Hello humans! Has it taken me literally months to read this book after receiving it in a Fairyloot box? Why yes it has! Am I kicking myself for not getting to it sooner? Why yes I am! I feel like a lot of the hype for Everless has died down but I still wanted to tell you what I thought about it in my mission to review everything I read this year.
Goodreads Summary:
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, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.
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.
I was sold on this book based mainly on the concept, as I think a lot of people were. I particularly enjoy worlds in which magic has a kind of currency because I think it gives a sense of cost to things and stops people from getting too overpowered. In this case, it isn’t so much magic as life that has become a currency, but there is a kind of magic in that I suppose. I was a little worried that this would be one of those books that have an incredibly high concept but with little plot hanging on said the idea. I was concerned that once the setting had been laid out there wouldn’t be anywhere it could go.
I am pleased to say that I was wrong. This is an enjoyable read from start to finish and the plot itself fits perfectly with the setting so that neither feels superfluous. I was also worried that this would feel like just another ‘YA girl goes from poverty to working in the palace and falls in love’ kind of novels. While there is a degree of that, tropes are tropes, after all, this book does feel differently largely due to the fact that this is Jules returning to the palace after being in poverty as opposed to it being a whole new experience. I thought that was a clever angle and helped to differentiate this story from being more like a medieval Red Queen or ACOTAR.
Some elements of the story do follow YA tropes and as a result are a tad predictable, as I’ve said in previous reviews, that’s neither a positive or negative thing, it’s up to your own personal preference.
I will also say that, for a book centred around blood, it’s not at all gory. I can imagine that if, for example, Jay Kristoff had written this it would be drastically more graphic. If that’s a concern, you’ll probably be ok!
I’ll be interested to see where this story goes in the sequel (Evermore- current release date January 2019) as there is still the risk that this concept might run dry. But if the plot and characters can keep up this momentum I have no doubt that it will be an excellent read.
My rating: 5/5 stars
All opinions are my own.
What say you? Did you enjoy Everless or is it still on your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!
J
Chain Interaction 