Evermore - Alyson Noël

[goodreads]

Title: Evermore
Author: Alyson Noël
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: 3/5
# pages: 301
Date read: October, 2009

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

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she's thinking - and he's the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn't know who he really is - or what he is.

I couldn't put the book down - and it made me feel absolutely soiled.

Let me see if I can try to explain it.

My first impression was that it was a run-of-the-mill Paranormal YA - albeit a tad more Twilight-wannabe'ish than average - right down to the references to Wuthering Heights. However, the romantic love interest did not work for me at all. Edward's so-called 'stalkerish' behaviour never bothered me, but I got seriously creepy vibes from Damen, and I desperately hoped I was wrong in assuming he was intended as Ever's soulmate. It worked for me with Edward and Bella - it really didn't here.

What bothered me was Damen's utter disregard for Ever's opinions, how he kept lying to her (even if he felt it was for her own good), and how he could manipulate with her feelings. To me it reminded me far too much of Hush, Hush - another book that made me feel dirty for reading, and I'd be reluctant to recommend either to teenage readers - something I never had a problem with in Twilight.

I was absolutely fascinated by the start though, and wish Alyson Noël had spent more time dwelling on Ever's psychic abilities. I'd also have liked to see more of her interaction with her aunt, Sabine. I did think the plot line concerning Riley was well done though.

The 3rd star is for capturing my attention even at 2am halfway through a 24-hour Read-a-thon ;-)