Review - Enshadowed (Nevermore, #2) by Kelly Creagh

Title: Enshadowed

Author: Kelly Creagh

Series: 2nd (Nevermore)

Pages: 429

Published: August 28th 2012 by Atheneum 

ISBN:  9781442402072

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.  Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave. Only the Poe Toaster holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent. 

I Give This ...

I've been eagerly awaiting this installment in the Nevermore series.  I'm not a die hard Poe fan, but I've always enjoyed his works.  The first book impressed way more than I though possible, so this one was a no brainer for me. 

    Isobel really is a shadow of herself in this book.  I don't mean that in bad way, but she's not the same person.  Varen completely changed her as did her experiences in the dream world that he's now trapped in.  She spends her days trying to convince her friends that she's still the popular cheerleader she was before.  She's trying to convince the adults that she really had nothing to with Varen.  And she's trying to convince her parents that they can trust her again.  But, most of all I think she's trying to convince herself that she isn't going crazy and that she is capable of rescuing Varen.  The probable is that she doesn't know what she's dealing with.  A demon that's as old as time and known for giving lost souls exactly what they crave.  Someone who had her hand on Varen long before Isobel came into the picture.  

I loved the inclusion of the "Poe Toaster" in this story.  I've always found the person to be fascinating. I hope some day the full story comes out to the identity, but I'm content with it being one of life mysteries.  The fact that Isobel could so easily explain who he was just a great addition to the story.  Those little details that the author is really paying attention to are what make the story complete.  The flashbacks of the interactions between the Toaster and Poe fill in the story, but I still think there's more to this person that we don't know yet.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt like there was lot of down time.  Isobel spends a lot of time trying to figure out what to do.  We also get very little Varen and what we do get is so not what I was expecting.  The dream world has not been good to him.   I debated on what to give this story, but felt it deserved a 4 overall just what the story bring to the table.  It's downfalls weren't enough to knock it down in my opinion.  I await the next one! 

 

Nevermore (Nevermore #1) by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Series: 1st in Nevermore

Pages: 543

Published: August 2010 by Anthem

ISBN: 9781442402003

Source: Star Book Tours

 

Description: Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.  His life depends on it.

I Give This ...

 

I knew I had to read this just based on the Edgar Allan Poe element.  This book ended up being unlike anything I've read in awhile.  I was immediately drawn into it and not once did it feel like it was a 500+ page book.

I didn't particularly like Isobel at first.  She seemed so much like your typical popular cheerleader.  She's oblivious to those outside her circle and unwilling to look below the surface.  Her home life also confused me a little.  What parent wouldn't let their kid out of the house to get a major school project done?  But, it all seem to fit into this bubble that is her life.  But as she gets to know Varen, she learns that not everyone is what them seem.  She makes new friends way outside her circle and learns her old friend aren't all their cracked up to be.  I was really appalled at what they did in the ice cream shop.

I really enjoyed Varen, and wish we got to see more of him.  He's still somewhat of a mystery.  I think he's a very complex character and even Isobel doesn't know the full depth of his character.  I was particularly fascinated by the persona he portrays in light of his background.  I also really liked his relationship with Isobel.  It's so slow and dramatic.  I also really enjoyed the idea that his writings created the dream world.  It's an interesting idea to the story.

I loved the inclusion of Edgar Allan Poe into the story.  It was great how the author managed to tie in both his personal life (and it's many mysteried) and his works.  He's as much of a character in this novel as Isobel and Varen are.  I'm hoping the author can draw so closure in his story in the end (even if it is fiction).  I'll be eagerly waiting for the next one.