Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

I love it when I come across a book that seems completely unique. It is hard to find a good paranormal YA book that is not about Vampires, Werewolves, or Faeries. Not that I am saying that I don’t love books on these subjects but I think we can all agree there are a lot out there right now. Nevermore is fresh and new. I also love books that pull in real historical events to serve as a backdrop for paranormal events. It makes the story seem more realistic.

Isobel Lanley: perky, blond, cheerleader
Varen Nethers: mysterious, dark, goth

The simple laws of the high school class system says that they can never be friends, but when they are paired up for an English project they are forced to work together. Varen and Isobel are not the only ones who are upset by their pairing. Brad, Isobel's boyfriend waists no time putting Varen in his place and Lacy is not to fond of Isobel spending time with her boyfriend either.

Despite their initial aversion to each other, both soon discover an attraction hiding beneath the surface. The closer that Isobel and Varen become the stranger their lives become. Soon Isobel is being followed, watched and visited by various beings who seem to be sending her a message, “Stay away from Varen Nethers.” Despite their warnings Isobel falls hard for Varen. When he vanishes before her eyes Isobel ventures into the dream world Varen created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life in order to save him from a fate that seems inevitable. Choices are made, lies are told, and Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined.

Be prepared for a cliffhanger ending this one is a series! I simply could not put this one down. Kelly Creagh's debut is enticing, exciting, and nerve racking. And it's all balled up into this fresh take on the mystery that surrounds America's first master of horror, Edgar Allen Poe.

Interesting tid bit: I love the cover art for this book but I was surrprised to find that when the book arrived Varen was missing the lip ring shown in this picture. He has one in the story and on most cover art you find online but on the actual book it has been removed. Weird!