
Reviews

4.5, rounded up because a couple parts blew me away. I had to reread the first book first, because when I started the second one I found I didn't remember much about the first one. I'm very glad I did refresh my memory! The second book does reiterate some things you learn in the first book, but it was still really nice to get the whole thing again before reading this one. There's some great character development in Everwild. I will say a couple characters shocked me and kept me guessing, but they are all really well-rounded and well-formed. No stereotypes or cliches here! There is a reveal in this book that shook me to my core! I had no idea it was coming, and it's a large part of why I'm rounding this up to 5 stars. I am now theorizing/wondering how it will play out in the third book, and I'm super excited for the possibilities! Another thing I really loved was the old lady/corsage chapter (chapter 23, Severance and Blithe). I just sat there at the end of the chapter, blinking back tears. It was so incredibly moving and I wasn't expecting this little vignette but it may have been my favorite part of the book. I'm really looking forward to reading the conclusion of the series! I thought this series wouldn't be as interesting as the Unwind series because it does feel geared towards younger people, but this book really hooked me, even if the first one didn't as much.

I read all of Neal Shusterman's books back in 2009 (just before this book was published) after he came and spoke to the students at the middle school where I taught. I remember being impressed with his work. After I read all those books, his newer work dropped off my radar. Thus it was a refreshing change to listen to this book. I had to go back and read a summary of Everlost since it had been so long since I had read it. Shusterman's imagination is just incredible. I loved the characters he developed, including all the complex aspects of Everlost itself, clearly a separate character. The only thing that I wish I had done differently with this book is to change the format in which I read it. The narration is pretty horrible, not the worst I've ever listened to but pretty close. For instance, all the female characters (except for Allie and Mary) have horrible southern accents. I live in the south. I know what I'm talking about. I highly recommend this book in print form! (Avoid the audiobook at all costs.)




















