Everless (Everless, #1)

by Sara Holland

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

While Everless seems to get a pretty good reception on Goodreads, I've found a lot of the blogs I follow don't think very much of it. It goes to show that readers are very different beasties, and what pleases one will abhor another.

I, for one, really enjoyed Everless. I'm not going to give it any brownie points for being a groundbreaking work of art, but the plot had a charming, twisted Hansel and Gretel quality to it. The story moved along at a brisk pace and I found myself being drawn in deeper and deeper until I was tangled in its pages. Plus, it only took a couple hours to read. I love myself a good, quick fantasy that leaves you wanting for more.

The characters, on the other hand, were less impressive. You could pretty much sniff out the bad ones from a mile away, so a lot of the plot twists weren't terribly surprising. My favorite character in this one was Ina, and I'm patiently waiting for her to show her hand. After all, none of the other characters have been so simple and flawless, so why should she be?

There were scenes where the setting is really strong - like the garden - and other places where I was left wanting for more (Blackmoor). I think that the ending felt a bit rushed, and there was a lot of traveling folded into it with very little time. I would have liked a bit more of a slow burn, but that is my personal preference. Overall I appreciated this as a quick read. You don't get a lot of light fantasy these days, and you definitely don't get a lot without a romantic relationship gumming up the works. There was a little romance here, but not a lot. A flirtation. I appreciated that, too.

I think that Everless will most likely suit readers who have enjoyed The Hazel Wood or even Reign of the Fallen. There's a similar darkness in all three books, and all three can swallow you whole.

Blog: The Literary Phoenix
Bookstagram: @theliteraryphoenix