Title: Oblivion
Author: Kelly Creagh
First published July 28, 2015
448 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781442436299 (ISBN10: 1442436298)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
The Nevermore trilogy comes to an epic conclusion in Oblivion, as Isobel and Varen’s fates intertwine once again in the dream world of Edgar Allan Poe. Isobel’s nightmares have started to bleed into reality, and she realizes that Varen’s darkness is catching up to her.
As Lilith, a ghostly demon, tries to keep Varen for herself, Isobel must fight for her world and her sanity. But with a devastating loss and everything at stake, can Isobel ever find her happy ending?
Worlds collide and fates are sealed in this electrifying finale to the Nevermore trilogy, where the boundaries between life and death are as shadowy and vague as ever.
Editoral Review
Kelly Creaghs Oblivion is a young adult novel published on July 28, 2015, and is the third and final book in the excellent Nevermore series. The author takes Edgar Allan Poes works as inspiration and creates an atmospheric tale of love, mystery, and Gothic horror.
The novel follows the story of high schooler Isobel Lanley, who has been haunted by the ghost of Varen Nethers since he disappeared into the dream world. Though she has tried to deny her feelings for Varen, Isobel has come to realize that she cannot resist them.
Despite warnings from her friends and family, she decides to journey into the dream world, Oblivion, to save Varen’s soul from the clutches of the wicked dream king, Lilith. Creagh builds a richly detailed world, and her writing excels in its characterization and descriptive flair.
The brooding atmosphere of the haunted dream world is palpable, and the characters are three-dimensional and emphasize the themes of loss, betrayal, and love. The author draws from various elements of Poe’s work, such as the Telltale Heart, Annabel Lee, and The Raven, which provide a fresh perspective on Poe’s writing and create continuity with the earlier volumes in the series.
The plot unfolds with skillful pacing, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The characterization of Isobel and Varen is well-developed with compelling arcs and growth as they face adversity in the explosive climax.
The resolution of the series satisfies the reader’s expectations, and the epilogue offers just enough satisfaction to leave readers longing for more. The book does have some flaws, including some repetitive internal monologues that distract from the narrative’s pace.
The books sexual content, while not explicit, may be too much for younger readers, although it remains integral to the story. Additionally, the occasional jarring shifts in perspective can be confusing.
Overall, Oblivion is an atmospheric Gothic horror novel that will appeal to fans of the genre and the previous books in the series. Creagh’s writing is compelling, her characters engaging, and her themes are well-developed.
Ultimately, Oblivion concludes the series beautifully, paying tribute to Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy while creating something uniquely its own. Therefore, we highly recommend Oblivion to mature young adult readers and fans of Gothic horror novels.
We give it a four-star rating in recognition of its excellent world-building, compelling characters, and attention to detail.
