Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Published by Balzer & Bray -January 24th 2012

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

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.

My Thoughts:

I love reading mythology. I find the elements of a traditional myth fascinating and I'm often drawn to books that include aspects of mythology when choosing a book to read.  I found Brodi Ashton's original take on several stories from Greek and Egyptian Mythology compelling and Everneath was an enjoyable as well as addictive read from cover to cover.

Let's talk Cole. I know that he is the "villian" in this tale. He wants to drag Nikki back with him, but I don't know if I've ever read about a "hotter" more "charismatic" villian before. I would have had an incredibly hard time refusing the attention of this guy even if it meant losing my heart.
Let's talk Jack. Sweet, sensitive, protective and completely in love with Nikki, I think I might have just found my new book "boyfriend".

The author proves herself to be a skilled storyteller as time weaves back and forth and we uncover more of Nikki's past and present. The twists and turns in the book make it unpredictable and I found the fact that I was kept guessing throughout the book, refreshing. I'm looking forward to the next book (and more Cole and Jack) :) Recommended.

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Published by Simon Pulse August 30 2011

352 Pages

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher

Summary

The first book in a paranormal teen trilogy featuring three beautiful, mysterious girls

wreaking havoc on a small New England town.

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....
It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...
Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.
Em and Chase have been chosen.

  Aside from the gorgeous cover, it was the stories of Em and Chase that drew me in. I loved the paced unfolding of their stories and the build up to the end. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This was an introduction to the mythology of "The Furies" for me. I had never heard of them before, but as soon as I finished reading, I was online learning about them. Imagine having made a horrible mistake, knowing what you've done was wrong and yet having to pay a terrible price. "Eye for an Eye" is what came to mind.
   It can be difficult to relate to characters like Emily and Chase because their actions are unlikeable but that's exactly why I liked them. They were flawed and I related to them better because of it.
   We all make mistakes (some bigger than others). Em & Chase made a couple of huge ones and in the process hurt those around them. I certainly have been burned by others too, and though a part of me would love to see "what goes around come around" come true, there's a larger part of me that realizes that in the long run that doesn't fix or make anything feel better. Thank goodness the Furies are fiction though or I think we'd all be in a heap of trouble. Great Paranormal read from this Debut Author-I'm looking forward to the next. Recommended.
   
I was fortunate to be able to ask the author a few questions:


My Q&A with Elizabeth Miles

     1.    What inspired you to write about the Furies?

I always had an interest in YA literature - that, combined with a longstanding fascination with mythology and folklore, a love-hate relationship with the horror genre, and my personal interest in the questions of mistakes and forgiveness, led to the Fury series.

2.    Is there anything you believe someone could do that would be unforgivable? What does forgiveness mean to you?

What great questions. Hurting the people I love is a pretty non-negotiable in terms of things I won't forgive. As for what forgiveness means... It means really absolving or feeling absolved of feelings of guilt. If those feelings linger, true forgiveness hasn't been achieved.

3.    There is something special about attending an author's event and getting a book signed. If you could go to any author event who would it be and why? What's a question you would ask them?

I would love to meet Stephen King (a fellow Mainer) in person! I would ask him the classic question - Where do you get all your ideas!?! How do you maintain such high levels of productivity!?!

4.    Which character did you relate to most while writing?

While writing Fury, I really connected with Em. For better or for worse, I understand the pull of doing something that you know is wrong because it feels so good

5.    How did you celebrate when you found out your book was going to be published? What's the most exciting thing that has happened since?

I definitely drank some champagne! The past year has brought such a series of amazing developments that it's hard to choose one highlight. But meeting 60 YA bloggers at a Simon and Schuster event during BEA was definitely one of the most fulfilling moments

6.    Anything you'd like your readers to know? Upcoming events? Are you doing a Book tour in Canada?

 I'll be updating my blog (elizabethmilesbooks.com) with news about my upcoming appearances. I REALLY hope to get to Canada!!

I am so thrilled that  I am a part of this blog tour!

The "Playlist" for Fury:

1) "Cabaret" -- Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
2) "Slow Vein" -- Cult Maze
3) "Disturbia" -- Rihanna
4) "Walking With a Ghost" -- Tegan and Sara
5) "Crane Your Neck" -- Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
6) "The Suburbs" -- Arcade Fire
7) "I'm With You" -- Avril Lavigne
8) "Next Girl" -- The Black Keys
9) "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" -- Taylor Swift
10) "After the Storm" -- Mumford and Sons
11) "What Goes Around Comes Around" -- Justin Timberlake

You can find out more about Elizabeth and Fury here - http://www.elizabethmilesbooks.com/ http://www.furybooks.com/

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Published April 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Reviewed from library copy

Summary

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

    I think we may be seeing a growing trend of "mythology" in ya in the next year or so. The last 4 books I've read have had this common thread, and I'm loving it. What's great about Mythology is I find it makes me want to know more, I've taken out books on the subject recently just because I've enjoyed reading about them so much.
   The Goddess Test is a quick read. I couldn't put it down and I connected with Kate right away. Maybe because I understood how she was feeling and could relate to her desperation to save her mother. I was surprised at how quickly we learned that Henry was Hades. There wasn't a lot of build up to this, just a chapter or so, and I actually felt there could have been more to the story leading up to it, I felt like a few parts were skipped over.
   I did like how the relationship between Henry and Kate grew over time, and developed from friendship. All in all, it was a great page turner and I'll definitely be reading the next one.