Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Release Date: August 31^st 2011

Publisher: Athenum Books for Young Readers

Page Number: 560

Buy Nevermore: Amazon

SYNOPSIS from GOODREADS

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

                         I was extremely pumped to read Nevermore and I even halted my OCD pattern of reading my books in order for this novel. There was a part of me that nagged and yearned to read Varen and Isobel’s intricately woven story filled with mysteries and speculations. However, I have concluded that for a reader, high expectations are very unhealthy.

                  I wasn’t exactly disappointed with Nevermore, but I did expect a whole lot more and a whole lot less for this novel. At times I felt as if it was highly unedited, but at the same time, I was begging the pages to bring me more intensity. The problem with this review, I find, is that it will be neutral. I do not think Nevermore deserves a negative review nor does it earn a positive one.

                  The first four-fifths of the book was really great and enjoyable, but I was not particularly jumping up and down with excitement at Varen and Isobel’s relationship, because half the time I just questioned it. I felt that it had no build up whatsoever, but attempted to create an epic romance that did not make it.

                  However, I really loved the interactions between the characters in this book. They were fun, witty, and hilarious. I believe that Creagh has mastered the art of writing character dialogue, because it is what I looked forward to throughout the story.

                  I also liked the many speculations I had for this novel. I found myself wanting to be certain of the plot twist, but half the time thought that my inferences were lacking. I was kept within the edge of my seat from page one.

                  Transitioning to the characters, I felt that they were not relatable and sometimes unrealistic. I saw the characters as very stereotypical and lacking of originality. Although I really liked Isobel, I did not feel the same about Varen. He was creepy and such a turn-off. I found him such a pathetic excuse for a “bad boy.” I felt that liking Varen and Isobel as a whole was very important because these two main characters appeared to me as a packaged deal.

                  Lastly, the main reason I disliked this novel was because of its length. By the time that I hit the first few pages of the last fifth in the story, I was too bogged down to care. I was getting too impatient and bored that by the time I reached the plot twist and climactic point in the novel, I just shrugged. I unfortunately even skimmed a few chapters.

                  All in all, Nevermore was an okay read with great character dialogue and a strong female character that was unfortunately dragged down by her love interest. I do not urge people to read this book, but it is a very pretty book to house on one’s shelf!

                  Will you find me reading Enshadowed in January? Maybe, if I could find fifteen dollars to spare.