Review of Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

For the past two years, I have steeped myself (my non-writing, reading hours at least) in reading the best of YA fiction. I go for award winners, heralded authors, widely acclaimed titles. Several months ago I came across a stunning literary masterpiece: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. Published in 2010 by Atheneum, Nevermore is Creagh's (pronounced Cray) first novel. I'm delighted to find out her sequel entitled Enshadowed is in the works for August of 2012. Wish I didn't have to wait that long to read it.

What makes Nevermore such a memorable read? Many facets: wonderful writing, an intriguing and unique story, a chilling imaginative setting, the juxtaposition of the mystique of one of American's greatest writers into the lives of two modern day teens. Nevermore starts with a Prologue, setting October 1849, relating the last days of Edgar Allen Poe and his demons. With this taste of things to come, the author introduces the reader to Isobel Lanley, cheerleader, indifferent student, a secure member of her high school's In crowd. Isobel is assigned to partner with the enigmatic, goth-dressing Varen Nethers to research a deceased American author. With the ten-page report and classroom presentation looming, Isobel knows a failing grade will bump her off the cheering squad and she'll miss the National Championship competition.

As the story progresses Isobel is increasingly drawn to Varen. In order to meet him she lies to her friends and her controlling football star boyfriend. The author Varen chooses is Poe. More and more is revealed about Varen and his painful home life while Isobel fights to remain on her cheer squad and cope with being friendless at lunch. Central to the plot is Poe's story "The Masque of the Red Death." As Isobel struggles to actually read the story, her own life takes on a surreal turn. She is pursued by demons in the park, sees a mysterious Poe-like figure who appears in strange places. Both Varen and Isobel become caught in an in-between life and death region, the Woodland of Weir. Without revealing the ending, it was obvious that only a sequel would suffice to answer the many questions that remain. Hopefully, Enshadowed will have the energy and gripping power of Nevermore.