Everneath #2: Everbound Review

Title: Everneath #2: Everbound

Author: Brodi Ashton

Date of Publication: January 22, 2013

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: 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.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

My Review:

Everbound was everything I hoped for and more. A beautiful romance and rich world building paired with love, betrayal, and Nikki's strength to never give up, all came together to create one fantastic novel. A perfect sequel to Everneath, I fell in love with this novel just as quickly as a I fell in love with the first and finished the novel wanting more. Ashton knows how to create a story that pulls you in and refuses to let go even after the last page has been turned.

Nikki continued to be a wonderful main character to read about, even though she's overcome with her feelings of guilt over what happened and what could have been she is strong enough to do what needs to be done in order to save Jack. She throws her heart and soul into saving him even though she knows that she could die in the process. She's willing to do anything for Jack, including coming into contact with the one person she swore she never wanted to talk to again - Cole.

The perfect antagonist to Nikki, Cole is mysterious and difficult to trust. Throughout the novel we begin to see a different side of Cole, one that is willing to go back to the Everneath and search for Jack, even though there doesn't seem to be anything in it for him. However, Cole always has his hidden agendas; making me question his every move and leave me wondering what is true and what is false. Cole is the perfect villain for the story, not quite evil enough to make him a total bad guy but at the same time it's impossible to trust him, knowing that he has something in mind right around the corner.

It's impossible to compare this plot to the plot of the first book because they were both amazing but in totally different ways. Unlike many second novels, Ashton was able to seamlessly merge the two novels together, leaving out the small divide that sometimes happens between books in a series. With a stunning conclusion to top it all off Everbound took me for a wild ride that I can't wait to continue in the next novel!

The Everneath series is one of the most fantastic YA series available. Full of romance, action, and betrayal all mixed in with an unforgettable plot this series is one that no fan of YA fantasy should miss! I highly recommend this book, and the first, to anyone on the look-out for the best in new YA lit.

5/5