Evermore by Alyson Noel

Book Details
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Paperback, 320 Pages
2009, St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 031253275X
Series: Book 1 of The Immortals

Synopsis
Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste . . .

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

Review
After her entire family was killed in a car accident she survived, Ever gained the ability to see auras, hear thoughts and talk to ghosts. While she usually appreciates the opportunity to talk to her dead kid sister, she feels like a freak and has major survivors guilt. Enter Damen, the dreamy new boy at school. Everyone has a crush on him, including Ever's gay friend, but she feels a deeper connection to him. She can't hear Damen's thoughts and even being near him helps her tune out everyone else. Ever fights her feelings for Damen but can't help realize that he may hold the answers she craves.

The story was addictive. I couldn't put the book down. I loved Ever and could really feel her pain. She had an angsty vibe, but she had valid reasons for her feelings. Her family was dead and her abilities were beyond her control. Her friends were obnoxious (in my mind). I did want to kick her when she decided a drinking binge was the best course of action when trying to quiet the voices in her head though. Her drinking had consequences, but it took a lot for her to see the real price of her actions.

I spent the majority of this book wondering what the deal with Damen was. Thankfully, it was explained nicely towards the end because I could not figure out what made him so different. The best part of the book was Ever's abilities and I wish she would have embraced instead of trying to get rid of them. Hopefully we'll get to see her taking more control of them in future books.

Mind-reading is a paranormal favorite of mine and Evermore sets up a series that has the possibility of doing it very well. The book was definitely intriguing and I'll certainly be reading more from Alyson Noel.

Rating

Links

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