Everneath Book Review

Author: Brodi Ashton. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Balzer + Bray. ISBN: 9780062071132.

Annotation: Nikki Beckett has spent the last hundred years in the Everneath: the dimension between Earth and Hell where the Everliving feed off the energy of those from the surface. As a Forfeit, Nikki’s energy went to her Everliving host, Cole, who convinced her that allowing him to feed off of her would ease the pain from her mother’s death. What Cole didn’t know, however, is that Nikki’s memory of her loving boyfriend, Jack, would make her a Forfeit unlike any other.  

Personal thoughts: The concept of the protagonist in a young adult novel travelling, literally, to Hell and back is nothing new. I was very impressed, however, with how Brodi Ashton made the concept fresh and interesting in Everneath. The Persephone myth has always intrigued me, and I really liked the modern adaptation in this novel. I also thought that Nikki was a really interesting character with a surprising amount of depth. I found myself actually caring what happened to her and wondering how she was going to decide what to do with the little time she had left on the surface. I’m really looking forward to the sequel, as well as whatever Brodi Ashton comes up with next!

Plot summary: Nikki Beckett has spent the last hundred years in the Everneath: the dimension between Earth and Hell where the Everliving feed off the energy of those from the surface. Having agreed to allow Cole, a handsome and charismatic musician and one of the Everliving, to take her to the Everneath, Nikki became a Forfeit: someone not expected to survive the mental trauma of a Feed who eventually will serve as a source of energy for the entire Everneath. After the Feed is complete, Nikki is allowed to return to the surface, but only for six months until the Everneath returns to claim her for a life of torture and entrapment. On the surface, only six months have passed, but Nikki has lived for much longer than her sixteen years trapped in the Everneath where time moves at a different pace. Nikki has trouble remembering things about her life before the Feed, but the one thing she does remember is Jack: the loving boyfriend who helped her get through her mother’s tragic death in a car accident. While she was in the Everneath, everyone, including Jack, her father, brother and her best friend, Jules, assumed that Nikki had run away, unable to face the pain of losing her mother. Now that she has returned, Nikki wants to use the short time she has left to say her final goodbyes to her family and friends. One problem stands in the way of Nikki’s plan, however: Cole. It appears that Cole has his own plan for his Forfeit, something that would make Nikki a queen in the Everneath but would cost her soul. Will Nikki choose to join Cole, losing all hope of redemption for a chance to live forever? Or is there another way for Nikki to escape her fate in the Everneath, one that involves the love for Jack that kept her going for a century?

Review: A modern day re-telling of the classic Persephone myth, this novel from debut author Brodi Ashton makes for a riveting and romantic start to a new series for teens. The subject of Greek mythology and myths in general permeates the story, but in a way far less ostentatiously than other mythical adaptations for young adults. Upon her return from the Everneath, Nikki examines myths and the heroes they contain, something that is likely to spark a least a mild interest in teen readers to research the subject further. The author has done a good job of weaving modern elements in with the mythological aspects, turning the “Hades” character into a handsome, iPhone carrying bad boy and making Nikki, the Persephone of the book, grapple with typical high school situations like bullying and feeling like she doesn’t fit in. The plot also takes a few twists and turns that make for some unexpected surprises and maintain the reader’s interest. The novel ends with a very effective cliffhanger as well, and teens are likely to clamber for the sequel, Everbound, which is set to be released December 1, 2012.

Genre:  Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Falling Under by Gwen Hayes, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Misfit by Jon Skovron, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.   

Themes:  Redemption, mythology, Persephone, Hell, afterlife, sacrifice, death, high school relationships, love.    

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from VOYA, positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.  

Series Information: First installment in Everneath series. Second novel, Everbound, set to be released December 1, 2012.

Discussion questions:

-         Why do you think time passes differently in the Everneath?

-       Why do you think that Nikki was able to survive the Feed?

-        Do you think Cole had true feelings for Nikki? Why or why not?

-       Do you think that Nikki’s father was too strict with her after her Return? Why or why not?

-        Why do you think Nikki agreed to go to the Everneath with Cole in the first place? Was it the right choice? Why or why not?

-      Would you have done what Jack did for Nikki?

-        What would you like to see happen in the sequel?

The Mephisto Covenant: The Redemption of Ajax Book Review

 Author: Trinity Faegen. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  EgmontUSA. ISBN: 9781606841709.

Annotation: Seventeen-year-old Sasha Annenkova is shocked to learn that she is Anabo: a daughter of Eve, and a pure spirit who cannot be tempted by sin. After she meets Ajax DeKyanos, a son of Hell, she discovers that her role as an Anabo plays an important part in the fight against Eryx, who seeks to overthrow Lucifer and create Hell on Earth.  

Personal thoughts: Wow. It’s not very often that I really dislike a book, but I’m sorry to say that I really disliked this book. It was just so odd, and I kept waiting for it to improve but it never did. The quasi-dual-narration between Sasha and Jax was odd, the backstory was incredibly convoluted, and the storyline was strangely violent/sexually charged. It was like a novel that was meant for an adult audience, but was watered down (unsuccessfully) to pass as young adult. I would have a whole lot of trouble recommending this book to a teen, especially since there is nothing about the plot that is enjoyable enough to make navigating through all the terrible things that happen to Sasha worthwhile. Sorry!

Plot summary: Seventeen-year-old Sasha Annenkova wants nothing more than to learn the truth behind her father’s murder in Russia years earlier. When a group of students at her Oakland high school tell her of a club called the Ravens, a group that pledges to give up God and serve Eryx in exchange for being granted whatever they want, she jumps at the chance to discover what really happened to her father. At the Ravens meeting she is shocked, however, when they inform her that she is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, pure and un-tempted by sin, with the power to destroy Eryx. The Ravens have lured her to their secret location to kill her, ending the threat she poses to the one they serve, and they almost succeed until she is rescued by Ajax DeKyanos. Ajax, or Jax, informs her that he is Mephisto, a son of the dark angel Mephistopholes, as are his brothers, including the oldest, Eryx. Thousands of years earlier, Jax and his brothers were promised by God that if they found an Anabo and were able to make her love them, they would be redeemed and able to worthy of heaven, fulfilling the Mephisto Covenant. Eryx, however, chose to seek power, and is attempting to recruit souls to help him overthrow Lucifer, creating Hell on Earth. Jax immediately falls in love with Sasha, but, although she is attracted to him, Sasha isn’t sure that she can love a son of Hell. As the threat from Eryx grows, will Jax be able to achieve the redemption he has sought for thousands of years?  

Review: Convoluted, schizophrenic and, at times, just plain silly, this first installment in a new paranormal series of young adults is difficult to recommend to any reader for several reasons. Although there is some interesting concepts in the book (the idea of the Mephisto Covenant, the importance of the daughters of Eve, etc.), so much of the novel is downright strange, making it hard to get through all 434 pages. To begin with, the novel opens with the main character getting stoned. Not stoned in the sense of recreational drugs, but with actual stones being thrown at her in an attempt to quell her Anabo spirit. Readers should be warned from this initial curious incident that they are in for something unsettling, but the novel continues to plow forward into the uncomfortable. Events in the book include but are not limited to attempted rape, physical assault, murder, molestation, torture by hot poker, and an incredibly graphic sex scene for a young adult book. There are also so many references to breasts in the novel, it’s almost laughable. Every chapter seems to mention breasts, something that would be okay if done in the right context, but is so strange in this novel that it becomes funny. Overall, it’s nearly impossible to recommend this book to any teen reader, even those who are die-hard paranormal romance fans. The sequel, The Mephisto Kiss, is set to be released in September 2012. Hopefully it will improve upon the absurdity of the first novel.

Genre: Fiction/Romance

Reading level: Grade 9+

Similar titles: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Misfit by Jon Skovron, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff.  

Themes:  Heaven, Hell, the Bible, sin, betrayal, redemption.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from authors P.C. Cast and Sherrilyn Kenyon.  

Series Information: First book in Mephisto series. Second novel, The Mephisto Kiss, set to be released in September 2012.   

Discussion questions:

-       If you had a chance to join the Ravens and get whatever you wanted, would you? Why or why not?

-      Why do you think Sasha had trouble completely falling for Jax?

-      Why do you think Melanie hated Sasha’s father so much?

-     Would you say that this novel is "Christian fiction"? Why or why not?

-      Did you enjoy this novel? Do you plan to read the sequel? Why or why not?

The Space Between Book Review

Author: Brenna Yovanoff. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Razorbill. ISBN: 9781595143396.

Annotation: Daphne, the daughter of demoness, Lilith, and fallen angel, Lucifer, ventures out of the hot and steely world of Hell to rescue her brother, Obie, Lilith’s child with the biblical Adam, after he goes missing on Earth. To help find her brother, Daphne turns to Truman, the last person she saw Obie with who is also the son of a fallen angel.  

Personal thoughts:  Amongst the swarm of young adult literature, this novel really sticks out as something truly unique. I love the author’s writing style and creativity, especially her clever recreation of Biblical characters in the story. I found her descriptions of Hell fascinating and wish that she would write a companion novel that would feature exactly how Lilith and Lucifer fell in love (what an interesting read that would be!) Overall, The Space Between is something truly different that readers who are okay with the subject matter will happily sink their teeth into. I’m looking forward to picking up Brenna Yovanoff’s next novel!

Plot summary: In the beginning, God made Adam and Lilith, companions who would bring about the beginning of the human race. Adam loved Lilith with all of his heart, but Lilith did not love him back. Before being cast from the Garden of Eden and replaced by Eve, Lilith gave birth to Adam’s son, Obie. Mother and son travelled to Hell where Lilith met Lucifer, a fallen angel, who immediately fell in love with her. Daphne, the daughter of Lilith and Lucifer, now lives with her mother and hundreds of brothers and sisters, the result of Lilith’s affairs with other demons, in the steely city that makes up Hell. Daphne has never been to Earth, but is fascinated by the trinkets that other residents of Hell return with after venturing above to torment and feed-off the human race. Daphne is close with her brother, Obie, who is kind-hearted and spends his time trying to help Lost Ones, the half-human, half-angel children living on Earth. One day, Obie informs Daphne and Lilith that he has fallen in love with a mortal woman and will be leaving Hell forever to live a normal life. Before he goes, Obie helps bring Truman, a Lost One on the brink of death, who’s attempted suicide has brought him to Hell, back to Earth. Months later, Obie suddenly disappears, leaving Daphne and Lilith confused and worried. Daphne decides to venture to the surface, leaving the safety of Hell, to rescue her brother. Seeking the help of Truman, the last person to see Obie, Daphne must face the threat of Azrael, an angel who has made it his mission to destroy all demons who spend too much time on Earth.

Review:  Fascinating, well-written and utterly original, the latest novel from veteran author Brenna Yovanoff is a strangely enjoyable story for readers who are willing to plunge head first into a world filled with demons, fallen angels, betrayal, and redemption. Arguably the strongest part of The Space Between is the author’s description of life in Hell. The first few pages of the novel, which read like pages of the Bible, immediately inform the reader that they are in for something different. One strong word for parents or teachers: this book is not for teens who are offended by demonology, taking liberties with religious history or lore, or who are squeamish about violence, torture and gore. Those who can handle these elements, however, will relish Yovanoff’s descriptions of the steely buildings and streets of Hell, the beauty and horror that are its residents, and the strangely intriguing love between fallen angels and demons. Daphne’s efforts to save her brother and her blossoming feelings for the tragically broken Truman almost play second fiddle to the more minor characters of Daphne’s alluring mother Lilith, her kind mentor, Beelzebub, and her seductive sisters, Myra and Deidre. That is not to say, however, that the primary plot of the novel is anything but entertaining and unique. The author has crafted a detailed and engrossing story that many teens are certain to enjoy immensely. The Space Between is a stand-alone novel as well, so readers will find the lives of Daphne and Truman neatly wrapped up, for better or for worse, in the closing pages.

Genre: Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: The Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Misfit by Jon Skovron, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey.      

Themes:  Hell, demons, fallen angels, redemption, betrayal, the Bible.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Booklist and Kirkus. Starred review from Publisher’s Weekly.  

Series Information: N/A     

Discussion questions: 

- Name some of the Biblical characters featured in this novel. What role did they play in the story?

- Do you think that Daphne was happy with her life in Hell? Why or why not?

-   Describe Daphne’s relationship with her mother, Lilith. How was it different from a normal mother-daughter relationship? How was it the same?

-   Why do you think Truman was so self-destructive? How and why did he change during the novel?

-   Why do you think Beezlebub did what he did? Was it the right thing to do?