Evermore by Alyson Noel

So since I already started book 2, Blue Moon, I figured I should post some thoughts on book 1, Evermore, before I forget.

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste . . .

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen is equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

The synopsis above pretty much says it all.  This is as close as an author can get to Twilight without copyright infringement.  Insert Bella for Ever and Edward for Damen.  This time the male character is the new kid at school, but other than that these two love birds are destined to be together.

But unlike Bella in Twilight, Ever had some serious potential as a female character.  She has awesome powers, family tragedy and emotions.  I mistakenly got my hopes up that this book could turn itself around.  (Note the word mistakenly)

Ever thinks that because she's so different that no one will accept her, even though for some crazy reason at her old school she used to be popular.  She doesn't try to make friends and just sits with the outcasts.  Eventually she becomes an outcast herself (that IS how the world works ladies and gentlemen).

Insert Damen here.  He's super sexy and whatnot, all the girls are falling over him but who does he want?  The loser girl who barely speaks and is in total social exile (as seen by her peers).  Not that I'm saying hot guys don't want quiet, shy girls.  Just that they don't usually try so hard to get them.

Now guys reading this, if you asked a girl out and she said no wouldn't you just accept your losses and move on?  Now let's say this girl is really special...you try again maybe two or three times but she still rejects you.  Do you still keep trying??  In today's world the answer is NO you don't.

Ever is a total tease--and not in the good way.  She finally admits she likes the guy and they make out.  Then she won't talk to him for a week because she saw him standing with another girl.  They hang out at her house and make out again.  When he doesn't show up for school the next day she freaks out and ignores him for about another week. (Did I mention this chick is paranoid?  Even moreso than Frank from Supernatural--if you don't watch that show then you should)

So this goes on for about half the book, when she's not ranting about how she misses her family and hates her life and on and on and on...I get it.  If my family died I'd be sad too.  REALLY sad.  But as a writer I would convey the sadness in thoughts or actions instead of blatantly telling the reader that, yes, I am super sad  (*frowny face*).  After a while I can't even feel bad for her anymore, GET OVER IT ALREADY.

I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone who actually wants to read this book but lets just say it got the classic ending--with the worst action scene I have ever read.  The one action scene in the whole book and...really Ms. Noel??  REALLY?????  *bangs head on table repeatedly*

Let's just say Ms. Noel was really lucky that my library has slim choices because under no other circumstances would I read the second book.  Or keep myself from burning the first one.