Challenge Corner discussion

Nick and Allie don't survive the car accident...

...but their souls don't exactly get where they're supposed to get either. Instead, they're caught halfway between life and death, in a sort of limbo known as Everlost: a shadow of the living world, filled with all the things and places that no longer exist. It's a magical, yet dangerous place where bands of lost children run wild and anyone who stands in the same place too long sinks to the center of the Earth.

When they find Mary, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids, Nick feels like he he's found a home, but Allie isn't satisfied spending eternity between worlds. Against all warnings, Allie begins learning the "Criminal Art" of haunting, and ventures into dangerous territory, where a monster called the McGill threatens all the souls of Everlost.

I finally got around to starting this one this morning before work. I only made it 22-pages, but I am interested. I liked how quickly it kicked off and I enjoyed the little section from Mary Hightower, it's a bit of a little mixed media section, and seems like an interesting and entertaining device for teaching the Reader about Everlost.

I don't consider this spoilery, it's just my overall feel thus far, thus, I am jot going to hide it. I am at page 119 and it's interesting! The writing feels a little dated, but not too bad. I am feeling inspiration from some darker fairy tale elements. Like the kids as Lost Boys, they sort of have a bit of a feral nature. Also, thinking Mary as a bit Queen of Hearts, then I am also getting like Wizard of Oz sort of vibes.

I can't believe I have made it all the way to Part III today, Chapter 15. I am flying through this and if all goes well, I can most likely finish this tomorrow. I just wanted to note, also not spoilery, that it's reminding me so much of the Up-and-Under series by A. Debra Baker.

I mean, obviously, this was written first, it just makes me think of that series; the way the characters interact with one another and the sort of ominous, yet magical land they all find themselves in, the monsters, the mayhem and the children functioning completely without adult oversight.

Through Page 173; (view spoiler)[A ghost ship!? I am so excited! Who doesn't love a ghost ship!? (hide spoiler)] 🖤👻

I am so close to the end of this. I'm about 300-pages in and I have to say I have really enjoyed it. It reads on the younger side of YA in my opinion, or maybe it is because it was written in 2006 and I feel like YA novels have really matured over the past 5-to-6 years, but I don't mind it. To me it read more Tween, like Miss Peregrine's Home, or similar titles. Some of the events towards the end have gotten a bit chaotic, but I think for teens, that may help to keep their attention. Overall, I've really enjoyed the world-building and the concepts involved with the functioning of the world. Also, I like the darkly whimsical feel of the whole thing. I definitely plan to continue on with this series. It's a lot of fun!

Finished!! I am giving it 3.5-stars.

It was an enjoyable start to a series. I feel like if I would have read it years ago, I believe it was published in 2006, I would have been nuts about it, but it does feel a little dated in some sections, which kicked me out of the story a wee bit.

However, I still really enjoyed the world-building and would definitely consider continuing on with the rest of the series. There are some fascinating concepts in here!

megs_bookrack wrote: "I finally got around to starting this one this morning before work. I only made it 22-pages, but I am interested. I liked how quickly it kicked off and I enjoyed the little section from Mary Highto..."

I love how quickly it got into the Everlost. There wasn't a need to hear about their lives before so the first chapter dove into the world.

I don't know what it is about Neil Shusterman's books, but I find I can devour them in one sitting. The flow and writing of the book is so easy to keep up with and I'll catch myself flying through the chapters.

megs_bookrack wrote: "I don't consider this spoilery, it's just my overall feel thus far, thus, I am jot going to hide it. I am at page 119 and it's interesting! The writing feels a little dated, but not too bad. I am f..."

I love the comparison of Mary to queen of hearts! Definitely brother's grimm vibes during this point of the book.

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "I don't consider this spoilery, it's just my overall feel thus far, thus, I am jot going to hide it. I am at page 119 and it's interesting! The writing feels a little dated, b..."Oh yesss, absolutely! It definitely has a dark whimsical quality that is so enjoyable!

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "I finally got around to starting this one this morning before work. I only made it 22-pages, but I am interested. I liked how quickly it kicked off and I enjoyed the little se..."
Yeah, I loved that too. Like he wasted no time getting us where we needed to go!

so many creepy and interesting characters like the Haunter and the McGill... I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring about. (view spoiler)[ I have a feeling Mary will end up changing her appearance at some point (hide spoiler)]

Would you like to continue the series?

Haley wrote: "so many creepy and interesting characters like the Haunter and the McGill... I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring about. [spoilers removed]

Would you like to continue the ser..."Yeah, I would actually. I can't do it until November, but yeah, definitely would be interested in continuing if you'd like to buddy!!

megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "so many creepy and interesting characters like the Haunter and the McGill... I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring about. [spoilers removed]

Would you like to co..."


November is perfect! any date after the 6th should work good :)

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "so many creepy and interesting characters like the Haunter and the McGill... I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring about. [spoilers removed] ..."
Ok, I will look over my ARC calendar tomorrow and let you know! If you don't hear back from me, remind me!! Yayee! Excited to continue!

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "so many creepy and interesting characters like the Haunter and the McGill... I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring about. [spoilers removed] ..."Would Thursday November 9th work for you for a start date for the next book, Haley?

november 9th works perfect for me!! :) reminded me to look over my ARCs as well

Haley wrote: "november 9th works perfect for me!! :) reminded me to look over my ARCs as well"Awesome! I will request a link.

This was a wild ride!

Chapter 1-6: (view spoiler)[I love how this book dove right into action and since the MCs are children, the writing style is quite easy to understand too. The author has done a good job with making readers familiar with Everlost. I also like the little tidbits we get to read about Mary and I wonder when and how would her and Allie, Nick and Lief's path would intersect. This McGill monster sounds intriguing as well (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7-10: (view spoiler)[It seems like Mary is hiding something and Nick is completely enthalled by her. Allie is such a no nonsense girl I am absolutely loving her. Mary's story of how she died and then lost her brother made me a bit sad for her but I don't like that Nick is fancying her so much so quickly. This Haunter kid sounds interesting and I am curious to see what he brings to the story (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-16: (view spoiler)[Allie is developing so many great powers and it is much fun to read about. I was hoping Nick and Lief would play a more important role than simply being hostages waiting for Allie to rescue them. Haunter turned out to be such a disappointment as well, I was looking forward to a showdown. I am eager to learn more about skinjacking and how Allie would defeat McGill once and for all (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17-22: (view spoiler)[Allie is fucking smart ngl, she has McGill dancing on her fingertips. Nick going after Mary to convince her to fight against McGill could prove to be dangerous since I don't really trust her completely. McGill does not seem like a monster tbh anymore, I feel like there's a sad story behind how he became what he is today (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Wow what an amazing end I knew Mary was being shady and I liked that Nick was the one who ultimately realised that and set all the children free. It was a surprising turn of events with Mikey entering the picture too, certainly could not have seen that twist coming. The importance of coins blew my mind. But Mary has now found another way to lure the kids and I am curious to see how Nick and Allie stop her (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "This was a wild ride!

Chapter 1-6: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 7-10: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 11-16: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 17-22: [spoilers removed]

Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Oh yayeeee! So glad to see you enjoyed it too, Kira. I had many similar thoughts to you. If you are interested in continuing, Haley and I are starting the second book this Thursday the 9th. There is already a thread for it! Would love to have you join us!

I will definitely join you for the next book!

Kira wrote: "I will definitely join you for the next book!"Nice! I'm excited to start it. Definitely interested to see what is going to go down from here!