Dark Flame (the Immortals, Book 4) Hardcover – June 22, 2010

This is the 4th book in The Immortals Series by Alyson Noel and I have to say, it just keeps getting better. When I first started this series, I really liked it, but didn't think I would love it. But as each book progressed and I saw the changes in the characters and the intensity of the plot line and drama, I really grew to love it.In this book you watch as Ever deals with her mistakes in magick and battling the "darkness" within her. You also see an inevitable and formidable enemy emerging in Haven as she dives deeper into her relationship with Roman and her newfound abilities as an Immortal. This is the book where Ever matures and through all the hardships she has faced, and the demons she's battling with now, you see her strength as she tries to overcome it all.If anything, Alyson's writing has always been a plus throughout the whole series as she tells her stories in great depth without boring the reader. You get a very vivid picture of the scene and characters that makes you delve into the story eagerly. She definitely leaves your heart pounding at times of distress, piques your curiosity with mysteries of the past, and touches your heart with the love and intimacy that Ever and Damen share. Also, I am really enjoying the love triangle between Ever, Damen, and Jude. As a definite Ever and Damen fan, I found myself, at times, swaying towards Jude because he is really a great guy who you'll see truly loves Ever. All of their histories are so deeply entwined, it really makes you wonder who Ever is truly supposed to be with.Dark Flame is an engrossing tale of darkness and strength that will have you wondering if Ever can truly overcome it all before it's too late. If you've loved the series up until now, then this book will not disappoint you, in fact, it will make you jump for the next book, Night Star (which is what I did).

Confessions of a Book-a-holic[...]So in the first three books we meet ever, understand that see falls in love with Damen who has turned her into an immortal. Now that she is aware of this her whole life throughout these books has changed. Her objective to be with Damen, defy all the obstacles thrown against them, defeat all their foes, while still trying to live a normal life and sustain thew few relationships she has besides Damen. And, oh yeah, ruin everything. Have no fear though, Damen's love does not falter..he never AVERTS his gaze from how much he truly unconditionally loves her and never judges. No sit back and take it all in, as Dark Flame proves just how unconditional Damen's love is.So Ever turned Haven into an immortal in the last book, because Roman was threatening too kill her and she had no other choice. Thanks to her prying into the books of magik, she just has completely lost self control consumed by one thing. She needs to fix all her wrongs, get the antidote from Roman--and be with Damen--be with him, be with him. In doing so she tries again at magic, only making it worse. She tries to help Haven, only her bad spells backfires against their relationship. she confides in Jude, but of course that backfires to. ALl the while, she does all these things to try to right her wrongs, instead of going to the one thing that would make it right, the one thing she is supposedly pining for. Which is Damen, and she never turns to him for help. At least not until the end, not until after a whole book of trying and finally figuring whaT she should have done in the first place with Roman and of course, it backfires times three!This book holds true to the immortal series books, just the only this that changed is Haven's attitude, but I guess that also has to do with her being an immortal. I think this book was very good, I read it right away of course! Wait a second let me take it all in, ahhh. Yes, everyone in this book takes everything in. I feel as though Ever still hasn't matured a lot. Her main concern is Damen and being with Damen, but why does Damen want to be with her. It's kind of like twilight in a way, because Bella the whole time wants to sleep with Edward...and well in the end they end up sleeping together (i believe, i stopped reading Twilight and am currently still on page 155 of eclipse, yeah) and that's that. Is that what;s going to happen to Ever, I hope not! Because basically all these things they are fighting is so they can touch each other the real way, and have sex. Ever is fighting for the right to loose her virginity--the only character that says it upfront is Roman! Smart dude! Then Damen, I understand he's been waiting for her forever, but really, it would seem more realistic to me if he just let her go. Moved on--or at least allowed her the chance to explore the life he just ripped her out of. He had the chance to be with plenty of other people, and become married to others, but she is only getting the chance to be with him. And Jude--wow--none of these guys seem to have self respect. I'm totally for fighting for love, but isn't the whole point of fighting for someone's affection to make it seem like you could live with out them, and yet tread delightfully between the lines. I don't know

The only SINGLE thing that make my brain TRULY read this book is Jude. Since  Shadowland (The Immortals, Book 3) , I wanted to kick Ever and Damen's ass really hard. I just... I cannot understand why such a book as  Evermore: The Immortals  now sucks. I am very dissapointed, because I fell asleep on the book, and I NEVER fell asleep.If Alyson Noel wanted to create a stupid character, congratulations, you made it: we have Haven, more boring, more unbearable than ever. Then we have another stupid character: Roman, more haughty, more intolerable than ever.Damen is so pussy that makes me sick. Does Ever kills everyone in the world? 'It doesn't matter, baby, I love you, that's all that matter, so I forgive you' (I'm kidding). Everything's fine for him. Ugh.Ever... I think that Alyson Noel hates her. Can't be another better explanation for write about a character like Ever: every single reader wanted throw through the window or banged their head against the wall.Let me explain how I fell about Jude: he's the Yin (the ONLY good thing) of the Yang (entire book).Do I want to read the next book? What I really want is a reborn for this series.

This is the fourth book in The Immortals series so this review may contain spoilers for the previous books. you have been warned [ ; D ]It has been a while since I read the 3rd book in the series as I saved the 4th and 5th books to read when I knew the date for the last in the series was going to be published so I wouldn't forget what was going on and could compulsively read one after the other. You don't believe me then how come I have Alyson Noel week [ : p ] One thing I would like to say before I get into the review is, I am really grateful that Alyson stated how many books were going to be in the series, that way you know that you are going to get resolution and like me you can save the books to read in succession. I do feel that some series goes on for far to long and resolution isn't achieved and readership drops away. What do you guys think?? Sorry for some randomness at the start of my review but it was on my mind.As I said it has been a while since I read Shadowland but there are nice little recaps woven into the narrative that bring the storyline back to life, I think it is necessary to read this series in order otherwise you will miss a lot of the nuances of the plot and interaction of the characters that really add depth to the storyline. I had however, forgotten how annoying Ever can be.Ever must be one of the most annoying protagonists well ever (no pun intended lol) yet without her stubbornness and ability to ignore any advice she is given, leading her to make the most glaring wrong decisions the story wouldn't work. I have to admit that one of the reasons I compulsively turn the pages is to find out if she actually does develop into a 'nice' person.The research into the alternative therapies, positive thinking, crystals, herbs, Wicca is just fantastic. Having done a HND in Complimentary Therapies I know a little more than the 'average' person about these things and the grounding in all of these just blew me away. It makes me realise why I was drawn to it in the first place. Philosophy, karma and positive thinking is something we should try to incorporate more of in our daily lives.There isn't so much as a love triangle in this book as a smorgasbord of hot boys options for Ever to pick all with there own particular charms that are missing in the others, or so Ever thinks. Although I have always been a Damen girl myself, I can really see Jude's charm and Roman's sex appeal, so I can't really blame Ever for her indecision. There are a number of plot twists with regard to Ever's relationships, misdirection is the name of the game but which direction is the right one.I have to mention the title of the book, Dark Flame, and how the wonderful metaphor of passion being a dark flame was depicted in the narrative. Imagine a flame burning inside you, how easily it consumes everything until nothing else matters but extinguishing that flame. You can identify with it can't you, I can (yes even at my age).Despite or because of Ever, Alyson Noel's The Immortals bring out the best in me. They inspire positive thinking and a desire for good karma (yes,I know you think I am nuts now but they honestly do). For me I cannot think of higher praise to give this series than that - to be inspired to be a better person by reading these books.

I felt the first two thirds of this book dragged, there was not much of a spark to keep me wanting to read, just determination to see how The Immortals end was my focus point. I felt the story jumped around a little bit and actions were taken with not much of an explanation. I put this down to the book being written in the first person, who would not necessarily know what was going on with the other characters. This at times I found annoying.With that said, the final third of the book saved it. The momentum picked up and although we were back to the usual teenager trying to make decisions and not listening to other's advice, there was enough there to make it worth while reading Dark Flame.I'm hoping that the next instalment has more meat to it and is not another filler book waiting for the ultimate ending.

I felt the first two thirds of this book dragged, there was not much of a spark to keep me wanting to read, just determination to see how The Immortals end was my focus point. I felt the story jumped around a little bit and actions were taken with not much of an explanation. I put this down to the book being written in the first person, who would not necessarily know what was going on with the other characters. This at times I found annoying.With that said, the final third of the book saved it. The momentum picked up and although we were back to the usual teenager trying to make decisions and not listening to other's advice, there was enough there to make it worth while reading Dark Flame.I'm hoping that the next instalment has more meat to it and is not another filler book waiting for the ultimate ending.

Not read it yet as bought to carry on reading the series when I get to it.

Just when I think I'm going to find out it all works out OK there's a twist. Love this series!