My first encounter with Neal Shusterman was about five years ago, when I was compelled to read Downsiders for the local Battle of the Books. To make a long rant short: good premise, too much romance - I walked away disappointed. 
 Everlost, though, was definitely not what I was expecting. 
 The story begins with Nick, heading home in a crowded car from a family wedding. Allie is on the same highway, in another car. Neither of them are wearing their seatbelts. There's an accident, and neither of them are left alive. 
 But that's not where it ends. 
 Adults go to heaven. Children who get sidetracked on the way to the pearly light, end up in Everlost. And that's where Nick and Allie wind up, along with their new friend Lief - as Afterlights in a bizarre world of ghosts run by Mary, Queen of Snots (honestly, she's not that bad...well, kind of, but I can't resist the clever nickname). 
 The entire novel has a Peter Pan flavor - never growing up, a mysterious land, a mother figure that's scarcely old enough to run a kingdom of children herself - but don't underestimate Shusterman because of that. Mythology, religious beliefs and adventure are skillfully blended together in a fast-paced read you won't be able to put down until it's finished, and then there's such a cliffie waiting for you that you'll be sweating for the sequel. 
 Like me. 
 Misery loves company.