18. EverWorld by K.A. Applegate

EverWorld by K.A. Applegate
ISBN: 0590877437
Scholastic Inc., New York, 1999
208 pages

Teaser: David feels like his life in high school couldn’t get much better, he has good friends, a girlfriend and enjoys adventure, until his girlfriend, Senna is pulled to an underground world with bizarre creatures that are fighting an antique war.

Summary: David and three other high school students fall into the frightening universe of Everworld in order to save Senna, David’s girlfriend. But the land is inhabited by Vikings, a wolflike creature that took Senna, along with trolls, a gigantic snake, evil winged creatures called Hetwan, and unicorns. The four find that Everworld seems to be a parallel world to their own in many ways, where they are all existing in both worlds. Then taken prisoners and after falling asleep, wake to find that they must side with the Vikings to battle against an Aztec god in order to save Senna and their lives as well. The book is very descriptive of the scenery, characters and castle with mythical creatures alongside them. Senna is found and they barely escape with their lives and creatures following.

Evaluation: I liked the book for its descriptiveness and continued adventures. The characters become bonded by their experiences and what they bring from their world into this mythical world. I would like to see this brought into the theaters to see the animation and detailed of the characters and their land. I found the book engaging and stimulating. I would read others in the series.

Challenge issues and age recommendation: The books deals with danger, illusion, parallel universe understanding, romance and death. I would recommend it for readers 14 and up, who enjoy a good scare and adventure stories.