Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
pages: 543
released: August 2010
publisher: Atheneum
cover love: ♥♥

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. (From Goodreads)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 3/25/2011 ON BOOKSLIKESTARS.NET

Review:

I really enjoyed this book, however, I felt the length of the story was excessive. It could’ve been clipped 100 pages or so. The writing is rich and extremely descriptive, Creagh, invents a believeable living nightmare and at times I was actually creeped out. That being said, she could’ve started the supernatural stuff a bit earlier in the story rather than leaving it for the last 150 pages.

I loved Isobel and Varen’s romance, I’m a real sucker for goth-luv. The only reason cheerleader and gothboy give each other the time of day is because they’re paired up for a school project. And neither is happy about it. But slowly, as she gets to know him, Isobel develops feelings for Varen and begins to get caught up in his dark, twisted imaginary world, inspired by his maddening obsession with the work of Edgar Allen Poe.  The growth between these two characters is amazing, you watch them start out loathing each other to Isobel risking everything to save him from the fiendish world he’s brought to life. Reading this book, you can tell how much time and effort was put into researching Poe and his work and I truly admire an author willing to put in the hours and the sweat. I didn’t like Isobel’s dad at first, especially when he got mad at Isobel having to do schoolwork with Varen. I felt like he didn’t act like a real parent would in that situation. A parent wouldn’t have barred a child from schoolwork and take a bad grade because he doesn’t like the student his daughter is paired with. But he was cool toward the end. I also ended up being confused by all the “dreamworld” blah blah blah, but I’m guessing that all those questions are being left for book 2 to answer.

Overall, this book is a well written, dark and twisted, paranormal romance. I know those who love this book, can’t wait for Enshadowed, release date: January 2012.

3