Everless by Sara Holland

Everless (Everless, #1)

by Sara Holland

IN THE KINGDOM OF SEMPERA, TIME IS CURRENCY—EXTRACTED FROM BLOOD, BOUND TO IRON, AND CONSUMED TO ADD TIME TO ONE’S OWN LIFESPAN. THE RICH ARISTOCRACY TAX THE POOR TO THE HILT, EXTENDING THEIR OWN LIVES BY CENTURIES.

And no one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Reviewed by Amber on

3 of 5 stars

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3.5*

I went into Everless thinking it was a time travel/fantasy book but I was kinda wrong. It's actually about a girl who can manipulate (i.e. stop and slow down) time. It's not quite the same thing. I need to start reading synopses before I request things.

Everless isn't the most original YA fantasy I've read in terms of the plot. It's all very standard YA that wouldn't really standout from the crowd. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you read a tonne of young adult fantasy books then you'll know the formula and you'll know what to expect and when.

That said, I adored the world building in Everless and that is what made it so enjoying and stand out to be. The world building was completely solid and made up for the mediocre (too harsh?) plot. I adored the way Holland wove mythology and history into the present day, and I love how everything tied together. The stories about the Alchemist and the Sorceress were wonderful. This was a big plus.
I, somewhat surprisingly, really enjoyed the ship? It's exactly my kind of thing. I'm not going to say anything about it other than that because I think anything specific would spoil you, but just know that I am kinda picky when it comes to shipping (STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES AT ME) and this ship was good. I'm really looking forward to seeing where it goes in the sequel.

The main character, Jules, was decent, but she was absolutely crap at keeping secrets. Oh my god. I was rolling my eyes at her so many times because people told her over and over again to keep her mouth shut and not to do things and she did the complete opposite and blabbed to absolutely everyone. I hope she grows out of that in the sequel because she can't keep living like that. She's actually going to get herself and everyone else killed.

I'd definitely recommend Everless as it's a solid debut with some really good world building that I think (and hope!) Sara Holland can expand upon. There's a lot of potential for a really good series here! Also, it reminded me of Red Queen, if that helps at all.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 December, 2017: Finished reading
  • 20 December, 2017: Reviewed