Everwild (2009) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The romantic elements in this novel are limited to chaste kissing and intense emotional bonds between the undead characters. While Allie and Mikey share a romantic connection, a more uncomfortable dynamic exists with Milos, who initiates a kiss while they are both skinjacking living humans. This scene highlights the potential for non-consensual behavior within the supernatural mechanics of the world. Skinjacking itself is described with a sense of sensory euphoria and an intimate 'rush' that borders on physical…

Fantasy violence and peril are central to the plot as characters manipulate the physical world to serve the interests of the ghost realm. Zinnia, also known as the Ripper, uses her powers to tear the fabric of reality, which often results in destructive consequences for objects and structures. A significant scene involves the calculated destruction of a bridge to create a ghost-form of it, illustrating a disregard for living property and safety. Characters face physical strain when 'ripping' or battling, and the…

The language in the book is very mild and appropriate for the target middle-grade audience. Occasional uses of words like 'hell' and 'damn' occur in moments of high stress or frustration, but they are infrequent. Characters generally use clean language, and there is a total absence of harsh profanity or vulgar slurs throughout the 300 pages. The dialogue reflects the diverse time periods the characters originated from, often sounding more formal or dated than modern teen fiction. Parents will likely find the…

The narrative contains no depictions of alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco use among the characters. As the story focuses on the experiences of spirits and souls in the afterlife of Everlost, physical substances and human vices have no presence or function. The focus remains strictly on the characters' supernatural abilities and their navigation of a ghostly realm. There are no scenes involving intoxication or the use of medications, nor is there any pressure on characters to engage in substance use. The physical…

Existential themes dominate the narrative, focusing on the morality of soul-harvesting and the loss of identity. Nick’s struggle with his physical form turning into chocolate serves as a metaphor for how reputation and external perception can overwrite one's true self. The book explores the ethics of skinjacking, which involves the displacement of a living person's consciousness, and the cult-like influence Mary Hightower exerts over her followers. Darker topics include the revelation that some characters are in…