Kelly Creagh

Isobel Lanley is horrified when her English teacher pairs her with Varen Nethers for a project. The two of them are opposite ends of the social spectrum, as she is a cheerleader and Varen is the very definition of goth. Selecting Edgar Allen Poe as the topic for their project, Isobel finds herself drawn to Varen and the mysteries that surround him and his black book filled with sketches and strange writings. Pulled further away from her friends and extremely possessive boyfriend, Isobel show more finds dreams and words have a greater power than she could have imagined. A power that threathens Varen's very life.

I picked up this book specifically because the cover screamed angsty teen romance (that's right, I like that kind of thing), and the description including references to the fascinating, Edgar Allen Poe. This novel delivered far much more than I had anticipated. Isobel and Varen definitely have a complex relationship, with all of the tension that comes from belonging to very different social groups but there are plenty of swoonworthy moments as well. The novel is also very atmospheric with a definite creepy (in a good way) factor. Creagh has created a fascinating realm filled with dark and frightening characters and locales. My only complaint is the many times characters would come into a situation planning to discuss something and never actually get to do so, which contributes to the plot but just once I wanted them to actually talk about what they meant to talk about. Poe is extremely influential in both the style of writing, plot, and themes, which explore the power of dreams and the power of writing and words. While there's plenty of high school drama, there is also a darker more complex plot that makes the novel a captivating read. The conclusion is open-ended and I eagerly look forward to the second book. show less

I really loved this book. The characters, the atmosphere, the style, even the cliffhanger ending (haunting, tragic, and frustrating though it was).

I was initially put off by the cover, thinking this would be another vampire romance sort of thing. I'm glad I checked it out anyway. Nevermore is the story of Isobel, a popular but kind cheerleader who defies the ditzy stereotype, and Varen, a trouble goth boy who gets paired up with Isobel for a school project on Edgar Allen Poe. Predictably the show more two clash, given their conflicting high school experiences. Isobel's boyfriend (an unlikeable meathead) threatens Varen, Varen detests Isobel's circle of high school royalty. But as Isobel gets closer to Varen, she becomes intrigued by him, grows to like him. And then things get scary.

The book veers from burgeoning romance to horror territory when twisted dreamworld of Varen's Poe-inspired fantasies begins to encroach on the real world, making Isobel an unwilling participant and prey for the monsters within it.

This book was well-written and well-paced, despite its span of 500+ pages. The two main characters were well-drawn and believable (you'll feel like you've probably met them in your own life). The author never waxes ecstatic on how beautiful they are, how tragic their love is, etc. (all those things that start to grate while reading YA paranormal romance). These kids have believable family lives - Varen has an abusive father, Isobel has strict but well-meaning parents - and they do believable things. Even their school project is cheesily accurate (you've done one of these for school, you'll remember it).

And as affection grows between the characters, it never feels forced. In one scene, after Isobel has realized she has feelings for Varen, she also realizes that after the project is finished she might not have another chance to be alone with him. The conflicting emotions, the bravery and the cowardice battling in her, the desire to say or do something before the moment slips away are all so poignantly and accurately written - we've all felt this way at some point. You'll find yourself thinking back, remembering what you did, regretting what you didn't. This is the author's strength - even when introducing the supernatural into her narrative, she never abandons that touchstone of reality to keep a reader grounded in her tale. Even in the dreamworld sequences the reader is never alienated.

I was thoroughly engrossed in this book. It was one of those rare, magical novels that pulled me in so completely that turning the last page was like waking up from deep sleep - all disorientation and desire to go back, not let it slip away. Like Varen, I'll be waiting, waiting for the next installment. show less

A devastatingly haunting love story that reverberates through the ages.

Jane's a psychic who has been hired - along with two other companions with gifts - to rid Fairfax Hall of an unwanted presence. But Jane isn't there long before she begins to suspect that it's the owner, Elias Thornfield, who's haunted, not the manor itself. The secrets Elias is keeping threaten to undo them all.

I love the energy of the group of friends who form, even though they don't get off to the best start. show more Giovanni's an unrelenting flirt built like a Greek god with a gift for seeing glimpses of the lives of people he touches. Ingrid's a purple-haired punk tarot card reader who can see glimpses of possible futures during readings. Together with Jane and a mysterious housekeeper, Mr. Poole, they form caring band. Even better, their interactions at times are hilarious. I love how the author juxtaposed the modern slang of the teens against the 18th century speech of Elias.

Jane finds herself drawn to Elias for reasons she can't quite explain, even though she keeps calling him a dumpster fire. Their connection carried the story as literal demons try to rip them apart.

This book left me teary and gave me a book hangover, in the best way. I didn't want to leave Jane's world behind!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. show less

This and other reviews can be found on Reading Between Classes

Cover Impressions: Ok, the font is nice and I like the overlay of writing. HOWEVER - the emo dude on the cover ruined ANY chance of my having warm feelings for Varen.

The Gist: Vapid cheerleader is paired up with (gasp!) dark, emo dude for a school project on Edgar Allan Poe. Despite the fact that the partners were chosen by the teacher, her friends take this as a personal insult and threaten goth boy for breathing the same air as show more cheerleader girl. She finds his contempt for the world enticing and leaves her friends for him. Out of left field, she discovers a weird world where Varen (and Poe's) writing comes to life and Isobel is the only super special snowflake who can save Varen from himself.

Review: This book (and its sequel) have been on my TBR list for quite a while. A lot of the reviewers that I follow have loved it and I had such high hopes that I saved it to be my last read of 2012. What. A. Mistake. Here were some of my issues:

1) The characters were stereotypical and irritating. Isobel = the vapid cheerleader and Varen = the moody, emo teenager she falls in love with.
2) Isobel didn't even LIKE Varen. She was constantly hating on the goths and when she had her little fantasy sequence - he was there, but as a prep who was NOTHING like the real character. For his part, Varen was a jerk. He treated Isobel like crap and she kept coming back for more. I read a lot of review that praised the romantic angle, but I just didn't get it. Their connection didn't feel real and Isobel was more than a little pathetic.
3) At least 1/2 the plot revolves around a homework assignment. That's right folks, Isobel loses all her friends and Varen gets pulverized OVER HOMEWORK! I kept waiting for the supernatural elements to kick in, but they took FOREVER. All this teen angst over homework was boring and irritating.
4) Speaking of homework, why were her parents so bent out of shape that she had to sneak out of the house in order to work on a project? What kind of parent doesn't make allowances so that their kid can pass a class?
5) Also speaking of homework, despite at least half of the book centering around a homework project, and despite sneaking out to meet Varen to work on said project, Isobel spent her time avoiding doing any of the actual reading or research. At the last minute, she threw together some flashy presentation meant to mask the fact that she didn't do any actual work.
6) When we were finally thrown into the supernatural element it was with very little explanation. Isobel basically wandered around searching for Varen. She had no plan and no information. None of the other characters felt the need to explain anything that was going on and the whole Dreamworld seemed like one convoluted mess.
7) This book was supposed to be strongly tied to Poe - a master of suspense and horror. This story does not do him justice and I am appalled that his name was invoked at all.

I have NO desire to read any further in this series and, quite frankly, I hope one of the creepy ass bird kids eats Isobel for lunch.

Teaching/Parental Notes:

Age: 16 and up
Gender: Female
Sex: Kissing
Violence: Fist Fighting, Bullying
Inappropriate Language: Faggot, Christ, Piss, Pussy
Substance Use/Abuse: Smoking show less