Nevermore (Nevermore, #1) in All Challenges All The Time

Sep 01, 2011 Jojobean rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-pnr, favorites, kelly-creagh, 2010-publication, series-book-1, set-in-us, set-in-made-up-world, 5-star-ratings, hardcover, physical-books-owned

My all time favorite book. I absolutely love everything about it. I like how Isobel is a popular girl with morals which is shown when she helps Varen clean up the ice cream store he works at.

I enjoyed the love story between Varen and Isoble. When Isobel was first paired with Varen for an english project she was horrified. I like how over time they got to know each other and bond over Poe like when Isobel went to Varen's house. I also like how she called Varen on being a jerk and just like the p My all time favorite book. I absolutely love everything about it. I like how Isobel is a popular girl with morals which is shown when she helps Varen clean up the ice cream store he works at.

I enjoyed the love story between Varen and Isoble. When Isobel was first paired with Varen for an english project she was horrified. I like how over time they got to know each other and bond over Poe like when Isobel went to Varen's house. I also like how she called Varen on being a jerk and just like the popular people when he wouldn't acknowledge her when she went to sit with him at lunch. It shows that all people can be mean, not just bullies.

I can't describe the feeling i felt when Isobel and Varen kissed. It was like a feeling of happiness and "finally" when it happened. I was waiting for them to acknowledge their feelings for each other and that kiss was the way to do it.

I have to admit that near the end starting from where Isobel and Varen give their presentation, the book went ape shit and I had a hard time following it. The only problem I had with Isobel was when she took what Reynolds words at face value when he told her that Varen was ok and would get out of his dream world. I though that there she was being very stupid. I know that if that was the person I love there was no way I'd leave that world unless that person was standing next to me and holding my hand. Hell i'd make them go to the real world first before me so I's know they'd actually be there. But i do understand that this was done to segue into the next book.

This book also have other significant meaning for me. While I was reading thing book in late October to Early Novemeber, my father was fighting cancer. He was dignosed with lung cancer in september. When he was home he would lay in his bed and either me, my mom or my sister would sit with him because he didn't want to be alone. So for a few days I sat with him for hours on end while he slept and read this book. I was there for my dad when he needed me most. My father passed away on November 4th, 2010. I finished this book after his funeral. So whenever I see or read this book, I will think of my dad and the time we spent together before his death. I miss my father very much and I absolutely love him and this book. It has a very special meaning for me.

9/18/12- I just finished re-reading Nevermore. This book is still my all time favorite book. I just wanted to say that, after re-reading the book, the last chapters where Isobel is in the dream world is understandable and not confusing at all. I think that when someone reads this book for the first time, there are so many things going on and so many things to process that the chapters dealing with the dream world seem like one big confusing blur. But when re-reading the book, the reader already knows what to expect and the writing becomes more clearer and is easy to understand.

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May 28, 2012 Diane rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, supernatural, romance, dark

I really enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by my sister and I believe it is her favorite book. Since Edgar Allan Poe is my favorite author...ever...I thoroughly enjoyed the author's use of his life, death and works throughout the text. Aside from the obvious plot elements that center on Poe (the English project, the dream world), the subtle weaving of characters and events from Poe's stories and poems throughout the narrative was really good- for instance, the tapping on Isobel's windo I really enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by my sister and I believe it is her favorite book. Since Edgar Allan Poe is my favorite author...ever...I thoroughly enjoyed the author's use of his life, death and works throughout the text. Aside from the obvious plot elements that center on Poe (the English project, the dream world), the subtle weaving of characters and events from Poe's stories and poems throughout the narrative was really good- for instance, the tapping on Isobel's window (The Raven)and the man with the glass eye at the bookstore (Tell-Tale Heart), just to name a few. I also liked Isobel's brother- the character felt familiar because I have a younger brother as well. Most of all, I like Varen's character. He is full of conflict, is complicated, and has depth. I can't wait to see more of him in the next book.

I do, however, have some issues with the book- which is why I gave it four stars. The last sequence of the narrative was very complicated. At times it was confusing and hard to follow exactly what was going on. While this may be a style of the writer and a technique to enhance the confusion of the characters in the dream world- it was at times frustrating to read.
Also, my main concern was everyone's reaction to Isobel because of Varen. It is understandable that some people have an aversion to him because he is "weird" "freaky" "goth" or whatever. BUT it was completely and utterly unrealistic that Isobel's friends and father would take it out on HER especially because at first, she only associated with him BECAUSE SHE HAD TO DO HER HOMEWORK. While teenagers in high school, especially girls, can be bitchy- I seriously doubt they would turn on someone and isolate them because that person is trying not to fail a class. She didn't even choose him as her partner- they were assigned. The fact that Isobel was trying to get her schoolwork done is not a reason to have the other characters turn on her. Additionally, her father- who seems cool overall- completely overreacted when he saw Varen STUDYING with her. The fact that she had to sneak out to do homework??? Unrealistic. If the author wanted to make their love story Romeo and Juliet like- with many people against their union- she could have done that without the project/homework element. This plot line and the characterizations here are weak and this is one major issue I had with the book.

Despite this issue, however, I enjoyed the rest of the book. I think the book as a whole was excellent and am excited for the continuation of the story. ...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Kath rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy

I thought it was interesting and quirky. Definitely original too. I liked the Poe aspect as his poetry really is quite amazing. But I kind of got lost near the end of the book when numerous events occurred one after another leaving me a little confused. While Isobel was in the dreamworld I admit to only being able to skim through he pages of never-ending battles and cryptic messages. Either way , I'll probably end up reading the next book. ...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Anita Reads rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal, pnr-uf, read-2016, young-adult

I really liked the whole Edgar Allan Poe vibe to this story. It was super creepy at times. I had my issues with the main character a few times, but I didn't hate her or anything. It was more because I had a hard time relating to her a few times.
I just wish it would have been about 200 pages shorter or something. Sometimes it was super slow going, and that ruined the overall story for me.

Not sure at this point if I will continue with the trilogy. I'm glad I read it though. ...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) rated it liked it

Shelves: favorite-couple, fantastic-hero, 3-stars, suspense, paranormal, from-my-shelf, fantastic-heroine, young-adult

What a suspenseful book! I absolutely loved everything about this book. The characters and their development was spot on and the storyline was 'up all night page turning' great. I'm pretty sure I'm in love with Varen even though for the life of me I couldn't figure him out in the beginning. The romance was great and it developed smoothly. I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel because this book was awesome. ...more

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