Review: Evermore (Sara Holland)

started: 12/28 finished: 1/1 pages: 356

this one is obvs the sequel to my most recent read. I like to binge sequels subsequently because i tend to forget what is going on, so if sequels are available, i'll read them back to back. I didn't really know what to expect with this one, as the ending of Everless set up for way too many possibilities. I hadn't read anywhere that this was going to be a duology but based on the ending, we're not getting a sequel to Everless (which...i'm not too upset about). thoughts below.

The Good:

• the action really ramps up in this one and remarkably never felt gratuitous 
• development of the love interest didn't feel awkward
• the ending was satisfying and had some emotional gravitas, which truly surprised me
• it was nice to experience Sempera outside of Everless/Crofton
• the couple of new characters are refreshing against the khaki backdrop of Jules and (2nd book) Liam

The Bad:

• i still couldn't wrap my head around why Jules makes the decisions she does. her impulsivity was the only thing driving the plot. i thought she and liam were about to embark on a puzzle-solving/clue-hunting adventure, and instead we wind up at the ending out of sheer luck
• seriously, the few redeeming discoveries, such as the thief's lair, do very little to make up for the fact that they hunted for TWO DIFFERENT RIVERS OF RED. no wait. THREE! THREE DIFFERENT "RED RIVERS" OF VARIOUS FORMS!
• Liam has lost all charm and intrigue. i guess he was stressed the whole time but dude.
• i really wish there had been a third connection to lord Ever. he's the Gerling's ancestor! why doesn't that mean anything?! that material is ripe but holland spells out the backstory in three pages (and the various flashbacks throughout the rest of the book add up to it as well), so i can't even see a spin-off novel happening
• ina almost immediately believing Jules' explanation at their final confrontation was really the last straw for me on this one. you're the queen now! don't go believing memories that someone has injected into you! everyone's out to get you! be more suspicious!

loved it:

• Elias

hated it:

• "kill or be killed" mission

i'm giving this one 3 stars. if the ending hadn't been as strong, it would be a 2. i like to use my brain when i'm reading books but this duology left me wanting. i am really excited to get started on And I Darken after these fluff pieces.