Evermore (Immortals Series #1)

\ VOYA - Erin Wyatt\ Ever, trying to drown out her new psychic powers by listening to loud music and covering herself with hooded sweatshirts and sunglasses, feels a sudden and overwhelming connection to Damen, the too-good-to-be true new guy at school. Unlike the other people she has encountered since the accident she somehow survived, she cannot see his aura or hear his thoughts. It is clear from the start that something is not quite normal with Damen. He does not seem to eat or sleep, conjures flowers, has the uncanny ability to seem to know what Ever is thinking, and has knowledge far beyond his seventeen years. Beautiful and cruel Drina seems determined to make to Ever suffer. Drina, Damen, and Ever share a long history as their lives have been entwined for hundreds of years. This first novel in the Immortals series will appeal to fans of the Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer, and in fact, seems heavily inspired by it. Although here the beings are immortal, the partial explanation of what that entails is revealed in the closing chapters of the book, which poke a healthy amount of fun at the idea of vampires existing. Ever is ultimately a likeable character as she heals and learns to forgive herself for the accident that killed the rest of her family and let go of her dead younger sister, Riley, who has been a companion to Ever throughout the book. She also falls head over heels in love during the process. Reviewer: Erin Wyatt\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalGr 9 Up\ After surviving a car accident that killed her entire family, 16-year-old Ever gains the ability to see auras and read thoughts. The overwhelming nature of her new powers and her guilt about the accident turn the once-popular teen into a loner at school. She makes friends with stereotypically gay Miles and mega-Goth Haven, and does everything she can to drown out the din of psychic energy around her. Her loner status comes under siege, as does her friendship with Haven, when a new boy, Damen, shows an interest in her. By accident, Ever learns that he has no aura, a fact that pushes her to uncover more about the mysterious newcomer. Some obvious clues, like the red liquid that Damen drinks instead of food, lead Ever to conclude that he is a vampire when in fact his true nature is more complex. Teens will identify with Ever, who not only has to deal with relationship and friend issues, but also with a dead sister who refuses to cross over and crippling psychic powers that make it hard to cope with everyday life. Though the familiar premise may hook many paranormal romance fans, none of the plot elements receive the thorough treatment they deserve, and the revelation in the end relies too heavily on backstory. Not a first pick in this ever-expanding genre.-Kim Ventrella, Ralph Ellison Library, Oklahoma City, OK\ \ \ \ Kirkus ReviewsShallow stock characters barely mar the breathless allure of this formulaic supernatural romance, the first in the Immortals series, though feeble explanations wreck the ending. Ever (her very name a clue to immortality) lives the life of the wealthy in Orange County. Sister Riley visits daily in ghost form, having died with their parents in an accident that Ever perplexingly survived. Deluged by everyone's thoughts and auras, Ever wears hoodies and iPod earbuds as shelter from psychic clamor, until mysterious hottie Damen silences it. This genre's core ingredients are all present: a new school, paranormal events the heroine doesn't understand and a deadly enemy fought by an irresistible, possibly dangerous boy. Ever's vernacular voice (description via negation: "it's not like I haven't had my hand touched before") and amorous fixation will gratify romance fans. However, Noel's metaphysics makes no sense. Manifestations are "simple quantum physics," Ever is murdered lifetime after lifetime but escapes this time due to the serial murderer's "lack of love" and the narrative never explains how Ever reincarnates with a new body and consciousness yet remains herself. (aura color chart) (Fantasy. YA)\ \ \ \ \ From the Publisher"Narrator Katie Schorr has a wonderfully raspy, youthful voice, which she puts to good effect on the cast of teenaged characters...Her energy and spirit suit this lively supernatural title to a T." - AudioFile\ "Evermore is addictive. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about how I could sneak away to read some more. I couldn't put it down. I dreamt about this book. And when I was finished, I couldn't get it out of my head. This book was simply breathtaking." —Teens Read Too\ "Teen angst and the paranormal make a combustible mix as Noel utilizes typical themes and gives them a dangerous and eerie twist. Getting hooked on this new series, The Immortals, is guaranteed."—4 stars! Romantic Times Magazine\ "Readers who enjoy the works of PC Cast and Stephenie Meyer will love this outstanding paranormal teen-lit thriller." –Midwest Book Review\ “Get ready for a wild ride that is filled with twisting paths and mystery, love and fantasy. . . The writing style, story, and characters are a bit like Meyer and Marr's popular books, but written with a new twist and voice. And after reading the book, you too will probably want your own Damen, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.” —5/5 stars! The Book Queen\ "I found myself unwilling to put the book down, even though I had to at some points, because I wanted to know what was going to happen…Ever was so real and her emotions were so believable that it was a little creepy. It's like Alyson Noël is actually a grieving, lovestruck teenager. She got Ever completely perfect. And by perfect, I mean delightfully flawed and deep.” —The Frenetic Reader\ "Evermore is a wonderful book that I believe would be a lovely addition to any library . . .Definitely a book that fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr should add to their collections. Definitely engaging and will catch your attention the minute you open to the first page!" - Mind of a Bibliophile\ “Alyson Noel creates a great picture of each and every character in the book. I am a fan of the Twlight series and I recommend this book to those who like the series as well. It is a very quick read, with all the interesting twist and turns.” –Flamingnet Book Reviews\ "I loved this book. It really keeps your attention though out the story, because the puzzle gets pieced together bit by bit, but you don't know exactly what happened until the end. The only thing that disappoints me is that the second book won't be published for a while. I would definitely recommend this to my friends." —Portsmouth Teen Book Review\ "This is the first installment of The Immortals series. Ms. Noël pens a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the world around them. Evermore has a familiar theme that attracts readers, but inside this book you’ll find that the author has added some unique details that sets it apart." —Darque Reviews\ “Evermore’s suspense, eerie mystery, and strange magic were interestingly entertaining…I found Ever to be a character I could really respect…Recommended.” –The Bookworm\ “Beautiful main characters, tense budding romance, a dark secret, mysterious immortals—what more could you ask from this modern gothic romance?” –Justine Magazine\ “Evermore was a great way to lighten my reading load this winter and provided me with a creative, magical story that I really enjoyed. This is the first in a series for Noel and I think she may have a hit on her hands . . . Evermore has good and evil, likable characters, vivid descriptions and a good story.”- Planet Books\ “I fell into it easily, and loved the world Noel created . . . The fact that Ever had psychic powers was truly interesting. They flowed neatly through the book and I felt Ever's pain . .trust me, this book was really good. I couldn't put it down. Alyson Noel created an amazing new world, and after this book I am so curious to see where it heads because honestly, I have no idea.” – Reading Keeps You Sane\ “Ever is an easy character to like. I really felt for her because of all she lost and what she struggled with daily…Evermore was a really fast, engaging read with some great characters. It is the first in a series, so I'm eager to see if we will learn more about Ever, Damen and friends in the next one…it's sure to be a great read.”- Ninja reviews\ “The writing here is clear, the story well-defined and narrator Ever has an engaging voice that teens should enjoy."- January Magazine\ "Alyson Noël created a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the world around them. Evermore has a familiar theme that attracts readers, but inside this book you’ll find that the author has added some unique details that sets it apart and will surprise you."- The Ravenous Reader\ "The reader, Katie Schorr, does a great job narrating as the teen girl Ever. She becomes this character, and has a voice that is smooth and easy to listen to. The other characters are subtly nuanced as well, making this a very enjoyable listen." - 5 Minutes for Books on the audiobook\ \ \