Everbound
by Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #2
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Format Acquired: Hardbound
Source: Gifted from Precious of Fragments of Life
Published Janurary 22nd 2013 by Balzer + Bray
Purchase Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Book Depository
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 REVIEW
"Stay with me, Becks. Dream of me. I am ever yours."
OMG! I've waited so long for this sequel and it's finally in my hands!!! *squeals* Even though this stayed on my shelf for a month or so. Lol. I know this was published about a year ago, but since my Everneath copy is paperback, I've waited for the paperback release of this book! But when I learned about the Pinoy Book Tours Christmas Party, this book topped my wishlist! Thanks to Precious of Fragments of Life for the copy! I got a hardbound, but I'll still be buying a paperback! :D
Jack took Nikki's place in the Tunnels of Everneath. That was a big sacrifice and I can tell how sad and guilty Nikki is for what he'd done. So she did everything she can to go after him at the Tunnels, even if it means asking help from the guy she hated the most -- Cole. Plus, time is running out and Jack's mom blames her for her son's disappearance. Good thing is, Will, Jack's brother, believes she's innocent. Well, since he knew everything about the Everneath and Jack's sacrifice for Nikki.
The only thing keeping Jack alive is Nikki. She has to hold onto him every night when he visits her in her dreams. She need to make him remember and give him glimpses of their memories together. It's just sad that even though they wanted to hold each other, they can't. It hurts so much, knowing you can see the one you love, talk to to him, but you can't touch him. And if ever Nikki gave up, she'll lose Jack forever.
"How am I supposed to do this, Jack?"
"Do what?"
"Live this borrowed life. Without you. Knowing that you're there because of me."
At the first chapters, you will see that Cole has been missing for months and not much was explained about this so I suggest you read Neverfall, an Everneath novella which happened right after Everneath. It's in Cole's POV so you'll understand better his feelings for Nikki and why he's doing all these things. (When I read Neverfall, I loved Cole even more. *winks*) Anyway, Cole somehow showed himself to Nikki unexpectedly. Nikki wanted to shove him away but then she realized that Cole is her only key to go to the land of the Everlivings so she had no choice but to talk to him. As usual, Cole tried his best to convince Nikki to come with him and reign at the Everneath.
"You showed me that relationships are worth sacrifices. I used to think they were fleeting, but I know better now. . .You made me a better person. I mean, a better immortal."
At some point, Nikki was able to convince Cole to accompany her to Everneath. To be honest, I find it a little bit icky on how to go to the Everneath. Damn, you have to swallow a strand of hair or a piece of an Everliving's fingernail! It's odd, but it's not a common way to travel to a different world. Usually you're gonna needa gem or something to do so, so I'm quite amazed how the author was able to put that up. Also, a lot more of Everneath was unveiled in this book. I saw a wider view of this world and I am amazed by how Ashton described every corner of it. There's even a map of Everneath at the first page of the book! Go grab your copy if you want to see and navigate the land of the Everlivings!
Yes, the sole purpose why Nikki took the risk of returning to Everneath is Jack, but in this book, Cole is the main guy. Seems like Jack can only pull it off at the Surface. But Cole? He can on both! Well, there was a short time where I was confused whether I'm Team Jack or Team Cole. Jack's words were just...so sweet. It's part of Nikki's flashbacks, though.
With his head still down, he said, "I waited for you."
"But it's a race. Why did you wait for me?"
He lifted his head so that his eyes met mine. "I always wait for you. . .I'm always waiting for you."
There's nothing bad I could say about Jack. There's nothing wring with him and I can say that his feelings for Nikki were true and sincere. Only a guy with a sincere heart would sacrifice himself like that. But I'm still Team Cole! I admit I have the "Second Guy Syndrome." LOL. And the following words made me swoon all over Cole. I believe his feelings for Nikki were real. I believe he's not using her for his own profit. I... I just believe that he's good deep inside.
Cole and I turned toward the water. "Ready?" I asked.
"We have no idea what we're jumping into."
"I know. But I don't have anything to lose."
"I do!. . .You have to know. . .If I lost you. . .Why can't you see that would be the end of me?"
And I loved that there's more action here. More story, and more twists! I really enjoyed the part where Cole and Nikki, together with Max and Ashe traveled on their quest save Jack from the Tunnels. Nikki's character improved so much. She's sad and in deep grief but she doesn't let her feelings get in her way to save Jack. Instead, those negative feelings gave her positive vibes and determination to save him. She's braver and smarter.
I can clearly picture out everything! The water, wind, and fire obstacles in the Everneath were Ashton's writing is so good and never fail to amaze my imagination. Plus, the ending! I didn't never saw that coming! I think that's the main twist in this story. And those words she said, so badass! I can't wait to see how she'll put those words into action!
“You know the Everneath?"
"Uh, yeah, I think I'm familiar with it."
"Good. Because I'm going to destroy it. I'm taking the whole. Damn. Thing. Down. Are you with me?
"Always. Forever.”
Gaaaaaah! I love this book so much and I can't wait to read Evertrue! Thanks to HarperCollins International for sending me an ARC of Evertrue!
MY RATING
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brodi Ashton
Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I'm at the computer all the time.
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
Author Links:
“I trusted you,” my voice shaky with anger and exhaustion.
“I know,” Cole said simply. “And now I have all of eternity to earn your forgiveness.”
