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The Amber House Trilogy #2
Neverwas
"I was sixteen the second time I had my first kiss...."
At the end of AMBER HOUSE, Sarah made a choice that transformed everything--and now she must choose it all again.
Things are very different--better--for Sarah and her family: her Aunt Maggie grew up; her parents are happily married; her grandmother died after a long, productive and respected life. But other things are different too, and not for the better.
After growing up in the free country of the Pacific Northwest, Sarah Parsons has settled in at Amber House, the stately Maryland home that's been in her family for generations. But the world surrounding the House feels deeply wrong to Sarah. It's a place where the colonists lost the 1776 Insurrection, where the American Confederation of States still struggles with segregation, and where Sarah is haunted by echoes of a better world that she knows never existed.
Her friend Jackson shares these visions of a different world--and together, they manage both to remember the way things ought to be, and to plan a daring mission that will reset the universe once again. Sarah must figure out what has changed, and why, and how she can fix it--how she can find her way to another otherwhen.
At the end of AMBER HOUSE, Sarah made a choice that transformed everything--and now she must choose it all again.
Things are very different--better--for Sarah and her family: her Aunt Maggie grew up; her parents are happily married; her grandmother died after a long, productive and respected life. But other things are different too, and not for the better.
After growing up in the free country of the Pacific Northwest, Sarah Parsons has settled in at Amber House, the stately Maryland home that's been in her family for generations. But the world surrounding the House feels deeply wrong to Sarah. It's a place where the colonists lost the 1776 Insurrection, where the American Confederation of States still struggles with segregation, and where Sarah is haunted by echoes of a better world that she knows never existed.
Her friend Jackson shares these visions of a different world--and together, they manage both to remember the way things ought to be, and to plan a daring mission that will reset the universe once again. Sarah must figure out what has changed, and why, and how she can fix it--how she can find her way to another otherwhen.
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First published January 7, 2014
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About the author
Kelly Moore
4 books189 followersKelly Moore is a New York Times best-selling author, former civil litigator, and single mother of three.
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November 24, 2023
For those in search of “something different”, this is the trilogy for you. Neverwas: Book II of the Amber House Trilogy is a mixed-up, mashed-up composite of time travel, ghost story and “what if”…..in the most phenomenal way possible.
As her new home, Amber House does not give Sarah the comforting vibe she’d grown accustomed to when visiting the estate-in-the-family-since-the-1600s. Contrarily, now she feels assaulted by the past, tugged by history. The American Confederation of States, using Sarah’s wise words is, “…..a country that still justified “separate but equal” facilities for the races. Not that “separate” had ever actually been “equal”.”
As an Astorian, Sarah knows all people are equal; she has always been free to eradicate ignorance. This sweetly stubborn sixteen-year-old will not pretend that white males are superior to white females and all non-whites. She will be anti-Nazi whether or not she “in public” and she certainly won’t give up her pursuit of Jackson just because his skin is darker than hers. He may act like a hard, serious young man now with his secret meetings and mysterious yellow handkerchiefs; but she knows the boy she admires and adores is still there. More importantly, he is the only one that can help her fix the past to save the present.
Social issues, subtly addressed, seep into the reader’s subconscious…..sneaking up later, seemingly from nothing at all……much like the echoes appear to Sarah as she opens herself to the past. Autism affects Sarah’s young brother Sammy as well as her aunt, Maggie. Deplorable acts against women and non-Caucasians are reminiscent of the happenings in southern states in the 1960s. Sadly, some still occur today. This book incites emotions. Reigning that empathy is as easy as stopping the ripples from a stone tossed into a still pond.
For me, the absolute brilliance of this book lies in the clever, sneaky way that urges….compels…the reader’s brain to consider concepts previously not pondered. On the surface, I found myself immersed and thoroughly enjoying an entertaining, captivating, unique story packed with intriguing characters, hidden agendas and secrets tucked deeply away. On the other hand, I often found myself wondering, what if……
Aside: Could the mention of ley lines be a nod to Maggie Stiefvater’s enchanting Raven Cycle?
This review was written for Buried Under Books by jv poore.
As her new home, Amber House does not give Sarah the comforting vibe she’d grown accustomed to when visiting the estate-in-the-family-since-the-1600s. Contrarily, now she feels assaulted by the past, tugged by history. The American Confederation of States, using Sarah’s wise words is, “…..a country that still justified “separate but equal” facilities for the races. Not that “separate” had ever actually been “equal”.”
As an Astorian, Sarah knows all people are equal; she has always been free to eradicate ignorance. This sweetly stubborn sixteen-year-old will not pretend that white males are superior to white females and all non-whites. She will be anti-Nazi whether or not she “in public” and she certainly won’t give up her pursuit of Jackson just because his skin is darker than hers. He may act like a hard, serious young man now with his secret meetings and mysterious yellow handkerchiefs; but she knows the boy she admires and adores is still there. More importantly, he is the only one that can help her fix the past to save the present.
Social issues, subtly addressed, seep into the reader’s subconscious…..sneaking up later, seemingly from nothing at all……much like the echoes appear to Sarah as she opens herself to the past. Autism affects Sarah’s young brother Sammy as well as her aunt, Maggie. Deplorable acts against women and non-Caucasians are reminiscent of the happenings in southern states in the 1960s. Sadly, some still occur today. This book incites emotions. Reigning that empathy is as easy as stopping the ripples from a stone tossed into a still pond.
For me, the absolute brilliance of this book lies in the clever, sneaky way that urges….compels…the reader’s brain to consider concepts previously not pondered. On the surface, I found myself immersed and thoroughly enjoying an entertaining, captivating, unique story packed with intriguing characters, hidden agendas and secrets tucked deeply away. On the other hand, I often found myself wondering, what if……
Aside: Could the mention of ley lines be a nod to Maggie Stiefvater’s enchanting Raven Cycle?
This review was written for Buried Under Books by jv poore.
January 5, 2014
So, I'm not sure what is up with the reviews of this book on Goodreads but after reading it, I can say that I don't agree with the large majority of them. Reviews are supposed to be honest, so I will ignore the others with my usual amount of disregard for bullshit and give my honest opinion. This is about the book and only the book, not a pack of angry roving wolves searching for blood from other authors. I make friends in this industry every day, might as well counter-balance it with some enemies.
This book is different and in some ways that helps it out. I should begin by saying that I didn't read the first book in the series, so I came into this one a bit blind. Still, the writing is good and the character development is interesting and well-thought enough to make me want to know more about the story.
This book delves into some very serious subjects, including race and social class and I was delighted by how well the authors gracefully covered these subjects. The main character is a reflection of the confusion that young people suffer when trying to figure out what they believe is a proper moral standard and code to live by.
There are magical and paranormal aspects to this story that made it intriguing for me as a reader and kept me looking forward to the next page. The story does jump back and forth a bit and at times was a little difficult to follow. Still, I liked the main character enough that I wanted to persevere and keep reading.
I didn't expect things to go the way they did by the end of this book, and I now look forward to reading the rest of the series. Overall this was a story that captivated my senses and made me curious.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. My opinions are my own and in no way related to other reviewer's thoughts on this title.
This book is different and in some ways that helps it out. I should begin by saying that I didn't read the first book in the series, so I came into this one a bit blind. Still, the writing is good and the character development is interesting and well-thought enough to make me want to know more about the story.
This book delves into some very serious subjects, including race and social class and I was delighted by how well the authors gracefully covered these subjects. The main character is a reflection of the confusion that young people suffer when trying to figure out what they believe is a proper moral standard and code to live by.
There are magical and paranormal aspects to this story that made it intriguing for me as a reader and kept me looking forward to the next page. The story does jump back and forth a bit and at times was a little difficult to follow. Still, I liked the main character enough that I wanted to persevere and keep reading.
I didn't expect things to go the way they did by the end of this book, and I now look forward to reading the rest of the series. Overall this was a story that captivated my senses and made me curious.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. My opinions are my own and in no way related to other reviewer's thoughts on this title.
December 22, 2013
Neverwas is the second installment in The Amber House trilogy and continues the story of Sarah Parsons and Amber House, the estate that has been in her family for years (centuries?). The previous novel in the series ends with a choice that Sarah makes, the decision that alters time and as the reader finds out, changes history.
It has been a while since I read the first novel in the trilogy and at first, I was completely baffled by the sequel. It took me a good while to situate myself in the narrative and if you, too, read the first novel some time ago, I recommend that you flip through the last few pages of The Amber House before beginning Neverwas to refamiliarize yourself with the story and its characters.
There are many things to appreciate about Neverwas First is the attention given to Sarah’s character – she’s distinct from the person she was in the first book and this hints at the dichotomy between nature and nurture. Sarah of Neverwas grows up in a different time (literally) and this is evident in the way she expresses herself and in some of the decisions she makes (and some she doesn’t make). I liked her awareness of this difference both in herself and in Richard and I liked that the love triangle has been pared. I didn’t mind his presence in Neverwas as I appreciated the complexity he throws into the narrative. It would have been so much easier for Sarah to accept his advances and let herself be carried away by everyone’s expectations where their relationship is concerned but she actually makes a choice that is consistent with who she is and that, again, threw me back to the nature/nurture conundrum.
Racial discrimination is at the forefront of the issues in this novel; the struggle for equality made dire by the fact that in the alternative history in which Sarah lives, the Nazi Germans won World War 2 and along with Japan have managed to subjugate two thirds of the world. The only power remaining unconquered is North America, part of which is sympathetic to the Nazi regime. Canada does not exist which makes sense considering London (and I’m assuming England) was burned down by its enemies but I’m Canadian so I needed to mention this, hah.
The book takes a look at the issues that would be natural to a world such as the one described but the authors do not let these issues subsume the primary narrative. The Amber House and Sarah are still at the heart of the story and it is Sarah’s growth through the narrative that is given prominence. The romance, too, is sweet but only a part of the story. Jackson is a wonderfully relatable character and his plight invites the reader’s sympathy. Sarah’s brother has a slightly lesser role in this novel but he is no less important. Sarah’s mother and Sarah continue to have issues and I’m afraid that it’s going to take a lot for her to be redeemed for me .
I enjoyed the novel immensely, especially in the second half when the tension kicks up a notch and the villainous characters show their hand. I wonder if Richard’s mother has more to her than is revealed because she has a rather sinister mien to her that is intriguingly hinted at but never really explored in much detail. I’m hoping the next installment features her a bit more prominently as it feels she has a story within her.
The only thing that I did not like was Sarah’s waffling. She runs away a lot in this novel and after the second or third time she did so, I was at my limit. And while I understood that running away from responsibilities and difficult tasks is fitting with the society she grew up in and the person she is at the moment, I felt that the action was also contradictory to the attitudes and opinions she had expressed concerning the racial discrimination. If she has a chance to make it better, why does she not take it? However, once she does decide, things pick up and come to a resounding climax that leaves me eager for and anticipating the final installment in the trilogy.
It has been a while since I read the first novel in the trilogy and at first, I was completely baffled by the sequel. It took me a good while to situate myself in the narrative and if you, too, read the first novel some time ago, I recommend that you flip through the last few pages of The Amber House before beginning Neverwas to refamiliarize yourself with the story and its characters.
There are many things to appreciate about Neverwas First is the attention given to Sarah’s character – she’s distinct from the person she was in the first book and this hints at the dichotomy between nature and nurture. Sarah of Neverwas grows up in a different time (literally) and this is evident in the way she expresses herself and in some of the decisions she makes (and some she doesn’t make). I liked her awareness of this difference both in herself and in Richard and I liked that the love triangle has been pared. I didn’t mind his presence in Neverwas as I appreciated the complexity he throws into the narrative. It would have been so much easier for Sarah to accept his advances and let herself be carried away by everyone’s expectations where their relationship is concerned but she actually makes a choice that is consistent with who she is and that, again, threw me back to the nature/nurture conundrum.
Racial discrimination is at the forefront of the issues in this novel; the struggle for equality made dire by the fact that in the alternative history in which Sarah lives, the Nazi Germans won World War 2 and along with Japan have managed to subjugate two thirds of the world. The only power remaining unconquered is North America, part of which is sympathetic to the Nazi regime. Canada does not exist which makes sense considering London (and I’m assuming England) was burned down by its enemies but I’m Canadian so I needed to mention this, hah.
The book takes a look at the issues that would be natural to a world such as the one described but the authors do not let these issues subsume the primary narrative. The Amber House and Sarah are still at the heart of the story and it is Sarah’s growth through the narrative that is given prominence. The romance, too, is sweet but only a part of the story. Jackson is a wonderfully relatable character and his plight invites the reader’s sympathy. Sarah’s brother has a slightly lesser role in this novel but he is no less important. Sarah’s mother and Sarah continue to have issues and I’m afraid that it’s going to take a lot for her to be redeemed for me .
I enjoyed the novel immensely, especially in the second half when the tension kicks up a notch and the villainous characters show their hand. I wonder if Richard’s mother has more to her than is revealed because she has a rather sinister mien to her that is intriguingly hinted at but never really explored in much detail. I’m hoping the next installment features her a bit more prominently as it feels she has a story within her.
The only thing that I did not like was Sarah’s waffling. She runs away a lot in this novel and after the second or third time she did so, I was at my limit. And while I understood that running away from responsibilities and difficult tasks is fitting with the society she grew up in and the person she is at the moment, I felt that the action was also contradictory to the attitudes and opinions she had expressed concerning the racial discrimination. If she has a chance to make it better, why does she not take it? However, once she does decide, things pick up and come to a resounding climax that leaves me eager for and anticipating the final installment in the trilogy.
September 16, 2014
OMG OMG OMG!
I am so excited to see that this is now a trilogy!
I read Amber House back in July as an ARC and purchased it as soon as it came out for my library. Students have loved it! Neverwas is now on my To-Purchase for next school year. Can. Not. Wait!
I am so excited to see that this is now a trilogy!
I read Amber House back in July as an ARC and purchased it as soon as it came out for my library. Students have loved it! Neverwas is now on my To-Purchase for next school year. Can. Not. Wait!
December 13, 2013
First and foremost I would like to thank author Tucker Reed for sending me an advanced readers copy, I am very grateful, thank you!
Let's get right into it! Neverwas picks up where Amber House left off, well sort of. When Sarah rescues her brother and aunt in the first book she changes the future. Neverwas takes place in modern times but with a government and society that lives in the past. The states are not united, racial segregation still exists, as do Nazis. Basically, Neverwas is set in an alternative universe. All our favorite characters are still there, with the addition of some new ones, but the world is completely different then in the previous book. This new world did take some getting used to. I did enjoy the fact that Sarah changed the future but to have changed it so drastically seemed a little far fetched, but it is a book where a girl can see into the past and a boy can see into the future.
Amber House beings to show Sarah glimpses of the past and she knows that the world she lives in right now is not the world she is suppose to live in, that when she work up her aunt and brother everything changed. Sarah and Jackson literally race against the clock to fix what has been has broke in time.
Overall, I enjoyed the book even though the whole alternative universe took some getting used to. The writing was hauntingly beautiful (I loved the little bits of hidden poetry) but I expected nothing less from these authors. I'm looking forward to what the next book has in story for Amber House and it's residents.
Rating: ★★★★ (3.5/5)
Let's get right into it! Neverwas picks up where Amber House left off, well sort of. When Sarah rescues her brother and aunt in the first book she changes the future. Neverwas takes place in modern times but with a government and society that lives in the past. The states are not united, racial segregation still exists, as do Nazis. Basically, Neverwas is set in an alternative universe. All our favorite characters are still there, with the addition of some new ones, but the world is completely different then in the previous book. This new world did take some getting used to. I did enjoy the fact that Sarah changed the future but to have changed it so drastically seemed a little far fetched, but it is a book where a girl can see into the past and a boy can see into the future.
Amber House beings to show Sarah glimpses of the past and she knows that the world she lives in right now is not the world she is suppose to live in, that when she work up her aunt and brother everything changed. Sarah and Jackson literally race against the clock to fix what has been has broke in time.
Overall, I enjoyed the book even though the whole alternative universe took some getting used to. The writing was hauntingly beautiful (I loved the little bits of hidden poetry) but I expected nothing less from these authors. I'm looking forward to what the next book has in story for Amber House and it's residents.
Rating: ★★★★ (3.5/5)
July 28, 2014
OK, first things first. What a beautiful cover!
The book graced by this lovely cover is Neverwas, the sequel to Amber House by mother-and-daughters team Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, and Larkin Reed. In the previous book, teenaged Sarah Parsons altered the past to save the lives of her younger brother and her aunt.
As Neverwas begins, it becomes clear that Sarah changed more than just that. The entire United States is different from the one we live in — in fact, there is no United States per se, but several loosely connected countries, and Amber House is situated in one where racial segregation still exists. Meanwhile, in Europe, Nazis reign. “WTF?” you might ask. What did Sarah do in the past that messed up the entire world this badly?
That’s the question Sarah herself must answer in Neverwas, as memories of a life in a better timeline begin to surface and conflict with her other set of memories. On the heels of that question come two more: How can she fix it? And can she fix it without losing the loved ones she saved the first time?
Sarah’s personality is a little different this time around, since she was raised in a different environment. I liked first-book Sarah better — and when second-book Sarah finds out about her alternate, more intrepid self, she likes her better too and wants to be more like her. Her partner in trying to save the world is Jackson, who is amazing (the choice he makes at the climax just dropped my jaw). The two of them face trouble on their quest due to their racist and sexist environment, which surrounds them with restrictions and dangers.
Like Amber House, Neverwas is an addictive Gothic tale that’s hard to put down. I do not recommend reading it without reading Amber House first, as it will be confusing. I do recommend framing the cover!
The book graced by this lovely cover is Neverwas, the sequel to Amber House by mother-and-daughters team Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, and Larkin Reed. In the previous book, teenaged Sarah Parsons altered the past to save the lives of her younger brother and her aunt.
As Neverwas begins, it becomes clear that Sarah changed more than just that. The entire United States is different from the one we live in — in fact, there is no United States per se, but several loosely connected countries, and Amber House is situated in one where racial segregation still exists. Meanwhile, in Europe, Nazis reign. “WTF?” you might ask. What did Sarah do in the past that messed up the entire world this badly?
That’s the question Sarah herself must answer in Neverwas, as memories of a life in a better timeline begin to surface and conflict with her other set of memories. On the heels of that question come two more: How can she fix it? And can she fix it without losing the loved ones she saved the first time?
Sarah’s personality is a little different this time around, since she was raised in a different environment. I liked first-book Sarah better — and when second-book Sarah finds out about her alternate, more intrepid self, she likes her better too and wants to be more like her. Her partner in trying to save the world is Jackson, who is amazing (the choice he makes at the climax just dropped my jaw). The two of them face trouble on their quest due to their racist and sexist environment, which surrounds them with restrictions and dangers.
Like Amber House, Neverwas is an addictive Gothic tale that’s hard to put down. I do not recommend reading it without reading Amber House first, as it will be confusing. I do recommend framing the cover!
Read
May 19, 2014Hated the main character in the first book and can only assume she will be more annoying in this one. I'm afraid this will have to go with several other unread books into my sock drawer.
December 22, 2013
I received a copy of this book from one of the authors, Tucker Reed, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks Tucker for sending me a copy of Neverwas!
When you've fallen in love with the first book in a trilogy or series it can be a little scary picking up the sequel. Amber House blew me away so the prospect of Neverwas not living up to my expecatations was nervewracking. I'm very pleased to say that Neverwas did not disappoint me and I love it just as much as Amber House!
I loved being able to visit Amber House again. As soon as I stepped foot inside the house I felt welcomed back by Sarah, the main character, and I always feel safe with her as she tells her story. She certainly has a great story to tell and it is always surprising me. There are many characters in this book who add so much to the story. There is a lot of great character development and I really enjoyed reading about how certain characters have changed. I'm having a hard time working out which character is my favourite: Sammy or Jackson. I would adopt Sammy if I could and Jackson is full of so much awesomeness. I'm very interested to see what Amber House has in store next for its residents.
The plot is intricately woven. One of the things I love most about the plot is how I'm always left wondering what twists and turns are lying in wait in the next chapter. There are so many layers in this world that I never know what to expect next. The world building really stands out. Neverwas is set in an alternative reality and as someone who adores history I loved reading about how different the world's history is in Neverwas. This book raises many questions about time travel, just like Amber House did. Is it okay to change time? What impact would changing one small thing have on the world? Family is such a big theme in this book and I cannot wait to see what will happen next with Sarah, her family and her ancestors as the ending has definitely left me wanting more.
I have no faults with the writing style. I trust Sarah's voice and the story she has to tell. Just like with Amber House, there is something about Sarah and the way her story is told that captures my attention immediately. What continues to amaze me is how well the authors work together. Their thoughts and feelings all blend perfectly to create Sarah's voice, this world and the overall story.
Overall, I have given Neverwas a 5/5 star rating. I'm hooked by this trilogy and I desperately want to find out more about Amber House and the secrets it hides. If you like time travel, ghosts and family histories then definitely check out this trilogy!
When you've fallen in love with the first book in a trilogy or series it can be a little scary picking up the sequel. Amber House blew me away so the prospect of Neverwas not living up to my expecatations was nervewracking. I'm very pleased to say that Neverwas did not disappoint me and I love it just as much as Amber House!
I loved being able to visit Amber House again. As soon as I stepped foot inside the house I felt welcomed back by Sarah, the main character, and I always feel safe with her as she tells her story. She certainly has a great story to tell and it is always surprising me. There are many characters in this book who add so much to the story. There is a lot of great character development and I really enjoyed reading about how certain characters have changed. I'm having a hard time working out which character is my favourite: Sammy or Jackson. I would adopt Sammy if I could and Jackson is full of so much awesomeness. I'm very interested to see what Amber House has in store next for its residents.
The plot is intricately woven. One of the things I love most about the plot is how I'm always left wondering what twists and turns are lying in wait in the next chapter. There are so many layers in this world that I never know what to expect next. The world building really stands out. Neverwas is set in an alternative reality and as someone who adores history I loved reading about how different the world's history is in Neverwas. This book raises many questions about time travel, just like Amber House did. Is it okay to change time? What impact would changing one small thing have on the world? Family is such a big theme in this book and I cannot wait to see what will happen next with Sarah, her family and her ancestors as the ending has definitely left me wanting more.
I have no faults with the writing style. I trust Sarah's voice and the story she has to tell. Just like with Amber House, there is something about Sarah and the way her story is told that captures my attention immediately. What continues to amaze me is how well the authors work together. Their thoughts and feelings all blend perfectly to create Sarah's voice, this world and the overall story.
Overall, I have given Neverwas a 5/5 star rating. I'm hooked by this trilogy and I desperately want to find out more about Amber House and the secrets it hides. If you like time travel, ghosts and family histories then definitely check out this trilogy!
December 16, 2013
I rarely read book blurbs. So, when I agreed to read Neverwas, I didn't know what I was getting into! I didn't remember details of Amber House, so when I started reading Neverwas, I was a bit confused. The world was different. The house was the same, but the country, the politics, and the personalities of some of the characters was totally different.
Then Sarah started having visions and receiving messages that were telling her things were wrong. Things were not the way they were supposed to be, and I realized that we are now in an alternate universe. How cool!
I won't go into too many details of this strange world, but the Nazis won the war, and there's no such thing as civil rights. But, some things are good! Sarah's parents get along great, and her mom has no intention of selling Amber House.
Jackson is helping Sarah to interpret her visions, and they decide that they must try to do something to make the world go back the way it was. Sarah has to figure out what she needs to change in the past, then she and Jackson have to figure out how to do it.
This quest is very exciting, but sometimes the solutions came a bit to easily (although not ALL the time!) I found the details of all the ancestors and what each of them did to be a little bit difficult to follow, but those details aren't really important. There's only a couple of people from the past that end up being critical to the events that changed the world.
I wish I would have been able to read Amber House again, right before Neverwas. You really need to read them in order, and I would have liked the details of Amber House to have been a bit more clear in my mind. I definitely recommend this series to teens who like a little paranormal adventure. We have ghosts, time travel, and visions (both past and present) to keep you entertained while you are visiting Amber House.
Visit my blog to see my puzzle piece for the tour -- you can win a signed first edition copy of Neverwas!
Then Sarah started having visions and receiving messages that were telling her things were wrong. Things were not the way they were supposed to be, and I realized that we are now in an alternate universe. How cool!
I won't go into too many details of this strange world, but the Nazis won the war, and there's no such thing as civil rights. But, some things are good! Sarah's parents get along great, and her mom has no intention of selling Amber House.
Jackson is helping Sarah to interpret her visions, and they decide that they must try to do something to make the world go back the way it was. Sarah has to figure out what she needs to change in the past, then she and Jackson have to figure out how to do it.
This quest is very exciting, but sometimes the solutions came a bit to easily (although not ALL the time!) I found the details of all the ancestors and what each of them did to be a little bit difficult to follow, but those details aren't really important. There's only a couple of people from the past that end up being critical to the events that changed the world.
I wish I would have been able to read Amber House again, right before Neverwas. You really need to read them in order, and I would have liked the details of Amber House to have been a bit more clear in my mind. I definitely recommend this series to teens who like a little paranormal adventure. We have ghosts, time travel, and visions (both past and present) to keep you entertained while you are visiting Amber House.
Visit my blog to see my puzzle piece for the tour -- you can win a signed first edition copy of Neverwas!
September 3, 2015
OH MY GODS LOOK AT THAT COVER!!!
OH MY GODS. I'M DYING!!!!!!!
WHO'S HAND WAS THAT AT THE END???!!! PLEASE LET IT BE JACKSON'S!!!!!
I was so moved by this series. I loved the rich history and the whole plot with Amber House and it's pass. Please give me a happy ending in Otherwhen.
OH MY GODS. I'M DYING!!!!!!!
WHO'S HAND WAS THAT AT THE END???!!! PLEASE LET IT BE JACKSON'S!!!!!
I was so moved by this series. I loved the rich history and the whole plot with Amber House and it's pass. Please give me a happy ending in Otherwhen.
November 28, 2013
I received an advance copy of Neverwas from NetGalley. I had never heard of this series so I had no idea what to expect beyond the summary. I loved this book! As an amateur researcher of my own family tree, I loved how Sarah found out more and more about her ancestors as the novel progressed. And Amber House felt haunted, at first maliciously then lovingly toward the end. If I had any complaints, it was that some of the main characters; Maggie, Sarah's father, Rose, felt less real than the echoes from the past. This may be because I did not read Amber House first (which I intend to do as soon as I get my hands on a copy). This book does do fine as a standalone, however.
I am looking forward to Otherwhen - I hope it is not too long a wait!
I am looking forward to Otherwhen - I hope it is not too long a wait!
no-desire-sorry
December 21, 2014Due to unfortunate reasons that transpired. Tsk, tsk.... It's sad. :'c
January 25, 2015
As seen on The Quiet Concert
I doubt there is a more perfect series for me than this one. First, I fell in love with Amber House, and then I fell in love with the story.
At the heart of this story is one old, old house....
And Sarah can relive it all...
When Sarah comes to Amber House this time around the world is a different place. So different, in fact, that I had a little trouble in the beginning understanding it. The states are still divided, racial segregation still exists, there are even Nazis! At the end of book one, Sarah changed the past, and consequently changed the future. But since her own life was rewritten in the process, she has no memory of doing it.
Fortunately, Amber House does.
Most of the characters from Amber House are present in Neverwas, albeit a little different. Sarah as an MC still falls a little flat for me, maybe more so in this book. And having grown up with an easier life has made her character less... resilient. But I admire that she will go to great lengths for the one's she loves and her relationship with her Autistic brother Sammy continues to pull on my heartstrings. The love and care with which she interacts with her brother is beautiful. Sammy himself is just fantastic. I love how everything he says is exactly what you need to hear, when you know how to listen.
The love triangle is still present, but not quite the same, since Sarah is more sure of her feelings. Jackson is noticeably less present in this book, and I missed him. But Richard is considerably better and I felt bad that past memories kept Sarah at a distance.
Overall, Neverwas was a strong sequel to Amber House. I didn't love it more than Amber House, but I loved it nonetheless. I think the care with which this house and its history have been written is truly remarkable and sets the stage for a wonderful story, to which the authors use to its fullest potential. I highly highly recommend this series to fellow readers. It's unlike anything else I've read.
I doubt there is a more perfect series for me than this one. First, I fell in love with Amber House, and then I fell in love with the story.
At the heart of this story is one old, old house....
"The estate was famous — one of the oldest in North America, owned by a single family, my family, since the 1600s. Dormant gardens surrounded the house, which was all white clapboard and pillars, brick and green trim. Not stately so much as solid. Filled with time.and one elaborate family history - cruelty, insanity, death.
My grandmother used to tell me how three hundred and fifty years of my ancestors had added to Amber House — a wing here, a porch there, a balcony, a turret. Decade after decade. Generation after generation. Century after century."
And Sarah can relive it all...
"'Your gramma called them echoes.'I love this idea. Liked seriously LOVE this idea. I loved exploring Amber House - its present and, with Sarah's gift, its past. The house fascinated me. The history fascinated me. And the combination of the two left me mesmerized. The description that was provided was wonderful. And the story was weaved nicely throughout. I could live in this series.
'It's like replaying a piece of the past. A moment played over again. Like a scene from a movie. But only certain people can see them.'"
When Sarah comes to Amber House this time around the world is a different place. So different, in fact, that I had a little trouble in the beginning understanding it. The states are still divided, racial segregation still exists, there are even Nazis! At the end of book one, Sarah changed the past, and consequently changed the future. But since her own life was rewritten in the process, she has no memory of doing it.
Fortunately, Amber House does.
"'Amber House holds its share of secrets. But those are in the past, aren't they, and the past doesn't give up its secrets easily.'"This book has a bit of a slow start as the world is established and Sarah rediscovers her gift. But after it gets going there was no slowing down. Once again we are reliving history, waiting for Amber House to reveal its secrets to Sarah so she can fix whatever change she set in motion. But the stakes are much higher this time. The echoes darker. And the future is not so certain. I loved the adventure. The suspense.
Most of the characters from Amber House are present in Neverwas, albeit a little different. Sarah as an MC still falls a little flat for me, maybe more so in this book. And having grown up with an easier life has made her character less... resilient. But I admire that she will go to great lengths for the one's she loves and her relationship with her Autistic brother Sammy continues to pull on my heartstrings. The love and care with which she interacts with her brother is beautiful. Sammy himself is just fantastic. I love how everything he says is exactly what you need to hear, when you know how to listen.
The love triangle is still present, but not quite the same, since Sarah is more sure of her feelings. Jackson is noticeably less present in this book, and I missed him. But Richard is considerably better and I felt bad that past memories kept Sarah at a distance.
Overall, Neverwas was a strong sequel to Amber House. I didn't love it more than Amber House, but I loved it nonetheless. I think the care with which this house and its history have been written is truly remarkable and sets the stage for a wonderful story, to which the authors use to its fullest potential. I highly highly recommend this series to fellow readers. It's unlike anything else I've read.
December 29, 2013
At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d love this second installment of the Amber House trilogy. It was a huge departure from the first book and I found the beginning to be a little confusing. Once it was revealed what was going on, I was able to appreciate the story more and get into Sarah’s journey to fix what was broken when she saved her family members in the last book.
Sarah was once again a good narrator and I do like her character a lot, I particularly enjoy her relationship with her brother. It is also interesting to see how many obstacles Sarah faces in this new world because of her romantic feelings towards Jackson.
There’s a lot of history involved in Neverwas and it became overwhelming at time. Readers learn not only a lot about Sarah’s ancestors but also must become acclimated with the new world Sarah lives in. Racial segregation is one of the major issues in this alternate universe and the world Sarah now lives in is horrifying.
I would probably recommend reading Amber House and Neverwas back to back to avoid some of the confusion I experienced. I love the descriptive writing in the book and also enjoyed that the plot is centered on a gothic manor able to hold onto the echoes of the past.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Thanks to the authors for a copy of this novel for review!
Sarah was once again a good narrator and I do like her character a lot, I particularly enjoy her relationship with her brother. It is also interesting to see how many obstacles Sarah faces in this new world because of her romantic feelings towards Jackson.
There’s a lot of history involved in Neverwas and it became overwhelming at time. Readers learn not only a lot about Sarah’s ancestors but also must become acclimated with the new world Sarah lives in. Racial segregation is one of the major issues in this alternate universe and the world Sarah now lives in is horrifying.
I would probably recommend reading Amber House and Neverwas back to back to avoid some of the confusion I experienced. I love the descriptive writing in the book and also enjoyed that the plot is centered on a gothic manor able to hold onto the echoes of the past.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Thanks to the authors for a copy of this novel for review!
August 10, 2016
I marked this book as a one star due to the face that I do that. It's my right to catalog a book anyway I see fit. It helps me to keep up with books I am not planning to ever read or the ones I do want to read.
The review is my damn opinion. I do have the right to my opinion or as far as I know I do.
Has been edited to please the world. No mention of the no-no's.
I don't know why my review isn't showing for anyone other than my friends.? Who knows?
The review is my damn opinion. I do have the right to my opinion or as far as I know I do.
Has been edited to please the world. No mention of the no-no's.
I don't know why my review isn't showing for anyone other than my friends.? Who knows?
Want to read
November 2, 2013I haven't read this book yet. It comes out in january and i'm DYING to read it!!! Love where the series is going so far.
Read
February 1, 2015After careful consideration I have decided not to restart this book. I have DNF this series. Nothing and nobody inluenced this decision it is mine alone.
January 6, 2014
Boricuan Bookworms - Book Reviews
It was such a pleasure reading this book. A very good follow-up to this wonderful series.
Neverwas picks up where Amber House left off; after Sarah saved her brother Sammy, and unknowingly altered history, she must now live with those consequences. Bothered by visions of what once was, Sarah must try once again to alter history and choose the Otherwhen.
I will admit that it took me a while to get into this book because at first we were basically “re-living” what we had already seen in Amber House. This changes though, when we realize that the world is much different than we thought it was: there’s racism, sexism, segregation, and everything in between. Here’s where the book starts to take off. We’re eagerly anticipating cryptic clues being sent to us by the house, and the moment when Sarah will finally decipher them. The plot structure was definitely a very captivating one, full with twists and mysteries around every corner.
This time around, I found Sarah to be a bit annoying, but still likable. It was also nice to see all the characters we came to love in Amber House, plus also some new, intriguing ones. I’m so glad Jackson had a great part in this story, even if sometimes I felt like kicking him for being so secretive!
I loved how this book felt so eerie. It was what initially made me fall in love with the first book, so seeing it in this one was a great surprise.
The romance in this book was pretty low-key, which disappointed me at first, but I’m actually glad for that because in this book Sarah is sure of whom she wants, so there’s no pesky love triangle in the way.
I loved how the book ended. There were so many mysteries and secrets that I didn’t know how everything would play out. The way everything intertwined to make a mind-blowing ending definitely surprised me. It left me hanging for the next book!
Overall, this book was a wonderful continuation to the series full of everything you could hope for in an Amber House sequel.
Rating: 4.5 stars
“Amber House was an odd place at any hour, but it was oddest when the darkness started to fill it at the end of a day.”
-Neverwas by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed & Larkin Reed
It was such a pleasure reading this book. A very good follow-up to this wonderful series.
Neverwas picks up where Amber House left off; after Sarah saved her brother Sammy, and unknowingly altered history, she must now live with those consequences. Bothered by visions of what once was, Sarah must try once again to alter history and choose the Otherwhen.
I will admit that it took me a while to get into this book because at first we were basically “re-living” what we had already seen in Amber House. This changes though, when we realize that the world is much different than we thought it was: there’s racism, sexism, segregation, and everything in between. Here’s where the book starts to take off. We’re eagerly anticipating cryptic clues being sent to us by the house, and the moment when Sarah will finally decipher them. The plot structure was definitely a very captivating one, full with twists and mysteries around every corner.
This time around, I found Sarah to be a bit annoying, but still likable. It was also nice to see all the characters we came to love in Amber House, plus also some new, intriguing ones. I’m so glad Jackson had a great part in this story, even if sometimes I felt like kicking him for being so secretive!
I loved how this book felt so eerie. It was what initially made me fall in love with the first book, so seeing it in this one was a great surprise.
The romance in this book was pretty low-key, which disappointed me at first, but I’m actually glad for that because in this book Sarah is sure of whom she wants, so there’s no pesky love triangle in the way.
I loved how the book ended. There were so many mysteries and secrets that I didn’t know how everything would play out. The way everything intertwined to make a mind-blowing ending definitely surprised me. It left me hanging for the next book!
Overall, this book was a wonderful continuation to the series full of everything you could hope for in an Amber House sequel.
Rating: 4.5 stars
December 17, 2014
3.25/3.5
I liked the first book more. Amber house was interesting, even complex at some point, and had the right atmosphere: creepy and mysterious. Neverwas was like reading the first book all over again, but without those elements that made it different.
Sarah Parsons has come to live at Amber house. But somehow as soon as she gets there she feels like there's something wrong with the present, and she is haunted by visions of a past in which things were different. In which the colonists won the Insurrection and segregation isn't a problem anymore. What she sees is a time that neverwas.
The main problem I had with Neverwas is that it felt too similar to Amber house. It was the same all over again but with more flaws. No mysterious atmosphere, dull characters. The reason I did end up enjoying it, at least a little, is that the plot is still good. Like, the idea upon which the series is based is clever and plot-wise the series is a breath of fresh air. And while this one disappointed me a little I'm still curious to see what will happen in Otherwhen (and the fact that I can't find a release date...not a happy reader here.). The cliffhanger was unnecessary, truly, but I guees it was expected.
I don't know what to say. I'd totally recommend the first book, because that one had some really interesting elements, but I have to say that in my opinion Neverwas is your typical second book in a trilogy. Hopefully Otherwhen will prove me wrong, by surprising me like Amber house did.
I liked the first book more. Amber house was interesting, even complex at some point, and had the right atmosphere: creepy and mysterious. Neverwas was like reading the first book all over again, but without those elements that made it different.
Sarah Parsons has come to live at Amber house. But somehow as soon as she gets there she feels like there's something wrong with the present, and she is haunted by visions of a past in which things were different. In which the colonists won the Insurrection and segregation isn't a problem anymore. What she sees is a time that neverwas.
The main problem I had with Neverwas is that it felt too similar to Amber house. It was the same all over again but with more flaws. No mysterious atmosphere, dull characters. The reason I did end up enjoying it, at least a little, is that the plot is still good. Like, the idea upon which the series is based is clever and plot-wise the series is a breath of fresh air. And while this one disappointed me a little I'm still curious to see what will happen in Otherwhen (and the fact that I can't find a release date...not a happy reader here.). The cliffhanger was unnecessary, truly, but I guees it was expected.
I don't know what to say. I'd totally recommend the first book, because that one had some really interesting elements, but I have to say that in my opinion Neverwas is your typical second book in a trilogy. Hopefully Otherwhen will prove me wrong, by surprising me like Amber house did.
March 1, 2014
Neverwas was a vivid and quick read; there were many exciting elements that kept me turning the pages. However, though this novel was a type of historical fiction, I had many issues with the historical “facts” that were being fictionalized. There were many times while reading that I was abruptly taken out of the novel by the events taking place. I found myself looking up facts on the 1776 Insurrection, and overall I was very conflicted. The discrepancies did not feel like I was reading a work of historical fiction, it did not meld together for me at all and left me feeling a little frustrated at best.
I found the characters to be likable enough, I appreciated the relationship between Sarah and her mother, but I missed her closeness with Sammy that we saw in the first novel. Jackson was especially interesting but I had a hard time seeing the realness and the “love that bridges time” between he and Sarah that was so apparent in book one. I did, however, find some of their moments together very romantic and a scene between them near the end of the novel was especially endearing and pretty swoony as well.
One of the things that I missed the most while reading Neverwas were the parts that had my hair standing on end. Amber House felt a lot more Gothic to me and that was part of the reason that I was so excited to read Neverwas, I was so disappointed to find that I was not as drawn in to the story as I was when I read Amber House and I missed the Gothic feel. I did not feel as if I was walking the halls of Amber House with Sarah as I did when I read the first book in the series. In a recent interview with the authors I stated that when describing Amber House, I would use words such as Gothic, paranormal, and mystery. Neverwas has some of these elements but to me it really felt more like a work of historical fiction and I am sorry to say that it didn’t work for me as I had hoped.
Overall, Neverwas did not work for me, and I am very sorry that it didn’t as the first novel in the trilogy really blew me away. Personally, I do not think that I will be coming back to read book three.
I found the characters to be likable enough, I appreciated the relationship between Sarah and her mother, but I missed her closeness with Sammy that we saw in the first novel. Jackson was especially interesting but I had a hard time seeing the realness and the “love that bridges time” between he and Sarah that was so apparent in book one. I did, however, find some of their moments together very romantic and a scene between them near the end of the novel was especially endearing and pretty swoony as well.
One of the things that I missed the most while reading Neverwas were the parts that had my hair standing on end. Amber House felt a lot more Gothic to me and that was part of the reason that I was so excited to read Neverwas, I was so disappointed to find that I was not as drawn in to the story as I was when I read Amber House and I missed the Gothic feel. I did not feel as if I was walking the halls of Amber House with Sarah as I did when I read the first book in the series. In a recent interview with the authors I stated that when describing Amber House, I would use words such as Gothic, paranormal, and mystery. Neverwas has some of these elements but to me it really felt more like a work of historical fiction and I am sorry to say that it didn’t work for me as I had hoped.
Overall, Neverwas did not work for me, and I am very sorry that it didn’t as the first novel in the trilogy really blew me away. Personally, I do not think that I will be coming back to read book three.
December 17, 2013
This is one of the rare sequels that's even better than its predecessors. This review won't go into specifics because it would be so easy to spoil something and you don't want that.
I loved everything about this book. I especially love the fact that it's so similar to our world although there are major, major differences (among them the fact that we never got involved in World War II). Things are different, but it's not completely dystopian. (It is, however, really, REALLY racist although the main characters are not.)
I love the idea that this house has all these little echoes from the past playing out and how, if you are in tune with it, you can walk into a room and see a scene from a hundred years ago playing out right in front of you. It's the coolest idea although a lot of times it's actually really creepy.
Like in the first book, I loved Sarah. In this book I loved her even more, because she still chose to try and change things. It's easy to want things to change when your life isn't great, right? But what if your life is perfect but the world is wrong? Would you try and fix the world at your own expense? Most people probably wouldn't.
But most of all, I love Sarah and Jackson. (Especially Jackson, who is freaking awesome.)
I cannot wait for the third book. I don't think it has a title or a release date, but I hope it's not too far away.
Highly, highly recommended.
I loved everything about this book. I especially love the fact that it's so similar to our world although there are major, major differences (among them the fact that we never got involved in World War II). Things are different, but it's not completely dystopian. (It is, however, really, REALLY racist although the main characters are not.)
I love the idea that this house has all these little echoes from the past playing out and how, if you are in tune with it, you can walk into a room and see a scene from a hundred years ago playing out right in front of you. It's the coolest idea although a lot of times it's actually really creepy.
Like in the first book, I loved Sarah. In this book I loved her even more, because she still chose to try and change things. It's easy to want things to change when your life isn't great, right? But what if your life is perfect but the world is wrong? Would you try and fix the world at your own expense? Most people probably wouldn't.
But most of all, I love Sarah and Jackson. (Especially Jackson, who is freaking awesome.)
I cannot wait for the third book. I don't think it has a title or a release date, but I hope it's not too far away.
Highly, highly recommended.
December 26, 2013
I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was fabulous! I loved the first installment in the series and I was a little worried it would hit the sophomore slump or just be all information. Boy did it prove me wrong! The first few chapters were confusing as they should be, but I didn't realize this until later. I realized that I was confused because the main character was confused and slowly as she pieced the puzzled together so did I. This book is fabulous and I can't wait to buy a hard copy. It had multiple twist and turns it was not predictable and kept me on my toes. I would recommend this series to anyone! Fantastic job ladies I can't wait for the next one!
December 30, 2013
**4 Stars**
Review to come...
Review to come...
January 3, 2014
What a fantastic, magical read to start my new year! Review to come soon, in the meantime, everyone should read the first book, Amber House. ;)
November 15, 2013
review still coming
August 5, 2016
I was excited to get my hands on the first book... but, you know, after certain things occurred when it should not have, I will avoid book one as well as this.
March 1, 2014
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February 27, 2014
More to come later. Waffling on how I feel about the alternate history details/worldbuilding. But I LOVED the ending and the twists and turns. Can't wait for #3! :D
Full Review
I can see why some people would be confused by this book, especially the theory behind the alternate history in it. It's a whole Hell of a lot to take in, even if you have read the first book in the series. I did understand that in saving her younger brother, Sarah has managed to reset time. She is now living in an alternate reality, where the colonists lost the Revolutionary War (known as the "Insurrection") and "America" doesn't exist as we know it. Slavery continued a lot later on, the Civil Rights movement is basically happening now and North "America" is divided up into territories (the naming of the land as the American Confederation of States confuses me, as it's NOT really America). In Sarah's own life, her Aunt Maggie is still alive, her brother Sam is okay, her Grandma wasn't a lonely alcoholic who drank herself to death and her parents are still marries. For the Parsons family, life is good. Everyone else, not so much. Oh, and did I forget to mention that the Nazis won WWII and they are still around as a major political influence? But the major mystery is what exactly did Sarah do that changed things so drastically? Just saving Sam, or even Maggie couldn't have caused such a ripple effect, so far back in time. So what else is different? Where does the buck stop? And just what lengths will Sara have to go to, to make the world the way it should be?
I enjoyed trying to figure out the catalyst for the time travel and the break as to where the major shift was caused. I definitely loved all of the intricacies of the plot involving Sarah's family history and the way it played into the present of the alternate timeline - and Sarah's original timeline as well. As in the first book, Amber House in this one seemed like a living character alongside all of the people. The addition of Aunt Maggie mixed things up in the family dynamic, with it causing Sarah and Sammy to not be quite as close as in the original scenario. Also, the cultural differences definitely showed us that this Sarah was different from the old Sarah. Similar in some ways, but definitely different in others (this Sarah loves designers, is comfortable with wealth, and only seems to be liberal when it suits her to be). The relationships between Sarah and Jackson, & Sarah and Richard were at a contrast in different ways in this book than in the first. Especially with a South that is reminiscent of Jim Crow era-South in our own timeline.
Sarah's biggest challenge in this book is to do what she knows to be right. She spends a lot of the book trying to puzzle through her visions of an alternate timeline, with some help from Jackson, and waffles quite a bit on whether or not she wants to mess with the timeline again. What if she makes things worse this time around? Is it worth trying to get back to where she was, if it means the possibility of something even more horrific than her current time? Probably the biggest problem for me was the contradictions of the alternate timeline. At times it felt completely clear to me, and others it was a bit of a muddled haze. How could a failed Insurrection in 1776 lead to WWII? With a skewed geography, history and timeline of events, you'd think Europe would be more heavily effected than it seemed to be. Also that means WWI still happened in this timeline. How much different or the same was that from originally? This is just the nitpicky history nerd in me though, dying to puzzle everything out, and fit it together! Overall though, it's definitely a pulse-pounding adventure, sweet romance, historical mystery and time travel adventure of the one-of-a-kind variety! It keeps you thinking the whole way through, and if you're willing to suspend some disbelief and enjoyed the first one, you should check it out! Personally I can't wait to see how the ladies resolve it this time around, in the last book!
VERDICT: 3.5/5 Stars
*I received this book from Scholastic on NetGalley. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. This book was published on January 7th, 2014.*
Full Review
I can see why some people would be confused by this book, especially the theory behind the alternate history in it. It's a whole Hell of a lot to take in, even if you have read the first book in the series. I did understand that in saving her younger brother, Sarah has managed to reset time. She is now living in an alternate reality, where the colonists lost the Revolutionary War (known as the "Insurrection") and "America" doesn't exist as we know it. Slavery continued a lot later on, the Civil Rights movement is basically happening now and North "America" is divided up into territories (the naming of the land as the American Confederation of States confuses me, as it's NOT really America). In Sarah's own life, her Aunt Maggie is still alive, her brother Sam is okay, her Grandma wasn't a lonely alcoholic who drank herself to death and her parents are still marries. For the Parsons family, life is good. Everyone else, not so much. Oh, and did I forget to mention that the Nazis won WWII and they are still around as a major political influence? But the major mystery is what exactly did Sarah do that changed things so drastically? Just saving Sam, or even Maggie couldn't have caused such a ripple effect, so far back in time. So what else is different? Where does the buck stop? And just what lengths will Sara have to go to, to make the world the way it should be?
I enjoyed trying to figure out the catalyst for the time travel and the break as to where the major shift was caused. I definitely loved all of the intricacies of the plot involving Sarah's family history and the way it played into the present of the alternate timeline - and Sarah's original timeline as well. As in the first book, Amber House in this one seemed like a living character alongside all of the people. The addition of Aunt Maggie mixed things up in the family dynamic, with it causing Sarah and Sammy to not be quite as close as in the original scenario. Also, the cultural differences definitely showed us that this Sarah was different from the old Sarah. Similar in some ways, but definitely different in others (this Sarah loves designers, is comfortable with wealth, and only seems to be liberal when it suits her to be). The relationships between Sarah and Jackson, & Sarah and Richard were at a contrast in different ways in this book than in the first. Especially with a South that is reminiscent of Jim Crow era-South in our own timeline.
Sarah's biggest challenge in this book is to do what she knows to be right. She spends a lot of the book trying to puzzle through her visions of an alternate timeline, with some help from Jackson, and waffles quite a bit on whether or not she wants to mess with the timeline again. What if she makes things worse this time around? Is it worth trying to get back to where she was, if it means the possibility of something even more horrific than her current time? Probably the biggest problem for me was the contradictions of the alternate timeline. At times it felt completely clear to me, and others it was a bit of a muddled haze. How could a failed Insurrection in 1776 lead to WWII? With a skewed geography, history and timeline of events, you'd think Europe would be more heavily effected than it seemed to be. Also that means WWI still happened in this timeline. How much different or the same was that from originally? This is just the nitpicky history nerd in me though, dying to puzzle everything out, and fit it together! Overall though, it's definitely a pulse-pounding adventure, sweet romance, historical mystery and time travel adventure of the one-of-a-kind variety! It keeps you thinking the whole way through, and if you're willing to suspend some disbelief and enjoyed the first one, you should check it out! Personally I can't wait to see how the ladies resolve it this time around, in the last book!
VERDICT: 3.5/5 Stars
*I received this book from Scholastic on NetGalley. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. This book was published on January 7th, 2014.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2013
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
This is an absolutely fantastic novel that is unfortunately a little bit confusing in the beginning, especially if you haven’t just finished reading the first novel, Amber House. Sequels can be a tricky business, and in this case, readers need to know a number of things before starting this fantastic novel in order to follow along.
The first novel takes place in the present that readers know, understand, and live within. But when Sarah alters the fate of a family member at the end of the first novel, she ultimately alters the entire world. It’s like the butterfly effect. Change one event in the past, and the entire history is rewritten. Thus begins Neverwas. Though it feels like the story takes place in the 1940s, it’s actually present day. However, the country has been split up into different provinces, the civil rights movement never happened, and the war between the US and Nazi Germany is on this world’s doorstep—except now Germany is attempting to take over all of the provinces and stake a claim in the US. Sarah is just a few months older in this world than she was in Amber House, but her family is tightly knit and she’s in the midst of an openly racist country—with a few activists attempting to bring down not only Germany, but also jump start the civil rights campaign.
It is all very intriguing, but difficult to follow in the beginning because there is no mention of the alternate reality until about 35% in, when the house begins to make Sarah remember. Now, I loved Amber House; I gave it five stars, and even I struggled to get into this sequel because I couldn’t make heads or tails of the initial story. There are no references to the past, the timeline is not established, and there is no “info dumping” at the beginning of the novel, which many sequels utilize in order to remind readers about previous events in another book. Putting all these aspects together creates a bit of a recipe for disaster, and truth be told, I nearly set this novel aside because I couldn’t figure out what was happening, and from looking at other reviews, it seems I am not alone in my confusion.
However, I kept with this novel, and in the end, I really, really loved it, especially once Sarah began to remember and the house began to speak to her once again. Everything became clear to me around 35%, which in truth is a bit late in the game to finally be making heads and tails of a story, but I am so glad that I kept with it. This alternate reality is a horrible place to live, and Sarah, her family, and her friends all know it. In fact, they’re trying to change the present through the resistance, but only one person can actually change the present back to its original form, and that is Sarah. But the going won’t be easy. Thwarted by those who know about Amber House and want to decimate its existence, Sarah much act quickly in a world fraught with danger if she is ever to change the world back.
This novel revolves around the butterfly effect, and its mystery stems from Sarah’s final actions in Amber House. How did Sarah’s actions change events so drastically that it negatively impacted history as we know it? The truth can be found within the pages, and if you keep an open mind as you read, thinking about the butterfly effect and knowing that Sarah unknowingly changed the course of history, then I believe you’ll really love this novel, just as much as I did.
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This is an absolutely fantastic novel that is unfortunately a little bit confusing in the beginning, especially if you haven’t just finished reading the first novel, Amber House. Sequels can be a tricky business, and in this case, readers need to know a number of things before starting this fantastic novel in order to follow along.
The first novel takes place in the present that readers know, understand, and live within. But when Sarah alters the fate of a family member at the end of the first novel, she ultimately alters the entire world. It’s like the butterfly effect. Change one event in the past, and the entire history is rewritten. Thus begins Neverwas. Though it feels like the story takes place in the 1940s, it’s actually present day. However, the country has been split up into different provinces, the civil rights movement never happened, and the war between the US and Nazi Germany is on this world’s doorstep—except now Germany is attempting to take over all of the provinces and stake a claim in the US. Sarah is just a few months older in this world than she was in Amber House, but her family is tightly knit and she’s in the midst of an openly racist country—with a few activists attempting to bring down not only Germany, but also jump start the civil rights campaign.
It is all very intriguing, but difficult to follow in the beginning because there is no mention of the alternate reality until about 35% in, when the house begins to make Sarah remember. Now, I loved Amber House; I gave it five stars, and even I struggled to get into this sequel because I couldn’t make heads or tails of the initial story. There are no references to the past, the timeline is not established, and there is no “info dumping” at the beginning of the novel, which many sequels utilize in order to remind readers about previous events in another book. Putting all these aspects together creates a bit of a recipe for disaster, and truth be told, I nearly set this novel aside because I couldn’t figure out what was happening, and from looking at other reviews, it seems I am not alone in my confusion.
However, I kept with this novel, and in the end, I really, really loved it, especially once Sarah began to remember and the house began to speak to her once again. Everything became clear to me around 35%, which in truth is a bit late in the game to finally be making heads and tails of a story, but I am so glad that I kept with it. This alternate reality is a horrible place to live, and Sarah, her family, and her friends all know it. In fact, they’re trying to change the present through the resistance, but only one person can actually change the present back to its original form, and that is Sarah. But the going won’t be easy. Thwarted by those who know about Amber House and want to decimate its existence, Sarah much act quickly in a world fraught with danger if she is ever to change the world back.
This novel revolves around the butterfly effect, and its mystery stems from Sarah’s final actions in Amber House. How did Sarah’s actions change events so drastically that it negatively impacted history as we know it? The truth can be found within the pages, and if you keep an open mind as you read, thinking about the butterfly effect and knowing that Sarah unknowingly changed the course of history, then I believe you’ll really love this novel, just as much as I did.
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