Jazzy Reviews: ‘Everless’

Once again Jazzy of ‘Jazzy’s Bookshelf’ has beat me to reading and reviewing a book which has been sitting on my bedside table for quite some time. Anyways…for a YA novel it’s probably better to have the opinion of a teen right?!

Papa says some of the trees are a thousand years old. They were here before anyone alive now was born, even the Queen, even before the Alchemist and the Sorceress bound time to blood and metal – if there ever was such a time. These trees will be standing long after we’re gone. Yet they aren’t predators like wolves or people. The roots beneath my feet don’t live for centuries by causing other plants to shrivel and turn gray. And their time cannot be bled from them.

If only we were more like trees.

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THE GIST

Imagine a time where blood is life’s currency. Where you can survive for hundreds of years – or die in your 20’s.

17-year-old Jules Ember and her father lead miserable lives; they exist in a world where blood is money. The Gerlings rule, outliving others by melting blood coins into their drinks. Rent is paid through these coins and Jules and her father are behind on rent. In an attempt to escape the relentless assault of poverty, Jules ignores her father’s warning and seeks work at Everless, the Gerlings’ palace. Jules discovers their merciless, greedy ways and uncovers some truths about herself.

THE JUDGEMENT

‘Everless’ is an intense dystopian novel that keeps you gripped until the last page. I was entranced by Sara Holland’s style of writing, particularly the way she weaves detail into the story. It made ‘Everless’  a lot more enjoyable and painted vivid imagery  inside my mind.

One of the things I most admire about ‘Everless’ is the way that while the story is fantasy, the characters themselves are realistic. Jules and her father suffer terrible things through the gateway of penury and the reason Jules goes to Everless is to avoid these. Her emotions are genuine and her experiences are authentic.

It’s terrible to think blood could be a currency –  I can’t imagine the fear I would feel before having blood extracted from me and would find it hard not to physically express my disgust. This same horror is included in the story. Jules hates the Gerlings for the same reasons I would, but treats them with kindness because of certain consequences if she didn’t.

My favourite character in ‘Everless’ is, surprisingly, Liam Gerling. For the duration of the book, I found him interesting to read about and anticipated his future actions. I also enjoyed the fairytale-type stories of the Alchemist and Sorceress – the original tale is just as suspenseful as ‘Everless’  itself.

‘Everless’ doesn’t have extreme violence or language, but to understand the concept of the story takes maturity. There are a couple of sad scenes, as well. Therefore, I recommend ‘Everless’  to readers aged 12+

‘Everless’ is the first of a two-part series. The second instalment is called ‘Evermore’ and is the epic conclusion to the story. Seeing as the end of the first was a cliff-hanger, I picked up the second right after I finished! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and read it twice to get a full understanding of it. I give ‘Everless’  four-and-a-half book-bolts out of five.

ISBN: 978 1 40834 915 1

Publisher: The Watts Publishing Group