{Book Review} Everbound (Everneath #2)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Genre: YA Greek and Egyptian mythology, paranormal
Published: January 22nd 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 368
Source: Purchased Hardback
Available at: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary:

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

My Rating of this Book – 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Everbound was amazing! I found certain elements were much better than in the first novel. Unfortunately, there are still a few things about the story that bugged me; even little details like the whole being literally ‘kicked out’ of the Everneath thing – I mean, really? I found that ridiculous.

Now, the mixing of Greek and Egyptian mythologies was done a little better in Everbound than in Everneath. I appreciate that actual myths were used to explain elements of the Everneath rather than completely twisting them to fit the story. Yet, I still didn’t like it. I wasn’t impressed with the Everneath world itself. I guess because I was expecting something a little more like Dante’s Inferno, a world with layers, reaching deep into the core of the Earth. I’ll admit, the maze concept interesting, though, and the challenges were definitely enticing and thrilling. They were what kept me glued to the edge of my seat.

Of course, it was the characters that were really the heart of the story. Jack, Nikki, Cole… They were impressive! Well, Nikki and Cole were. Jack, who I loved in the first novel, wasn’t really a part of Everbound except for being featured in several memories, some of which actually seemed redundant. I think some of them might have even been a few flashbacks from Everneath. They seemed familiar.

I was definitely more impressed with Nikki in this novel. I could relate to her more, understand her motives. I just couldn’t understand some of her actions, like the scene at the Lake of Blood and Guilt. She left me stunned when she dived in, asking the question, “Why?” “Why would she just jump in?” I didn’t get a clear picture what was happening or even what her inner thoughts were telling her.

As for Mr. Hot Totty Cole – I was so totally team Jack at the end of Everneath until Cole stole my heart in Everbound. I mean seriously stole my heart! I fell so hard for the bad boy in this novel, despite everything he put Nikki through. Most of the time, I was sitting on the fence, unsure who to root for. I still love Jack, but Cole completely took my breath away.

Word of caution, however… careful who you give your heart to. There is a wicked twist to this novel, and I can tell you, its heart wrenching! I can’t wait to see what happens in the third novel.