The Recommended Reading Order for Everlife
Gena Showalter’s Everlife is a tightly structured, sequential young adult fantasy trilogy. Because the overarching plotline carries directly from one book to the next, there are no complicated timelines, prequels, or alternate chronological orders. To experience the story as intended, you should read the books in their official publication order.
Here is the recommended reading path for the trilogy:
- Firstlife (Published: February 2016)
- Lifeblood (Published: February 2017)
- Everlife (Published: February 2018)
Detailed Breakdown of the Trilogy
Firstlife (2016)
The series opens with Firstlife, introducing us to seventeen-year-old Tenley "Ten" Lockwood. In this world, a person's initial earthly existence is merely a dress rehearsal for the "Everlife"—an eternal afterlife. Before dying, every human must sign a pledge committing their soul to one of two rival realms: Troika or Myriad. Those who fail to choose before they die are condemned to the Many Ends, a horrific realm of eternal torment. Ten is locked in the Prynne Asylum by her parents, who are trying to force her to sign with their preferred realm. Resistant to coercion, Ten fights to maintain her autonomy while attracting the attention of rival "Laborers"—recruiters from both sides who will do whatever it takes to win her soul, including Killian Flynn from Myriad and Archer Land from Troika.
Lifeblood (2017)
In the second installment, Lifeblood, the stakes are raised. Ten has survived her initial trials and made her choice, aligning herself with the realm of Troika. Now residing in the afterlife, she must adapt to her new existence and harness her newly discovered abilities as a Conduit. Conduits possess the rare power to channel light and directly influence the decisions of living humans. As the war between Troika and Myriad escalates, Ten finds herself on the front lines. Her situation is further complicated by her lingering bond with Killian Flynn, who remains sworn to the enemy realm of Myriad, forcing her to balance her duty to her realm against her personal feelings.
Everlife (2018)
The trilogy reaches its climax in Everlife. The conflict between Troika and Myriad has brought both realms to the brink of absolute destruction. Tenley must rise to navigate a web of betrayal, ancient prophecies, and shifting alliances. To prevent the collapse of the afterlife and protect the souls of humanity, she has to face the formidable Prince of Ravens. This final chapter wraps up the war, tests the boundaries of Ten's powers, and decides the ultimate fates of Tenley, Killian, and the structure of the Everlife itself.
Troika vs. Myriad: Understanding the Factions
To fully appreciate the conflict in the series, it is helpful to understand the core ideologies of the two warring afterlife realms that split human souls:
- Troika: Known as the realm of light, Troika is built on principles of equality, order, and collective strength. Citizens work together for the greater good, and the realm values structure, discipline, and mutual support. Its aesthetic is bright, radiant, and clean.
- Myriad: The realm of shadow, Myriad operates on a philosophy of absolute personal freedom, individuality, and passion. It encourages its citizens to indulge their deepest desires and seek personal power. Its environment is dark, opulent, and mysterious, appealing to those who reject strict authority.
- The Many Ends: A terrifying third option. If a human dies without choosing either Troika or Myriad, they are sent to this realm of perpetual suffering and horror. It serves as a strong motivation for humans to make a decision during their Firstlife.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Gena Showalter's fantasy universe, here are a few practical elements to keep in mind:
Ten's Connection to Numbers
Tenley Lockwood has a distinct personality quirk: she is obsessed with numbers. She frequently counts objects, calculates percentages, and analyzes the probability of events around her. This serves as a psychological coping mechanism for the trauma she experienced during her confinement in the Prynne Asylum, adding a unique voice to the first-person narrative.
The Central Romance
The romance in the series is a classic "star-crossed lovers" dynamic. Tenley and Killian Flynn are on opposite sides of a cosmic war, creating constant tension between their mutual affection and their obligations to Troika and Myriad. If you enjoy romantic subplots with high stakes and emotional tension, this is a major focal point of the narrative.
Reading as Standalones
The books in this series cannot be read as standalones. Each entry relies heavily on the world-building and character development established in the previous books, and both the first and second novels end with significant cliffhangers that are resolved only in the subsequent volumes.