Everwild (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Neal Shusterman |
| Products | Fantasy novel |
Everwild is a 2009 fantasy novel authored by Neal Shusterman, an American writer specializing in young adult fiction. This installment serves as the second entry in the Skinjacker Trilogy, unfolding within Everlost, a liminal realm situated between life and death.
Setting
Everlost represents a realm where certain children, known as Afterlights, become stranded following their demise. These Afterlights remain unseen by the living and are unable to engage with the physical world unless they "skinjack," or possess, a living person. They gradually sink downward unless they stand upon "deadspots," which are specific locations where deaths have occurred. Adults do not manifest in Everlost, as they typically do not become lost during their passage to the afterlife.
Plot
The narrative of Everwild centers on Allie and Nick, each pursuing distinct goals. Allie journeys with Mikey—previously the monster McGill introduced in Everlost—in search of her parents to attain tranquility. In contrast, Nick endeavors to rescue Afterlights from Mary Hightower, the Sky Witch, who exploits the memory of the Hindenburg disaster to disseminate propaganda and rapidly amass followers.
Nick leads a train heading south to gather allies against Mary. Troubled by whispers regarding the Chocolate Ogre, he contends with chocolate spreading over his form. He tracks down "Zack the Ripper," revealed as Zinnia, a girl from the Civil War era capable of breaching boundaries between Everlost and the living world. Nick intends to use her abilities to confront Mary.
Meanwhile, Allie encounters a group of three skinjackers led by Milos and refines her possession skills. She discovers that skinjackers may exist in a state neither fully dead nor alive. Her physical body remains in a coma, awaiting reunion with her soul; she faces a choice between remaining in Everlost or returning to life. Mikey retains his shapeshifting powers but becomes envious of Milos's rapport with Allie. Eventually, they part ways with the skinjackers, who later ally themselves with Mary.
A secondary storyline involves Milos expressing romantic interest through a kiss, which Allie rejects, provoking Mikey’s anger and causing him to revert to his monstrous form. Subsequently, Mikey captures Allie, declares his love, and shares a kiss before setting her free.
The climax brings together Nick, Allie, and Zinnia ("The Ripper") to thwart Mary’s scheme aimed at imprisoning all children within Everlost. At a vortex located in Graceland, Zinnia employs her powers to force Mary into the living world but is pulled along with her. During this confrontation, Nick succumbs to his chocolate transformation. Skinjackers allied with Mary demolish a bridge in the living world to facilitate her army's advance into territories west of the Mississippi River. Allie is seized and bound to the front of a train; Mikey reshapes Nick’s chocolate form into an unintelligent golem devoid of memories. Determined to pursue Allie, Mikey descends underground with the golem to cross westward. Meanwhile, Milos encounters Mary in reality; she requests that he kill her so she can return to Everlost and continue her campaign.
Characters
- Alexandra "Allie the Outcast" Johnson: A fourteen-year-old girl who perished in the same car accident as Nick and was reborn nine months later in Everlost as an Afterlight. Allie possesses the uncommon ability to "skinjack," or inhabit living individuals. Her mission revolves around returning home to reunite with her parents after discovering her body lies comatose in a hospital.
- Nicholas "Nick": A fourteen-year-old boy of half-Japanese descent who died alongside Allie in the crash. He is permanently marked by chocolate spreading across his face and body, earning him the nickname "The Chocolate Ogre." Traveling aboard Charlie's ghost train throughout Everwilds, he seeks other Afterlights to aid in opposing Mary despite harboring complex feelings for her.
- Megan "Mary Hightower" McGill: At fifteen years old, Mary is one of the eldest Afterlights and self-appointed expert overseeing Everlost’s children. She has written numerous survival guides for Everlost inhabitants and aims to keep lost souls confined there. Mary harbors an extreme plan involving destruction of the living world purportedly to save children trapped in Everlost and maintains complicated emotions toward Nick despite beginning a relationship with Milos.
- Mikey McGill: Megan’s fourteen-year-old brother striving for redemption after years spent abducting Afterlights under a prophecy promising resurrection upon collecting 1,000 souls. He accompanies Allie on her quest and possesses shapeshifting abilities. Though he often appears arrogant, he secretly harbors deep affection for Allie.
- Milos: A seventeen-year-old Russian skinjacker skilled in advanced possession techniques who joins Allie and Mikey on their journey toward Memphis. He instructs Allie in sophisticated methods such as "soul surfing," "justicing," and "terminizing." Tall and courteous yet mistrusted by Mikey, Milos frequently misuses English idioms and is prone to falling quickly in love.
- Isaiah: The leading Afterlight figure in Atlanta who may have been a former slave; his past fuels both fear and animosity toward Zin.
- Pugsy Capone: The leading Afterlight based in Chicago who initially supports Mary’s leadership but ultimately faces betrayal.
- Jill: Also called Jackin' Jill, she is a rebellious skinjacker working under Pugsy Capone’s command. Known for her tangled blond hair adorned with nettles, she operates independently yet loyally serves Pugsy. Once romantically involved with Milos, she abandoned him when facing danger.
- Moose: A skinjacker perpetually clad in football gear whose speech is impeded by his mouthguard; he travels alongside Milos.
- Squirrel: Another skinjacker accompanying Milos noted for repetitive speech patterns; both Moose and Squirrel’s names allude to classic cartoon characters.
- Charlie: A nine-year-old ghost train conductor responsible for transporting Nick across Everwilds in exchange for chocolate.
- Zinnia "Zach The Ripper" Kitner: A tomboyish fourteen-year-old former Confederate soldier possessing the power known as "ecto-rip," which allows extraction of objects from the living world and returning items back into Everlost. Frequently at odds with Johnnie-O, she is accompanied by her Afterlight dog named Kudzu.
- Johnnie-O: A tough young boy characterized by oversized hands who travels with Nick throughout Everwilds. Despite asserting that Nick does not require his company, their friendship remains strong.