Evanescent by Gabriella
Lepore
Published by:
Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing
Publication
date: 15 March, 2013
Genres:
Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:
“Then it is settled,” Felix
declared. “Come hell or high water, when this is all over, at least one of us
here will not make it out alive.”
When Bronwen Snow is pulled
from her cottage in the middle of the night, she finds herself seeking the help
of three mysterious boys who reside in an abandoned castle deep in the
hillside. With only a hasty handwritten note and a vague sense of dread to
guide her, Bronwen is forced to put her trust in the eccentric and willful
Felix Cavara and his eternal curse – immortality.
Book Review by
Nadaness In Motion
Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore is the
story of Bronwen Snow, an ordinary girl living with her grandmother, who is
hurled from her normal life when her grandmother tells her that "it's coming for you", gives her
a letter and tells her to find a Felix Cavara in the castle up the hill.
Bronwen is shocked but follows her grandmother's orders, especially
since the latter's visions are usually "frighteningly
accurate."
The novel opens with an eerie and suspenseful first chapter, keeping the
reader on edge and prompting them to carry on. The chapters are usually short,
some of which are divided into several parts.
Arriving at the castle, Bronwen meets three boys, not older than she is,
namely: Felix Cavara and his two friends Alastair and Loki.
According to Ada, Bronwen is being hunted down by a "Severan",
and we discover later that Felix for all the things he says is unaware of the
dangers of that creature.
"It follows you," Ada mumbled
vaguely. "It's been hunting you, and it's finally coming for you."
…"The only thing you can do… is
run."
Narrated in the third person, Evanescent is an easy, quick read. However,
there was something off about the narration for me. I cannot pinpoint it exactly
but I felt that although the writing was smooth, the narration wasn't light. It
was irritating a bit.
There isn't a wide assortment of characters, which is good – just the
main ones and a couple of minor ones, some of whom put the whole story in
motion.
I disliked that Felix kept nagging about how he'd been living for "hundreds
of years" when we discover that the hundreds are only 200 years. I felt
it was an exaggeration, one Bronwen picked up.
"The cure to your ailment lies
within me. If I am to die, you shall never be saved. So, let your father do his
worst, for it will make my retribution all the more poetic."
Although the novel is supposed to be centred on Bronwen, whom I thought
was too naïve, her character development comes only at the very end. We see development
in Felix's character, especially as he begins to realise that his selfish
actions have affected others and continue to do so.
Loki was mostly the most lovable character, especially
since he is the youngest in the novel, having been cursed with Felix and
Alastair at the age of 12; whereas the others were cursed at the age of 18.
Although Felix's snarky character often lightens the mood and provides
humour, it is sometimes too much. His flirtations with Bronwen are not a lot of
fun either – in my opinion at least.
"My condition? How tactfully put. I think
the correct term is mortally challenged. No, if you must know, I like to
keep a low profile because when you're as scandalous as I am, it's bound to
create a certain, let's say, adoration. A following, if you will."
Evanescent is not free of romance, though it is all clean with just some holding
hands and may be a kiss.
My main problem with the novel was the implausibility of several scenes
and events. At one point, having knocked out Felix, the Severan catches
Bronwen, while it appears that Alastair and Loki are standing there watching. There
other instances, but apart from the narration this was the second most
irritating thing about the novel.
Evanescent covers many themes such as
trust and betrayal, love, friendship and of course the evanescence/transience
of life and how things happen for a reason.
What I liked most about the novel was the ending: It was different. I totally
enjoyed and respected that. I did not see it coming.
Last but not least, the cover is gorgeous!
Last but not least, the cover is gorgeous!
"I was scared to death in
there," Bronwen whispered.
"And you'd rather be killed to
death out here?"
Overall rating for Evanescent: 3 stars.
Note: I received
a free copy of Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore via Xpresso Book Tours in
exchange for an honest review.
Add the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28054396-evanescent?ac=1&from_search=1
Purchase Links:
About the
Author:
Gabriella Lepore lives on the
coast of Wales in the United Kingdom. She began writing at an early age and
grew up with a passion for all things supernatural—especially witches! She
currently has six Young Adult books in print: Evanescent, The
Blackheath Witches, How I Found You, Secrets In Phoenix, and The
Witches of the Glass Castle books 1 & 2.
Author links:
https://twitter.com/GabriellaBooks
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