Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Nick and Allie don’t survive the car crash. Of course, they don’t know this at first. Despite the obvious change in season and strange dullness of the world around them, they figure the only thing that’s wrong was the car crash in the first place. But soon it becomes apparent they’re no longer among the living since no other people can see or hear them and they have a tendency to go straight through things. The only exceptions to this rule pertain to other residents and objects in Nick and Allie’s current realm of existence, Everlost. But Nick and Allie aren’t satisfied with the few dead spots they can safely stay on without risk of falling to the center of the earth and the strangeness of their situation. They want to get on with their lives, unencumbered by the unfamiliar rules of Everlost. But how can they escape?

Everlost is an exciting and fascinating version of what happens after death. Shusterman takes into account many myths and theories about the afterlife, such as haunting and possession of a body by a spirit, as well as incorporating several unique ones of his own, like how Afterlights, what Nick and Allie have become, are in danger of sinking to the center of the earth. I have to say I quite enjoyed the entire setting of Everlost and thought it made for a fantastic backdrop to the story, which was just filled with all sorts of adventures as well as challenges specific to Everlost. But even more important than the engaging plot were the characters. In general, the characters were easy to understand and to relate to; they might’ve been a little boring at times, but they were always realistic. Overall, Everlost was an entertaining read that explores the possibilities of existence after death and the different trends of human nature.

Everlost will be enjoyed by fans of Ruined by Paula Morris, Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, and Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot by Andrew Auseon. Those who enjoyed Unwind, also by Shusterman, may like this more lighthearted tale. I look forward to this sequel to this story in Everwild.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Simon & Schuster UK