Book Review: Everbound (Everneath #2)

Title: Everbound (Everneath #2)
Author: Brodi Ashton
Genre/s: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology Retelling
Released Date: January 22, 2013
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Synopsis:

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 Thoughts: 

Nikki’s love for Jack will be put to a perilous test as she overcomes the elemental rings of Everneath, to save him in the Tunnels. Everbound is a fast-paced and emotional read that will show us how love can conquer all.

Jack sustained Nikki’s life while she was in the Tunnels of Everneath. Now, it’s Nikki’s turn to pay him back. But Nikki doesn’t think dreaming about him every night is enough; she wants to bring him back to the surface. In order for her to do that, she has to set aside her anger and ask for the help of the person who brought this entire problem to them in the first place, Cole. At first he was unwilling to help because he can’t see how it would benefit him but eventually, he give in. The mission to save Jack is all set; Nikki will go with Cole, Max and Ashe in Everneath and pass the elemental rings that surround the Tunnel then find Jack and save him. Sounds easy, right? NOT. Struggles and hindrances were part of their journey and they were not easy to overcome. Will they succeed in this mission or will they come back, empty-handed? Find out.

Everbound has surpassed Everneath in so many levels. It has great character development, hilarious dialogues, amazing world-building, high-stakes adventure and shocking twist. It has everything you would want in a good sequel. Nikki’s journey to the Everneath reminds me of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice which is one of my favorite Greek stories. I have to be honest, though, the beginning was a bit slow but as soon as the adventure in the Everneath began, I forgot about it and enjoyed the excitement.

Nikki embodied determination in every page of this book. I love all the scenes where she shares a memory about Jack. It just showed how strong their bond was, even when they were just friends at the time. Some of the memories were funny; some were swoon-worthy and one memory was…well…let’s just say Jack was a jerk in that one.

And every time Nikki talks about Jack, Cole was patiently listening, along with Max, and silently hurting. It’s a fact that I don’t like him in the beginning and reading Neverfall didn’t change what I feel about him but that doesn’t mean, I didn’t feel sorry for him. I do, especially now that I know he really likes Nikki and he’s not just using her for his personal gain. There was a part here where Cole has to share his memory, too and I was enlightened about what he was before he became the Everliving he was today. I was, actually, slowly warming up to him until he decided to be sneaky and blew it off at the ending.

Overall, Everbound was a joy to read and I will definitely recommend this to everyone especially Greek myth fans.

My Rating