aurelyah's review against another edition
2.0
Man. I wanted to love this. There were so many places for the story to go. Really fascinating world-building and interesting, if predictable, characters. But nothing could have prepared me for the tremendous failing that is the end of this book. I don't want to give anything away, but seriously, WTF. Normally, I'd need to finish the series, but this one is a no for me. Two stars may even be generous.
Narration of the story was good, but unfortunately, the story was not.
Spoiler
Does she have the ability to stop time or not? She just stood there and let people be murdered, then seized?Narration of the story was good, but unfortunately, the story was not.
readingundertheradar's review against another edition
3.0
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a fantasy, so I do feel a bit out of my element. I think this story could have benefitted from being longer—many times the action was good but the world felt extremely lacking and underdeveloped. I wanted much more backstory for many of the characters a and the specifics of how the blood time worked because that was so interesting. Action was good, just felt rushed and not fully flushed out.
taygivs's review against another edition
3.0
UPDATED: Upon a second reading I've finally nailed down my complicated feeling towards this book. I actually LOVE the premise. How novel is the idea that one's life can be measured by blood? And that blood can be bought and sold for time? TOTALLY in my wheelhouse. My problem? Never have I ever hated a character as much as I hate Jules. Not just in a "this character has flaws and is unlikable" kind of way but in a "this character doesn't seem very well flushed out" kind of way. I, for one, rather enjoy an unlikeable narrator but I found Jules insufferable. I don't think i've ever rolled my eyes so much. She's just...not smart and it bothered me. I've read this twice now and if someone were to quiz me on it 6 months from now I'd probably fail. So unremarkable but still compulsively readable? I'm knocking half of a star from my original rating but still about 2.5-3 stars. I'm so in love with Liam (for no reason at all b/c he is NOT a well developed character) and I'm willing to suffer through the sequel for more of him.
3.5 I really liked this and even though some moments were predictable, I still found myself pleasantly surprised throughout. In the world of endless YA fantasy with smart and strong female protagonists, I was disappointed with the MC of Everless. There were many times when I shouted "stupid girl! pay attention!". Still. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
3.5 I really liked this and even though some moments were predictable, I still found myself pleasantly surprised throughout. In the world of endless YA fantasy with smart and strong female protagonists, I was disappointed with the MC of Everless. There were many times when I shouted "stupid girl! pay attention!". Still. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
bienz's review against another edition
4.0
*3.5
I liked this book! The plot was a lil predictable and the characters weren’t ~fantastic~ but I enjoyed the writing style, world and the ending!!
I liked this book! The plot was a lil predictable and the characters weren’t ~fantastic~ but I enjoyed the writing style, world and the ending!!
awenya's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I almost DNF'd this book because the beginning was so slow. I will not read the rest of the series (assuming there is a rest of the series given how this book ended). The idea of turning blood into time currency was talked about so much and just never really made sense. This book just wasn't for me.
juliwi's review against another edition
4.0
I have been a Fantasy fan all of my life. There is something about Fantasy that makes it the perfect genre for confronting modern-day concerns as well as allowing for some beautiful world-building and escapism. It is a genre I love and I have partly been spoiled by genius fairy tales and genre icons like The Lord of the Rings, to the point where I am now often quite hesitant to pick up YA Fantasy books in the fear of being disappointed. However, Everless' blurb and beautiful cover convinced me to throw my fear in the wind and jump right in. Thanks to Hachette Children's Group and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
At the heart of Everless lies Jules' stay at the eponymous estate in her hope to find answers to some burning questions. I liked Jules' dedication to saving her father and to finding answers, even as the questions she asks change as the situation around her changes. That is what I loved about Everless: it starts out straightforward and then grows into something much more complex. Initially, Jules just wants to earn money so her father can stay alive. By the end of the novel Jules finds herself at the centre of web that has become incredibly intricate. Holland manages to complicate her novel without making the reading of it complicated. She adds twists and turns, managing to subvert some of the genre's conventions as she goes, but never does Everless lose track of who Jules was at the beginning. I think that why it is so easy for the reader to get sucked in by Everless and I know that I personally can't wait for the next book in the series to come out! Is it 2019 yet?
I really liked Sara Holland's writing in Everless. She doesn't linger on grandiose descriptions or dramatised conversations but rather lets the needs of the plot drive the novel forward. On the one hand this means that some events seem to happen very quickly, but on the other hand this means there is no chance to get bored. Although here and there I would have maybe appreciated some extra time to get to know some new characters or feel the consequences of certain events, I also liked the drive forward. Everless also has some stunning visuals and moments which really stick in your mind. Holland has a knack for adding in little details and little descriptions here or there that deftly support her world-building and characterisations and make the novel feel more realistic. That may seem like a strange thing to ask for when it comes to Fantasy, but actually Fantasy novels live or die by how real they are. If you can't imagine this world, then how can you believe in it enough to want to read about it? Everless felt real in a Magical Realism way, almost, where something ordinary like paying rent is elevated to something different, where a young girl's made up childhood stories are maybe something completely different. It is this balance between the fantastical and the real that will make you want to keep reading Everless.
I raced through Everless and am consequently heartbroken that the next book isn't coming out for another year, apparently. Although engaging in some of its genre's tropes, Everless and Sara Holland will consistently surprise you. I'd recommend this to fans of YA Fantasy ready to trust again!
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.hk/2018/01/review-everless-by-sara-holland.html
At the heart of Everless lies Jules' stay at the eponymous estate in her hope to find answers to some burning questions. I liked Jules' dedication to saving her father and to finding answers, even as the questions she asks change as the situation around her changes. That is what I loved about Everless: it starts out straightforward and then grows into something much more complex. Initially, Jules just wants to earn money so her father can stay alive. By the end of the novel Jules finds herself at the centre of web that has become incredibly intricate. Holland manages to complicate her novel without making the reading of it complicated. She adds twists and turns, managing to subvert some of the genre's conventions as she goes, but never does Everless lose track of who Jules was at the beginning. I think that why it is so easy for the reader to get sucked in by Everless and I know that I personally can't wait for the next book in the series to come out! Is it 2019 yet?
I really liked Sara Holland's writing in Everless. She doesn't linger on grandiose descriptions or dramatised conversations but rather lets the needs of the plot drive the novel forward. On the one hand this means that some events seem to happen very quickly, but on the other hand this means there is no chance to get bored. Although here and there I would have maybe appreciated some extra time to get to know some new characters or feel the consequences of certain events, I also liked the drive forward. Everless also has some stunning visuals and moments which really stick in your mind. Holland has a knack for adding in little details and little descriptions here or there that deftly support her world-building and characterisations and make the novel feel more realistic. That may seem like a strange thing to ask for when it comes to Fantasy, but actually Fantasy novels live or die by how real they are. If you can't imagine this world, then how can you believe in it enough to want to read about it? Everless felt real in a Magical Realism way, almost, where something ordinary like paying rent is elevated to something different, where a young girl's made up childhood stories are maybe something completely different. It is this balance between the fantastical and the real that will make you want to keep reading Everless.
I raced through Everless and am consequently heartbroken that the next book isn't coming out for another year, apparently. Although engaging in some of its genre's tropes, Everless and Sara Holland will consistently surprise you. I'd recommend this to fans of YA Fantasy ready to trust again!
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.hk/2018/01/review-everless-by-sara-holland.html
marlydawn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
drowningfaithh's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Everless is a solid book—the storyline was great, even if it was predictable (well, for me, anyway) but I didn’t connect with it as much as I would have liked. The world was interesting, given the concept of time as currency, and basically your whole life. But the characters? There wasn’t a single one that wanted to keep me reading! Jules was meh, Roan was annoying af like he slept around and is undeserving of any affection, Liam just seems broody with his mysterious I’m-not-who-you-think-I-am aura and, Ina seems alright, I guess. None of them really kept me going, which sucks because I love character-driven stories.
But I do have to commend Sara Holland though for the minimal romance. I appreciate it; it’s a breath of fresh air as opposed to most YA books centering heavily on romance. I liked how it was only an undertone in the books. And that end !!!! I love angst.
Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series. It’s certainly interesting—the world, the story, the direction it’s going—but characters are pretty much a deal-breaker for me. Plus, it all felt like the same YA story all over again. Like something I would forget in a matter of a few days (or hours…). If ever, I’d have to drag myself to read the sequel and I’d hate to treat reading as a chore.
Everless is a solid book—the storyline was great, even if it was predictable (well, for me, anyway) but I didn’t connect with it as much as I would have liked. The world was interesting, given the concept of time as currency, and basically your whole life. But the characters? There wasn’t a single one that wanted to keep me reading! Jules was meh, Roan was annoying af like he slept around and is undeserving of any affection, Liam just seems broody with his mysterious I’m-not-who-you-think-I-am aura and, Ina seems alright, I guess. None of them really kept me going, which sucks because I love character-driven stories.
But I do have to commend Sara Holland though for the minimal romance. I appreciate it; it’s a breath of fresh air as opposed to most YA books centering heavily on romance. I liked how it was only an undertone in the books. And that end !!!! I love angst.
Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series. It’s certainly interesting—the world, the story, the direction it’s going—but characters are pretty much a deal-breaker for me. Plus, it all felt like the same YA story all over again. Like something I would forget in a matter of a few days (or hours…). If ever, I’d have to drag myself to read the sequel and I’d hate to treat reading as a chore.
frannietruss's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed it. I felt like it was somewhat similar to Red Queen in the beginning though. It had a good twist at the end that wasn’t too predictable and I’m looking forward to reading the second book.
laphenix's review against another edition
4.0
Much less shallow than other books of its ilk, love the story, I love the characters, I can't wait for the next one.