Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #1
Genre: Mythological Fantasy Romance (YA)
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Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned–to her old life, her family, her friends–before being banished back to the underworld … this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back–this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s …

When I first finished reading Everneath, I told Brodi that I wished I could’ve posted my full review then because I’d sing her high praises because I loved the book so much. But, I wanted to wait closer to release day.

I loved Everneath so much that it has earned a spot on my Favorites shelf. It was interesting, intriguing, sad, happy, moving, every emotion imaginable. Interspersed with the story of Persephone and Hades and Brodi’s own ideas and take on those events, I felt as if I was there, living what the characters lived.

I was anxious the entire time I read the book. It wasn’t a bad anxious. It’s just that I was hooked from the very beginning, so I wanted to know what was going to happen to Nikki. There was no way I could possibly understand what Nikki was going through, but I could feel her pain. I was invested in her character and I wanted her to feel happy again.

I really liked Nikki. Even though she came back to the Surface drained of all her emotions, I thought she still came across as strong. Although she was sad and wished she hadn’t gone to the Everneath, she owned her part in it. She didn’t blame her family or friends, even though other teenagers in her stead probably would’ve. That made her a very likeable protagonist.

“I let you go once and you disappeared on me. Without a word. I’m not asking it to be the same as it was, but I just want to know you again. Please. Can I know you again?” Jack

I absolutely loved Jack, Nikki’s boyfriend before she went to the Everneath. I don’t know exactly what to say about him other than that he’s a strong, selfless, and unconditionally loving character. I loved how loyal he was to Nikki and that he’d go to any lengths imaginable to help her. Any girl would be lucky to have him as a boyfriend, if only he were real.

As I’ve said in the past, I normally hate love triangles so much that I despise the third wheel. And, when I say despise, I mean I literally want that character wiped from the story. But, even with these feelings about love triangles, I wanted to hate Cole, but I couldn’t. I also wanted to love him, but I couldn’t. I had a very strong love/hate relationship with him. I think there’s much more to him than meets the eye, even knowing from the beginning that he’s an Everliving–the immortals that feed on the emotions of humans. I’m excited to see how his character progresses and falls into the rest of the series. And, I’m super excited to see how my feelings for him will change or maybe even remain the same–confused and intrigued by him.

I love how the book ended and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one because there’s so much potential to this story.

Personal Note

I was surprised to find out that I was mentioned in the Acknowledgements. I was also very moved.

Hugs all around for friends who have helped me through the madness of trying to get a book published, either by reading early drafts or providing emotional support and chocolate: … Jenni Elyse.

Thanks, Brodi! Any time I can help lift up your spirits, you can count on me.