Review | Everless by Sara Holland
Title: Everless
Author: Sara Holland
Genre/s: Fantasy, Young Adult.
UK Release Date: 4th January 2018
US Release Date: 2nd January 2018
This book is absolutely stunning!! First of all the concept behind this novel is so exciting. I've never come across anything similar to it and I am very hyped about it. But also the subtle touches intertwined in the plot were what truly blew me away. It was so well put together.
'And then... the world seems to slow. No, not seems. The branches really do stop whispering in the wind. Even the most inaudible crackle of the snow melting on the ground stops, like the world is holding its breath.'
The whole idea basically focuses on the concept of time being currency. The time is taken from your blood and the years you are supposed to live. So if you're rich, you may possibly live forever. But the poor find themselves selling their time away in order to pay rent and buy food. It's a very morbid thought and rather shocking to think about. But that was part of what made this book so great.
'He will be beautiful when I'm an old woman, if I live long enough to age. He'll be charming long after I'm dead.'
There is a slight case of the 'chosen' one trope but it was done in a very different way and I tend to enjoy that sort of thing in my fantasy books anyway. Apart from that I don't really have anything bad to say about the plot. It was fast pace and exciting to read. There were also plenty of twists that I didn't see coming. There are some aspects of the plot and certain characters that you can't help be wary of, but that made the story even better. The author created such a tense atmosphere and I was constantly worried about what was going to happen next. I've not had a book where I was quite so on edge as I was while reading this for a while. And Sarah Holland not only created a world and a plot that I loved she also created amazing, and intriguing characters to top it off.
'I remember seeing him force his own brother into a roaring fire. How twisted he must be, this boy who has everything.'
Don't take this as a definite but I feel like if you like Victoria Schwab's writing then you'll probably enjoy this; as I was reading Everless it gave me similar vibes to when I read the Shades of Magic series.
The characters are not at all how they first seem and even though it starts of a little slow things quickly take turns that you would never first suspect. The book follows protagonist Jules a girl who when she realises her fathers ill health decides to defy his wishes and go back to Everless a place they ran away from long ago. But all she has in mind is earning more time to help her father; at first not quite realising the danger that surrounds Everless. Everless is a place owned by one of the richest families in the Kingdom of Sempera; the Girlings. After an accident while she was young, Jules and her father were forced to flee. And soon after returning she is caught in the lies and political intrigue surrounding the court and she must face the consequences behind her decisions and what happened in the past.
'I see a sickening trail of blood behind me, red footprints on the dark earth. They are mine. I am wounded, clumsy. I cannot escape.'
Overall I am overwhelmingly amazed by how good this book was. I have never been as excited for a book to release as I am about this one. I really can't wait for everyone who doesn't already have it to get there hands on it! I don't have a clue how I'm going to be able to wait so long to find out what happens next.
Thank you so much for reading! If you've read this book I'd love to know what your thoughts are in the comments below!
RATING: 5 Stars
Thank you to; NetGalley, and Orchard Books for sending me the early e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
- Sophie
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