“The knowledge that we belong to each other comes over me so strongly tears come to my eyes.” -Eternal, Everywhere, With You
This book was a mysteriously humorous and delightful story that exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t sure what was happening half the time, but I loved it!
Briefing
An ordinary town. A group of friends on the fringe. A house full of extraordinary secrets.
High School grads Dovie and Silas begin their summer with a shortcut and a wish. But what happens before they arrive home turns their world upside down. That same night, a stranger shows up at Dovie’s summer home, adding more questions to the mix. Supplied with a few peculiar clues to piece together, they quickly learn one very important thing: never wish upon a falling star.
Travel through time, suspicion and romance, as Dovie and Silas discover what lies beneath their own identities, and in the very dust of the earth.
First Impression 5/5
From the first scene, we get a glimpse of the characters through Dovie’s eyes, and instantly, I fell in love with them.
The beautiful imagery and creative narrative shrouded in mystery could not be resisted. Dovie was immediately relatable, and I loved seeing everything from her perspective. Not only this, but a dozen questions flooded my head after chapter one, and they only accumulated as I read on. Then suddenly, I finished the book! Sherry did a fantastic job of making the reader want to read for answers and the adventurous journey.
Character Development 4/5
These characters were real and hilarious, regardless of them being caught up in a tangling web of time. Through this story’s ominous demeanor, a joke never failed to arise, and I could not contain my laughter. I wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did, but this book brought joy in various ways. The author did a stunning job with the deep relationships and friendships. The co-op is now one of my favorite family dynamics. One could easily see how much these characters loved one another. It was interesting to read about them solving the mysteries of time together and growing even closer as a family. We also see the very essence that makes up a person and how no child of God is ever ordinary, but extraordinary through Him. I adored the way humans were compared to dust and how light lives within all of us.
World-Building 4/5
With the concept of this book centered heavily on time travel, there were vast opportunities for new and unusual settings. Everything was so vibrant in this world Sherry created and easy to picture. The unique imagery brought life to the story in a new way, and I loved it. As an avid fantasy reader, I’m delighted this book had me on the edge of my seat with its marvelous world-building. I will say I got lost a few times in the geographical aspects of the setting, not knowing where or when one person was–which may be intentional. The book is categorized under “fantasy,” which could refer to various things. I detected a more urban fantasy setting; however, there was never a specific time and place mentioned, apart from when the characters traveled to different periods. I assumed they were in a more modern time, considering the technology and mentions of everyday activities. It was difficult in this sense to fully connect to what I was reading, but not too much of an upset in flow. With the constant going back and forth and traveling to new places, the setting seemed, at times, all over the place, which confused me. But it was poetic in a way, and there was a uniqueness to this story that I’ve never encountered before.
Emotion 4/5
I found this book not connected to emotions in a way that made me cry but instead enthralled me with its suspense, thrill, and mystery. The romantic aspects were sweet and subtle, and the humor balanced all the chilling encounters out.
Other than the above, I didn’t connect much emotionally to this story. I will admit I teared up near the end, and I fumed at some other scenes, but this book ran more on imagination and mystery, which was perfect for the story that needed to be told. It had more to it than “feelings.” This book was light, entwined with a beautiful plot, and sealed with truth.
Style 3.5/5
There were a few questionable grammar errors and typos that somewhat disrupted the flow, but not to the point where I was deterred from reading. Apart from slight confusion, it was hard to stop reading this book. Near the end, I became a bit frustrated because it felt like the story came full circle, only to loop around once more. However, the way Sherry writes reminds me of the poetic books of the Bible: mysterious, astounding, with underlying layers of light and truth. The mystery and intrigue were kept up to the end, which gave me no choice but to finish the book or otherwise suffer from a lack of answered questions. I loved the Biblical truths woven between the lines, such as fallen stars and our essence being of dust and light. This book was one of the most unique ways I’ve seen Biblical elements portrayed.
Cleanliness 4.5/5
There were only a few insinuations, whether sexual or other, but they were very vague. I will say various “handsy” scenes occurred, but nothing ever escalated above this. Eternal, Everywhere, With You has “Christian” and “fantasy” as its main genres, so there was nothing that made this book overly secular or inappropriate. The romance was little to none, and there was no profanity. The only thing, however, that may trigger some readers are the implications of abuse and domestic violence.
Conclusion 4.5/5
This book was a mind-boggling, fantastical journey that was impossible to predict. Each page was woven with a pleasant narrative and doused in vibrant light and suspense. The mystery held firm to the very end, and when one question was answered, another fell right into place, trapping me in an inevitable “binge-read.” As the story came to a close and things fell into place, my eyes were opened to the hidden meanings between the lines. When the questions were answered, it was evident that this book held far more meaning than I had first believed. I have never read anything like this. It was completely unexpected and entirely original. The ending itself was thrilling and could not be read fast enough. Although I feel as though I still have some questions left unanswered, perhaps that’s okay. Eternal, Everywhere, With You picks at the deepest parts of the mind and prompts one to think about that which is above.
Final Rating: 4 Stars
Recommended Age Group: 12+
Genres: Christian, fantasy, romance
!Trigger Warnings!
Implied domestic violence, implied child abuse
Thank you, Book Sirens, for this copy of Eternal, Everywhere, With You. This is an honest review and entirely voluntary.
“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 ESV
Julia Rose Books 