Review: Nevermore By: Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore
Author: Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum, 528 Pages (August 31st 2010)
From: Purchased from Amazon

Synopsis: 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.

Review: 5 Stars - Debut author Kelly Creagh has created a world all of her own with the first in her new series Nevermore. From cover to cover - It’s Epic, it’s dark, it’s twisty and it’s full of amazing! Speaking of the cover, it had me hooked, the synopsis made this a must read and after finishing the book I knew, without a doubt that I’d be thinking about the story and characters for a long time to come. Many have said this before and I’ll be more then excited to say it again - Creagh has a sure-fire hit on her hands with this must read. Nevermore is an amazing addition, to not just my personal library but for everyone looking for much more then a hauntingly good read and swoonable characters.

Our main characters are, Isobel the popular cheerleader who is blond, bright, bubbly and pink; and Varen is dark, mysterious and well, the totally polar opposite of Isobel. When the two are forced together for a class project, things start to change pretty quickly in both of their lives. With Varen being such an outcast and Isobel being Miss Popularity things are bound to be harsh and rough for these two.

One thing I always love about a book is when you can see the characters changing for the better because of someone who’s somehow affected their lives. I love it more so when its characters so different that in turn make you realize that maybe they have more in common then you might have thought at the beginning.

Isobel’s inner struggles and the struggles with her peers were written extremely well and just proved how much of a strong person she was no matter what she was facing. Oh and trust me…. She faced more then her fair share in this first installment.

And Varen, oh how we can’t forget the dark broody boy of this story. He’s everything a pink fluffy girl could ever want! He has so many issues of his own that my heart just wanted to break for him. He ends up in over his head and mixed up with something that’s otherworldly and yep… bad and before he knows what’s happening he’s brought it on to Isobel as well.

Nevermore is a hurry, time is running out, follow the evil down the rabbit hole type of twisty. It’s perfect for any fan of Edgar Allen Poe as his poems are part of what makes this story possible. As the characters are twisted in and out of his poems it felt as if I was right there with them.

Oh and the ending! I felt I could have just about cried! Not just for Varen, but for Isobel too. It’s a huge cliffhanger to say the least, leaving me with “I NEED the second book right now!” syndrome. It’s a long way for the next book yes, however I could re-read this one over and over again back to back and never get tired of it.

All in all Nevermore is a book not to be passed by. Creagh has a beautiful style of writing, fresh ideas and perfect characters that make this, for me a favorite for 2010. I can say without a doubt that ANYTHNG Creagh writes I will read and you should do the same. Trust me, you have no idea just what your missing in such a fabulous world that all lies waiting for you within Nevermore. Enjoy!

FTC Disclaimer: I DID pay for this book and have NOT been compensated at all in any way or means for reading this book and or writing this HONEST review.