My review of Everless

Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland

Release date: December 27, 2017 (UK)

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In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Everless easily drew me in with its promise of fantasy, romance and secrecy. However, the characters felt very one dimensional and lacking in development. Throughout the story I found myself caring less and less about what the main character Jules was doing, and waiting for a moment when the storyline would completely blow me away, which sadly did not happen.

The premise of blood being currency was very interesting but the execution was not completely there. I can imagine if I had read this book five years ago I might have really loved it, but the bar for YA fantasy romance is so high Everless just did not match up. The romance plot between Jules and Roan, the son of one of the wealthiest families, never took off. It was almost like their interactions were forced and Roan was just added into scenes here and there at random. It did not flow and it did not make me swoon so I am very, very gutted. 

Will I read the sequel? Perhaps. I did enjoy the story and felt that it had a lot more to give and so did its characters. Would I recommend? If you don't mind your main characters being bland and confused, and the storyline being slightly predictable then this may be your cup of tea.

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