Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: The Lord’s name is taken in vain once, one swear word is said, “hell” is used as a place, not as a swear word.

Violence: Nick and Allie die in a car accident.  Gangs of kids run rampant.  Some are bullies.   Johnnie-O and his gang punch Nick and push Allie down into the earth. Mary slaps Nick.  The Haunter and the McGill are monstrous creatures who frighten, imprison, or destroy Afterlights. The McGill “chimes” Afterlights as a form of torture (though no pain can be inflicted).

Sexual Content: Mary and Nick have feelings for each other.  Two different times kisses are exchanged.

Adult Themes: Nick and Allie are sad, lonely, and scared as they adjust to their new lives in Everlost.

Synopsis

When teenagers, Nick and Allie, die in a car accident, they go into a tunnel headed towards the light.  But they accidently bump into each other, veer off course, and end up in Everlost.   Nick and Allie must learn to survive in this new world that lies between life and death.  Though they can still see the living world, they are very much a part of Everlost.  If they stand in one place too long, they will sink into the earth.  If they stay too long in Everlost, they will lose their memories and identity of their earthly life.  Still hoping to reverse their death, Allie, Nick and their friend, Lief, meet Mary, who is a mother-figure to many Afterlight souls living in the now “crossed over” Twin Towers of New York.  It would be easy to join in with her ranks and assume a comfortable, endless routine.  Yet Allie mistrusts Mary and embarks on an adventure with her friends to explore the mysteries of Everlost, be they good or evil.  The trio face off with The Haunter, The McGill and even Mary herself, as they search for the truth about Everlost.

This book has a creative plot that explores a unique answer to the question of, “Where do we go after we die?”  Since Allie, Nick and the other Afterlights are dead, then you might think that this is a ghost story.  But it is more than that…It is an action/adventure story that appeals to both boys and girls.  I liked how each kid in Everlost remains as they were at the time of death.  For example, Nick was eating a candy bar and he has permanent chocolate smudges on his face.  Or, Speedo, who unfortunately has to wear a wet swimming suit forever. This is the first book in the Everlost Trilogy.