Wednesday, 8 April 2009

Evermore / Alyson Noel

Summary - Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.


Review - This book was eagerly anticipated on the Persnickety Snark Wishlist. I would have even run interference between a carload of Twilighters and the Special Edition DVD to get it. Fortunately, I was looked upon fondly by an AlexaFairy and an AlysonDeity and received this purple package of love, lust and immortality.

That being said, I found the pace incredibly frustrating. It felt like it took forever to build and not in a great way. Secondary characters hopped in and out of the plot and never really developed in any way. This should depress me but I suspect that as this is the first of a trilogy, we'll see a longer character arc for Miles and Haven. I feel the same way about Riley, her continual costume changes and pop culture references kept me wondering what the point of her character was. The relationship between Ava and Riley was very intriguing and I hope to see this continue in the books that follow.

I fell for the misdirect too. Damen reminded me of Edward at times and despite the series being called The Immortals. I was convinced he was going to be a vampire. Thank goodness he wasn't. I felt slightly stupid, but invigorated, by the concept that they are simply immortal. He's a curious creature - intense yet standoffish, romantic yet cold, brazen yet reticent. I love the idea that Ever's soul is continually reincarnated for Damen until he finally catches onto Drina's psychopathic tendencies. Drina's fixation with Damen seemed a little over the top until I realised that's what happens when an immortal mean girl is obsessed with a guy for centuries. A mean girl might cyberbully you in high school but in immortal-world, she would have a hit out on you. That being said, I am not sure that Ever is really in love with Damen. She really doesn't know enough about him to be in love and if she really is, why?

One particular element that jolted me momentarily is a spell that Damen conjures over Ever. It sets their relationship back a few steps as Ever struggles to remember her weekend. I love how Noel managed to pull this off without feeling clunky. It's not something I have come across before I cannot wait to see what she pulls out of the hat in Blue Moon. Alyson Noel is an author that I really enjoy as she creates complex, flawed characters. I feel that Evermore was a little underdone in that area but I sense that it might be part of a larger plan with the series. I look forward to learning more with the following novels. Yay for Evermore.

Published: 2009
Format: Paperback, 306 page
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Origin:USA

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Alyson Noel's Official Website
Trailer

9 comments:

Jen said...

I kind of liked how we thought he was a vampire but he wasnt! I dont like her friend though.

Natalie Hatch said...

I so have to read this book.

prophecygirl said...

Thanks for the review Adele, I look forward to reading this one!

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

I liked reading your review. I'm eager to see how this series develops.

Janssen said...

Wow, that trailer SOLD me.

DamenLover28371 said...

I Loved Evermore dare I say it....i liked it almost as much if not more than stephine myers books Twilight,New Moon,Eclipse and Breaking Dawn and Damen is enev better than Edward! Wow I LOVED IT cant wait to read Blue Moon

DamenLover28371 said...

oops i ment EVEN better than Edward:-0

Anonymous said...

OMG! I LOVE EVERMORE AND BLUE MOON!! AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU I FOUND MYSELF LIKING THIS MORE THAN THE TWILIGHT SERIES!! I LIKED HOWI THOUGHT HE WAS A VAMPIRE TOO.. AND I CAN'T STAND HAVEN.. BUT THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT THESE BOOKS ARE AMAZING!! WAITING FOR THE THIRD TO COME OUT... :)

Luna Moon said...

Read the book, thought it was... alright. The storyline itself is wonderful but i'm not to wild about the way its written. =/