Monday 18 January 2010

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Review: Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Everlost by Neal ShustermanEverlost by Neal Shusterman (review copy) - Nick and Allie don't survive the crash, and now they are in limbo, stuck halfway between life and death, in a netherworld known as Everlost. Everlost is home to those who didn't make it to their final destination: A magical yet dangerous place filled with shadows where lost souls run wild. Shocked and frightened, Nick and Allie aren't ready to rest in peace just yet. They want their lives back. Desperate for a way out, their search takes them deep into the uncharted regions of Everlost. But the longer they stay, the more they forget about their past lives. And with all memory of home fading fast and an unknown evil lurking in the shadows, Nick and Allie may never escape this strange, terrible world. In this imaginative, supernatural thriller, Neal Shusterman explores questions of life, death, and what just might lie in between. From Amazon UK

I really liked Everlost! This book is just so good, I can’t tell you! It takes a very unique view of what happens to us when we die, and oh, it was just amazing!

A lot of thought has gone into this book; a lot of urban fantasies I’ve read lately have been based around some sort of myth, but as far as I can tell, Everlost has been completely made up, and the world building is just brilliant! The rules of the world, the way this new world effects some people, the “magic” of the world; with each page turned, there’s something to be amazed by, but it’s not so farfetched as to not be believable. As I was reading, it just seemed that this place between life and death could actually exist, but I couldn’t tell you if this is a place I’d want to go to or not.

I really loved the cultural and historic references in this book. As well as people making their way to Everlost, objects and buildings can make their way there, too, for various reasons. One of the main settings in Everlost are the Twin Towers, and it plays an important part in the story as what it stands for, for certain characters. The Twin Towers aren’t the only “things” to have come to Everlost that a reader will recognise either from their own life, or as from historical events. It’s just superb how Neal has interwoven real real life into his story; it does that little bit more to make Everlost believable.

There are some really great characters in this story! Everlost is a multiple point of view story, and so we get to understand on a certain level all five of the main characters; Nick, Allie, Lief, Mary and the McGill. Nick is a little deluded by Mary, but through some of the events that happen in the book, he becomes a really strong and powerful character. Allie is stubborn and in denial at first, but she’s smart, and she sees things – and people – for what they really are; Lief is such a lovely boy! I really wanted to give him a hug so many times; he’s sweet and kind, and his own version of brave. Mary is hard to figure out exactly, she has her heart in the right place in some ways, but she’s also kind of selfish in others – I actually think she’s quite twisted and disturbing. The McGill I can’t really get into, but I’ll tell you he’s complicated. Together, they all make for interesting reading!

The action in the novel isn’t action as I normally use the word, it’s more a series of events that move the story forward; if one event didn’t happen, the ones that followed wouldn’t either. Suspense and wonder run throughout the novel, and you can’t help but keep reading! Everlost is a real page turner!

If I was to criticise anything in the book, it would be Mary and Nick’s relationship. No, not their relationship exactly, more how they’re in love with each other. In my opinion, not enough happens between them for them to be in love; they fancy each other, yes, perhaps are even infatuated with each other, but it doesn’t feel like love to me. There isn’t enough development in their relationship for love, but that’s just my opinion.

All in all, Everlost is a fantastic book, and I implore you all to give it a go! Next on my reading list is Everwild, the sequel, which is released on 4th February, and I can’t wait to pick it up! Really, this is such an awesome book, you must read it!

Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK for sending me a review copy.

Published: 6th July 2009
Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK
Buy on Amazon UK
Buy on Amazon US
Neal Shusterman’s Website

Other reviews:
The Bookette

12 comments:

  1. It sounds amazing. I love the sound of a well-created, fantastic yet believable world. Brilliant review - thank you!

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  2. Wow, you're fast! I'm glad you liked the review! It's such a brilliant book! I loved it!

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  3. Enjoyed the review! I was definitely curious to see what this author's other works were like, having just recently read/reviewed The Shadow Club. Although I'm a little hesitant on the multiple narrator bit, I'd still be interested to give this one a try as the story sounds very intriguing. Thanks for sharing....and happy reading! =0)

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  4. Thank you! Oh, multi POV isn't a big problem with me, and it was pretty much necessary for this story! It's such a good book, I do hope you give it a go! :)

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  5. This sounds like a great book! Nice review!

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  6. Great review! I'm really looking forward to reading this one :o)

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  7. I loved Unwind so I'm looking forward to diving into this one. Even though it's been on my shelf since it came out... :)

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  8. Kirthi - Thank you! It's such a great book!

    Sarah - Thanks! Oh, it's awesome, I hope you enjoy it!

    Sophie - Oh, pick it up soon, it's awesome! I've yet to read Unwind, but that may change soon! :)

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  9. You describe this book quite well 9though I've never read it), you make me want to pick up the book and read. I like reading multiple POV and I have a love/hate relationship with suspense (I love it but I hate when I have to put a book down for school!) It bothers me when I'm not able to understand the romantic relationship between two people.

    Out of curiousity, is this book about a POC or is the author a POC?

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  10. I'm glad you liked the review! I do hope you read it, it's a great book! The author is POC :)

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  11. Thanks for clearing that up for me :)

    Added to my wishlist/tbr pile

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  12. No problem! :) Great, I hope you enjoy it!

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