Everlost (Mer Tales, #3)

by Brenda Pandos

With one kiss, Tatiana has discovered a love for a man she’d hated—the prince of Natatoria. Through the botched rescue attempt by her father against this union, an army of rebels has revealed their identity and intentions—treason. When the King is fatally injured, Azor takes things into his own hands. No one is safe as mers are forced to take sides. Betamers take the blame, including Tatiana’s family’s closest friend, Badger, and the punishment is death.

Caught between the bond and her true feelings, Tatiana, the future Queen, must overcome the promise to fight for what’s right and uncover the truths of the past or all will become Everlost.

• ISBN10: 0984983538
• ISBN13: 9780984983537
• Publish Date: 19 March 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 376
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kim Deister]

I enjoyed this series as a whole, but this book was definitely my least favorite of the three. I think my major complaint was that there was so little of Ash and Fin in this one. This book focused on Tati, whom I loved, but the first two focused so much more on Ash and Fin that it seemed abrupt to have them so much a lesser presence. The change in voices and in how the story was told was also different, not bad, but different. The first two were told in alternating first person POVs between Ash and Fin. This installment was written as a third person narrative and felt older than the other two, far less YA than the others.

Aside from that, Tati''s story was an engaging one. Azor was as likable in this book as in the previous ones. That is to say... not at all likable. There were times when I want to reach into the book and just slap the stupid out of him. There was a whole lot of mystery and intrigue in this book, a lot of action. That part of story was pretty engaging. I think I just really connected with Ash and Fin as characters and missed their strong presence.

My only other complaint is a little one, that there were parts of it that came off as a little preachy. This may be a personal taste thing, however, as I am not generally a fan of religious fiction.

Things to love about Everlost...

-The mystery. I love suspense and twists and turns and there was a bunch of that.

Things I wanted more of...

--Ash and Fin. I really loved their story.

My recommendation: Still a good book and a must read for the end of this fun series. I gave it 3.5 mugs.

[Raven]

Read this and other reviews at my blog.

**Beware of possible spoilers**

Tatiana's world changed with a single kiss. Torn between her hatred for Azor and her unwanted love for him, she must fight through the bond's effects and decide what she really wants. But lies and deception run rampant in the kingdom, and if she doesn't find out who she can truly trust, and fast, she might not live to see things change. Everlost takes place at the same time as Evergreen, only from within Natatoria.

This book was really hard for me. The characters were the same as ever, although the entirety of the book until the very very end followed Tatiana and her bodyguard Jacob's point of views. The two of them, joined with Azor and a few supporting characters are the bulk what what you are exposed to until they very end.

The story and writing were amazing. There were a few plot holes, which have lingered throughout this series and never been fully addressed or fixed, but otherwise it was perfect. The writing is compelling and fast paced and leaves you wanting more with every turn of the page.

What didn't work for me, really was the point of views. In my review of book #2, Evergreen, I had said that not having an eye into the kingdom made the book unsettling for me. After reading Everlost, I can understand why the book didn't flop between the land and sea. It would've made the story too incredibly long and wouldn't have been possible to split between two novels because of the fact that the conflict would have taken far too long to build. Everlost was no different. Not having any knowledge of land, although you already know what happens there, was unsettling. This started out as Ash and Fin's story and then Everlost steals it and makes it Tatiana's story. I feel like the end of the novel didn't have enough resolution and stole the story away too extremely. There should have been a better balance.

Aside from those issues though, this was still a wonderful read. It attaches itself to you right away and you cling to the words, desperate to make it to the next page and see how things go. While I enjoyed every moment, I was left disappointed in the end. I'm not sure if this is the end of the series, but if it is, I am left saddened and unfulfilled.