Breathtaking. Gorgeous. Riveting. Drool-worthy. And the cover's not bad, either.
In a grand testament to the benefits of being generally obnoxious, Brodi Ashton sent me an ARC of EVERNEATH this week. It arrived yesterday. I'm forbidden to check the mail at my house (seems bills get misplaced when that happens--what CAN have happened to them?), so I didn't even know it was here until we were getting ready to leave for a party and Jerry (quite reluctantly, I might add) handed me an awesome padded manila envelope. Much squealing ensued, followed by a prohibition against taking it to the party (my husband is SUCH a kill-joy). So I started reading it last night after the kids were in bed. And stopped around 2 am when Jerry insisted (see above-mentioned kill-joy reference). And started again around 7:30 am when I realized the utter futility of trying to get back to sleep. Who needs more than 5 hours of sleep when they have EVERNEATH to read? After making breakfast for the boys, I finished the book (checks log of obnoxious progress-report text messages to Brodi) before noon.
I'm going to save my full review for my scheduled time (I'm part of a blog tour for EVERNEATH), but I do want to mention a few things. There are no spoilers, here. I'm not going to talk about any plot element not mentioned in the jacket blurb. That said....
Have tissues handy. Maybe it's just me, but I get very weepy about people dealing with death. Take a girl who has already (sort of) died once and who is anticipating another imminent-and-more-permanent "death," and I was a mess. Brodi writes this perfectly. She layers Nikki's illogical hopes with her reality of hopelessness. She contrasts Nikki's selfless desire to make things better with the inevitable damage she's doing by selfishly being there at all, when she's just going to leave again. She expertly weaves a tale of improbable redemption from the fabric of self-inflicted despair.
Whenever I talk a book up so much before I've even read it, I worry that it won't live up to the hype. My fears are at ease. EVERNEATH is all I hoped it would be and more. It is amazing.
Brava, Brodi. Now get back to work on book 2--why are you wasting time reading my blog?!
Uh-oh. I just went back and re-read one of my favorite parts and now I'm all weepy again. Excuse me while I open a fresh box of tissues....
I was already excited for this book to come out, but your raving kinda review here makes me want to read it even more.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Some of us have to wait until the dang book comes out because we're not important people like you, Robin.
Yanno, Donna, if I ever wonder if I'm actually important, getting to read EVERNEATH early is pretty powerful evidence, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteConsole yourself with the knowledge that I'm now languishing in agony, waiting for book 2. Which won't come out for a year and a half.
Lucky!! This is one I CANNOT wait to read. The cover alone is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteUgh...Robin!! This is so not fair! I'm already suffering with the wait. You've just gone and made it worse...
ReplyDelete:)
The EVERNEATH blog tour is going to be epic. :D
Nicole and Kristin--Part of me wants to taunt you, but mostly I'm just sad for your pain. And, also, I want you to share in my Book Two Vigil.
ReplyDeleteBecause misery loves company.
Okay, okay, I guess it's only fair that you get to brag this time since it's usually me going on and on about all the awesome books I get to read before they're even published. I'm glad the book lived up to your expectations. I can't wait to read it. Looks like it might be time to get a little obnoxious with my guy at HarperTeen ...
ReplyDeleteSusan--it is DEFINITELY time to get obnoxious.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, this is sweet justice.
Oh, now I'm super excited. I need a good cry book. I'll have to pick me up one of those.
ReplyDeleteOooh, this book had not hit my radar until now. It sounds like it was an amazing read!
ReplyDeleteShelly--Everyone will want to read this book. Whether they cry or not.
ReplyDeleteLaura--GASP! Are you not following Brodi yet? Repent! (Seriously. That girl is mondo funny.)
This makes me happy! So glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteBrodi--isn't it funny how authors ENJOY inflicting pain on their readers? :) It was a good pain. Very cathartic.
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