Review: Dark Flame

Synopsis: At the start of this mesmerizing new installment of the Immortals series, Ever is helping her friend Haven transition into life as an immortal. But wi...more At the start of this mesmerizing new installment of the Immortals series, Ever is helping her friend Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and carelessly putting them all at risk, their friendship becomes more and more strained. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into magick in order to get control over her enemy Roman and free Damen from his power. But when the spell she casts on Roman backfires, she’s bound to her deadliest enemy. Frantic to reverse the spell the moment the moon enters a new phase, she finds her efforts are fruitless—there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, one that propels her toward Roman. Desperate to break free of this terrible curse before Damen or the twins can discover what she’s done, she turns to Jude and delves deeper and deeper into dark magick, ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including Damen.

   ***May contain mild spoilers***

My Review:  I received this book thanks to Traveling ARC Tours!  Thanks so much guys!  I own the first three books (they were a birthday present) and to be honest I didn't much like them.  Evermore was okay, kind of your typical YA book. Complete with the introverted MC, mysterious hawt new guy, token gay and goth friend, and of course a love that has lasted through the centuries.  Action figures not included.   *insert eyeroll here*  While it wasn't a vampire novel, it might as well been.  Immortals vs vampires?  Like really... not much of a difference. While I didn't much enjoy the first three books I figured "Hey, I can't just completely give up on these books... right?"  So I practically finished the whole thing last night.  Trust me.  It wasn't because it was gripping or anything.  I just wanted to be finished with it.  

Ever drives me insane.  Well frankly, since probably Blue Moon, Ever has driven me insane.  Not much changed.  She's still making god awful decisions and f-ing everything up.  She refuses to ask for help and of course when she does, it's from the wrong people.  She's quick to assume and judge and should be smacked for her idiocracy.  I don't think I've ever wanted to strangle a MC before.  That's how bad it is.  Damen makes me want to gag as well.  He is just oh so forgiving.  No matter what Ever does, he doesn't even get mad!  That is not a normal response!  That isn't being understanding or empathetic.  That is being blind and in denial.  Some may find that touching or whatever but it seriously makes me cringe.  I would rather have him scream and rage then that stupid understanding "I'll love you no matter what" crap.  Personally I think I dislike Damen even more than Ever.  Strange I know.  How could I possibly dislike the hawt love interest right?  Well I'll tell  you why.  Not only is he a stereotypical love interest i.e. the gorgeous sparkling eyes, the hot bod, the bad boy biker boots, sleek shiny hair, and seems to be madly in love with Ever, but he has no depth whatsoever.  He's stalked her for four hundred years?  And every time he finds her, she dies?  I think that's a sign buddy.  You are NOT meant to be.  Plus he always interrupts Ever and Jude's past lives.  Like really?  You don't think Ever and Jude kept ending up together in their past lives for a reason, only to have Damen butt in and captivate Ever once again?  That is so not playing fair.  And probably the most annoying of all.  He has no flaws.  His narcissistic and egocentric past is NOT A FLAW.  I am sorry.  It is just not.  His whole karma kick and trying to make amends for his past doesn't help matters either.  He's just not a believable character.  I don't believe in him as a person at all.  I know absolutely NO ONE who would be anywhere near him.  And frankly I wouldn't WANT to.  No one is that perfect and amazing.  It's inhuman and creepy.  


Despite my frustration with Ever she did eventually get better.  After all my raging about Damen being unbelievable, I find Ever VERY real.  She has so many self-doubts, mess ups, and pretty much just F's up her life so much that I can't help but imagine her as a real person.  In the end I gained some respect for her.  Thank goodness.  If she had stayed static I would have given up on these books for good.  She finally admits her mistakes and accepts help.  She stops trying to blackmail or force Roman into giving her the antidote and tries to understand him as a person.  I have to really commend her on that.  It's probably the smartest thing she has ever done in these books.  There is yet hope!  


And before I start ranting again (sorry about that) I'll briefly kind of go over some other characters.  Haven was annoying as hell.  I don't think I've ever truly liked her as a character and find her quite the nuisance.  Jude was awesome as always.  I was severely annoyed with him at the end though.  I think that's because it's his fault I was denied an ending to this story.  :/  And Roman.  Oh Roman.  Sorry dude.  Just, I'm sorry.  That's pretty much all I have to say on the matter.  Why do I always sympathize with the "evil" guy?  Well mostly because they are never "evil" to begin with. I sympathized more with Roman than any other character in these books and I was truly sad with the ending he got.  So sad.  :(  


So while I may not adore these books and I have many issues with them, I still have minor hope for the next one.  Who knows, things may get better.  Ever doesn't seem to be the idiot that she was anymore.  That's a start at least.  If you like these books... well sorry if I insulted them a bit.  Okay... a lot.   I honestly don't know what came over me.  I'm usually good at maintaining a slightly impartial and fair judgment.  My annoyance and frustration got the better of me I'm afraid.  So if you truly love these books, then I guess in a way you have good news.  If I dislike these books and still think there is yet hope then you'll probably love it.  Haha.  I'm still crossing my fingers that this series will be saved for me.  I truly want to like them, but until I see some major changes that likely isn't going to happen.  I have hope though!  Small as it is.  XD