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Elevated
The last person seventeen-year-old Eleanor Livingston wants to see on the elevator—let alone get stuck with—is her ex-boyfriend Travis, the guy she's been avoiding for five months.
Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t told Trav anything. Not why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.
But with nowhere to hide and Travis so close it hurts, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.
Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t told Trav anything. Not why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.
But with nowhere to hide and Travis so close it hurts, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.
300 pages, ebook
First published September 14, 2009
39 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
Elana Johnson
178 books2,077 followers3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.
Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com
Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 22, 2014
Originally posted at Stay Bookish
4.5 stars
Having never read Elana Johnson before, I was excited to check out her upcoming YA Contemporary, which was why I jumped at the chance to get to read it. The synopsis was very appealing to me because I found the scenario of being stuck with an ex-boyfriend in an elevator to be funny and cute. Apparently, Elevated was a far cry from cute which surprised me in the best way possible!
“I ride this elevator everyday for hours, hoping you’ll get on.”
Elevated is all about Elly, who gets stuck with her ex, Travis, on the elevator. The book is heavy with flashbacks from five months before. Through their very vexatious entrapment in the elevator, Elly reminisces how her relationship with Travis started and the events that lead to the current hostility between them. Johnson’s story is full of secrets waiting to be revealed and I caught myself getting more curious by the minute about what happened to Elly. I finished the book quite fast because I couldn’t stop turning pages!
“I’ve been living a wax paper life. With colours muted by film, with motion blurred by the layer over my eyes, with emotions barricaded behind a flimsy piece of paper that’s too easily shredded.”
Like I said, cute is not the word for Elevated. Emotional, heart-wrenching and hurt-inducing are the terms you’re looking for. Elly has lots (and lots) of angst, which you’ll realize is pretty reasonable for a teenage girl who’s experienced the things she had. I felt her emotions so so clearly that I almost imagined they were my own. It helped that Elana Johnson’s writing was so beautifully unrestrained. While the book was written in verses, there was much more to the story.
“Missing took every fiber of your being.”
The next best thing about the book aside from the writing and surprising twists was that the characters felt so real. Elly’s voice was so genuine that her hurt gutted me. The characters in the book are very much imperfect and flawed but thing is- I still embraced them. If I were to be honest, I didn’t always like them (Specifically Travis, sometimes even Elly. If there’s one person I positively liked, maybe even loved, it was Jesse.) Every time I tried to put myself in their situation though, I found myself nodding and relating more. There was just so much intensity to the characters, especially the protagonist, which made the book a really good one. I think the ending could have been much better, but most of the story was really gripping.
“I’m in love with you,” he whisper-says, “And I don’t know how to stop.” The longing in his voice is so deep I can’t hear the bottom of it.
Elevated is the kind of novel you pick up in the middle of the night, when you’re restless and looking to escape your own thoughts. Elevated pulls you in way too deep and it engulfs you. It’s a story of conflicted feelings, hurt, grief, and love. Written in stunningly lovely verse, it captured my heart in a manner no other book has done before.
4.5 stars
Having never read Elana Johnson before, I was excited to check out her upcoming YA Contemporary, which was why I jumped at the chance to get to read it. The synopsis was very appealing to me because I found the scenario of being stuck with an ex-boyfriend in an elevator to be funny and cute. Apparently, Elevated was a far cry from cute which surprised me in the best way possible!
“I ride this elevator everyday for hours, hoping you’ll get on.”
Elevated is all about Elly, who gets stuck with her ex, Travis, on the elevator. The book is heavy with flashbacks from five months before. Through their very vexatious entrapment in the elevator, Elly reminisces how her relationship with Travis started and the events that lead to the current hostility between them. Johnson’s story is full of secrets waiting to be revealed and I caught myself getting more curious by the minute about what happened to Elly. I finished the book quite fast because I couldn’t stop turning pages!
“I’ve been living a wax paper life. With colours muted by film, with motion blurred by the layer over my eyes, with emotions barricaded behind a flimsy piece of paper that’s too easily shredded.”
Like I said, cute is not the word for Elevated. Emotional, heart-wrenching and hurt-inducing are the terms you’re looking for. Elly has lots (and lots) of angst, which you’ll realize is pretty reasonable for a teenage girl who’s experienced the things she had. I felt her emotions so so clearly that I almost imagined they were my own. It helped that Elana Johnson’s writing was so beautifully unrestrained. While the book was written in verses, there was much more to the story.
“Missing took every fiber of your being.”
The next best thing about the book aside from the writing and surprising twists was that the characters felt so real. Elly’s voice was so genuine that her hurt gutted me. The characters in the book are very much imperfect and flawed but thing is- I still embraced them. If I were to be honest, I didn’t always like them (Specifically Travis, sometimes even Elly. If there’s one person I positively liked, maybe even loved, it was Jesse.) Every time I tried to put myself in their situation though, I found myself nodding and relating more. There was just so much intensity to the characters, especially the protagonist, which made the book a really good one. I think the ending could have been much better, but most of the story was really gripping.
“I’m in love with you,” he whisper-says, “And I don’t know how to stop.” The longing in his voice is so deep I can’t hear the bottom of it.
Elevated is the kind of novel you pick up in the middle of the night, when you’re restless and looking to escape your own thoughts. Elevated pulls you in way too deep and it engulfs you. It’s a story of conflicted feelings, hurt, grief, and love. Written in stunningly lovely verse, it captured my heart in a manner no other book has done before.
May 11, 2014
4.5 star rating
Yay, Elana Johnson has done it again! After reading her Possession series, I was totally looking for more from this fantastic author, and then when I found that she was releasing a contemporary-romance novel about exes who get stuck in their apartment elevator, I bought the book right away and couldn't wait to start.
This book was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed it so much and it's definitely a book that I'd come back to and would want to read again one day. The perspectives and format was perfection (poetry is absolutely awesome), the characters were okay, the romance was just memorable, and I was never bored! There's not much more I could be asking for from this fantastic author.
Eleanor Livingston has recently been depressed and lonely- her girl best friend died suddenly in a car crash, and Elly feels that it's all because of her... and her best friend turned boyfriend. When Elly gets stuck in her apartment elevator... with Travis, she believes that fate really hates her. As they cautiously wait to get back into their homes, they spent a long time talking about the past... and about their possible futures together.
This was the perfect coming-of-age story. Eleanor, the main protagonist, has created such a huge development throughout the whole story. She was stressed, and by the end, she knew what she wanted and grew out of her creeped up little shell and wasn't afraid to show who she really was and speak out her thoughts. I really loved Eleanor, she was a great main character who went through many hardships and overcame them in the end. She was a strong protagonist who absolutely had a lot of common sense and her and knew how to speak out for herself, by the end.
Travis probably would have to be my only problem with this book, the only flaw. I just... didn't like him. He was selfish, snobby, and I didn't see anything special about him. Protagonists usually are supposed to be role models and different than most people in reality or different than other protagonists... but I just saw Travis as a really dull dumb guy. He used Elly, and expects love in return? I am so glad of her decision in the end, he deserved it, and she still had to overcome everything and be on her own for a while.
Sorry, Troy/Travis. In reality, dreams don't always come true. Stop being such wimps. =_=
And seriously, I felt so bad for Honesty, and what happened to her. She didn't deserve that at all. Her boyfriend betrayed her, and he shouldn't have even dated her if he still wasn't sure about his feelings. Again, with Travis. He irritated me, but when the romance was happening between Elly and him, all of those weaknesses and flaws I found in him just flew away and I saw a good side of him, somewhat.
The romance was just beautiful. I loved it, and it was so deep and meaningful. That's the type of romance that I'm looking in every book, including all and every single contemporary-romance. It just has to be that perfect and that special in order for it to be classified as beautiful and unbelievable.
I was never bored with this book. It was written so rivetingly, and I was stuck with it from the first page until the end. Adding the gorgeous format of poetry, this was a sure masterpiece, no doubt about it.
I recommend this to any lover of Jennifer E. Smith or Sarah Dessen. This was a quick light romance read that will leave you wanting more.
Yay, Elana Johnson has done it again! After reading her Possession series, I was totally looking for more from this fantastic author, and then when I found that she was releasing a contemporary-romance novel about exes who get stuck in their apartment elevator, I bought the book right away and couldn't wait to start.
This book was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed it so much and it's definitely a book that I'd come back to and would want to read again one day. The perspectives and format was perfection (poetry is absolutely awesome), the characters were okay, the romance was just memorable, and I was never bored! There's not much more I could be asking for from this fantastic author.
Eleanor Livingston has recently been depressed and lonely- her girl best friend died suddenly in a car crash, and Elly feels that it's all because of her... and her best friend turned boyfriend. When Elly gets stuck in her apartment elevator... with Travis, she believes that fate really hates her. As they cautiously wait to get back into their homes, they spent a long time talking about the past... and about their possible futures together.
This was the perfect coming-of-age story. Eleanor, the main protagonist, has created such a huge development throughout the whole story. She was stressed, and by the end, she knew what she wanted and grew out of her creeped up little shell and wasn't afraid to show who she really was and speak out her thoughts. I really loved Eleanor, she was a great main character who went through many hardships and overcame them in the end. She was a strong protagonist who absolutely had a lot of common sense and her and knew how to speak out for herself, by the end.
Travis probably would have to be my only problem with this book, the only flaw. I just... didn't like him. He was selfish, snobby, and I didn't see anything special about him. Protagonists usually are supposed to be role models and different than most people in reality or different than other protagonists... but I just saw Travis as a really dull dumb guy. He used Elly, and expects love in return? I am so glad of her decision in the end, he deserved it, and she still had to overcome everything and be on her own for a while.
Sorry, Troy/Travis. In reality, dreams don't always come true. Stop being such wimps. =_=
And seriously, I felt so bad for Honesty, and what happened to her. She didn't deserve that at all. Her boyfriend betrayed her, and he shouldn't have even dated her if he still wasn't sure about his feelings. Again, with Travis. He irritated me, but when the romance was happening between Elly and him, all of those weaknesses and flaws I found in him just flew away and I saw a good side of him, somewhat.
The romance was just beautiful. I loved it, and it was so deep and meaningful. That's the type of romance that I'm looking in every book, including all and every single contemporary-romance. It just has to be that perfect and that special in order for it to be classified as beautiful and unbelievable.
I was never bored with this book. It was written so rivetingly, and I was stuck with it from the first page until the end. Adding the gorgeous format of poetry, this was a sure masterpiece, no doubt about it.
I recommend this to any lover of Jennifer E. Smith or Sarah Dessen. This was a quick light romance read that will leave you wanting more.
March 1, 2014
Amazing!
Me: A book completely in verse? that couldn't possibly be for me.
Book: Oh come on, just give me a try...my cover is pretty right?
Me: Yes... it is. But you're still in verse.
Book: True, but it's a love story and you love love stories!
Me: Well... maybe.
Book: The main characters get stuck in an elevator and I'm more than just a pretty cover. Promise!
Me: You had me at elevator.
Oh wow... this is one talented author. After a chapter I didn't even notice that it was in verse anymore. Really! It was like this book boiled everything non-essential out of it by using verse and left only what was absolutely necessary. It was a very quick and satisfying read. I will definitely read more by this author.
Me: A book completely in verse? that couldn't possibly be for me.
Book: Oh come on, just give me a try...my cover is pretty right?
Me: Yes... it is. But you're still in verse.
Book: True, but it's a love story and you love love stories!
Me: Well... maybe.
Book: The main characters get stuck in an elevator and I'm more than just a pretty cover. Promise!
Me: You had me at elevator.
Oh wow... this is one talented author. After a chapter I didn't even notice that it was in verse anymore. Really! It was like this book boiled everything non-essential out of it by using verse and left only what was absolutely necessary. It was a very quick and satisfying read. I will definitely read more by this author.
February 4, 2015
Elly and ex-boyfriend Travis get stuck in an elevator and have to deal with secrets that lead the two of them not speaking for the last five months.
Heart-wrenching story, written in verse, which makes it even more amazing and sentimental.
It doesn't have a particularly HEA, that's why I didn't give it 5 stars (I'm such a romantic sometimes, ugh!), but it was definitely GREAT.
Heart-wrenching story, written in verse, which makes it even more amazing and sentimental.
It doesn't have a particularly HEA, that's why I didn't give it 5 stars (I'm such a romantic sometimes, ugh!), but it was definitely GREAT.
November 2, 2019
This book kinda shocked me. It was a freebie I had grabbed awhile ago that had just been sitting on my kindle. I knew nothing about it going in but it hooked me.
When Eleanor gets stuck in the elevator with Travis - her ex best friend/love - after not speaking to him for months, she can no longer hide and truths are finally revealed. Some are heartbreaking and some are healing but all are important. The entire book takes place in the span of a less than a day. But we also get scenes from the past woven in to create the backstory and that just heightened the emotions.
Eleanor is very fragile. She has severe anxiety and has had some horrible things happen to her in a very small amount of time. These things have caused her to cave in on herself and push people away. People like Travis. Being trapped in this elevator is the chance Travis needs to get Eleanor to talk to him.
I will say, I was not prepared for the way this story was told. Yes, it flitted from past to present - which is nothing new - but it was not formatted in your normal style of print book. It was told almost in verse - very fluid and almost like poetry. It was jarring at first and I didn't know if I would get into it, but I feel like it had to be told that way. The stilted scenes and small paragraphs really made you feel Eleanor's pain and how trapped she felt. It was beautiful. I would definitely check out other works.
When Eleanor gets stuck in the elevator with Travis - her ex best friend/love - after not speaking to him for months, she can no longer hide and truths are finally revealed. Some are heartbreaking and some are healing but all are important. The entire book takes place in the span of a less than a day. But we also get scenes from the past woven in to create the backstory and that just heightened the emotions.
Eleanor is very fragile. She has severe anxiety and has had some horrible things happen to her in a very small amount of time. These things have caused her to cave in on herself and push people away. People like Travis. Being trapped in this elevator is the chance Travis needs to get Eleanor to talk to him.
I will say, I was not prepared for the way this story was told. Yes, it flitted from past to present - which is nothing new - but it was not formatted in your normal style of print book. It was told almost in verse - very fluid and almost like poetry. It was jarring at first and I didn't know if I would get into it, but I feel like it had to be told that way. The stilted scenes and small paragraphs really made you feel Eleanor's pain and how trapped she felt. It was beautiful. I would definitely check out other works.
July 27, 2016
….Just not my cup of tea. The book was written in poetry style, but was very easy to read. And while I do enjoy a poem every now and again, I do not like to read an entire book in that style.
August 18, 2014
DISCLAIMER
I'm not very proud of this review. It probably needs some editing and probably doesn't make a lot of sense. But I think it gives you a good idea that this book is really all over the place. At the same time, I think I should mention that it most definitely works as a whole coherent novel. Just please don't trust everything I say. K.Thnx.Bye.
REVIEW
The only reason this wasn't a DNF was because it's very fluid and easy to read writing. I suppose really the only thing wrong with this book was the love interest. This book is about cheating. Oh hey blurb, why didn't you think to tell me that? The characters in this book are really messed up. There are a lot of issues handled in this book. I'm surprised that the author stuck her fingers into so many pies. I mean we're talking about some heavy material.
This book would've been a goner if it wasn't for Elly's relationship with her father.
I’d never been able to look at Daddy
For more than fifteen seconds before my secrets spilled out.
I liked that Elly finds the strength to say no to Trav from her father's example of courage.
This book is a relationship fiasco. Let me explain with some simple math.
Trav + Honest = dating
Trav + Elly = best friends
Trav + Jesse = cousins
Jesse + Elly = dating
Elly loves –----> Trav
Jesse loves –----> Elly
Honesty loves –----> Trav
Trav loves –----> Elly
Some Trav stats for you:
35% - Trav is still dating Honesty
36% - Trav is kissing Elly and still dating Honesty
57% - Stop being an egomaniac and man up
58% - what a sap
62% - it's not all abut you
70% - irresponsible dickhead
This review contains a lot of hate for the hero Trav. I do feel kind of bad for ragging on him because he's got serious mummy issues. But he's so insufferable! He plays on Elly's emotions persuading her to kiss it all better. He takes advantage of her compassion. Bleh. It was like the author wanted me to hate Trav. He is THE most TERRIBLE love interest EVER. Trav is a douchebag. Reading about him, I just went EWWWWW. There's a lot of pity going on in the relationship between him and Elly. She feels obligated to be there for him when he's whining or upset. There's some serious unhealthy co-dependency going on. He's a massive baby and Elly is his favourite babysitter. I'm not kidding. That's exactly what their relationship is like. The dude needs to man up.
Jesse is way cooler, more attractive, and more honourable than Trav. He sacrifices his feelings in deference to his cousin who has a girlfriend. I think the author made a mistake with introducing me to Jesse. You see, if Trav was the only option I'd go with that but by putting Jesse in as another option? Damn, Elly's got bad taste in men. Jesse is delish on a dish. I really loved him.
The Ending
Um. So the author totally set me up. Trav is such a douchebag throughout the book that finally at the end when he suddenly isn't I feel like, “hey what a surprise, such a good guy”. But then she uses sentences like these.
Trav starts talking, his words worming their way into my ears
Um hello? No. Worming? That is not a nice visual.
You know what I want? I want a sequel.
Jesse + Elly 4va, y'know?
July 27, 2015
Whoa! Such emotion!
May 5, 2015
When I first looked at the cover of Elevated and its synopsis, I immediately wanted to read the book! So when it became free on Amazon, I was extremely excited! Sadly, I was disappointed.
Elly Livingston has been avoiding her ex-boyfriend Travis, who lives in the same building as her. Because of this, she avoids riding the elevator and takes the stairs instead, for the fear of running into him. But when she can't get upstairs without using the elevator, and she gets stuck there with Travis because the elevator stopped due to the storm, they are forced to work things out.
When I read the book, I was really surprised that it was written in verse instead of prose, because I didn't see anything regarding that in the synopsis. Nevertheless, I continued reading the book. At first it seemed like it would be a promising read, but as I read on, I felt really disconnected to the characters and I slowly became disappointed.
It's not that I have anything against the story, it's not that. It's just that it felt like 'meh' to me. I did not hate it, but I did not like it either. I have no big complaints, but I have no compliments either. Really, I'm just stuck in the middle! I read it in one sitting though, so there's that. Aside from those, I think there's nothing more that I can say.
Elly Livingston has been avoiding her ex-boyfriend Travis, who lives in the same building as her. Because of this, she avoids riding the elevator and takes the stairs instead, for the fear of running into him. But when she can't get upstairs without using the elevator, and she gets stuck there with Travis because the elevator stopped due to the storm, they are forced to work things out.
When I read the book, I was really surprised that it was written in verse instead of prose, because I didn't see anything regarding that in the synopsis. Nevertheless, I continued reading the book. At first it seemed like it would be a promising read, but as I read on, I felt really disconnected to the characters and I slowly became disappointed.
It's not that I have anything against the story, it's not that. It's just that it felt like 'meh' to me. I did not hate it, but I did not like it either. I have no big complaints, but I have no compliments either. Really, I'm just stuck in the middle! I read it in one sitting though, so there's that. Aside from those, I think there's nothing more that I can say.
February 20, 2014
There is so much to love about this book! First, the writing - it is no secret that I like Elana's books. And this one is no exception. But Elana takes her normal fantastic writing to a whole new level with this novel in verse. This is a format I personally love, and Elana does a great job with it. I sincerely hope there will be more novels in verse from her in the future!
The characters in Elevated are great: relatable and so perfect for the story. Which brings me to the story itself, this is a great contemporary. It brings together the drama most of us remember from our youth.
To sum it up - great writing, great characters, great writing...what's not to LOVE! Do yourself a favor and pick it up today. You'll devour it in one setting!
The characters in Elevated are great: relatable and so perfect for the story. Which brings me to the story itself, this is a great contemporary. It brings together the drama most of us remember from our youth.
To sum it up - great writing, great characters, great writing...what's not to LOVE! Do yourself a favor and pick it up today. You'll devour it in one setting!
November 28, 2014
I'm not a fan of poetry so I was a little concerned about reading an entire novel in "verse". Shouldn't have been. Beautiful story that was 5 stars right up until the book ended to abruptly without enough resolution. (Needed an epilogue).
Content: clean but sex is implied
Content: clean but sex is implied
February 18, 2014
The original review for this title can be found
here
on The Book Hookup.
**SPECIAL NOTE:** An eARC of this title was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
♥ Initial Thoughts and Rating: Actual rating of 3.5 stars! The stylized structure in which the author chose to tell this story took some time to get used to, but it eventually pulled me right in. I wanted more from the ending, but I can see why Ms. Johnson decided to leave it as open as she did. It definitely packed an emotional punch.
♥ The Lowdown: Eleanor “Elly” Livingston is keeping her lips firmly shut, too many secrets running rampant in her mind and every time she lets one loose, things don’t end so well for the person who helps her shoulder those burdens. When the stairs in her apartment building get shut down for maintenance, she finds herself forced to use an elevator she’d do just about anything humanly possible to avoid. It also houses too many secrets and memories that her mind has no trouble bombarding her with. Seeing no other option, she climbs in and soon finds herself trapped alongside the one person who played the biggest part in her secrets and memories, and once upon a time filled the most important role in her life. Travis, once best friend and confidant turned boyfriend, is now placed permanently in the ex-boyfriend zone, but he hasn’t a clue why. More secrets that Elly has to hold in. But now he’s occupying the space beside her, hogging all the oxygen in the small area and making her relive all the thoughts she’s desperately trying to dodge. With the elevator down and him insisting on talking, Elly isn’t sure how long she can hold in her secrets, especially when he was such a huge reason behind why she’s keeping them.
But when she shares her secrets, bad things happen.
♥ My Thoughts: Elena’s Possession series has been on my TBR for a while (I swear I’m going to have time for it one of these days..), so when this stand-alone contemporary of hers came across in The Book Hookup’s emails, I jumped at the chance to review it. Going in, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into at all. In fact, I immediately thought my ARC was screwed up and I scrolled through twenty-odd pages or so before I realized the whole book was formatted in something similar to poem stanzas. (No worries, it’s not rhyming or anything.) Quite honestly, it took me a bit to get into it because of this, and also because Elly’s thoughts felt very frenetic and were a tad hard to follow. But soon I found myself completely immersed, drifting with Elly as her mind bounced between moments past and present and the crippling fear of being trapped in an elevator with her ex-boyfriend and all the secrets that had settled between them. As a reader, you’re taken on an emotional journey filled with friendship, betrayal, longing, love, lies, heartbreak, and healing. And that’s all I’ll say on that so that I don’t spoil all the good bits.
The two places I thought that the story lacked was with the characters and the ending. For this to be a three hundred page novel, filled with as much turmoil and conflict as it is, I really felt a disconnect between myself and the characters. Like, maybe I was missing the depth behind their actions and motives that drove them as characters aside from the blatantly obvious. I wanted a little more in regards to them as people and who they were aside from their relationship with Elly. It’s almost like we’re limited on getting to know them because of how Elly’s mind replays the memories and how it is interspersed with her new life without them. Then in regards to the ending, like I stated earlier, I can understand why Johnson chose to take this path, but it came across as very unsettled for me. I’m okay with living in the vague, but for there to be so much history between these two, I would’ve liked a little more than a hint of something awaiting them in the future.
♥ Rec It? Possibly. Overall, I found myself really enjoying the story and filing through Elly’s memories as quick as possible, trying to uncover where all her hurt and secrets were buried, and those proved to be well worth the wait. It absolutely pulled me in and made me feel things throughout the entire novel. However, due to Elevated being a verse novel, I don’t feel like this will be a book that everyone will like it as much as I did.
♥ A very special thanks to Elana Johnson for providing an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Christina's Review:
**SPECIAL NOTE:** An eARC of this title was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
♥ Initial Thoughts and Rating: Actual rating of 3.5 stars! The stylized structure in which the author chose to tell this story took some time to get used to, but it eventually pulled me right in. I wanted more from the ending, but I can see why Ms. Johnson decided to leave it as open as she did. It definitely packed an emotional punch.
♥ The Lowdown: Eleanor “Elly” Livingston is keeping her lips firmly shut, too many secrets running rampant in her mind and every time she lets one loose, things don’t end so well for the person who helps her shoulder those burdens. When the stairs in her apartment building get shut down for maintenance, she finds herself forced to use an elevator she’d do just about anything humanly possible to avoid. It also houses too many secrets and memories that her mind has no trouble bombarding her with. Seeing no other option, she climbs in and soon finds herself trapped alongside the one person who played the biggest part in her secrets and memories, and once upon a time filled the most important role in her life. Travis, once best friend and confidant turned boyfriend, is now placed permanently in the ex-boyfriend zone, but he hasn’t a clue why. More secrets that Elly has to hold in. But now he’s occupying the space beside her, hogging all the oxygen in the small area and making her relive all the thoughts she’s desperately trying to dodge. With the elevator down and him insisting on talking, Elly isn’t sure how long she can hold in her secrets, especially when he was such a huge reason behind why she’s keeping them.
But when she shares her secrets, bad things happen.
♥ My Thoughts: Elena’s Possession series has been on my TBR for a while (I swear I’m going to have time for it one of these days..), so when this stand-alone contemporary of hers came across in The Book Hookup’s emails, I jumped at the chance to review it. Going in, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into at all. In fact, I immediately thought my ARC was screwed up and I scrolled through twenty-odd pages or so before I realized the whole book was formatted in something similar to poem stanzas. (No worries, it’s not rhyming or anything.) Quite honestly, it took me a bit to get into it because of this, and also because Elly’s thoughts felt very frenetic and were a tad hard to follow. But soon I found myself completely immersed, drifting with Elly as her mind bounced between moments past and present and the crippling fear of being trapped in an elevator with her ex-boyfriend and all the secrets that had settled between them. As a reader, you’re taken on an emotional journey filled with friendship, betrayal, longing, love, lies, heartbreak, and healing. And that’s all I’ll say on that so that I don’t spoil all the good bits.
The two places I thought that the story lacked was with the characters and the ending. For this to be a three hundred page novel, filled with as much turmoil and conflict as it is, I really felt a disconnect between myself and the characters. Like, maybe I was missing the depth behind their actions and motives that drove them as characters aside from the blatantly obvious. I wanted a little more in regards to them as people and who they were aside from their relationship with Elly. It’s almost like we’re limited on getting to know them because of how Elly’s mind replays the memories and how it is interspersed with her new life without them. Then in regards to the ending, like I stated earlier, I can understand why Johnson chose to take this path, but it came across as very unsettled for me. I’m okay with living in the vague, but for there to be so much history between these two, I would’ve liked a little more than a hint of something awaiting them in the future.
♥ Rec It? Possibly. Overall, I found myself really enjoying the story and filing through Elly’s memories as quick as possible, trying to uncover where all her hurt and secrets were buried, and those proved to be well worth the wait. It absolutely pulled me in and made me feel things throughout the entire novel. However, due to Elevated being a verse novel, I don’t feel like this will be a book that everyone will like it as much as I did.
♥ A very special thanks to Elana Johnson for providing an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
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April 5, 2014Please check out Electrifying Reviews for more reviews like this, plus giveaways, interviews, and more!
Elana Johnson is one of the coolest people in the world. It has been a pleasure to get to know her as an author and person over the years. When I got the opportunity to read her latest book, Elevated, I knew I couldn't turn it down. First of all, it's a verse novel. While it is her first venture into this style of writing, Johnson makes it seem as though all her books were written similarly. Another advantage of Elevated being written in verse was that it made the book go by so quickly. I couldn't stop reading, which I'm sure would be the case whether the novel was in verse or prose.
Elevated is, initially, structured around a very basic concept: two teens who seem to have a tumultuous past are stuck in an elevator together. As the book progresses, however, readers find out that there is much more to the plot of Elevated than first anticipated. There is always something ominous eluded to throughout the novel, which makes it hard for readers to set the book down. Personally, I always wanted to know what was being hinted at so I constantly had to tell myself "just one more chapter," but I rarely followed those instructions. When the history of the characters began to come together, it was even harder to resist.
Prior to reading Elevated, I had only read one other novel by Elana Johnson: Possession. That novel, and the series that follows it, is very different than Elevated, so truthfully I was going into this novel fairly blind. I knew from prior experience that Johnson was a capable writer. I did not have the scarcest idea how her talents would carry over to a contemporary novel, let alone one in verse. I was pleased to discover, however, that Johnson once again proved herself an author worth reading. While I cannot lie and say that Elevated was a favorite of mine, I enjoyed reading it and wouldn't deter people from doing the same.
Elly and Travis are complicated characters. While readers are able to get to know them better throughout the book, I personally never made any connection with either of them. Truthfully, they seemed more like vessels for the plot rather than the forces who influence it. It was heartbreaking to learn about their past experiences, and it was a pleasure to experience the positive things that happened to the both of them during the novel. Although Elly and Travis are the primary characters in the novel, Elevated is told mostly in flashbacks which allows readers to meet a handful of other characters. I believe that these secondary characters added a great deal to the story, and that the novel would have fallen flat without them.
Elevated is a quick novel that is easy to be pulled into. I wish it was longer, as to allow some things to occur more naturally, but alas. Elana Johnson is a great author, and her first foray into verse literature was overall a success in my opinion. If you are interested in dystopian novels, please check out Johnson's Possession series. If you're a contemporary fan, however, I believe that most readers would find appeal in Elevated.
Elana Johnson is one of the coolest people in the world. It has been a pleasure to get to know her as an author and person over the years. When I got the opportunity to read her latest book, Elevated, I knew I couldn't turn it down. First of all, it's a verse novel. While it is her first venture into this style of writing, Johnson makes it seem as though all her books were written similarly. Another advantage of Elevated being written in verse was that it made the book go by so quickly. I couldn't stop reading, which I'm sure would be the case whether the novel was in verse or prose.
Elevated is, initially, structured around a very basic concept: two teens who seem to have a tumultuous past are stuck in an elevator together. As the book progresses, however, readers find out that there is much more to the plot of Elevated than first anticipated. There is always something ominous eluded to throughout the novel, which makes it hard for readers to set the book down. Personally, I always wanted to know what was being hinted at so I constantly had to tell myself "just one more chapter," but I rarely followed those instructions. When the history of the characters began to come together, it was even harder to resist.
Prior to reading Elevated, I had only read one other novel by Elana Johnson: Possession. That novel, and the series that follows it, is very different than Elevated, so truthfully I was going into this novel fairly blind. I knew from prior experience that Johnson was a capable writer. I did not have the scarcest idea how her talents would carry over to a contemporary novel, let alone one in verse. I was pleased to discover, however, that Johnson once again proved herself an author worth reading. While I cannot lie and say that Elevated was a favorite of mine, I enjoyed reading it and wouldn't deter people from doing the same.
Elly and Travis are complicated characters. While readers are able to get to know them better throughout the book, I personally never made any connection with either of them. Truthfully, they seemed more like vessels for the plot rather than the forces who influence it. It was heartbreaking to learn about their past experiences, and it was a pleasure to experience the positive things that happened to the both of them during the novel. Although Elly and Travis are the primary characters in the novel, Elevated is told mostly in flashbacks which allows readers to meet a handful of other characters. I believe that these secondary characters added a great deal to the story, and that the novel would have fallen flat without them.
Elevated is a quick novel that is easy to be pulled into. I wish it was longer, as to allow some things to occur more naturally, but alas. Elana Johnson is a great author, and her first foray into verse literature was overall a success in my opinion. If you are interested in dystopian novels, please check out Johnson's Possession series. If you're a contemporary fan, however, I believe that most readers would find appeal in Elevated.
March 14, 2014
Okay, when i'm at first page, i was suprised that the book was written in verses.. I mean like seriously.... can i stand reading this for 244 pages.. But, i give it a try bcoz hey! who can resists a book that has
1) cute cover
2) plus, it's about boy n girl stuck in an elevator( ex or not) it sound promisng
3) the plot is different, it's not the usual good girl fall to bad boy
4) i juz had a good feeling about this book.
and so i read it ignoring my
The book has a good plot. a solid one. There isn't a time where i feel bored and think that the book is dragging. That's saying something coz i get bored reading book nowdays.. even book that 80 pages is too long for me.. I like how the book start with the character is at the bottom..
and the ending. is so GOOD. I like her choice. She no longer see carlifornia as an escape.. but as an opportunity to live her life.. and that's HOPE that it isnt there in the beginning of the book.
All the characters in this book are relatable.. They're human, they make mistakes, they dwell on it and feel guilty. Some try to make amend and some still standing still
okay now i'm gonna move to the character
Elly
she's so miserable and unhappy. She feel guilty of her choices that leads to her friend's death, losing her baby. I feel her pain. and i'm glad that at the end of the day she make her own decision. She no longer wait ,wait and depend on Travis. she make her own decision
my favourite quote of this book would be
.............(urgh, i dont find my phone , i will upadate this later
Travis
trav, trav.. u're a good guy. but a broken one. You're so afraid to make choices. You see ur mom falling apart ,, u dont want to be like ur dad, leaving her. I think the reason why he doesnt breaking up with honesty , bcoz he doesnt want to deal with confrontation.
i like how he's there for elly, eventhough he heard she lost her/their baby. How he comfort her when she expected him to be mad at her for not telling. He's a good guy.
Jesse
one word he's awesome.. He's stronger than trav .Obviously.. he seek future. He's there for elly. And i happy he get his happy ending
The ending.
Elly and trav want different thing in life. elly want to see the world and live her life.While trav still in the shadow of his past. He wants to stay there.. But, i'm happy that he gives her his car. He want her to have part of him at there. It's bittersweet. elly had to choose between trav or future.and she choose future. i'm Glad.. she finally stand up for herself.
i give it 5 star
btw, i finish this book at 4am..and i love every second of it
1) cute cover
2) plus, it's about boy n girl stuck in an elevator( ex or not) it sound promisng
3) the plot is different, it's not the usual good girl fall to bad boy
4) i juz had a good feeling about this book.
and so i read it ignoring my
The book has a good plot. a solid one. There isn't a time where i feel bored and think that the book is dragging. That's saying something coz i get bored reading book nowdays.. even book that 80 pages is too long for me.. I like how the book start with the character is at the bottom..
and the ending. is so GOOD. I like her choice. She no longer see carlifornia as an escape.. but as an opportunity to live her life.. and that's HOPE that it isnt there in the beginning of the book.
All the characters in this book are relatable.. They're human, they make mistakes, they dwell on it and feel guilty. Some try to make amend and some still standing still
okay now i'm gonna move to the character
Elly
she's so miserable and unhappy. She feel guilty of her choices that leads to her friend's death, losing her baby. I feel her pain. and i'm glad that at the end of the day she make her own decision. She no longer wait ,wait and depend on Travis. she make her own decision
my favourite quote of this book would be
.............(urgh, i dont find my phone , i will upadate this later
Travis
trav, trav.. u're a good guy. but a broken one. You're so afraid to make choices. You see ur mom falling apart ,, u dont want to be like ur dad, leaving her. I think the reason why he doesnt breaking up with honesty , bcoz he doesnt want to deal with confrontation.
i like how he's there for elly, eventhough he heard she lost her/their baby. How he comfort her when she expected him to be mad at her for not telling. He's a good guy.
Jesse
one word he's awesome.. He's stronger than trav .Obviously.. he seek future. He's there for elly. And i happy he get his happy ending
The ending.
Elly and trav want different thing in life. elly want to see the world and live her life.While trav still in the shadow of his past. He wants to stay there.. But, i'm happy that he gives her his car. He want her to have part of him at there. It's bittersweet. elly had to choose between trav or future.and she choose future. i'm Glad.. she finally stand up for herself.
i give it 5 star
btw, i finish this book at 4am..and i love every second of it
February 28, 2014
Elevated is a beautifully tragic and emotional read with a refreshing original writing style. The story jumps between the present of the elevator and the past events leading up to the elevator. Slowly the door opens to the whole story of why Elly is pushing everyone away. Elly has been suffering under guilt and grief for months, and she cannot be with the one person who makes her feel like she can face anything.
Elly is a very broken young woman whose guild and grief have been working together to shut her down to life and everything around her, and not allowing her to move on properly. While this is evident almost from the beginning, the true depths of Elly’s guilt and grief are not known until the very last few pages and the story completely unfolds.
I really love the unique quick pace set by Elana’s writing in verse style. When I started Elevated I figured I was starting a story about the uncomfortable feeling of being trapped in an elevator with your ex, and having something to tell them you would rather they never know about. The story I actually got was beautiful, and heartbreaking but seriously a fabulous read.
I think that this is a great read, but be warned you may want to keep a tissue handy, if you are a crier. I really love the beauty in the way Elana Johnson reveals the story and how as the puzzle pieces are revealed they fit together perfectly. I know I plan on reading more from Elana Johnson.
**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**
Elly is a very broken young woman whose guild and grief have been working together to shut her down to life and everything around her, and not allowing her to move on properly. While this is evident almost from the beginning, the true depths of Elly’s guilt and grief are not known until the very last few pages and the story completely unfolds.
I really love the unique quick pace set by Elana’s writing in verse style. When I started Elevated I figured I was starting a story about the uncomfortable feeling of being trapped in an elevator with your ex, and having something to tell them you would rather they never know about. The story I actually got was beautiful, and heartbreaking but seriously a fabulous read.
I think that this is a great read, but be warned you may want to keep a tissue handy, if you are a crier. I really love the beauty in the way Elana Johnson reveals the story and how as the puzzle pieces are revealed they fit together perfectly. I know I plan on reading more from Elana Johnson.
**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**
February 21, 2014
This story will lift you up, tear you down, and explore every emotion in between. There's an abundance of love and heartache packed into this sparse and beautiful novel in verse. I was worried that a story taking place entirely in an elevator would be self-limiting, but Elana Johnson does a beautiful job of seamlessly weaving in the flashbacks that build this story to a heart wrenching climax.
At the beginning of the story, Eleanor "Elly" Livingston, is an emotional wreck, blaming herself for the terrible tragedies that have befallen two of the people she loves most. She believes, as so many teens do, that speaking her truth has the power to destroy lives.
During a seemingly chance encounter, Elly and her ex-boyfriend Trav get stuck in the elevator in the apartment complex where they both live. They are forced to face the string of poor choices that led to the demise of their relationship and they must ultimately question whether their actions also caused the death of someone dear to both of them. Elana never once sugar coats the flaws of her characters. They are very real and extremely broken, yet by the end of the ride you know they will go forth into the world with the passion and the perspective that can only come from walking through devastating circumstances and coming out the other side. Elly emerges from the elevator finally able to face her demons and find her voice.
Packed with emotion and heart, this is a story that should not be missed.
At the beginning of the story, Eleanor "Elly" Livingston, is an emotional wreck, blaming herself for the terrible tragedies that have befallen two of the people she loves most. She believes, as so many teens do, that speaking her truth has the power to destroy lives.
During a seemingly chance encounter, Elly and her ex-boyfriend Trav get stuck in the elevator in the apartment complex where they both live. They are forced to face the string of poor choices that led to the demise of their relationship and they must ultimately question whether their actions also caused the death of someone dear to both of them. Elana never once sugar coats the flaws of her characters. They are very real and extremely broken, yet by the end of the ride you know they will go forth into the world with the passion and the perspective that can only come from walking through devastating circumstances and coming out the other side. Elly emerges from the elevator finally able to face her demons and find her voice.
Packed with emotion and heart, this is a story that should not be missed.
January 6, 2014
I always look forward to verse novels because they usually dig deep into the motion and this one was terrific. Elly and Trav have a long and complicated history. When they get stuck in an elevator together after not seeing each other for a while, eventually, all the secrets come pouring out of Elly. But between the big reveals we get insight into her past, flashbacks that show when and how everything started to go wrong. I felt her pain and walked in her shoes. Did she make mistakes? Sure. But that just made her more human.
At times I was slightly confused as to whether I was in the past or the present but it was soon cleared up. This did not prevent my overall enjoyment of the story at all. In fact, when I reached the end, I was like NOOOOO I want to know more. But this verse novel was to share a moment, a short time when two people who needed to talk happened to get stuck in the elevator together. I'd like to say it was coincidence, which I loved because Elly struggles with the guilt that her truth telling in the past caused bad things to happen. Her therapist told her it was coincidence. Don't get me wrong. The story ended. There was no cliffhanger, but I'd still like to know what happened in the next phase of their life.
At times I was slightly confused as to whether I was in the past or the present but it was soon cleared up. This did not prevent my overall enjoyment of the story at all. In fact, when I reached the end, I was like NOOOOO I want to know more. But this verse novel was to share a moment, a short time when two people who needed to talk happened to get stuck in the elevator together. I'd like to say it was coincidence, which I loved because Elly struggles with the guilt that her truth telling in the past caused bad things to happen. Her therapist told her it was coincidence. Don't get me wrong. The story ended. There was no cliffhanger, but I'd still like to know what happened in the next phase of their life.
February 17, 2014
I'd never read a novel-in-verse before this one, and while I love poetry, I wasn't sure if I could enjoy an entire story told in this manner. I am thrilled to say, that I totally, completely, did.
Everything that I love about poetry blends with everything I love about angsty, contemporary romance--providing a delicious, emotional and DEEP story.
Probably my favorite parts were the glimpses into Trav's life and the TRUTH I read there. But I also loved little quirky things, like Elly's inability to make a decisions without employing little tricks to take the pressure off.
This is a quick, emmersive read--you'd want to pick it up for a night when you can dedicate a couple hours, curled up with it because you won't want to put it down. I know I didn't.
Now . . . where can I get my hands on another excellent novel-in-verse? The bar's been set high with this one, but now I think I'm a fan of the genre! I hope Elana Johnson releases another . . .
Everything that I love about poetry blends with everything I love about angsty, contemporary romance--providing a delicious, emotional and DEEP story.
Probably my favorite parts were the glimpses into Trav's life and the TRUTH I read there. But I also loved little quirky things, like Elly's inability to make a decisions without employing little tricks to take the pressure off.
This is a quick, emmersive read--you'd want to pick it up for a night when you can dedicate a couple hours, curled up with it because you won't want to put it down. I know I didn't.
Now . . . where can I get my hands on another excellent novel-in-verse? The bar's been set high with this one, but now I think I'm a fan of the genre! I hope Elana Johnson releases another . . .
February 17, 2014
I have never read an in-verse novel before, I don't read poetry, I don't even read the little snippets of lyrics or poetry at the beginning of chapters. I thought reading an in-verse story would be incredibly tedious for my unexpanded little mind! Oh, so the opposite - at least in the case of Elevated.
Think of it this way: take a full novel and strip away everything that doesn't matter, everything that takes away the reader's ability to visualize, to put themselves in the story. Leave nothing but emotion. Raw, real, only what matters.
This is Elevated. I still can't speak to other similar formats, but this was gripping. The intense emotion Elly feels because of her circumstance, her friends' situations, how she believes it's all her fault, how she's paralyzed and afraid to make choices. And the physical tie to being stuck in an elevator with the one person she is afraid to hurt, but cares the most for.
This is Elevated. Read it. You won't regret it.
Think of it this way: take a full novel and strip away everything that doesn't matter, everything that takes away the reader's ability to visualize, to put themselves in the story. Leave nothing but emotion. Raw, real, only what matters.
This is Elevated. I still can't speak to other similar formats, but this was gripping. The intense emotion Elly feels because of her circumstance, her friends' situations, how she believes it's all her fault, how she's paralyzed and afraid to make choices. And the physical tie to being stuck in an elevator with the one person she is afraid to hurt, but cares the most for.
This is Elevated. Read it. You won't regret it.
February 18, 2014
Have a few hours you can snuggle under a blanket with a mug of hot cocoa? Then you'll want to add the book ELEVATED to this cozy scenario.
Elevated is a book in verse (kinda poetry-ish) about a chance encounter between a girl, Elly and her ex-boyfriend, Trav. The story explores their past and their feelings and why they still love each other. While there is angst in the story, it's just the right amount to pull me in and keep me reading.
Elana is able to add so much depth with little words! I was so drawn in I didn't want to do the dishes or make supper or go to bed. I wanted to internalize the whole story in one sitting.
I loved the characters and their stories. I loved the writing. I loved this story.
Congrats, Elana, on another great book!
And I LOVE the cover! ;)
Elevated is a book in verse (kinda poetry-ish) about a chance encounter between a girl, Elly and her ex-boyfriend, Trav. The story explores their past and their feelings and why they still love each other. While there is angst in the story, it's just the right amount to pull me in and keep me reading.
Elana is able to add so much depth with little words! I was so drawn in I didn't want to do the dishes or make supper or go to bed. I wanted to internalize the whole story in one sitting.
I loved the characters and their stories. I loved the writing. I loved this story.
Congrats, Elana, on another great book!
And I LOVE the cover! ;)
August 22, 2014
This was so heart wrenching made me just want to give Elly a hug, because of what she went through. When I found out that this was written in verse, I was surprised and I love when authors surprise me. This was quite different from her Possession trilogy, it was a bit darker, and heart wrenching, maybe, because I was fueling back up from the Abandon hangover.
Like Elana Johnson's books, they have a air of mystery about her characters. There were a couple of 'secrets' that El was keeping from Trav and hoping that she could avoid him forever. But of course, she gets stuck in an elevator woth the person she wants to avoid. Trav. There were a lot of bombshells that surprised me. I really enjoyed it.
Like Elana Johnson's books, they have a air of mystery about her characters. There were a couple of 'secrets' that El was keeping from Trav and hoping that she could avoid him forever. But of course, she gets stuck in an elevator woth the person she wants to avoid. Trav. There were a lot of bombshells that surprised me. I really enjoyed it.
April 11, 2014
There’s something about the off kilter narrative, the way we bounce back and forth through the present (in the elevator) and all the things that led us to this point that makes this book so good. It’s the sort of amazing that creeps up on you in the dark and stabs you right in the feels.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, with the narrative set up – the novel told in poetry – but it works really well, and it lends a very specific atmosphere. I never questioned the main character’s motivations or her feelings. Fears, weaknesses… and I think the way the story is written had so much to do with that.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, with the narrative set up – the novel told in poetry – but it works really well, and it lends a very specific atmosphere. I never questioned the main character’s motivations or her feelings. Fears, weaknesses… and I think the way the story is written had so much to do with that.
February 17, 2014
Elly has several deep issues she’s been dwelling on. She has an ex-boyfriend she doesn’t want to talk to. She feels responsible for a horrific accident her best friend went through…there’s more, but I don’t want to become spoilerish. She has to face things head on when she’s stuck in an elevator with Travis, her ex. Talk about tension!
I adore novels-in-verse, so I was ecstatic when I received an ARC of Johnson’s ELEVATED. It’s a great addition to this genre and style. The author is skilled in verse and knows how to write a superb YA contemporary book.
I adore novels-in-verse, so I was ecstatic when I received an ARC of Johnson’s ELEVATED. It’s a great addition to this genre and style. The author is skilled in verse and knows how to write a superb YA contemporary book.
May 6, 2014
This is the first book I ever read that is written in verse. I wondered how I would like it and I LOVED IT! Elana knows how to grab your heartstrings and pull. Elly and Travis have such a sad story and yet I was rooting for them to make it through and be together. Elana likes to leave her endings open which usually I don't like because I like everything all wrapped up in a neat package, but this ending leaves you with hope that things will be okay with both of them, so I was okay with it.
May 16, 2014
I was expecting a generally whimsical teen romance with a little bit of angst, and good character development; I was surprised to see that the whole book was written in verse, with no chapter breaks or anything. It jarred a little at first, but it flows very easily after a page or two.
Kudos to Elana for the unexpected and serious turns this story took. It deals with serious teen issues without being crass or gratuitous, which I find enjoyable.
So yeah, good book :)
Kudos to Elana for the unexpected and serious turns this story took. It deals with serious teen issues without being crass or gratuitous, which I find enjoyable.
So yeah, good book :)
November 11, 2014
4.5 stars!
My first novel-in-verse, and I enjoyed it immensely. The flow and pacing are wonderfully smooth, and though the storyline weaves back and forth between the past and the present, I didn't have a hard time following it. This is actually more angsty than the cover portrays (when I got it, I thought it would be kinda light and maybe funny? But it's not. Still, it was an excellent read, and besides, who doesn't like poetry?)
My first novel-in-verse, and I enjoyed it immensely. The flow and pacing are wonderfully smooth, and though the storyline weaves back and forth between the past and the present, I didn't have a hard time following it. This is actually more angsty than the cover portrays (when I got it, I thought it would be kinda light and maybe funny? But it's not. Still, it was an excellent read, and besides, who doesn't like poetry?)
March 10, 2014
I love novel-in-verse. And I love this book.
The book
the characters
the poetry
it all made me hurt
made me think
relate to them.
I know of isolated young ladies.
and I like sensitive young men.
I love the little things that happened. Like rooftop talks. Video games and cooking. The little childhood games she does to figure things out. How she changes that. I want more of their world.
The book
the characters
the poetry
it all made me hurt
made me think
relate to them.
I know of isolated young ladies.
and I like sensitive young men.
I love the little things that happened. Like rooftop talks. Video games and cooking. The little childhood games she does to figure things out. How she changes that. I want more of their world.
December 9, 2025
I am not one for books written in verse but after reading the Amazon reviews, I decided to give it a shot and purchased the book. I am so glad I did. The verses didn't rhyme which made it easier for me to get into. The book was well written and describes the trauma and stress of the main character really well, and is a strong read all the way around. I would recommend this to anyone.
July 16, 2014
Kudos to author Elana Johnson for trying something new in her book, “Elevated.”
Read full review in the 2014 June/July Double Issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 June/July Double Issue of InD’tale Magazine.
June 9, 2014
This was such a delicious read. Elly has so many conflicting emotions--it's really touching to see her come to terms with them all. And I LOVE novels in verse because of their ability to portray emotion so well with so few words. Elevated didn't disappoint! So well done!
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