Book Review: Everlife by Gena Showalter

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Everlife
Everlife #3

Author: Gena Showalter
Reading Level:Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy / Dystopia
Released: 27th February 2017
Review Source: Bought

STAND TOGETHER OR FALL ALONE.

THE FATE OF THE EVERLIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

At seventeen years old, Tenley “Ten” Lockwood had to make the ultimate choice—where to live after she died. Loyalty to her selected realm has not wavered…until now. She is out of time. Sacrifices must be made, and a terrible price must be paid. But is she too late?

As the Everlife descends into darkness, a single truth becomes clear: Troika and Myriad must unite—or perish. In order to bring sworn enemies together, Ten must enter forbidden territory…and destroy the powerful Prince of Ravens. But there’s only one way inside—bonding with Killian Flynn, a deadly rival who sets her blood aflame.

When nothing goes as planned and betrayal leads to the edge of utter defeat, Ten and Killian will have to rebuild trust from the ashes of their hearts. Victory seems impossible, the odds stacked against them. In the end, how far will they be willing to go for the sake of their realms and the Everlife?

Everlife brings the conclusion--the end of this unique, fantastic trilogy.

The Everlife trilogy has truly been a breath of fresh air. Tenley Lockwood is such a unique character. Being a young adult with the weight of the world on her shoulders, she handled it as any other teenager would. With maturity (with flickers of immaturity) and indecisiveness. After all, who wants to make such a life changing decision without some deep thought? Especially when that decision could destroy a whole realm.

The evolution of Ten and Killian was...definitely a journey. After a rocky journey down a forbidden path, they do the one thing that seems right--bonding to each other. Not only because of the love they share but because if Tenley wants any chance at getting into Many Ends again, Ten needs to bond to Killian. For better or for worse. Things don't turn out quite as they planned and she finds herself with an extra enemy. Victory is not in sight and it feels like fighting a losing battle. But they cannot give up...the other path is not an option.

Very rarely am I happy with trilogy endings. I'm not a huge fan of cliffhangers, open endings or huge tragedies that bring the story to an end. I don't think I've been as happy or content after finishing a series before. Seriously. You cannot read Everlife if you have not read the first two installments but I will keep this review short and sweet to avoid any spoilers.

I'm sad that the series is over. I will miss each and every character and the world Showalter created but I can eagerly say I (im)patiently await the next Gena Showalter book (and I reccomend you all check out her other series' too!)

Book Review: Lifeblood by Gena Showalter

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Lifeblood #2
Everlife #2

Author: Gena Showalter
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: 28th February 2017
Review Source: Bought

‘My Firstlife is over, but my Everlife is only now beginning.’

With her last living breath, Tenley "Ten" Lockwood made her choice and picked her realm in the Everlife. Now, as the war between Troika and Myriad rages, she must face the consequences.

Because Ten possesses a rare supernatural ability to absorb and share light, the Powers That Be have the highest expectations for her future—and the enemy wants her neutralized. Fighting to save her Secondlife, she must learn about her realm from the ground up while launching her first mission: convincing a select group of humans to join her side before they die. No pressure, right?

But Ten's competition is Killian, the boy she can't forget—the one who gave up everything for her happiness. He has only one shot at redemption: beating Ten at a game she's never even played. As their throw-downs heat up, so do their undeniable feelings, and soon, Ten will have to make another choice. Love…or victory.

The end of Firstlife brought Tenley's Everlife. With dying breaths she announced her eternal loyalties to Troika, the realm of the light. Tenley is happy with her choice--she knows she's chosen the right side, even if made her enemies with a unforgettable young man. Killian is a Myriad, belonging the realm of darkness and Killian is out of reach. Their blossoming relationship ripped away from them both when Tenley chose the other side of the battle.

The pending romance between Ten and Killian is confusing but very intriguing. How can they possibly progress with any relationship on opposite sides of the war? Was their romantic connection authentic or was it all the role Killian played for his job? It's a love story that was doomed before it even started. Forbidden romance at its finest.

The energy and drama became more dominant in Lifeblood, the war bubbling at the surface. Not only does Tenley belong to the realm of the light but she harbours a rare ability to absorb and share light--something that could destroy Myriad and lead Troika to victory. For someone so young with the mental maturity of a typical teenager, she's got the fate of the world on her shoulders. Literally.

Lifeblood was an emotional rollercoaster. It brought out the ugly cry (I'm still not over it). With the raging war nobody is safe. Friends turn to enemies and Tenley doesn't know who's fighting the good cause and those who are plotting her downfall.

Lifeblood was an excellent edition to the series. Firstlife was the start--the introduction to the world and Tenley's crazy life but Lifeblood built up the drama and emotions and here we got to know the characters and begin to love them. Every plot twist, betrayal and unexpected moments was like a personal shot to the heart. I enjoyed every minute of reading.

Book Review: Firstlife by Gena Showalter

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Firstlife
Everlife #1

Author: Gena Showalter

Reading Level: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Released: 23rd February 2016

Review Source: Bought

Step one...you die.

ONE CHOICE. TWO REALMS. NO SECOND CHANCE.

Tenley "Ten" Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live — after she dies. There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.

In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, long-time enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms that will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she's drawn to isn't where the boy she's falling for lives? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision…

Firstlife is another success from the wonderful Gena Showalter. It's unlike any of her other works--but that's the beauty of Showalter's novels. No two series are the same. She brought us demons, aliens, zombies, angels and now she brought us a dystopian, fantasy trilogy.  

It took me longer than normal to get into Firstlife but that isn't because it wasn't a good read but because the author has created a whole new world with an unfamiliar hierarchy system. It's brilliant to have such an imagination to build an entire world in your own mind.  

Firstlife follows the life of Ten Lockwood--the girl who has spent more than a year in an asylum, which was her price to pay for not letting her parents choose her life after death.  Both Troika and Myriad --the rivalling Everlife realms-- will stop at nothing to recruit Tenley onto their side of the war. There's a good side and a bad side but figuring out which one is which is the problem. Tenley has to stay alive long enough to make a decision because the other option, a Everlife filled with a nightmare reality isn't an option. But staying alive is a lot easier said than done when she's on the run with someone determined to make sure she dies.

Ten is a solid character and strongly stubborn (which was actually her saviour in the end). She had many admirable traits from being fiercely loyal to standing up for what she truly believes and that made it even more of an exciting read because throughout I really didn't know what was going to happen or which side she would choose. We were also introduced to Archer/Bow and Killian. Archer is a firm favourite-- I don't believe he will be a love interest but he is hilarious and I hope we get to know him more. 

If you're looking for a solid read, you've found it. A unique and gripping novel from an author we all know and love. 

I would also like to add that the audiobooks for the Everlife series are fantastic. Read by Emma Galvin (who is also happens to be my favourite narrator) and Zachary Webber. 

Book Review: Firstlife by Gena Showalter

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Firstlife
Everlife #1
Author: Estelle Laure
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: February 23rd 2016
Review Source: Harlequin Teen

ONE CHOICE.

TWO REALMS.

NO SECOND CHANCE.

Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies.

There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.

In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms who will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t home to the boy she’s falling for? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision…

What is more frustrating than having your main character not make any choices? Her being stubborn! However, with Tenley, aka Ten, having her not decide is a strength. SHE WILL NOT SURRENDER! I really liked Ten, she is super funny. Her stubbornness is kind of admiring. I love how she doesn't give in, even if she is being tortured. That's right, torture. You know what's worst? Her parents put her in this misery! Another reason why YOU should admire her.

Okay, so Ten is stuck in this in-between-world-ish. She doesn't know which realm she is going to pick. Either Troika or Myriad, the good or the bad. Yet both sides are at war, so really, they both have their pro and cons. Both side are doing everything to get Ten, because she's a super cool person. However, we really do not know why she's special. All we know is that both realm want her and have recruited an individual from each realm to help Ten pick a side.

Firstlife has an interesting concept. Really, it does. Yet you get at a point in which you want Ten to pick a side. To end her misery. Also, to know the reason why she doesn't want to pick a side. Please, just tell us. Another thing that gets me is the fact that we really don't find out why she is so special. Why both realms are on the edge of doing anything to "recruit" her.

Overall, this is a good story to read. However, for the story to be long, there should be more answers, more explanations. But the crazy things happening to Ten makes the story more bearable. Although, it sucks for her.