Evernight

by Claudia Gray

Book Overview

Bianca wants to escape.At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas, he... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061284394
• ISBN13: 9780061284397
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Harperteen
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Evernight

Great read. Vampires, wearwolves and a great love story. Better then twilight. I've read the book before ordering and happy to read again.

An entertaining romp in the teen Gothic thriller vein

When I picked up this review, I had two observations: 1) Gothic teen thriller market might reach oversaturation, but I doubt it. Not with a ready willing supply of writers such as Claudia Gray and Stephanie Meyer, who pave the way for Charlaine Harris and similar kindred authors in the adult category. As one reviewer and the product tags have already revealed, there are vampires involved, but that's as much as I'll say, except to note that vampires in fiction are immortal. 2) What is it about boarding schools as a setting that has appealed to everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to J.K. Rowling? At least this one doesn't feature wizards or someone suddenly discovering that he or she is the super-powerful inexperienced savior (although there is a reference to destiny)--sorry, everyone, Rowling does it so much better. The creepiness of Poe's "William Wilson" infuses a bit of this story. Heroine Bianca Olivier has her parents along for the ride, which creates an interesting dynamic as she navogates the pitfalls and perks of being the Professor's Kid. On to the plot. Something is desperately wrong at the snobby Evernight Academy. Bianca kicks of the action by running away from the perfect crowd that includes halfway-civil Patrice (who takes on a glamorous-big-sister role), insolent and rude Courtney, downright vicious Erich, and sexy, smart Balthazar. Unfortunately for all of them, Bianca meets up with school outcast Lucas Ross, who has an annoying habit of pushing Bianca to break away from her parents (ironically, he brings her back to the school in the beginning). Hey, Lucas, news flash: Liking Cary Grant does not mean Bianca's an uncool repressed dork, even if you "care" about her. Bianca and Lucas's risky romantic relationship is somewhat convincing, although she seems to have more of a bond with Balthazar. Lucas gets painted in a more flattering light thanks to his friendship with the lovable Hawaiian-shirted goof Vic. Still, I'm one of the readers who says "awww" and "this is not going to work" simultaneously. I suppose the sequel will reveal all. Two of the twists in the book snapped me back in my seat (second time in a week with a review book), even though one elicited some strong criqiues and questions from a writing standpoint. Still, it's a good one, and totally unexpected. The characters feel real, and the writing is suitably spooky and complex. I liked Bianca and sympathized with her as she struggled to find her place in the world.

Cleverly Plotted

Bianca Olivier does not want to attend Evernight Academy - she finds it creepy - but she has no choice since her parents are teachers there. She feels like she doesn't fit in, but she manages to make friends, especially with Lucas Ross. Bianca and Lucas are drawn together, but both are keeping secrets from each other, dark secrets that may tear them apart and threaten their existence. "Evernight" is an excellently written piece of teen fiction. The first person narration by Bianca is nicely done and author Claudia Gray does a good job of capturing the uncertainty of a teenager starting a new school. Gray also does a good job of portraying the creepy Evernight Academy and its students. When I first started reading it, I thought "Evernight" was going to be a standard teen horror/gothic novel (a Lifetime movie in print so to speak) but halfway through the novel Gray throws in a twist that takes the novel in an entirely new and welcome direction. I will not spoil the twist here, but will say that I didn't see it coming. After reading the twist, I reread the first part of the book and Gray does an excellent job of providing the reader with hints as to what is going on without giving it entirely away. Well done. "Evernight" is the first book in a four part series. Although some plot lines are left open, it certainly can be read on its own. However, I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series to find out what happens to Bianca and her friends and her enemies. "Evernight" is well done.

An enjoyable genre-bender

My previous forays into teen and vampire books have always left me feeling cheated. It's too easy to fall into the sap trap with the former, and devolve into effete and self-conscious inanity with the latter. Not so with Evernight. It is a perfect story for the adolescent set, or anyone else willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy a good tale for a few hours read. Evernight is a refreshingly entertaining and interesting take on some tried and true themes - coming of age, not fitting in, dealing with the undead. Obviously, there's a lot of flight of fancy here given the premise, and Ms. Gray does a superb job of taking us right into the story of Bianca. She does not get distracted with superfluous back stories, ponderous musings on why things are the way things are, or pointless expositions of how cool her characters are. She jumps into the world as her engaging and wholly likable protagonist sees it, complete with uncertainties and a decidedly modern perspective, and just runs from there. Ms. Gray is adept at dropping little morsels of conflict here and there, whetting our appetite for the inevitable showdown. She does this without being overtly manipulative - the suspense builds very gradually and organically. In fact, I was content just to read about how Bianca interacted with the odd and rarefied world of Evernight - no conflict necessary. Of course, there is conflict - plenty of it. You get the sense that no one is quite what (or who) they seem, and their agendas are likewise masked. The twists are welcome and make the ride all the more enjoyable, although one or two were a little abrupt and hard to swallow given the way the story played out, but our heroine is so likably normal that these were minor disturbances in an otherwise completely enjoyable experience. Evernight is a great story, and there are plenty of tantalizing loose ends and "what ifs" that leave me anticipating the next book. Get it and enjoy!

Claudia Gray does not dissapoint with Evernight

I have never read a twist or turn in a story that surprised me as much as Claudia Gray's did in Evernight. Considering that the reader is well aware of the subject matter and storyline from reading the dust cover--this is really saying something. Evernight begins slowly (1st in a series) but begins taking the reader down a very logical path. But when the rug is pulled out from under every assumption the reader has formed, it's hard to put the book down until the end. I look forward to reading each and every book Claudia Gray puts out there. Although the subject matter is fantasy, young adult readers will get much out of this book--the confusion, self-consciousness, and fear of not fitting in of youth are expertly, and at times, graphically, detailed throughout the story. Claudia Gray manages, with only a handful of transgressions, to accurately use the teen voices of her young characters. I recommended this book to my teen reader and would also recommend it for anyone who enjoys the genre.

The best vampire romance series yet!

Lately there are tons of vampire romances and vampire books geared to young adults but Evernight really stands out among the rest. Even for a Twiligh or Vampire Kisses fan I think this book is a few notches above the rest as I found really nothing "out of place" or annoying {as I did with those other books even though I do love them, flaws and all} and the heroine is one of the, if not the, most likeable heroine I've come across in quite a while. I'm not giving any spoilers away but I do have to say that the book keeps you on the edge of your seat and the big twist is a big, big twist indeed. One which I found utterly delightful and I'm sure you will too. I highly highly recommend this book to any vampire fans or fans of urban fantasy or, shoot, fans of a damn good story! This would make an awesome movie!!! Can't wait for the next book. In fact, I'm pre-ordering it right now!