Everwild (Skinjacker Trilogy) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Neal Shusterman (Author), Nick Podehl (Reader)

Book Description

Series: Skinjacker Trilogy | Publication Date: November 10, 2009

Everlost, the limbo land of dead children, is at war. Nick the “Chocolate Ogre” wants to help the children of Everlost reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Mary Hightower, self-proclaimed queen of lost children and dangerous fanatic, is determined to keep Everlost’s children trapped within its limbo for all eternity. Traveling in the memory of the Hindenburg, Mary is spreading her propaganda and attracting Afterlights to her cause at a frightening speed. Meanwhile, Allie the Outcast travels home to seek out her parents, along with Mikey, who was once the terrifying monster the McGill. Allie is tempted by the seductive thrill of skinjacking the living, until she discovers the shocking truth about skinjackers. Critically acclaimed author Neal Shusterman writes a book about life, death, and how the choices we make define ourselves in this luminous sequel to Everlost, which Orson Scott Card called “marvelously inventive . . . and magically beautiful.”

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—After losing her children to Nick, the Chocolate Ogre, at the conclusion of Everlost (2006), Mary Hightower takes to the heavens in her silver ship, the Hindenburg. Having momentarily lost her purpose, Mary quickly becomes zealous in her fanatic quest to become "mother" to all Afterlights (those who have died and are living in an alternate afterlife) and, with the help of some newly introduced skinjackers, sets out to conquer the world of Everlost. Meanwhile, Nick, spurred on by his victory over Mary, sets out to find her and keep her from preventing more Afterlights from crossing over. Allie and Mikey are traveling, looking for Nick, but also are slowly returning to Allie's hometown. They run into the skinjackers who teach Allie some new tricks, but also make the two Afterlights question where their powers can lead them. Neal Schusterman's action-packed, yet contemplative novel (2009, both S & S) introduces many new characters and new settings, and continues to pose important questions about morals, identity, mortality, and power. The fascinating and compelling tale leaves listeners breathless at its conclusion. While Nick Podehl does a good job of distinguishing characters' voices, there are several instances where the audio becomes fuzzy. Familiarity with the previous volume is necessary in order to understand much of the background character development and world scene.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, New Britain, CT
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Allie the outcast, Nick the chocolate ogre, and Mikey (the former monster, McGill) are back in book two of The Skinjacker Trilogy, about a land inhabited by teens and children who instead of dying, have entered a limbo state. More adventure ensues in places that didn’t survive in the real world (the Atlanta Underground, the Columbian Exhibition Center) as Nick and Allie lead separate efforts to stop an evil plan for the children of Everlost. Ethics, danger, romance, and humor all converge in the book’s final Elvis-themed showdown, which will leave readers impatient for book three. Grades 7-10. --Cindy Dobrez --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged Lib Ed; Library edition (November 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1441802134
• ISBN-13: 978-1441802132
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,267,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps. The father of four children, Neal lives in southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Everwild (A+) !!, December 23, 2009

By 

AC (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everwild (The Skinjacker Trilogy) (Hardcover)

The second of a planned trilogy, EVERWILD picks up a unspecified (but probably short) time after Everlost ends. And wow...I thought EVERLOST was good, but EVERLOST blows it out of the water in every way, shape, and form possible... A sequel that was better than the first!

EVERWILD continues the story of Allie and Nick, but their stories diverge as they pursue separate goals; Allie sets off with Mikey to find her parents in hopes that she might put her spirit to rest, while Nick finds himself against Mary Hightower in a race to find and use the lost children of, well, Everlost, for their own plans. Along the way, we are introduced to several new and unique characters that make the book that much more awesome.

Honestly, I don't think I could possibly give EVERWILD a summary worthy of its content. The summary above is only the beginning of a long and thrilling adventure. Shusterman wowed me beyond belief with his unending talent and beautiful writing, and it's clear that he pays meticulous attention to every aspect of the story. EVERWILD is a very layered book and each subplot is as interesting as the next. There are no dull moments, and I was very pulled into the story and experienced suspense and excitement and nervousness and thrills right alongside the characters. Shusterman manages to pack adventure, action, suspense, and comedy into one superb novel.

In EVERWILD, Shusterman delves deeper into the personalities of the main characters, whom are mainly Allie, Nick, and Mary. Allie and Nick are clearly protagonists, and very interesting ones at that, but I loved how Shusterman had a character like Mary, whom you couldn't be sure was truly evil or not and seemed insane yet sane, twisted yet not... The new characters were a delight; some were endearing well others gave off a rather sinister vibe.

There is only one complaint I had with EVERWILD: it had to end. I was so enthralled with everything that was happening that I was devastated when it ended. On a very cliffhanger-ish scene. But at the same time that's wonderful because it means that there is going to be more to this wonder-filled series!

A definite favourite for me and a book I'm going to recommend to everyone I know!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good follow-up, January 22, 2010

By 

Taylor Corbet "Taylor Corbet" (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everwild (The Skinjacker Trilogy) (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

This is the first series by Neal Shusterman I've read and I'm very impressed with the author's style and set-up. A lot of others have tried life-after-death books, but none I've seen match the complexity of Skinjacker's world. I particularly liked that the books aren't preachy, which tends to happen a lot with life-after-death novels. These really stand out in the YA genre, so I highly recommend them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ripper of a Good Book., December 21, 2009

By 

Sushi Girl -Laura (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Everwild (The Skinjacker Trilogy) (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

I recieved this book, because I fell in love with the first oneEverlost (The Skinjacker Trilogy), Neil Shusterman has written a series that in such a short time has grabbed a hold of my heart and mind , I dont see it letting go!

Where Everlost left off, Everwild picks up and the transition is smooth. Mary Hightower, the sky witch, is on a mission to collect as many afterlights as possible , to make an army against the Chocolate Ogre, formally known as Nick. She doesnt like him giving her kids their coins so that they pass into the light, into heaven. She wants all the childrens souls for herself and she will stop at nothing to make sure that happens. Nick, who is now on a train with Johnnie-O and Choo-Choo Charlie the train conductor, has a bucket of coins and it has no bottom to it. He wants all the afterlights to be able to move on, when they want too and not be trapped under Mary. Problem is, he still loves her, problem is she still loves him. Nick must hunt down a legend in Everlost, an afterlight called "Zach the Ripper" who rumor has it, can rip your heart right out of your body. Meanwhile Allie (the outcast) is on her own mission, with Mikey McGill ,THE McGill. She wants to go home and see her parents, something afterlights NEVER try. But Allie can Skinjack, and when she meets up with other skinjackers? She gets even stronger in her skills, but Mikey is now the outcast, and he is growing his old skin back....the monster is still under the surface.

A war is brewing and many afterlights will find out just how strong they are, what new skills they can manifest and how strong the ties of love really are. Neal Shusterman has taken the "ghost" story and turned into into an adventure of mythic proportions. I was glued to this book, sobbing at points and giggling at others. I wont give the meat of this novel away, its too good to spoil for the rest of the world. Let me just say that it had my jaw dropping at the end.
It will get under your skin thats for sure! I cannot WAIT for the next installment.