Evertrue by Brodi Ashton Review

Evertrue by Brodi Ashton
(Everneath, #3)
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray; 368 pages

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

If you have NOT read Everneath & Everbound, please read with caution. There are some spoilers that were unavoidable. Proceed with caution . . .

I don't know how I'm going to write a review for this book when my emotions are making a mess of me. I don't even know if this going to make sense and it'll probably include a lot of hidden spoilers.

I have been anticipating the end of this trilogy since reading Everbound yet I was terrified to finish this book because endings always make me nervous and emotional; especially when you're so connected to some of the characters. Like I was with Cole in this book. He is not normally the type of character I find myself siding with but there was just something about him that drew me in and once he had me, he never let me go. Never. I think he must've had my heart, too - it's the only explanation, really.

I am a big fan of Jack and Nikki, though. I didn't really care for Jack throughout the first two books, he bored me but seeing him in this book, he totally redeemed himself, in my eyes. He's determined to do anything in his power to make sure he has the love of his life by his side, no matter what. He's willing to risk his life, even though he knows what that would mean for her but he won't lose her without a fight. He's lost her one too many times and he's not going through that again. She's thinking the same thing, she doesn't want to be Queen and she doesn't want to feed in the forfeit. They better find a solution before she is forced to choose one of those solutions or dies trying.

We see a completely new side of Cole and I'm not sure how I feel about that part. I wasn't sure if I believed him and frankly, I just missed Cole's natural . . . erm, charm, if you will. It was a little hard to swallow and a little hard to get through because it changed the tone of the book, I think. Not necessarily in a bad way just in a weird way. It's hard to explain.

There were a few heart-wrenching scenes in this book. Both that really destroyed me happened in the Everneath. I'm sure those who have read it can guess what two scenes and those who haven't, once you do you'll be like oh I bet this is one of them and I'm sure you're right. My heart still hurts thinking about it - I think my heart will always hurt. It was a beautiful ending that had me in tears but beautiful, nonetheless.

*highlight to view spoiler* My Cole, my precious COLE! *sobs* I still can't get over his ending. I feel like a part of me has died (okay, that's a slight exaggeration but you get my point). His final line - oh man, I choked back a sob before the well opened up. Even though his death broke my heart, I understood it and I accept it. He accepted it, even though he was scared and shaking and ugh . . . I just wanted to comfort him. I'm going to stop thinking about this before I lose it again . . . *end spoiler*

Obviously, you're here because you've read the other two books (or you just ruined a lot for yourself) so if you are, you'll know this is definitely worth the read. Not only finding out what happens in the end, but to take this last journey with these characters - it's definitely needed.