Rate this book

Everafter (2009)

by Nell Stark(Favorite Author)

3.79 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1602821194 (ISBN13: 9781602821194)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Bold Strokes Books

review 1: I seriously considered not finishing until about 1/2 way through there was a pivotal scene that made this book more interesting. The romance side of things was a bit much at times; it completely over-shadowed the action for the most part. A quick read that I ended up enjoying more than I thought I would. I'm glad I gave it a chance as I'm not usually into vampire books and definitely need a break from the paranormal genre for a little bit, though intend to read the sequel at some point.
review 2: A little more than 3, actually, maybe 3.25. I enjoyed this and will definitely grab the next one. There were some really wonderful elements in it--my favorite of which was the way the shifter-voice was written*, which I adored. I very much enjoyed following along with ... moreAlexa as she made her choice and then gained control of her inner panther. It was difficult reading about Val's experience, which came first, because of course hers was forced and horrifying--but I liked it for that, and that there was an honest and unflinching exploration of that part of the vampire thing. Both with Val's violent changing and with Val herself later.While the midway switch between PoVs was difficult for a chapter or two, since Val's is so tight in the beginning, I thought it was used effectively. Apart from being necessary for the plot, in order to communicate Alexa's experience, the structure itself balanced things out in the relationship. The latter is even more important in a romance novel, I think, so I liked the choice and execution. I also really liked the reactions of the longtime vamps and shifters within the community to them and their arrangement. The best being Malcolm when he tells Alexa she has to stop basing her "progress as a Were on your ability to feed your lover. I find that absolutely revolting." The Were/Vampire power struggle is always fun, and I like what Tam and Stark did with it in their world--and how it's obviously going to screw with our heroes.Established couples are oftentimes difficult at the start because there's a tendency to keep telling the reader how in love they are. "I need her, I love her, she's mine..." It would be more convincing to just show me them in a situation that proves it, but it's not always that easy when the couple's already together and the book starts with an event that threatens to tear them apart. The romance did suffer for me because of this, though--it goes RIGHT to a point where Alexa's meant to be willing to sacrifice a lot for Val, and it would've eased me in to believe in their love more than just going on what Val keeps telling me (over and over). But by the end, I was totally convinced and loving the way they worked together--though I couldn't help feeling a bit like Malcolm when it came to Alexa. I think she might be my favorite of the two, though :DThough the story has a satisfying arc, there are loads of unanswered questions, as with any good series. Definitely looking forward to more answers.*My one complaint with this is that at one point she said it was "schizophrenic" because it was about being torn between the human and the animal. That's not schizophrenia, man. That's more like DID. That common misapprehension bugs me because, although innocent, it gives a false impression. It's hard enough for people with mental illness--spreading misunderstandings just makes it worse. :/ less

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