puella_ignotum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theofficailpotterhead's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was the book that got me into reading I found in my public library thought the cover was pretty and started reading it! After reading all 3 books it felt like this was a perfect book for me! This book is at a great pace and have great characters! I can honestly say one of the best I have read! This was also one of the first book that have gotten me so emotionally attached that I found not stop reading! Would recommend!
alittleillumination's review against another edition
1.0
The concept of this series reads like a quasi-scary dream the author had one night after binging on too much crappy TV and fritos. The main character is utterly colorless, as is her boyfriend, who's only memorable characteristic is his lip ring (or eyebrow ring, I can't seem to remember, it's pointless anyways). The other male character, the villain and sometimes love interest, is nonredeemable, despite the authors's attempts to make him redeemable.
In total, I was excited for this book because of the possibilities, but it completely let me down. Flat, two-dimensional characters can't be saved by a fantastical, holes-ridden plot, no matter how hard you try.
In total, I was excited for this book because of the possibilities, but it completely let me down. Flat, two-dimensional characters can't be saved by a fantastical, holes-ridden plot, no matter how hard you try.
valeriew's review against another edition
5.0
I really don't know why but I love this series! I love Cole. I know I shouldn't and seriously its so messed up how it ended! I can NOT believe he is that way. I'm probably holding onto an unrealistic hope but I hope things change.
roseice's review against another edition
1.0
Did I... read a different book than everyone else did? Or everyone who wanted to review, anyway? This book did nothing for me. I found it heavily cliched with superbly boring characters and wooden writing. Really, everything else aside, the main thing that bothered me was the writing. It was perfectly vanilla, nothing stood out, and I rolled my eyes at the word choice in narrative and dialogue at a constant rate. Ashton took the lazy route with almost every instance of description. Here's a winner: "He smelled like Jack, and I breathed in deeply" … oh… really. Thanks for that sensory stimulation, there. I couldn't feel anything from Nikki's as-basic-as-possible narrative, and I'll be honest, it irritated me. YA doesn't get a free pass to be lazy simply because it's YA, come now. Why do some many authors feel no inclination to edit and rewrite their stuff? Because it'll be popular anyway, as these glowing reviews prove. Because publishers want the next book asap. Hard work and pouring yourself into a book just isn't feasible.
(sigh) But Everbound was just deliberately bad. It felt deliberate. I read the first book in 2012, and there must have been a reason why I decided I'd read the next one, but I certainly can't recall it. Dialogue and narrative aside, Nikki drove me nuts as a character; she was a cardboard cut-out. I didn't think her drive to save Jack was noble and heroic; rather it appeared to me selfish and annoyingly irresponsible. I like my heroines with brains, and unfortunately you don't get much of that in YA. Her resolve at the end of the novel had me rolling my eyes again; of course she will accomplish her goal, since this is fiction, but I won't have the patience to see her reach it. With the power of love and vengeance, probably (this book is so cheesy). She vows to blow up a world, cripes, she's so hardcore, right. In theory, that is awesome. In this execution and poorly done characterisation… I'm just not buying it. What others may view as strength in Nikki's character, I just view as silliness, and it bugged me.
(sigh) But Everbound was just deliberately bad. It felt deliberate. I read the first book in 2012, and there must have been a reason why I decided I'd read the next one, but I certainly can't recall it. Dialogue and narrative aside, Nikki drove me nuts as a character; she was a cardboard cut-out. I didn't think her drive to save Jack was noble and heroic; rather it appeared to me selfish and annoyingly irresponsible. I like my heroines with brains, and unfortunately you don't get much of that in YA. Her resolve at the end of the novel had me rolling my eyes again; of course she will accomplish her goal, since this is fiction, but I won't have the patience to see her reach it. With the power of love and vengeance, probably (this book is so cheesy). She vows to blow up a world, cripes, she's so hardcore, right. In theory, that is awesome. In this execution and poorly done characterisation… I'm just not buying it. What others may view as strength in Nikki's character, I just view as silliness, and it bugged me.
afro8921's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this first book in this series. The second one-not so much. I feel like the main character can be a little bit gullible at times. I will probably read the final book. I'm hoping that she turns into a girl who kicks butt and takes number.
datoismyname's review against another edition
2.0
Read the first two chapters and the last two chapters.
novelheartbeat's review against another edition
5.0
Make no mistake, I was Team Jack 100% in Everneath. No, I didn’t read Neverfall, and I didn’t care to. I really don’t think it could have made me like Cole because I seriously couldn’t stand him in the first book. Everbound is very full of Cole. I can’t say he’s the main focus, because everything that Nikki does, she does for Jack. But still. There was far too much of him for my tastes, and I certainly didn’t want to find any reason to sympathize with him.
Yet, I did. I actually started to like Cole (horrible thing, ’tis). And after one very sexy (very, very sexy…) scene between Cole and Nikki, my resolve as a Team Jack member wavered. Just a teensy, tiny bit.
Spoiler
Trust me, it’s firmly back in place now. Forgive me, Jack!With everything we’d been through down here, it was hard to remember that for so long Cole had been my adversary.
Cole was screwed up, that’s for sure. But I kind of felt sorry for him. He did seem to truly care for Nikki, and after seeing her through his eyes I realized it was indeed true. And because Nik started warming up to him, I did too. She started to see him as reliable, trustworthy, a friend even. So I did too.
Spoiler
WORST. MISTAKE. EVER. I should have known. In fact, I had fair warning that I was going to hate Cole at the end, because many people told me so. So, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. (Kinda wish that hadn’t been spoiled, would have totally broadsided me!) And drop it did….a doozy of a drop! HOW COULD YOU, COLE?! *screeches* I TRUSTED YOOOOUUUUU. Obviously Nikki is never going to love you, especially after that. ARGH!Still Team Jack. I looooved the Jack memories! I wanted more Jack so freaking bad, but those were enough to satisfy (for the moment, at least).
The world building was fabulous! The rings of the Everneath and the different Commons were fascinating and terrifying. (The hand tunnels! *cringe*) There was plenty of danger and action awaiting Nikki on her journey to bring Jack back. Her love for him really was the driving point of this book; she goes through so much and risks herself just for a chance to have him again. The power of her love was astounding.
THE ENDING. While reading the end I felt a dawning horror, and after it was over was left to curl into a ball in the corner and cry dwell on it. *sigh*
Favorite quotes:
“You’re going to love this story. It has everything. Intrigue. Tension.”
“Romance,” Max interjected. Cole rolled his eyes.
“We spent a lot of days in that room.”
“Is that a euphemism?”
He raised an eyebrow. “If by ‘euphemism’ you mean we spent hours and hours researching the origins of ancient coins, then yes, it’s a euphemism.”
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Plot: 5/5
Writing style: 4.5/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World-building: 4.5/5
Pace: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
radiansreads's review against another edition
5.0
If I thought Everneath was awesome, then Everbound is a masterpiece. I love every single scene and each time I'd always be torn with my emotions and Nikki. Her thoughts and emotions were so vividly told in a way that just pulls you in and clings until the very end.
And then there's Cole, the very guy I know I should despise but damn him and his past and wicked charm. I'd always been torn between him and Jack since Everneath but this? I'm a goner. He's just so mysterious and so full of surprises -- that I still can't and won't believe.
If I thought I knew the Greek myth thoroughly then I am so, so wrong. The author just seem to have a way of making her story more solid and believable that corroborates with many of the Greek myth. Plus I love her writing dtyle and the occasional humour.
I also can't help but feel suspicious over the three of them now. The ending wasn't exactly a cliffhanger but it does make one wonder what the author has in store for the next installment in the series.
And then there's Cole, the very guy I know I should despise but damn him and his past and wicked charm. I'd always been torn between him and Jack since Everneath but this? I'm a goner. He's just so mysterious and so full of surprises -- that I still can't and won't believe.
If I thought I knew the Greek myth thoroughly then I am so, so wrong. The author just seem to have a way of making her story more solid and believable that corroborates with many of the Greek myth. Plus I love her writing dtyle and the occasional humour.
I also can't help but feel suspicious over the three of them now. The ending wasn't exactly a cliffhanger but it does make one wonder what the author has in store for the next installment in the series.
dani_bugz's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just.. Wow.
The first half was slowish but it sure ramped up by the end. And that ending... Wow.
The first half was slowish but it sure ramped up by the end. And that ending... Wow.