Everless by Sara Holland Review
Hello Again!
I'm writing this while sick so bear with me! I received Everless in my January Unicorn Crate and was really excited to read it. I heard great things about this novel and it was a new release for January. See what I thought below! Enjoy!
Synopsis
"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."
-GoodReads
Review
I only heard about this book a couple of weeks before it came out but was really excited after reading the synopsis and all the positive buzz surrounding it. I received this book in my January Unicorn Crate (which came with some awesome items by the way) and couldn't wait to start it. As the author's first book, I thought this was a pretty great effort and showed some pretty great writing skill. See below for my in depth review.
One of the things that made this book really enjoyable was the way that the story hooked you almost immediately. The story is fast paced, not in an action packed way, but in a way that you just keep turning pages wanting to read what will happen next. (Although there is a fair bit of action too!) By the time I had finished the story, it felt like it had barely begun and I wanted to read more! It almost felt like a teaser and I just wanted to get my hands on the real thing. I think this shows some pretty great writing chops.
Because this book was more plot driven, there was not as much character development as I would have liked for some of the secondary characters but I think she set up these secondary characters to have a more primary role in the next book. We get some good development out of the main character, Jules, through inner dialogue/ thoughts and flashbacks in the story more so than through narration by the author which I enjoyed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read for me with it's fast pace and it's many plot twists. The author definitely shows some talent for writing and will hopefully write some other series as well. I can't wait to see how the story continues to unfold in the next novel.
Conclusion
Everless was a great quick read for me and had a unique story. The pacing was fast and the story really sweeps you away. I look forward to reading more about Jules story in the next novel.
Length: 368 pages, this was a great length for this story!
Story Development: Fast paced, it sweeps you up.
Romance: It's there but not the main point of the story
Protagonist Strength: Above Average
Re-readable? Yes!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars
