Updated!!!! Evermore, The Immortals, Book 1 by Alyson Noël

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin / St. Martin's Press
Pages: 301

From the Cover: 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.

Ever Bloom has survived the impossible, the loss of her entire family; everyone except for her Aunt Sabine, her father's twin. And Ever knows the entire accident was solely her fault. She has cost her family all of their lives; her dad, mother, little sister Riley, and their dog, Buttercup. Yet, even as she watched her family wave goodbye forever, she longed to stay alive. And for that, she cannot forgive herself.

In her old life, she was a cheerleader, popular, one of the 'in' crowd. Now, she hides in the back of the class, hoping to go unnoticed. She hides as much as possible from the world by wearing hoodies and sunglasses and blasting her ipod. Anything that lets her drown out the voices and thoughts of those around her, because since the accident, she has become a freak; a psychic freak. She can see aura or the psychic energy surrounding the living. And not only can she hear everyone's most private thoughts, answers to the test questions, and intimacies she doesn't desire, but she sees dead people too.

Her little sister, Riley, visits daily. Riley just wanted to be thirteen and now all she gets to be is dead, living vicariously through Ever. Ava, the party psychic her aunt hired, tells Ever that this just isn't right. She has to let Riley go and she's right, but Ever doesn't know if she can live without Riley. Her only live friends are Miles and Haven, the only two people who don't care that she's not cool. Haven is being tempted by the dark, and Ever is scared for her; it may cost her life.

Suddenly peace is found, not by acceptance of her 'gift', but by the new guy in school Damen Auguste. With a single brush of his hand, which usually causes pain, a quiet comes over Ever that she can't remember. Like before the accident. When her life was normal, like she could look at herself in the mirror. And Damen only has eyes for Ever. Everytime he sees her, he bears a red tulip. What does this mean? Who can this mysterious and gorgeous guy be?

Evermore by Alyson Noël is a sweet story of loss and love, growing up and coming to terms with the horrible realities of life. Along with those realities, a whole new world is opened up for Ever, full of the mystical and fantastical. She doesn't know why this has happen to her, and when she does, it overloads her circuits and she refuses to believe the impossible. This is not your usual fantasy read and I was intrigued and surprise by what I found. At first, I thought maybe it was going to be Twilight-like, but it isn't at all. Ever is a heroine who lives in the lap of luxury and wants nothing more to go back to her old life. She doesn't need or desire all of the extras her Aunt Sabine can provide. Riley visits everyday, letting Ever pretend that she still has a little sister. And it's not healthy for either of them. Damen, our hero, has loved Ever forever and since he's found her, he doesn't intend to let her go. He's tall, dark beautiful eyes, bronze skinned, gorgeous, and mysterious. Only Ever can change his mind; force him to let her go. It's up to her to decide who she needs to tell goodbye and to do so, she has to accept reality. I found Evermore to be an unique read, entertaining, and at times funny, and then again at time, heart sorry. It was a fast interesting read that I finished in one sitting. If you a fan of YA, paranormal, and young romance, this is an excellent book. I can't wait to read the next in the series, Blue Moon, The Immortals, Book 2 released July 2009. I loved the explanation of auras at the beginning of the book and how Ms. Noël comes to explain the meaning of flowers. A worthy read that I very much enjoyed and recommend for all lovers of YA and paranormal, a refreshing twist. For more information about Alyson Noël or all of her great books, please visit http://www.alysonnoel.com/.

(release date July 2009)

Update!!!! Alyson Noël has revealed the new cover art of Book 3 of the Immortals, Shadowland.

(release date November 17, 2009)

Want more? Take a peek at the book trailer.