Too much like too many other, "there's something strange about this boarding school" book ( )

Reviewed by Amber Gibson for TeensReadToo.com

Evernight Academy is a secluded boarding school, tucked away in the woods where its secrets will not be uncovered. Its secrets are prolific, lasting since its founding centuries ago. While it may seem like simply an elite boarding school, Evernight is much more than that, serving as a haven for some of the world's most hated and hunted. Vampires.

Bianca is none too happy when her parents become teachers at Evernight and enroll her in the spooky school. There is something strange about the other students; they are all too poised, too confident, and too beautiful to be real. Bianca knows that she will find no true friends in that crowd, and she resigns herself to a lonely year spent with her books.

When she meets Lucas, a fellow student who defies the mainstream, Bianca knows that she has found a rare friend. Lucas is gallant, courageous, and friendly. Soon, the two grow close, and Bianca can see herself falling head-over-heels for Lucas, with nothing she can do about it. Mostly, their relationship is tender and caring, but the occasional spat foreshadows a danger lurking in their future. Lucas and Bianca are no ordinary students, and both are hiding secrets from the other. When their differences surface, their love appears doomed. The forces conspiring against them are far more powerful than Bianca and Lucas could ever imagine.

Lies upon lies abound, and Bianca does not know who to turn to as she finds herself caught between a life she has always known and a chance for love. Who can she trust? One rash decision could change her life and the lives of those she loves forever.

Claudia Gray spins a gripping Gothic romance, weaving in threads of the supernatural and the modern. Bianca is a complex character, juggling her responsibilities to her family while trying to follow her heart. Those who enjoy vampire tales will be thrilled with EVERNIGHT for painting a comprehensive picture of vampires, showing vampire life from Bianca's unique perspective and not relegating vampires to a strictly villainous position. Gray does not stereotype her characters or pigeonhole them into traditional roles, letting the reader decide for themselves what it means to be "good" and "evil."

EVERNIGHT is an excellent drama that will leave readers longing for more, but some secrets may never be revealed. ( )

I really enjoyed Evernight. It was a quick, though mostly superficial, read that definitely kept me wanting more-- and it's much better than a lot of the teen paranormal books that are around these days. Bianca is written well and easy to relate to, while the romance is just enough to be satisfying without being laid on too thick. Not one of my favorite books, but closer to the top than a lot of the other teen vampire books I've read recently. ( )

An enjoyable young adult vampire novel. I thought this was a cut above some of the other books of this genre. The characters were a bit more interesting and sympathetic, the world-building was interesting, and the plot was well-paced, as it built up to a revelation that had unfortunately been spoilt for me by reading the back cover of the sequel. ( )

I don't like Bianca - she's boring, spineless, and disloyal to anyone that's not Lucas. I don't like Lucas - he's a hypocrite, boring, and not Balthazar. ( )