Book Review :: Everless, by Sara Holland

Everless by Sara Holland
ISBN: 9781408353622
Series: Everless #1
Also in this series: Evermore
Published by Hachette NZ
on January 2nd 2018
Genres: Young Adult
Pages: 362
Source: Hachette Publishing NZ
Find at Hachette NZ
Buy on Mighty Ape
Goodreads

In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Last updated on 14 October 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase with one of these links, I recieve a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full Affiliate Policy.

My Thoughts on Everless

I did try to write an accurate and captivating synopsis of the events that take place in Everless, but I couldn’t quite capture the story in a way that was a) giving it justive and b) giving anything anyway. The pre-written synopsis describes it pretty well, so I’ll leave you to read that.

I can, however, comment on the story. Everless was amazing. Holland has created this incredible notion that blood can be turned into iron, which can then be re-ingested into the body to give time. Town taxes are taken from people by bleeding them of years, but they can earn back by working hard and making a living. Blood-iron is currency, but it comes at a great price: life. How mind-blowing is that idea? How does one even think of that? I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like and I highly commend Holland on the unique and creative world-making,.

The characters were outstanding. I loved Jules as a main character, her love and passion for doing right by her father and her friends is admirable and arguably her greatest strength. Her belief that the Gerling family, who live at Everless, ruined her and her father’s life is only increased when she goes to work for the estate.

As the story unwraps, there’s definitely more to her father’s hatred of the family than she originally thought. Liam Gerling is the resident bad guy, who is cruel and a bit mysterious. Roan, his brother, is the one Jules remembers the most of from their time at Everless as a child. Ina Gold is Roan’s betrothed, much to Jules’ dismay, but the two become friends when Jules is recruited to work as the maid to the Queen (who is an ice cold ruler or epic proportions), along with Caro. Every character is highly unique and I really felt myself getting behind their story lines.

The only thing that was a little meh for me in Everless was the predictability. I’m not saying it was very predictable, but there were a few things that were quite major that I called before they happened. Too many fantasy and Young Adult novels for me? Probably. But that in no way deterred me from giving it 5 stars. Loved it all.

Have you read Everless yet? Grab a copy and get reading!

---

Thank you to Hachette Publishing NZ for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.