Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton

From Goodreads: Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity - a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away. Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen - and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself. Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated - and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack - even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own. 

My Rating: 4 hearts (although I'm tempted to add half a heart for the twist at the end) 

Thoughts on the Novel: One of the books I loved last year was Everneath by Brodi Ashton. I kind of forgot all about the sequel, Everbound, though until I saw it on my Kindle one day and decided I should probably go ahead and read it.

While Everneath delved into the relationship of Jack and Nikki, Everbound explores the relationship between Cole and Nikki. There is also more of a focus on Cole in general as a character, which allows the reader to learn his backstory and how he became an Everliving.

Although Jack is hardly present in Everbound, he does appear in flashbacks and in Nikki’s dreams throughout the novel. I was a bit surprised and disappointed that Ashton chose to use the same memories involving Jack that appeared in Everneath. I still think Jack and Nikki make a cute couple, but wish that Ashton could have come up with some new stories about the two.

Overall, Everbound is a great follow-up to Everneath. It recaps the events of Everneath nicely, continues using mythology and integrating flashbacks well, has plenty of action, and ends with a shocking twist that will have you wanting Evertrue right away. I can’t wait to see how Ashton will conclude this trilogy!

Everbound was released in January 2013 by Balzer + Bray. 

Comments About the Cover: I love the dress the model is wearing; but logically, it makes no sense for Nikki to be wearing a dress when going to the Everneath.