Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Olus, the young god of the wind, prefers to live with humans rather than his divine companions, all of whom are hundreds of years older than he is. In his travels he can't help noticing and falling in love with the beautiful and talented Kezi. At first he forces himself to be content merely watching, but then Kezi's father makes a deadly oath, and Kezi has only a month left to live. Unwilling to let her die, Olus reveals himself and offers Kezi a chance at life.

But before Olus and Kezi can defy fate and make a new life for her, they must survive the most frightening tests of their lives -- alone. Can they prove themselves worthy in the gods' eyes, and their own?

EVER is a touching novel about the power of love in overcoming fear, and the many different types of faith. The myth-like story takes place in a unique setting, more like India than the traditional medieval backdrop of most fantasies, and which makes for a fascinating world to explore. Olus and Kezi make for sympathetic narrators, passionate but wiser than their years would suggest.

Readers may wish that their adventures lasted longer. What adventure there is will have them turning the pages, eager to find out whether Kezi will survive, and what she may have to give up in the process. An excellent novel for older children and teens, especially those interested in other cultures and questions of faith. ( )

Susan says: I had read something about this book which made me think it was not appropriate for the youth department, where most Gail Carson Levine books are. So I decided to read it. This book is set in a mythical country where Kezi lives with her family. Her family has always believed in Admat - much like God. But there is a group of gods, much like the Greek gods and goddesses who are really watching from afar. One of the young gods, Olus, falls in love with Kezi and is determined to save her from an oath her father swore to Admat that he would kill her in one month. There is the whole question of God v. god - how religion is represented. There is also the love relationship between Kezi and Olus - there is nothing beyond kissing, but it is definitely a deep relationship. It's just a weird combination of things - a deeper relationship than usual in Levine's books, but told in a very simplified way, much like her usual middle school books. So it isn't really a teen book, nor is it a youth book. We put it in teen for now. ( )

It was a fun read, but it definitely could have been more descriptive and detailed. This was a little bit different than the other books Levine has written. ( )

This book was a bit different then I expected. I thought ... Ever.. fairy tale.. no? Instead, it had a more mythological story line about the god of wind falling in love with a girl who saves her aunt from a terrible death oath by taking it on herself. They fall in love... he tries to save her... the whole champion/heroine deal is added in there as well. Overall, a really well-written and wonderful book. ( )

Told in alternating voices. Kezi is a mortal who's fate it is to be sacrificed in a month. Olus is the Akkan god of the winds who tries to pass for a mortal and falls in love with her. Together they try to change her destiny by taking on quests. ( )