I think it was over at Bookfoolery and Babble (but it may have been somewhere else…) where I saw someone comment that the first Levine book you read is the one you like best. I thought about that a lot while I read this story.
It has all the hallmarks of a good fairy tale — mortal girl, Kezi, who is inadvertently sentenced to death to avoid the wrath of the god she worships (her father made an oath, and she ended up fulfilling the oath to save her aunt’s life…). And then there’s the uber-handsome (well, if you believe the cover) Akkan god of the wind Olus, who is not only intrigued by mortals, but longs to be friends with them. It’s inevitable that they will fall in love. But it’s not exactly a comfortable love: one of them will live forever, the other is doomed to be sacrificed in less than 30 days. So, they do what all star-crossed lovers do: look for the loophole.
There’s a good story there. And I enjoyed much of it. I think, though, what I enjoyed most was the questions of love, faith and doubt that the book raised. In that respect, it was very challenging, especially to someone who has a belief in religion. I thought Kezi’s doubt was very real, especially when confronted with someone like Olus, a god who is a real, physical being, unlike the god Kezi’s always believed in. I wasn’t sure what Levine was trying to “say” about religion, if anything, but the journey fascinated me.
That said, while it was enjoyable, it wasn’t, well, as good as the first Levine I read (or even the second or third). I thought it lacked the character development and romance found in Ella Enchanted, the humor found in the short Princess Tales, the “good message” of Fairest, the compelling heroines in Two Princesses of Bamarre.
Any Levine book is going to be a good book. She’s a good writer, and tells good fairy tales. It just so happens that this one is, perhaps, the fourth best one I’ve read. Maybe it’s because I read all the others first.
The Book Nut 
INteresting, I have read mixed reviews of this authors work but am hoping to get around to giving her a go. The motifs and themes are all ones I enjoy so hopefully I will be lucky and raelly enjoy them. I will bear in mind what you say though about the first being the most well loved.
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I’ve only read Ella Enchanted by her, and Ever sounds like a good story, so maybe I’ll give it a go and judge for myself 🙂
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I think that I feel the same way about Sarah Dessen. The Truth About Forever is my favorite book of hers and the first one I read. All of her other books are great, but TTAF remains my favorite. Same thing here, I thought Ever was good though Ella Enchanted remains my favorite. 🙂
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I really enjoyed Ever. As in maybe even more than Ella Enchanted. I didn’t like Fairest at all.
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<>So, they do what all star-crossed lovers do: look for the loophole.<>That made me laugh! Just came from the Bookworms Carnival post. I’ve seen the Ella Enchanted movie awhile back though I haven’t read any of Levine’s book. This is the second review of Ever that I’ve come across and it seems that it’s just an ok book. Still, I think I should keep my eye out on a Levine book sometime soon.
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I’ve tried to read Ella Enchanted twice and just couldn’t get into it. Since I have a three chapter rule, I think I’m done. However, lots of folks seem to like Ever so maybe I’ll give that a try…(jumped over from Bookworms Carnival)
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I haven’t read any of her books, although I saw the movie Ella Enchanted. However, she’s going on my list now. 🙂*Dropping in to borrow book titles from the Bookworms’ Carnival*
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ah lightheaded and maree — NEVER judge a book by it’s movie… especially Ella Enchanted. The movie was HORRIBLE, especially as compared to the book. The characters had the same names, it was set in the same place, and Ella had the same affliction as the Ella in the book. The similarities end there. Read the book… it’s SO much better. (Not that I have an opinion on it at all…)
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I haven’t read any of her books. This one sound good though. Loved the Ella movie!
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Hmmm…I might try the other books before I try Ever. It sounds like you enjoyed them more. Thanks for the review!
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I’ve never read any of her books – only watched some of the Ella Enchanted movie – maybe I should check her out – but perhaps I should start with this one to ensure I’m not spoiled by the others
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I haven’t read any by this author, although I did watch the movie Ella Enchanted. I know, not the same. I’m going to give it a try! Thanks for the review of this one…
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