What technically is the definition of a dark flame…in my mind it is the opposite of a bright flame. It is not the flame that lightens the path but rather the flame that hides what should be hidden. This series by Alyson Noel has really been close to my heart. I know it is because of the death of my mom and dad so recently and so close to each other. The thought of the two of them walking hand in hand through a wonderful place like the Summerland of Alyson Noel’s imagination is most pleasant to me. The thought of actually being immortal is such a unique and amazing concept…it teases at my mind and my soul.
I was totally enamored with the first three books in this series and I truly loved this fourth book…although I am not crazy about the “teaser” ending but that seems to be a part of all YA books of this nature.
The premise of this book is that Ever…main immortal…is banned from truly being “together” with Damen…second main immortal because when she saved his life in the last book…she condemned them to never truly be together unless she is able to convince Roman…third sinister immortal…to give her an antidote…actually the only antidote…which is not written down but is in Roman’s head and... due to something that Ever did to Roman’s main immortal love interest…Drina…he refuses to give her the antidote but prefers that she and Damen suffer for as long as he wants them to…which seems like forever to Ever…
Add into this mix a dreadlocked psychic store owner named Jude who pines after Ever. Then add some witchy twins Romy and Rain who love Damen but are not too fond of Ever. And also add Ava…a psychic whom Ever feels betrayed her into saving Damen but not enabling him to truly be with Ever…ever.
Ever is a total mess in this book. Roman has stirred the dark flame within her so that she believes she wants Roman rather than Damen and she spends most of her time visiting Summerland…the beautiful place…and trying to rid herself of the dark flame and be the immortal she truly should be. Her best friend Haven also has to be thrown into this mix…in order to save Haven's life…Ever also made her an immortal…but Haven does not seem to be on the path to becoming a nice immortal…she is more of a power hungry Roman worshipping Ever hating one.
The path of this story is really one where Ever tries to get back to her core…she goes through some self discovery and angst and black magic and good magic until she finally realizes where her true power really lies.
I have to say that I loved this book but I loved every book within this series. Alyson Noel’s description of Summerland…is what I wish Heaven would be. Anything you want can be manifested at any time. All questions are answered. And it is a happy place to escape to…on the opposite end of the spectrum is Shadowland…a place for souls who can not rest…the contrasts between the two lands are stark and scary…most likely my Catholic school girl education has me thinking of the gates of heaven and hell…so I am totally mesmerized as I read these books…sort of a religious experience for me. All in all a really lovely series…I will love reading the next one, too.
