Nevermore is a young adult gothic trilogy by Kelly Creagh.
At once an homage to one of America's greatest writers and a page-turning psychological mystery that is equal parts horror, humor, and romance, Nevermore is the story of Varen - a Poe-fan and goth - and Isobel - a cheerleader and unlikely heroine. When a Lit. project pairs the two together, Isobel finds herself steadily swept into Varen's world, one that he has created in his notebook and in his mind, one where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel slowly learns that dreams can be much more powerful than she'd ever expected, and that pain and despair come in all shades. As labels of "goth" and "cheerleader" fade away, she sees more in Varen than a tall, pale outcast, and a consuming romance is braced against the ever-clearer horror that the most terrifying realities are those within our own minds.
When Isobel has a single chance to rescue Varen from the shadows of his own nightmares, will she be able to save him - and herself?
The trilogy includes:
- Nevermore (2010)
- Enshadowed (2012)
- Oblivion (2015)
No relation to Literature/Nevermoor
The books contain examples of:
- Abusive Parents: Varen's father is shown as someone who lashes out at Varen, belittles him and has a problem with alcohol abuse.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Danny can act as one towards his older sister.
- Animal Motifs: Naturally ravens.
- Asshole Victim: Brad, Isobel's jerk jock ex-boyfriend. In the climax of Nevermore he is attacked by one of the freaky creatures from Poe's stories and ends up with a broken leg. Moreover, due to this injury he can't do sports anymore.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: The nocs, the freaky creatures Varen created in his mind and drew eventually come to life and kidnap him.
- Broken Bird: Varen Nethers clearly is one, especially due to the bullying and his mother, Madeline, having left the family ten years prior.
- After she fails to retrieve Varen in the climax of Nevermore Isobel is shown to slowly become one as well in Enshadowed.
- Byronic Hero: Varen definitely counts as one, being a Tall, Dark, and Handsome teenager with a cynical attitude and a thing for poetry.
- Cool Old Guy: Bruce Nobit, in whose bookshop Varen spends a lot of time and often sleeps.
- Crazy Jealous Guy: In Nevermore Brad doesn't seem particularly happy about Isobel working with Varen on the school project.
- Creepy Ravens: The trilogy's motif. Some of the versions of the cover feature an ominously looking raven as well.
- Cruel Cheerleader: Downplayed. Pre-character development Isobel is dismissive of people such as Gwen or Varen, but by the time of the second book she averts this trope. However, her former friend, Alyssa, fits it to a tee.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Varen. His mother, Madeline, left ten years ago, whereas his fathers is at least emotionally abusive towards him.
- Dark Is Evil: Played straight with the majority of the Nocs created in Varen's mind.
- Dark Is Not Evil
- Defrosting Ice King: Happens to both Varen and Isobel in Nevermore; at first they are weary and distrustful to each other before warming up.
- Distressed Dude: Varen Nethers, of course, who's Trapped in Another World.
- Downer Ending: Nevermore. Isobel manages to find Varen, but fails to bring him back to the real world with her.
- Dye Hard: Varen, in-universe. His natural hair color is blond, but he dyes it black due to being a goth.
- Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette: Varen definitely counts as one, especially with his gothic attire. Apparently he also has some serious issues with the Nocs that he created in his own dreams.
- It's also downplayed, as when Isobel gets to know him, he turns out to be a decent guy.
- Eldritch Location: The dream-like world Varen is trapped in.
- Genki Girl: Gwen Daniels, Isobel's friend, is an energetic and cheerful pollyanna.
- Genre Throwback: Nevermore is essentially a modern-day take on gothic romance
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Post-character development Isobel becomes a much better person.
- Varen, who's a natural blonde, turns out to be a Misunderstood Loner with a Heart of Gold.
- Jerk Jock: Brad, Isobel's initial boyfriend is an archetypal Domestic Abuser — he acts possessive, makes attempts at emotional manipulation, and goes as far as vandalizing Varen's car.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Isobel initially seems to be an archetypal mean girl. After all, she's not.
- Haunted Heroine: Isobel, who's haunted by disturbing dreams and by Pinfeathers, one of Varen's nocs, especially in Enshadowed.
- Like Parent, Like Spouse: Madeline, Varen's mother, similarily to her son and Isobel is also a blonde.
- Lovable Jock: Isobel Lanley.
- Light Is Not Good: Lilith, who despite being dressed exclusively in white, is quite clearly the antagonist.
- Missing Mom: Madeline Nethers, Varen's mother, left the family ten years prior.
- Misunderstood Loner with a Heart of Gold: Varen, a goth, brooding teen is regarded as rather creepy and off-putting. As Isobel later finds out, he's a nice person, unlike some of the popular kids.
- Opposites Attract: Isobel who is popular cheerleader, and Varen, a goth loner.
- Pink Is Feminine: Isobel wears a pink dress in the novel's climax. Moreover, all three US covers feature her dressed in one.
- Plucky Girl: Isobel becomes one halfway through book one, attempting to rescue Varen.
- Single Woman Seeks Good Man: Isobel rejects her boyfriend Brad in favor of Varen Nethers, who despite his demeanour is actually a nice guy.
- Shout-Out: The entire series is a homage to Poe's works.
- Madeline Nethers, Varen's estranged mother shares her name with Madeline Usher, Roderick's beloved dead sister in Poe's short story The Fall of House Usher.
- The title of the first book, Nevermore refers to one of the lines in Poe's poem, The Raven.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Isobel, especially during her character development in Nevermore.
- Trapped in Another World: Varen, Isobel's love interest, is trapped in Lilith's dream realm.
- Tsundere: Varen is a type A; Dere Dere towards Isobel, tsun tsun when it comes to everything else.
- Villainous Crush: Lilith is implied to have one on Varen.