City News
Everless by Sara Holland
Reviewed by Nicole
Everless, by Sara Holland, takes place in a world called Sempera where time is extracted from blood, bound to iron, and minted into coins to use as currency. The rich rule everything and accumulate power as they melt blood iron coins into their drinks, which allows them to consume years and years worth of stolen life that has been given by the poor. The rich get richer and more powerful, while the common people are drained of their life in order to survive. The common folk struggle to live in their increasing poverty and often have to bleed to pay for rent and food because they have very little sources of income. Jules’s father worked as a blacksmith for the Gerlings, a powerful aristocratic family, in Everless. She remembers her life at Everless fondly when she would spend time playing with her childhood love, Roan, but despised his wicked brother, Liam, both of whom are Gerling sons. However, Jules and her father have been forced to run and hide for ten years after a fateful accident caused them to flee Everless. Now with her father clinging to life with barely enough time to keep up their rent and survive she must make difficult decisions against his wishes. Her father will not let her bleed to help him, so when Jules hears that Everless is looking for women to work on the estate amid the wedding preparations for Roan and the Queen’s daughter, Ina, she goes. Her father always told her the dangers of returning to Everless, but to earn time to save her father’s life Jules would do anything. With her return she faces danger and prays that no one will recognize her from her childhood days spent within the Everless walls. Once again she is forced to associate with Liam, whom she has always feared, and Roan, whom she still seems to love, whilst she works as a servant in the kitchens. Through her adventures her childhood memories begin to take on new significance in her life and secrets are revealed as she meets the Queen who is surrounded with mystery.
In my opinion I would rate book as a nine because it was truly a captivating read. The story flows smoothly going from one action packed scene to the next and the idea of people controlling time through the blood that flows through one’s body was a completely unique concept that I had never read about. This book truly encompasses the saying that ‘time is money.’ This book has action, romance, betrayal, surprise, and sadness ensuring a perfect read for anyone because its wide variety and depth of plot will lure anyone into the fast-paced story of Everless. The story is one that originally seems simple, but turns complex as new secrets are revealed through the progression of the novel. Even the little details that originally seemed unimportant become more significant as the plot continues to intensify. As Holland’s first debut in the world of writing I think her novel is captivating and astonishing.