Customer Reviews

Everwild (Skinjacker Trilogy)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Neal Shusterman is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. Though his books are primarily aimed at young-adult, his writing style is such that it can be enjoyed by adults as well, without feeling like everything is overly simplified. His works are also some of the most creative that I have ever read, and Everwild, the second book in the Skinjacker trilogy, is no exception. Everwild picks up right where Everlost left us, so if you haven't read the first book you will want to do that, since not much recap is offered in this one. The souls of Everlost are preparing for war - Nick the Chocolate Ogre is doing his best to help people "get to where they are going" and out of Everlost, whereas Mary the Sky Witch it totally against this and wants to keep everyone in Everlost, forever. Meanwhile, Allie the Outcast learns to master her Skinjacking abilities - or, in "living" terms, possession of people. However, as she returns home to see her family and find out whether her father survived the accident, she discovers a shocking secret about the reason behind her skinjacking abilities.

This book was a fantastic read that was very difficult to put down. Shusterman's writing styles and concepts remind me very much of Garth Nix and the Sabriel trilogy, which are some of my favorite books of all time. The characters are very believable and real, but most importantly is the fluidity of the language - it is absolutely beautiful to read. The author definitely has a gift with words. Someone else could take the same story but use a different writing style, and it would not keep me nearly as captivated as Shusterman's. He really is a master storyteller.

If you have enjoyed any of Neal Shusterman's other works, you will definitely enjoy Everwild. Also recommended for fans of Garth Nix and fans of a bit darker fantasy.

This was the sequel to Everlost the first book in the series. This book further advanced the characters and introduced some new ones. The plot was great and it kept you hooked throughout the whole time. Its a definite must-buy.

the book Everwild is a really good book i have always been looking for this book but could never find it. I also just found out about the 3 book that will be coming out soon i cant wait to buy it.

great book with surprisingly well developed characters. Neal Shusterman is my favorite author right now because his books are imaginative,dark,and just overall great. this book continues the story of Allie, Nick,and Mikey. And of course Mary Meghan Hightower. <---- BAFOON. She is deranged and stuff. Sorry i went off topic. BUT this book is amazing and i just got the third one so i have to go read that now!!!!!!

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book since the first one, Everlost (The Skinjacker Trilogy) blew my mind away and i was not disappointed! Listening to the audiobook version was a real treat thanks to the huge variety of voices and accents the reader was able to do. As with the first book, I was enchanted by the secondary characters, Milos, Moose and Squirrel, Jackin' Jill, Zin/the ripper/the ecto ripper, the 7 year old kid, etc. were so much fun to read. I adore an author who gives just as much love and attention to his small characters as he does to his starring ones! Shusterman is able to just let his imagination go wild and come up with all these possibilities and adventures in his world of Everlost. These books deserve just as much attention as the Harry Potter series! They are THAT GOOD! I can't wait for the final book to come out on May 5th!

I didn't think it would be possible for the second book in Neal Shusterman's Skinjacker series to top the first, but boy, did he ever.

The first book ended with clearly drawn battle lines: Nick (now also known by his enemies as "The Chocolate Ogre") against Mary (now known by her enemies as "The Sky Witch") for control of Everlost, a place not in this world or out of it filled with the lost souls of children. Nick wants to help the souls reach their final destination into the light; Mary wants to keep them in Everlost forever, believing that she is "saving" them from a terrible fate.

Then there is Allie (aka "The Outcast"), Nick's friend and also an enemy of Mary's, who believes everything Mary tells the Everlost souls is wrong. Allie is a "skinjacker" who can possess the bodies of the living ("fleshies"). She is on a quest to find her parents, and is accompanied by Mary's brother, Mikey McGill, once a terrible monster known as "The McGill." On this journey she meets up with another skinjacker, Milos, who teaches her how to use her skinjacking powers in novel ways.

What follows is a breathtaking and occasionally disturbing adventure. Shusterman is not afraid to delve deeply into his characters and unearth their imperfections and sometimes frightening motivations. It is always a tricky thing to introduce new characters into a running series, but here it is done masterfully, not just the intriguing Milos, but also Zin the Ripper, a girl who can "rip" things from the living world. Villains and heroes pop up in the most unlikely places and there is at least one pull-the-rug-out-from-under-you plot twist. But never fear, there is also plenty of laughter and genuine emotion that never tips over into sentimentality.

Cannot wait to read the final book. I think the only thing I regret is there is only one more left in the series.

I enjoyed the first skinjacker book immensely, I thought it creative and above your average kids' book. Opening the second, I didn't expect it to be as much fun, just because the world would no longer be new.
I was wrong.
Even though the first book introduces you to the main characters, and you learn about the Afterlights, Skinjackers, Rippers, and all that, with the second book you'll find you only really learned about a small part of Everlost and a smaller part of the characters you thought you knew.

Mary continues to fight for her 'righteous' cause, keeping all Afterlights in Everlost where they will remain unchanging and untroubled. As she makes progress in her fight, the length she is willing to go grows.
Nick, now labeled 'the Chocolate Ogre', becomes more consumed with chocolate and beating Mary. Collecting children's souls to fight with him, he keeps the bucket of coins unused.
Allie and Mikey (the McGill) head toward Allie's home, and she continues to wonder about things in Everlost, Mikey to wonder about being human again.

Besides these familiar characters, we get a few new ones, some good, some bad. Nick picks up his own 'Zach the Ripper', a confederate army casualty who can tear anything from the living world -- like trains and dogs. Allie encounters a group of skinjackers, including the handsome skilled Milos who wants to teach Allie all about skinjacking and how to enjoy it. If you remember, skinjacking requires 'borrowing' the body of someone in the living world. Allie actually has a pretty good moral sense, but as Milos teaches her all she can do, she faces some difficult choices... including choosing between dreamy Milos and sulky Mikey. Mikey's character has developed nicely as well, he's so obsessed with Allie he gets frustrated easily and of course insanely jealous of Milos.

The book could have been edited better considering for example punctuation errors (especially quote marks), but as far as the story goes it was excellent. I find the characters and situations wildly different from typical books for kids/young adults, it's creative and surprising enough to keep it interesting the whole way through. Considering this genre of book, it's a bit deeper, while still keeping the elements that makes it great for kids.
Recommended for kids and adults young at heart.

I'm looking forward to the concluding book!