Evertrue
Author: Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #3
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Mythology
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: Jack rubbed his eyes and sat up in my bed.
My Review:
First and foremost, thank you so much Kristen from My Friends Are Fiction for letting me borrow her ARC of Evertrue! Thank you for taking the time to package it and mail it out to me Kristen! <3 Everyone who knows me really well knows that Evertrue is probably my most anticipated book of 2014. Ever since I’ve read Everbound back in 2012, I desperately wanted to get my hands on Evertrue. Everbound left us with what I’ll consider to be one of the cruelest cliffhangers that I’ve ever read (don’t worry, it wasn’t a bad cliffhanger, but a cliffhanger that just constantly tortured me whenever I thought of the book) and I just wanted some answers. As Evertrue‘s release date drew nearer and nearer, I’ve heard tons of mixed reviews on Evertrue, but I still expected to at least like the book. I was also secretly hoping that everyone else was wrong, that I would find Evertrue extremely lovable and amazing, that hopefully I’ll be the black sheep with this one this time. Sadly, that never happened.
I threw my arms around Jack’s neck.
“It might not be anything,” Jack said.
“I don’t care. It’s hope.” (ARC 91)
My biggest problem with Evertrue is that I literally could not connect to anything in the book. I felt like an outsider looking in while I was reading it; I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and unlike the first two books, Everneath and Everbound, I couldn’t feel the love and chemistry between Nikki and Jack. In fact, their lovey-dovey moments just bored me to death. Everyone’s lovey-dovey moments bored me to death. Even seeing Will make a kind of short appearance didn’t make me smile like it normally would. (I know it’s weird guys, but I love him okay? Even though he’s drunk most of the time, he’s everything I want in an older brother.) I just felt so disconnected from the book; it didn’t draw out any strong emotions from me unlike how both Everneath and Everbound did. In fact, I felt absolutely nothing while I was reading Evertrue except boredom, mild annoyance at a character (I’ll explain this in the next paragraph), and the desire to finish it asap so I can start reading some other book on my shelf.
While I admired Nikki in both Everneath and Everbound, Nikki annoyed me in Evertrue. There were some moments where she got so mopey, thinking something along the lines of, “I should just run away, it’s all my fault people are dying and involved in this, everyone is better off without me,” which annoyed me. Running away wouln’t solve anything; Nikki should definitely know that by now after what she did in the very first book, Everneath. Moments like that, I just wanted to grab Nikki and shake her to wake up.
Sometimes, when someone keeps forgiving someone else, it becomes too much. (ARC 186)
I’m sad to say this, but you know that shocking ending in Evertrue that everyone was talking about? The same ending that people claimed shocked them to their very core and even made them want to cry? Well, I’m sad to say this but I predicted this “shocking” ending on – looks at my notes – page 99 of the ARC. Let me repeat this, PAGE 99. That’s about the first fourth of the book (the ARC of Evertrue is 357 pages). I was so elastic to get to the “shocking” ending, hoping it would redeem the whole book for me, only to see that I saw that ending coming about three hundred pages ago. You do not want to know how disappointed and devastated I was – I literally wanted to stomp my feet like a toddler in public (I was reading the book on the train).
Don’t get me wrong, even though I saw the “shocking” ending coming three hundred or so pages ago, the ending of Evertrue still affected me though even though I honestly don’t know why. The next part is a HUGE spoiler so read it at your own risk.
[HUGE] SPOILER: Cole basically dies at the end of the book and right after I finished Evertrue, my heart started breaking for him. The question I can’t answer is why though? Why am I sad that Cole died? I didn’t like him in either Everneath and Everbound and in Evertrue he kind of annoyed me, so why am I upset? His death shouldn’t affect me at all.
Overall, sadly Evertrue is a very disappointing ending to a series I loved and a series that was dear to me. I don’t know if you guys should skip this one or not; I’m leaning more on “no,” don’t skip this one if you’ve read Everbound already since I want those of you who’ve read Everbound to finally get some answers like I did. I’m just warning you though: Don’t get your hopes up for this one.
Great review! It’s too bad you didn’t like this book as much as Everbound. I always hate it when authors write these fantastic books and then the final book just doesn’t match the others- I’m sure its really tough for authors to write 3 amazing books in a series though. I wonder if its better to have the middle book kind of flop and then have an amazing ending? I guess people might stop reading then. I’ve been meaning to pick this series up (mostly because I think the covers are gorgeous!), and still think I might, although it won’t be as soon as I had expected.
Thanks Tanya! :D
If I had to choose, I’ll want a great first book so I will continue on with the series, a middle syndrome book (as long as it wasn’t THAT bad), and a ROCKING ending.
The covers of the Everneath series is gorgeous; there’s no use denying that fact! ;D
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
First, thank you for your spoiler tag!
I’ve heard some mixed reviews for this, but like you, I’m hoping I still enjoy it. It sucks that you figured out the twist so early – that’s always a little disappointing. And I was never a huge fan of Nikki/Jack, so I’m not super surprised that you got annoyed with their lovey doveyness.
#teamCole!
Kelly recently posted…Life of a Blogger
No problem! ;D
I dunno, tons of other people read Evertrue and didn’t see the ending coming so hopefully that’ll happen to you so you can enjoy the book more than I did!
Ha ha, I was a Team Jack, but now, after Evertrue, not so much. :P
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
Oh no I just read another negative review for this one a few days ago so now I’m debating whether or not I should actually buy it! I really, really, really want to read it but now I’m kind of hesitant towards it. I saw some similar complaints about how impossible the book was to connect to, and I think I may end up skipping this one or waiting for it to come in on my library to finally read it :( Fantastic review, Kelly! <33
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd
I really hate to say it, especially with how much I loved Everneath and Everbound, but borrow Evertrue from the library, read it, then buy it if you like it. :l
Thanks Eileen! <3<3
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
Too bad you did like the ending. I love this series and I still can’t wait to read it though. ;)
I hope you’ll enjoy this one more than I did Cali! (:
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
I just read the last paragraph of your review since I haven’t actually read Everbound yet and remember pretty much nothing from Everneath lol. Now I’m not sure whether I should bother continuing with this series! It’s always really disappointing when a series conclusion isn’t done well :(
I do own a copy of Everbound though, so I’ll need to read it eventually. Maybe. We’ll see…
Nara recently posted…ARC Review: Faking Normal by Courtney C Stevens
Hmm, I’m not sure if Recaptains have a recap, but I’m pretty sure Epic Reads have a short one!
Evertrue was SO disappointing. Like so disappointing that I dunno if I’ll recommend the series anymore. :l
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
First-no problem at al sending the arc :-) so sorry you didn’t love it though. I hadn’t read the last book in such a long time I thought some of my disconnect was due to that–thinking perhaps maybe not. Saddest thing when a series loved doesn’t end well. Beautifully done review
Thank you again Kristen! <3
I don't think your disconnect with the book was only you; other people told me they felt the same way towards Evertrue too. :l
Yeah, I was expecting to be awed and amazed! -sighs-
Thanks! :D
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
Nooooooooooooooooo. *looks at review again and about five other negative reviews I’ve read so far* Noooooooooooooooo. Why? Why does this one have to be bad? The other books where amazing, why is it that bad series endings are becoming a trend. First Delirium series, then the Divergent series, now this? Why!!?!?!?! *starts to think about Ignite Me and starts to hyperventilate.* Come on Ignite Me, don’t be like the rest of them, be a good series ender!!
Great review Kelly :D
Kim @ Kimberly’s Novel Notes recently posted…I’m Going On Vacation
):
I KNOWW. Why are endings of trilogies being so bleh now?
You shouldn’t worry about Ignite Me though, tons of people read it (they got their copies early) and LOVED it. Thank goodness, right?
Thank you Kimberly! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
First and foremost thank you so much for that spoiler tag!! It literally saved my life but any who on to the core of this comment. I was actually disappointed after reading your review because, like you, i am a huge fan of this series and like you i was devastated over the excruciating cliff hanger and like you i expected nothing but amazingness for the series finale with some questions FINALLY answered but after reading your review i was saddened to hear, or read in this case, how poor the book was or at least how poor the series concluded. I really liked how Nikki wasn’t portrayed as the lovey dovey “i just got my heartbroken so now im going to cry about throughout the entire book” kind of character. Even though she was heartbroken over Jack and such she still made an effort to do the best that she can to save him and she came off as an overall relatable person, at least to me anyway. Idk but for me, knowing that the book you most anticipated for the in the 2014 year fell extremely short and didn’t stand up its fullest potential, and everture did have potential, is really disappointing. Its like finding out that you aren’t going to that disney vacation that you’ve been looking forward to going for months now. Thank you for the review and despite my knowing the outcome, i shall give it a read in order to give my mind a rest. :)
No problem; spoilers should ALWAYS have spoiler tags! ;D
AHHH, I hope you’ll love Evertrue even though I didn’t Ashley! You have to tell me what you think of it once you read it!
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
OH NO!!!!!! I’m so so so so so worried. I absolutely LOVE this series. Now I’m scared.
:X
I hope Evertrue won’t disappoint you Vivien!
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
I had the same problem…I just could not reconnect with these characters. Cole’s always kind of been my favorite, and the fact that he wasn’t himself really kept me from enjoying this novel. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it as much, either. It’s really frustrating when a book, a finale no less, that you’ve been waiting on forever turns out to be so disappointing. I had the same problem with Into the Still Blue. I think I just need to stay away from series for awhile. :( Better luck with the next one!
starryeyedjen recently posted…Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
I’m glad I’m not the only one with that could not connect with characters problem – I thought I was the only one!
Yeah, it has to be disappointing to Cole fans that he wasn’t himself. I would be disappointed too if my character went through what he did – he barely showed any of his REAL personality, the personality we knew in Everbound and Everneath.
Aww, I’ve heard disappointing things about Into the Still Blue too! That really sucks. ):
I hope you’ll enjoy your next read! (:
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
Whoa. Kelly. You totally put into words what I could not seem to convey while I was writing my review! YES. An outsider looking in- that is a brilliant way of putting it! I was not emotionally invested in the characters like I was in the first two! Everneath tore my heart out and stomped on it a million times, and Everbound just blew me away. This was a disappointment, which sucks because I really did think this series was great. The ending wasn’t a shocker to me at all. I knew that would happen. So, that kind of stinks. I just felt it in my bones after Everbound. Again- lack of emotionaI investment there too.
Bummer girl. I know how much you were looking forward to this too…
Jessica@Lovin’ Los Libros recently posted…Weekly Wrap-Up #47
Ha ha, I never knew I was a mind reader! ;D
I was definitely not invested in any of the characters either; it was impossible to connect with them.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who saw the ending coming from a mile away! I thought I was the only one.
Mhm… ):
Kelly recently posted…A Goal Reached + A MASSIVE Giveaway
I can’t figure out how to read the spoiler tag but no big deal bc I read the book and the ending infuriated me. Mostly bc Nikki couldn’t think of one f-ing thing to say to Cole. I mean I know she’s not in love with him but COME ON,
I’m kind of sad that this one didn’t really pass everyone’s, especially your, expectations. I’ve heard that the series was wonderful, amazing, and all this other good stuff. I haven’t gotten to it yet because there’s just WAY too many other books I’m trying to get to, but still…do you think I should read this series at all? Is it worth it? I hope so, but still…
I haven’t read this book series yet because I want to have all the books together before I start so I don’t have to deal with cliff hangers.