Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Source: Purchased
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True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe. While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.
But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.
When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.
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CATCHALL
I loved Nevermore. Most of you probably know that. I though it was a seriously awesome book with one of the most original plot concepts I'd ever seen. Plus, I happen to be something of an Edgar Allan Poe addict—I have the complete collection to prove it. Anything Poe, I probably have an answer for. But oh! Moving on. I don't think I enjoyed Enshadowed as much as I did Nevermore mostly because I missed Varen. Even so, I definitely loved this book.
THE HEROINE
ISOBEL
In the first book, I was with the group who thought Isobel was singularly brainless. She was always making dumb choices when she really should've known better, and missed a lot of obvious things. But I do think she improves somewhat in Enshadowed. She's still not a genius, but she's definitely steeping up. Isobel has a lot of determination and she always holds onto her hope. Even when things look difficult, she still wants to find a way. And though she dwells on the past often, I think we all would, and the emotion that's captured there is very potent.
THE LOVE INTEREST
VAREN
Oh, Varen. I missed him so much in this book! We hardly see any of him, and most of what we do see of him is twisted and wrong. He's ins't like that, or he shouldn't be. But that's how he is now. Harder. Cruel. But we do see that he still has feelings, and as far as I'm concerned it's clear that he loves Isobel.
THE BEST FRIEND
GWEN
Gwen is a really, really good friend in this book, just like in the first one. She has a little bit of a freak-out where she will abandon Isobel for a bit, but the important part is that he goes back. She's such a good friend that she'll even almost go against what she believes in just to help her. Gwen is a really awesome character in that way, even though she frequently annoys me.
THE PLOT
So now we come to the plot! Probably the best part about this plot is that it is original. I've read so many dystopians and historical fictions and even PNRs that are Exactly. The. Same. So of course it was refreshing to get a continuation to this series, finally, after two years.
Isobel will do anything to reach Varen, even if it means lying to her parents and disobeying the rules. She's desperate, and she needs to keep her promise to him for both of them. I love the dedication that's there.
And it's not an easy journey. Isobel tries to do her best, but we're all human. Along the way, she messes a few things up. And some of the things that she says come back to haunt her, whether or not she really meant them.
It wasn't what I'd call fast-paced, but it also wasn't dragged out for ridiculous amounts of time, which I was grateful for. The pacing was overall satisfying although there were one or two parts that I felt could ahve been cut. Still, overall, wonderful.
Enshadowed had me hooked from page one and left me unable to put the book down. It was too intriguing and too amazing!
THE ROMANCE
There's not a whole lot of romance in this book, since Isobel and Varen are basically separated for the majority of the book. And what I like the most it's that it's easy to see that they love each other. That's especially clear in what Isobel is willing to do for Varen. Varen is difficult to figure out because of his being changed, but there's a very defining moment in his epilogue that really makes everything clear. And if I hadn't been tearing up, I might've swooned.
THE WRITING
Kelly has seriously some of the most gorgeous writing ever. The third person is done artfully and it's easy to feel connected to Isobel, especially since she now has a brain. It's awesome. Her description is peerless. Really. And it's everywhere. She describes things completely thoroughly and so vividly that it's impossible not to be able to picture it. Furthermore, her usage of Poe is less in this book than in the first one, but it's still done very clearly and gorgeously.
THE ENDING
Ah, the ending. I mean, the plot itself is in a similar place at the end as in the beginning, but it's also very different because of what occurred. Isobel took a lot of risks and made a lot of sacrifices to find Varen, and I'm sure that the choices he made will change what she does next. And Varen…well, Varen is going through some serious conflict and self-loathing at the end of the book. A lot happened in these pages.
WRAPUP
I absolutely without a doubt loved this book, and if you loved Nevermore, I suggest that you pick this one up ASAP! It's an awesome continuation of Isobel and Varen's story and it's chock-full of some major emotional moments. I love all the Poe allusions and the concept is definitely one of the more original I've come across. I'll definitely be picking up the third and last book in this trilogy eagerly!
FINE.
*****FINAL RATING: 4.30 STARS*****
