Rating: 5/5
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game.
Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.
Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind.
Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.
Let me start off by saying this: Amazing. Yes, Nevermore by Kelly Creagh was an amazing novel (especially for a debut novel) by an amazing author. When I first began Nevermore, I felt the chemistry between the two main characters: Isobel Lanley and Varen Nethers (ah, swoon!) The first thing that caught my eye about this book was first the amazing reviews (I haven't seen a negative one yet!) and then there was the cover. Even if I hated the book (which is impossible, duh!) I would still want the dust jacket because it is so beautiful and unique. I loved the large font and the font style itself, but those are just minor details. I finished this book in one and a half school days and for me, that is rare with my busy and hectic schedule, but I had no choice but to make time to read Nevermore. I read every chance I got (when I woke up, at meals, on the ride to and from school, the list is endless.) When I wasn't reading this book, it was constantly haunting me. I even dreamt about it and it was one heck of a dream.
Nevermore was beautifully crafted and focused on the struggle between good and evil, epic love, and the fight to be with the one you love. I know there are many readers out there who are afraid of cliche, teen books about whiny heroines and aloof heroes, but Nevermore is quite the opposite. I saw major character development in Isobel, the main character/cheerleader of the story. The more time spent with her secret love, Varen, Isobel matured and even had a self revelation at one point in the book.
It took Creagh a total of five years to write Nevermore and you could definitely tell that she spent years upon years perfecting the novel. If I borrowed this book from a friend or something of that nature, I would personally go out to the nearest bookstore and purchase Nevermore just to have it on my shelf so I read again and again. I felt sincerely sad at the end of the novel. I even became teary-eyed due to the heartbreaking cliffhanger at the end. No book has ever made me cry, but Nevermore sure did.
If you are looking for a horrific, mesmerizing, and beautiful young adult novel that will appeal to all ages, go out and buy Nevermore by Kelly Creagh today. The sequel to Nevermore, the title yet to be released, will be hitting the shelves sometime next year (so unfair!!!)
If you would like more information on Nevermore or Kelly Creagh, visit her website at: http://www.kellycreagh.com
Happy reading,
Casey :)
I completely agree with EVERYTHING you said!! I also felt haunted by the book when I wasn't reading it, as if every fiber in my body was telling me I need to finish it! That I need and craved more of it every time i was away!
ReplyDeleteI finished it in 2 days and I also read it every break or down time I had.... staying up till 3am when having to wake up the next morning! Ughhh.. So in love!!
<3 <3 <3 CANNOT wait for the next!