBOUND and prepared myself for a strategic meeting with Nikki and Jack.

Brodi Ashton included a mean condition into Nikki surviving the Everneath a second time and so we are quasi burdened with Cole as an additional member of the resistance. You know he isn't my favourite book boy. Like Jack and Nikki got their flashbacks of important moments of the past in the second book, Cole, too, showed us memories that were of importance for his life and first impressions of Nikki in book three now.
Sadly the cool rock star lost a great deal of his authenticity, smashing wit and sarcasm. But one could also see it as some kind of transformation, a way for him to go back to his roots. I didn't mind as much as Team Cole readers might because I'm Team Jack anyway and he was as understanding and sweet as ever.

Nikki and Jack's love was still strong and many times they had small but significant moments to show what they feel for each other. Jack was never anything but swoon-worthy and there wasn't a time in which I didn't want more of him, more for him and Nikki.

EVERTRUE is the third and last part of Nikki's story in the Everneath and the part that somehow I didn't enjoy as much as the two parts before it. In EVERNEATH and EVERBOUND we always learned something new about the Everneath and made great discoveries with Nikki and her fellow travellers. In this last instalment the discoveries didn't feel so grand and stunning anymore. The absolutely amazing labyrinth from EVERBOUND could be the reason why I was harder to impress in the third book, it totally spoiled me. 

Throughout the entire story the task that Nikki and her two boys had to master or the trials they were willing to face, seemed always much bigger, too big, for the three of them and I wasn't entirely convinced by the ways they found to get over the finish line.

But don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the time I got to spend with Nikki and Jack in EVERTRUE. The ending was quite a stunner. Brodi Ashton solved the conflict between Nikki and the Everneath and Cole and Jack fighting for Nikki in an almost poetic way, giving her characters the chance to show strength, courage and empathy. 

4/5 **** EVERTRUE - The daring and ultimate quest of underworld explorer trio  Nikki, Jack and Cole will leave no reader cold.

Can't wait to see which new world Brodi Ashton comes up with next. I'm open for anything but I wouldn't mind another story influenced by Greek mythology, I'm very into that lately. If you haven't had the chance to read Brodi's EVERNEATH books before, you should use your chance and read all three back to back. Right now!

"I waited for you."
"But it's a race. Why did you wait for me?" He lifted his head so that his eyes met mine. "I always wait for you." He took a deep breath, my ankle still in his hands. "I'm always waiting for you."  ― Everbound p. 229

EVERTRUE you might also enjoy  STARCROSSED by Josephine Angelini, THE GODDESS TEST by Aimée Carter and SWEET VENOM by Tera Lynn Childs, all influenced by Greek mythology. 

* Can't get enough of the Everneath? Then you should read the NEVERFALL novella.

* Read an excerpt of EVERNEATH here.

* EVERNEATH book trailer.

* For more information about Brodi and her books visit www.brodiashton.blogspot.com.

* A huge thanks to Harper Collins International for providing me with an ARC of EVERTRUE! 

Book Review: Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everbound (Everneath #2)
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: January 22nd 2013
Length: 358 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, romance, underworld, labyrint, elemental
Source: Bought

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

Summary by Goodreads

Reading EVERBOUND over one year after I read EVERNEATH made me realize how much I missed Nikki and Jack and all the other characters. It was even good to see Cole again (only on a level where I appreciated his puns and comebacks, not in the romance category).

EVERNEATH ended with a major cliffhanger and I remember being so upset about Nikki and Jack being separated in the end. They are one of my YA dream couples, best friends who discovered their romantic feelings for each other and a couple with a meaningful and eventful past. It was an unavoidable urge to see Nikki and Jack be reunited again in EVERBOUND.

In order to save Jack we are going back to the Everneath, which was a very well thought-out place, holding many secrets and obstacles to make Nikki's quest so much harder and a treat for fans of puzzles and solving riddles like me. I adore marathon-like quests with many episodes and different levels to test our hero's strength and his willingness to reach his goal. These kind of quests provide YA stories with an action-feel that can't compete with any big blockbusters seen on the big screen.

Nikki, Cole and his friend Max have to pass through different rings of the Everneath, a maze-like structure with elemental obstacles. Nikki has to fight the powers water, wind and fire to reach her Jack. Brodi Ashton thought of so many thrilling twists and turns to the story that I couldn't put the book down for too long. She knows how to lure her readers in, make them trust her and then make the ending another cliffhanger. Well played!

Alternating with chapters set during the Everneath quest, Brodi Ashton gifted us with flashbacks to moments from Nikki and Jack's shared past. How they weren't sure if loving the other would be the best option for their friendship or how to test if the other felt the same. And we read about their first kiss, too. Reading about all those details and extra scenes that didn't make it into the first book was like an early Christmas present. So damn well-written and addictive.

Again Brodi Ashton included a few myths in the story. Nikki is obsessed with them and mainly concentrates on the famous Minotaur myth. EVERBOUND has less on the Daughters of Persephone than the first book and the myth retelling/story balance actually improved from the first book to this sequel.

5/5 ***** EVERBOUND - A hellishly exciting quest about saving your one true love, with exhilarating elemental goodness and the right balance between action, romance and humor.

Myths, old love stories and new romances, a quest, an elemental maze and an evil underworld queen to fight.  What else would an ambitious YA reader need for a perfectly alluring sequel. One of the best sequels that I've read!

"I see Jack every night. In my dreams. 

He's lying next to me. Parallel worlds ― the Surface for me, the tunnels of the Everneath for him ― that overlap at this one spot, and only for a moment. In my bedroom, while I dream." ― p.3 

EVERBOUND you might also enjoy THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER by Avery Williams, DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum and SWEET EVIL by Wendy Higgins. They are all equally seductive and appealing and the first two are playing with different concepts of immortality and afterlife. 

* Can't get enough of the Everneath? Then you should read the NEVERFALL novella.

* Read an excerpt of EVERBOUND here.

* Click here for the EVERBOUND book trailer.

* For more information about Brodi and her books visit www.brodiashton.blogspot.com

Mini Reviews # 11

My eleventh Mini Reviews post is dedicated to three YA reads with mythological background. The THE GODDESS TEST series by Aimée Carter just wasn't mine but EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton is a 2012 debut I would always recommend.

Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton

Nikki Beckett spent one-hundred years (equalling a few months in the real world) in a version of the underworld, the Everneath. Now she's back on earth but only for the limited time of six months, to say her goodbyes and spent the rest of eternity in the underworld. The first chapter was confusing at times, the Everneath a strange new sphere but you'll get what's happening when you are a few pages into the story. I really enjoyed the mysterious and hellish setting of the Everneath.

I felt connected to Nikki from the second I met her, thanks to Brodi Ashton who reserves plenty of time to get to know our heroine and her emotional dilemma. Her time in the Everneath, spent with Cole, robbed her of all emotions and she's feeling devastatingly empty. She's so strong despite everything she's lost.

And when she thought she'd lost her will to live, too she falls in love with her ex-boyfriend Jack all over again.

There is an Everneath boy, too. Cole, a very ominous character. He might be a hot rockstar and gather lots of fans around him, but he is also egoistic and kind of a  parasite, drawing Nikki's energy to prolong his own life.

The concept of dependence that somehow binds Nikki, Cole and Jack in a love triangle was what made the relationships intriguing and I liked how both boys have very different meanings for our protagonist. Our present story is interrupted by scenes from the past that help us understand how Nikki got to know both boys and how she ended up in the Everneath.

But truly Cole has nothing on Jack. Jack, Nikki’s ex-boyfriend, Jack who she ran away from many months ago. He is exactly what I needed in this story! He has been waiting for her to return all along and he's willing to sacrifice everything for Nikki. Such an epic love story!

4,5/5 ****/* EVERNEATH-  A smoldering & emotionally charged countdown to a beloved heroine’s ultimate Goodbye.

EVERNEATH was a new kind of story that I fast became absorbed in. Two hotties, one devilish clever, the other angelic sweet, are fighting for Nikki's love and for a way to bind her to their respective worlds. As invitingly hot and daring as the gorgeous cover of EVERNEATH, the story behind it is no different. EVERNEATH is a definite 2012 cover and debut favourite!

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: January 24^th 2012
Length: 370 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, mythology, underworld, romance, love triangle

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads Summary 

Everneath Excerpt 

Author's Homepage

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) by Aimée Carter

Fearing the inevitable death of her mother Kate strikes a deal with a man she just met, Henry or Hades, god of the underworld. She has to take a few tests to prove worthy of becoming Henry's new queen in order to save her mother.

I was looking forward to an impressive test marathon. These kind of stories with game character are often very active and daring and belong to my favourites, like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

THE GODDESS TEST didn't make use of all its possibilites. No grand arena, or crazily exciting tests to endure. The tests are nothing spectacular and often even passed by Kate without us knowing or being told. 

Greek mythologies are full of quarrels and tests, wars and epic love stories and I was drawn to THE GODDESS TEST after reading its summary. I was disappointed to find out Kate and Henry's story was nothing like that. Henry's still in love with his wife Persephone. I appreciated his honesty but ignoring Kate and keeping something important from her is just no way to treat your potential partner and so I just couldn't think of Henry as a genuine love interest. Their romance is defined by the ever same circle of arguments, whiny statements, excuses, I couldn’t hear it any longer.

3,5/5 ***/* THE GODDDESS TEST – A  Greek mythology YA debut for beginners.

Kate's story was one that had so much potential, especially with the tests she has to pass in order to save her mother. THE GODDESS TEST is a well-written debut and even though I wasn't overly enthusiastic about its characters and their romance, its world building and Greek mythology background made for a promising sequel. 

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: April 19^th 2011
Length: 293 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, mythology, gods, romance, tests

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads Summary 

The Goddess Test Excerpt 

Author's Homepage

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimée Carter

Kate and Henry's story continues. She might have proven herself to be worthy. She is the one that should have Henry's heart forever, but even after everything they've been through he's keeping his distance and secrets from Kate. No improvement in the romantic department. Both Henry and Kate didn't learn from past mistakes and their so called love story is more a constant fight than pure harmony. Their relationship felt rather pitiful and their constant whining made me furious just like the overall ambiguity and promiscuity of the other gods.

As sad as it sounds (and I hate to say it) but this second book made me like the characters so much less. I don’t think there was a single one that didn’t annoy me at some point.

In the second installment in the THE GODDESS TEST series Henry is abducted and Kate and the other gods set out to save him. A test scenario like the first book offered, only on a bigger, a bit more exciting scale.

2/5 ** GODDESS INTERRUPTED - Our gods and Kate are tested again, and sometimes even your patience.

I'm a fan of YA stories shaped by elements of Greek mythology but obviously having a few gods in the story cast and following their various tests is no guarantee for a book to become a favourite. Aimée's writing is as flawless as in her debut novel, it's just that I couldn't find access to her THE GODDESS TEST characters. I don't give up easily on a series, but I decided to pass on the third book in Aimée's THE GODDESS TEST series.

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: March 27^th 2012
Length: 296 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, mythology, gods, romance, tests

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads Summary 

Goddess Interrupted Excerpt 

Author's Homepage