Release Date: April 28th, 2009
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Athenum
Pages: 362
Rating:
Amazon Link*: Click here
Goodreads Page: Click here
Series: Nevermore #2 (Review of #1)
Summary (Spoilers, highlight to view):

Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.

Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave.

Only the Poe Toaster holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent.

Blurb: Disappointing after the awesomeness that is Nevermore.

Review: To be honest, this book disappointed me. Almost NOTHING was resolved. In fact, it was primarily made worse. And about 80% of the book was just us seeing how broken Isobel was. If you were to ask me what happened in that 80%, all I would be able to tell you was "Isobel had strange dreams and argued with her parents." Granted, the last 20% was EPIC beyond belief. This would make the best movie ever. But... after NEVERMORE I was expecting... more.

Did I still like it? Heck yes. I love how Kelly weaves in truth among the fiction. And as a Poe-lover, I adored the references to his books. Will I read the next book? HECK yes. I still really want to know what happens to Varen and Isobel. But did I love this book? No. Honestly, you probably could read JUST that last 20% and be totally fine. This book definitely suffers from 2nd-book-bridge syndrome*.

*2nd-book-bridge syndrome is where the second book in a trilogy does nothing but set us up for the third book. Not much happens, but you can tell something WILL happen eventually.

Other Reviews (most contain Nevermore spoilers!):

• Reading After Midnight (Loved it!)
• Some Like it Paranormal (It was okay)
• The Book Smugglers (Didn't like it)

*I am an amazon affiliate. If you purchase this book using my link, I will get a tiny fraction of the purchase, which goes toward contests.