This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce
In 1913, three men took a fateful journey onto Everland, an island in Antarctica. Napps, Millet-Bass and Dinners were the first men to reach and stay on the island, but their journey will not be a triumphant one as disaster strikes. A hundred years later, three explorers are about to follow in their footsteps. Decker, Jess and Brix travel to Everland to stay for eight weeks to observe and record the wildlife. They all think they know the story of Everland, but the island holds the secrets of what happened to the three men all those years ago.
Everland is a detailed and descriptive tale of six people’s expedition to a harsh, isolated island that will change bonds, friendships and attitudes. Decker, Jess and Brix think they know the story of the original Everland explorers through the book written by the captain of their ship, documenting the events that unfolded, and the subsequent film that they have watched many times. But the film doesn’t do justice to the true events, which we discover as the book moves along. Perceptions of certain people change over time as life on the island takes its toll and I liked how this was mirrored when Decker and his team arrive at the same location. Over time, loyalties are tested by both sets of teams with disastrous consequences. My favourite part of the book was the way my opinions of characters changed, either favourably or otherwise. To begin with, the characters fit neatly into certain boxes (villain, bitch, victim etc), but they soon break out of their boxes so you’re never really sure what is going to happen next.
Although I thought Everland was well-written, it did take me a good while to get into the book. There were points throughout when I was hooked, only to be quickly released again as I read the next chapter. The story shifts from the 2013 expedition to the present day and I found this could at times add to the drama and intrigue but at others could disrupt the flow of the story.7/10