ALA Booklist

Picking up two weeks after the events of Everbound (2013), this book focuses on Nikki, who is determined to destroy the Everneath. Even though, thanks to Cole's trickery, she is now an Everliving, Nikki is adamant that she would rather die than live at the expense of human forfeits. But her plans are in direct conflict with Cole's, who still hopes to persuade her to join him in overthrowing the current queen of the Everneath and ruling it herself. Her ever-loyal boyfriend, Jack, who managed to escape the Tunnels of the Everneath, is torn between any plan that will help Nikki survive and Nikki's desire to live life on her own terms. Fans of the series will not be disappointed as the story heads toward the inevitable showdown, although, as is often the case with a story that takes three books to build, it all seems over rather quickly. Fittingly, the resolution of the love triangle is the finest moment of the book, as it unflinchingly embraces the only solution that can plausibly bring this Persephone tale to a close.

Horn Book

In this trilogy-ender, Nikki, now an unwilling Everliving, and her boyfriend Jack return to the Everneath to destroy it and restore Nikki's humanity. They strike an uneasy alliance with untrustworthy--though currently amnesiac--Everliving Cole. The Everneath, based on the underworld of Greek mythology, grows more complex (sometimes convoluted); the love triangle is a bit melodramatic but adds suspense.

Kirkus Reviews

Nikki and Jack's relief at escaping the Everneath at the end of Everbound (2013) is short-lived, as they face the highest stakes yet. Nikki's health starts to fail immediately as she transitions into an Everliving. She will die if she doesn't feed. A transitioning Everliving can only feed on the Everliving who holds her Surface heart--in Nikki's case, and to boyfriend Jack's ire, Cole. Worse, Nikki has limited time before she will need to feed on a Forfeit. She doesn't want to damn an innocent to the Tunnels--the fate she narrowly avoided in Everneath (2012)--but Jack and Cole will do anything to keep her alive. After Cole and his band are attacked by followers of the Everneath's queen (hoping to thwart their plot to depose her and put Nikki in her place), only Cole escapes, but he does so with amnesia. Nikki and Jack capitalize on his memory loss to convince him that he was working with them to destroy the Everneath for good (which would prevent Nikki from dying or having to feed), but they can't be sure how much to trust him, as his memories may return. As in previous installments, the prose is sprinkled with references to Greek mythology. The beautifully orchestrated obstacles and rising tension position the characters so that they must succeed or die. Although the denouement passes very quickly, the ending satisfies and will break some hearts. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-After Cole tricked her into feeding from him, Nikki has begun the process of turning into an Everliving. Now Nikki, Cole, and her boyfriend Jack must journey to the Underworld and try to stop her transformation, in this Persephone myth-inspired tale.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Nikki and Jack race to destroy the Everneath before the shackles on Nikki's wrists doom her irrevocably as an Everliving. They receive unexpected help from Cole, who has lost his memory and willingly capitulates with Nikki's plan to destroy the queen and her Shades, ending centuries of tyrannical rule. Nikki's "surface heart," which Cole originally stole, eludes them and their frantic search reveals nothing of its location. Nikki becomes dependent on Cole's nightly feedings to stay alive and time grows short to save her life. Joined by Will, Jack's older brother, they storm the Everneath armed only with an ancient sickle and the Helmet of Hermes, a pendant purported to have magical powers. Ultimately, it is Nikki, alone, who faces the queen and defeats her, succeeding in her goal but at a devastating cost.This fast-paced conclusion to the series rewards fans with a not-so-fairytale ending. Jack and Nikki destroy the Everneath but the action has far-reaching consequences, displaying Nikki's na´vetÚ at how the underground network actually works. Character development occurs subtly throughout the action. Cole becomes a much more likeable and sympathetic character with the use of shared memories and flashbacks. His love for Nikki becomes painfully apparent when he continues to aid her long after his memory has returned. Nikki and Jack devote themselves to eradicating the century-long "feeds," even knowing that it may cost both of them their lives and Will joins the fight willingly. This is a well-written, satisfying conclusion to this innovative series.Nancy K. Wallace.