Everbound (Everneath Trilogy, #2)

by Brodi Ashton

It's been two months since the dark tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice and took her place in the Everneath for eternity - a debt that should have been hers. Every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused, and wasting away. All Nikki wants is to save him before it's too late, but no matter how hard she tries to reach for his hand, she can never find it.

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 it seems Nikki has touched his heart, and surprisingly, Cole agrees to help in the only way he can - by taking Nikki to the Everneath himself.

As they descend into the heart of the Everneath Nikki and Cole discover that their journey will be more difficult than they'd anticipated, and more deadly. Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack - even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own…

• ISBN10: 0857074636
• ISBN13: 9780857074638
• Publish Date: 1 August 2013 (first published 22 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 16 January 2016
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

4,5 stars

This is what I'm looking for when I read a second book in a series!

After the events that occurred in Everneath, Nikki is dealing with emotions of grief and guilt because Jack took her place in The Tunnels and she's living a life that should be his.

Nikki has been through so much, but she's so strong. She's experiencing an overwhelming amount of grief, but she doesn't curl into a ball and she doesn't let her pain consume her. Instead, she tries to find a way to make things right and save Jack.

Nikki realises that the only way that she can save Jack is by going into the Everneath and she needs Cole's help. In Everbound, the Everneath is fully explored. The Everneath is extremely weird, hellish and intriguing. The trails that Nikki and her travel companions face in the Everneath makes the stakes in Everbound extremely high and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Since Jack is in The Tunnels, we don't see much of him. However, through Nikki's memories we learn so much about Jack and his relationship with Nikki. Everbound is just as romance heavy as Everneath and if I didn't believe the strong and real relationship that Nikki and Jack have, I wouldn't have been a fan of Everbound. I'm so invested in Jack and Nikki's relationship!

I also can't pinpoint how I feel about Cole. There are times when I love him, times where I feel sympathetic towards him because being part of a one sided love triangle and loving a girl who sees you as an enemy is tough, times where I can't believe what he's done and times where I absolutely loathe him. He's such a complex character. In Everbound, we get to see Cole's personality and he's such a funny guy. (show spoiler)[THAT ENDING THOUGH! Just when I thought that Cole was the good guy, he goes and does something that makes me feel like high fiving his face with a chair.] (hide spoiler)

In Everbound the world is expanded, the characters and their relationships become more developed and the stakes are so damn high.

After reading that mind reeling and jaw dropping ending, I need to get my hands on Evertrue immediately!

"There's everything for us." (Nikki Beckett)

[Angie]

I was worried that Everbound was going to suffer from Middle of a Trilogy syndrome, and that Nikki would never get close to saving Jack from the Tunnels, but my worries were completely unfounded. Everbound is much better than Everneath! The story kicks off right away, and we get to enter the Everneath almost immediately! There’s next to no waiting around for the action to start, which was great, since I had no idea what to expect from this. Nikki is determined to get Jack back at any cost or die trying. She even attempts to travel the Everneath without Cole to help her! Needless to say, that’s a bust, so Cole agrees to take her himself to help ensure that she doesn’t get herself killed within minutes.

I loved this extended tour of the Everneath! Sure most of Everbound is spent in the labyrinth, but we also get glimpses of one of the Commons, a market, and a human sacrifice. Not a pretty site. There’s also more about how the Everneath is powered and a little on its history, which is all interesting. Probably the more interesting addition (aside from the labyrinth) are the Wanderers. They’re essentially the Everling equivalent of zombies, only scarier. Of course, Nikki and Cole had some run-ins with these creatures. I’m purposely not saying anything about the labyrinth. You’ll just have to read Everbound and discover it for yourself! It’s a pretty strange place.

There’s only a couple of issues that I had with this sequel. At first I was a bit frustrated with Nikki. Her determination to go after Jack was a little over-the-top. Her whole “I’d rather die than live with this guilt” attitude was annoying and selfish. If she’s dead she definitely can’t help him, and she doesn’t really think about what that would to her father. She essentially says he’s survived without her before, so he can surely do it again. Selfish. The second problem was all of the flashbacks. They’re necessary to keep Nikki connected to Jack, but I really didn’t care about how their love came to be.

The labyrinth and the very ending is where Everbound really shines! Cole’s admission at the end…I was not expecting that! I seriously did not see it coming! I had no idea how this would end so that there could be a third book, but that ending certainly does it! Finally Nikki stands up for something that actually makes sense, so I cannot wait to get my hands on the final book!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Everbound delivered everything I wanted and was an amazing middle book in the Everneath series. After the climatic ending of Everneath, I had a strong sense of where this story was heading and I wasn't disappointed. Ashton effortlessly transported me into her world and from the very first page I found myself enthralled by Ashton’s take on mythology and Everneath. Brilliant middle book and Ashton has earned herself a place on my auto-buy list.

Nikki Beckett is trying to deal with life without Jack. He sacrificed himself to save her and she refused to accept it. She studies every mythological story looking for answers to save him. She’s also tracking Cole and his band waiting for an opportunity to seek his help. Every night Jack appears in her dreams and she works to make him remember but every night gets a little harder and she is running out of time. Prepared to enter Everneath to save Jack she is going with or without Cole and the tale that unfolds held me captive and sent my emotions traveling from hopefulness to full-fledged anger!

One of the things I appreciate most about this series is the depth of the characters. I fully understand what drives them. Their emotions and actions feel genuine and surreal. When an author is able to make me feel fully connected the world comes alive for me. I am not, nor will I ever be a fan of love triangles but every once in a while an author tells a story that can handle one. The triangle is completely valid and the events could not have occurred realistically without it. Ashton takes it to another level by providing two love interests that I can fully appreciate and respect. Cole is exactly who he claims and his emotions for Nikki are genuine. At times I loathe his actions but I get him. Jack’s dedication and love for Nikki touch me. They are soul mates in the truest sense, their love is pure and faithful. While we do not get a lot of face time with Jack, what we do see felt fresh and believable. This allows Cole and Nikki to interact more and understand each other. It also allows the author to add depth to Cole’s character and we see a softer side of him, a vulnerable side.

I actually think Ashton has changed the way I will rate middle books because baby she set the bar high. World building is so important to me and a gripe I often have is that we do not get enough details. In Everneath the underworld or labyrinth unfolded giving me a panoramic view. Ashton provided vivid details of the creatures and challenges that dwelt there. Using mythology she gives Nikki the tools she needs to navigate and I loved the use of Mrs. Jenkins. Nikki sees growth as she slowly develops into a formidable opponent. The entire tale was tighter than its predecessor from the flashbacks to the pacing. I consumed this and found myself completely immersed with nothing jarring me back to reality. I had a strong sense of foreboding as I read and whether or not the author placed them there or not is unclear. All I can say is that the ending felt right and I cannot wait for book three.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[bookishzelda]

Wow…wow. It’s hard for a second book in the series to top the first one but wow. I loved this one just as much as the first one maybe even more. Brodi Ashton did a fantastic job writing Everbound and as much as I want the third book desperately I can’t imagine having this series end. I hope there will be lots of Novellas. :o)


We spend a large amount of time in the Everneath and I was fascinated by every second of it. There are so many different interesting layers to it and some definite twist and turns while we are down there. There were a couple of reveals that I was definitely surprised at, Brodi did a good job disguising them so that we couldn’t figure them out as easily.

I feel like I shouldn’t be torn between the two boys, and that Jack should be the obvious choice but there is just something about Cole. Sometimes you think he is a jerk and sometimes you wonder if there is more to him. He really gets the opportunity to show a softer side in this book. Do we trust him though; this is Cole we are talking about. The guy that has no beating heart…..he just has this strange appeal to him. I still can’t figure out what actually goes on his head though, I still question his motives. I would like to believe that he does really care about Nikki but sometimes you wonder. He has a lot to gain if he wins her over. There is a particular line at the end of the book though that kind of leads you to believe one way or another.

I love Jack in this book just as much as the first book. We once again experience the majority of their relationship through the memories that Nikki relives in her hope to keep him alive. It’s nice to see those cute tid bits and there is actually a lot more about their friendship before they even became a couple. I love the best friends blossoming into more love story.
The thing I find interesting about the two boys is that they call Nikki by different names. Jack refers to her as Becks and Cole calls her Nik. I think it represents the difference of the relationship she has with them.

Nikki was awesome in this book. I couldn’t find a single thing that annoyed me about her, as you can sometimes find with main protagonist. She is clever, head strong and very dedicated to her mission. Even when she just wants to curl up and disappear she finds a way to peel herself off the floor and keep moving. She is considerate of others but at the same time knows there are things she has to do for herself as well. I never thought to myself, I can’t believe you trusted that person because she was cautious and if she did trust someone it was because they gave her a good reason.
Oh the ending, it makes me wonder how the heck they are going to get out of this one. I’m sure book three is going to be epic. I can’t wait. If you are looking for something more unique and are a fan of mythology these books are definitely for you. I’m not sure if I can sing the praises of this book well enough it was an easy add to my favorites list

[Kelly]

Ramblings of a Diva Booknerd
3.5 Stars.
Everbound continues after the Everneath cliffhanger, where Jack is still in the tunnels after sacrificing himself to save Nikki from the same fate. Through connected dreams, Nikki can feel Jack starting to slip away and knows she needs to return to the Everneath to find him... Before It's too late.

Her father has her in therapy, and Jack's mother is livid and blames Nikki for her son's disappearance. After attempting Jack's rescue by herself, she needs to enlist the help of Cole. He reluctantly agrees, and along with Max, they navigate the Everneath 'rings', with only her tether to Jack to guide them. To maintain their connection, Nikki must remember memories of Jack and there are flashbacks to Nikki and Jack's relationship, in which Cole doesn't seem to fond of.

Everbound ends with a shocking twist that I didn't see coming, so fans will have to wait in agony for the final book. It's a good read, not great though. I blame the dreaded 'middle book syndrome'. What I did notice was how often the characters would remark, 'You should know this' or 'You know this', or 'Do you know this?', it felt as though they were talking in broken English at times and became annoying. All up, a good read and a significant ending that will leave you shell shocked.

[Ashley]

BookNook — Young Adult book reviews

Although I remembered bits and pieces of Everneath, I had forgotten so much of it before starting Everbound. Luckily, the whole Everneath story is wonderfully recapped in this book!

Everbound treats us to mythology galore! We learn so much more about The Everneath and how it works—it's awesome! As a huge mythology buff, those little facts and stories are some of my favourite bits. There are also so many different twists, turns, and surprises. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Brodi Ashton smacks you with a killer ending! I'm serious, you guys. This ending is even bigger and more taunting than the ending in Everneath. I know what you're thinking.. how the hell is that possible? I didn't think it was. But it is.

Cole really dominates this book. Jack is barely in Everbound at all. Yes, Nikki is trying to save him, but since she's away from him for most of the book, he doesn't play a huge role (physically.. I guess). But Cole most certainly does! I wouldn't quite call it a love triangle though, because Nikki so clearly doesn't have feelings for him, but there is still something there. They mostly just have a strong physical connection because of their time together during the Feed. But ugh, Cole was a slimy bastard! I never liked him (I hated him in Everneath!), but in Everbound you really see even more sides to him. If you're a Cole fan, you might like those new sides; but if you're strictly Jack like I am, then you'll curse the day he was born!

Other than the INSANE ending, my favourite part of Everbound was the flashbacks. As Nikki journeys through The Everneath, she constantly tells stories about her history with Jack. We learn about their first kiss, moments where they doubted each other, and just sweet little moments they shared. For me, these were the most heart-warming and interesting tid-bits of the story! I'm a huge Jack fan and since he's not in Everbound much, I really soaked up all the epic flashback-ness I could get!

Even though I did really love this book, there were a few times when it didn't totally hold my interest. I wasn't exactly bored, but I wasn't really glued to the book either (at least not until the very end). Hence the four star rating instead of five!

But that ending... THAT ENDING! As I alluded to before, Everbound ends on a crazy cliffhanger! It's insane. It's crazy. I. Need. Book. Three. I feel like I have no idea how things could possibly come to an end in the third book, but I sure as hell can't wait to find out how Brodi Ashton does it! I think the third book could quite easily be the best one yet!

[celinenyx]

So, so, so good! Review coming up soon!