Review: Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland

Everless
(Everless #1)
by Sara Holland

January 2, 2018

336 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

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.
 

Review

Everless was not at all what I expected. To be honest, I didn't have any expectations except hoping for an absorbing fantasy story which was exactly what I got but also much more.

The world in Everless was entirely its own. I really enjoyed the concept of time being the currency traded in blood. Without having to say, we know the importance of having money. The story paints a really clear and perhaps brutal picture of the difference between the rich and the poor. It was a vastly unfair world but one that was well-established.

The slow build up and small reveals in Everless were perfect. The writing was really compelling. There was always an undertone of urgency to the story that had my attention. It kept me reading. I desperately just needed to know.

Jules was brave but also utterly reckless. I love the way she gave her all to people and things she cared about but I also think it would've done her well to have listened to other people (mainly her father). Her actions always put her in danger and if she wasn't so lucky to have had help, she would've been completely on her own. As it is, I'm curious to see how she will get by in the next book.

I had a tiny issue with the climax of Everless. It came and went very quickly before we could fully comprehend exactly what went down. In the blink of an eye, everything was changed. However the twists and turns were quite the experience and some of the confessions definitely surprised me.

There was very little romance in Everless with the majority of it focused on Jules's infatuation with her childhood playmate. I wasn't a fan of the guy because there was just something fishy about him. I'm glad fate (aka Ms. Holland) had other ideas though it was still a shocker to see how the puppy love was settled. Even now I'm not sure I quite believe it. I will say there seems to be a set up for another romantic possibility and that's the one I'm excited to see grow.

Everless will get your blood pumping. The story is fast-paced with ever-changing characters, thick tension and unpredictable twists. This is definitely a debut to watch out for!

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way.