Ashton, B. (2012). Everneath. New York: Balzer + Bray.
Summary
Nikki has returned to her normal life after spending a hundred years in the Everneath. For everyone else, though, she has only been missing for six months. As she tries to make amends with the people who have missed her, and as she searches for redemption, she is all too aware that her time is limited. After another six months, she will have to return permanently to the Everneath. Her only other choice is too help Cole, the immortal who took her to the Everneath, take over the throne, but to do this, she herself will have to become an immortal.
Evaluative comments
This book has an interesting premise, based on the Persephone myth, and successfully parallels this myth. However, this is done with little subtlety, as though Ashton is afraid that if these parallels are not constantly spelled out, the reader will not understand them. Consequently, the references to Greek mythology at times feels very jolting, lifting the reader out of the story and reminding them that they are, in fact, reading a book. Furthermore, the characters' personalities and motivations at times seem inconsistent. While Nikki usually seems to be a self assured, independent young woman, she inevitably falls into the current trend of female characters who fall apart as soon as a handsome young man who pays them the slightest attention. Despite this, the story is compelling, and the writing, for the most part, effectively holds the reader's attention.
This book has an interesting premise, based on the Persephone myth, and successfully parallels this myth. However, this is done with little subtlety, as though Ashton is afraid that if these parallels are not constantly spelled out, the reader will not understand them. Consequently, the references to Greek mythology at times feels very jolting, lifting the reader out of the story and reminding them that they are, in fact, reading a book. Furthermore, the characters' personalities and motivations at times seem inconsistent. While Nikki usually seems to be a self assured, independent young woman, she inevitably falls into the current trend of female characters who fall apart as soon as a handsome young man who pays them the slightest attention. Despite this, the story is compelling, and the writing, for the most part, effectively holds the reader's attention.
Suggested audience
Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12
Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Bleak, mystical, menacing
Read-alikes - Twilight, Stephanie Meyer, Evermore, Alyson Noël
Appeal terms - Bleak, mystical, menacing
Read-alikes - Twilight, Stephanie Meyer, Evermore, Alyson Noël
Booktalking hook
Talk about the myth of Persephone - what would you do?
Talk about the myth of Persephone - what would you do?
Reason for inclusion
Everneath falls into the paranormal romantic category, which has been a very popular genre among teens.
Everneath falls into the paranormal romantic category, which has been a very popular genre among teens.
Category
Chick-Lit/Romance, Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror
Chick-Lit/Romance, Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror
