I had a hard time reading this book because knowing this series is nearing the end made the reading so much more bittersweet. This series has been so much fun to read and I will miss Rachel and her friends when it is over. With Ever After, the reader is given a lot to wade through. Rachel has been blamed for causing the ever after to begin shrinking. In case you are just now tuning in, the ever after is the demonic realm where Al lives. KuSox is the one to blame but he has manipulated the other demons into believing Rachel has done it and if she doesnt fix it, they will kill her and allow KuSox to fix it. KuSox is a tool and I despise him, but he is an excellent villain and this series needed one. Unfortunately, he kidnaps Ceri and Lucy to draw Rachel out to kill her. Trent and Al started out villainous, but they arent so much anymore. Nick started out decent but has turned into a tool as well, but hes weak in mind and spirit and I dont foresee him as much as a threat to Rachel. Without giving anything away, I will say that Nick deserves every bad and painful thing coming to him when the karma bus runs him over, backs up and runs him over again.
Rachel and Trent work very closely in this installment and if I had been told in the first book that there would be major chemistry of a romantic nature between them, I would have projectile vomited all over the place. I dont know what happened here. I didnt think I could ever see Trent in any other light than vile and manipulative. He has been the source of most of Rachels problems throughout the whole series. But I am weak and now I am intrigued to see what happens with them. Do I want to see Rachel with Trent? I dont know. Do I want to see Rachel with Al? See the previous answer. Trying to figure out Al and Trent is nearly impossible. I have serious trust issues with both of them, but like a moth to a flame, I am compelled to come closer even though there is a huge chance I will get burned.
Jenks is still my favorite and I never tire of him and all of his kids. If anyone deserves a happy ending in this series more than anyone, its him. Ivy is a hot mess and with Felix as an enemy, Rachel and Jenks should get the heck out of Dodge and distance themselves as far from Ivy as possible. We get to see more interactions with the gargoyles in this installment and I really enjoyed that. Bis is an interesting character and finding out more about him and meeting his relatives was enjoyable.
Fans of this series will enjoy this story and if you are new to the series, it is vital that the series be read in order. The characters are easy to relate to and I found myself caring about what happens to them, but you will miss a lot of character development if you dont read them in order. This story packs a punch that left me reeling. I laughed and cried and got angry while reading this book. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book to see what Rachel, Trent, Al and Jenks get into next. Knowing them, I am sure it will be intense and I am looking forward to going along for the ride.
** spoiler alert ** There is a lot going on this latest installment in the Hollows! Vampire Ivy is on a trip for most of the book so she doesn't play a prominent role, although she does show up near the end. The ever after is shrinking and Rachel is getting blamed for it. She may have caused the first small tear, but nothing like this. The ley lines aren't working properly and there is a huge leak in one of them. She knows that the demon Ku'Sox had a hand in it but she can't prove it yet.
Then Rosewood Syndrome babies are being kidnapped and with some investigating, she finds out that Ku'Sox is behind it. If the ever after disappears, the demons will have a free ride with the babies. But when Trent Kalamack's daughter is taken, things begin to escalate. Ku'Sox will let them go if Rachel gives up her life, and for once, Rachel is scared to death. But she won't go down without fighting and will do whatever it takes to free Trent's daughter, her goddaughter. But Ku'Sox is always a step ahead of her. He kidnaps Rachel's gargoyle, the one being who can help her fix the mess in the lines. She's not sure what she's going to do next, but she can't do nothing while Ku'Sox kills everyone dear to her.
With a solid plot, Ever After is an action-packed pageturner. There are new romance developments as well as some unforeseen deaths. Jenks is really holding his own and has to make some tough parenting decisions as well as help out his partner, Rachel. Rachel really shows her emotional side, but it doesn't take long before she's kicking butt and taking names. This is a long-running series but I can't wait for the next one.
I think this series just keep getting better with each book. The world building is excellent. The strength of all the different characters; each with their own unique personality. I loved the interaction (but then THAT'S what makes this series so good) and interplay between Rachel, Trent, Al, Jenks, Quen, Bis, etc. I love how loyal Rachel is to her friends, no matter who they are. She is quick to forgive. The build-up between Rachel and Trent as they (I hope) realize their feelings for each other. When this series began I certainly didn't see or want them to get together, but Trent grows on you. He changes and grows/matures. As always, the ending leaves you wanting more
