Shadowland

This series has had me hooked from the beginning, but I'm starting to get frustrated. Nothing, and I mean nothing, ever goes right for the characters in the book. It's all very interesting and complicated and I'll admit I couldn't put it down, but it's just depressing at this point. The series is amazing and well worth the reading but, can something just go right already?

I don’t want to give too much of a summary, so as to not give away the first two books in this “The Immortals” series. This won’t give away anything of the first two books: Ever is drawn to her new (very young) boss at her new job in a mystical bookstore. But she is still so in love with her soulmate.

I listened to the audio of this one. I wasn’t that excited about it. I did lose focus more often that I’d like. It did get better at the very end and I was paying better attention. Rating it “ok”, but overall, I don’t think it’s enough for me to continue the series.

I want to be clear from the start that I liked this book. Noël’s writing style pulled me in to the story from the first page to the last, and I didn’t want to put it down. But the actual storyline was disappointing; Ever’s quest to break Damen’s curse is merely the backdrop to introducing other characters and storylines. And though I realize this book is part of a series, I would’ve enjoyed the book more had there been more of a stand-alone feel to the plot. As it stands, I was left feeling unsatisfied with all aspects of the story.There’s also the matter of my ambivalence toward Ever. I felt that in Evermore there was a spark in her. She was a little sassy, a little standoffish, and generally independent. Since becoming an show more Immortal, though, she’s all about Damen. I realize that her conflicts have revolved around trying to save him, first from Roman in Blue Moon and now from the curse that she inadvertently placed on them, but she walks around as if she’s not complete without Damen next to her. I realize that, given he’s got about six-hundred-years experience on her, she looks to him as more knowledgeable regarding her power and living with the huge secret of immortality. But her dependence on him really has nothing to do with that as, time and again, she does things without his advice (or despite his advice to the contrary). Yet a part of me is drawn to her in hopes that the spark I saw in the first book will return, and I respect the fact that she is extremely dedicated to the people she loves.Having said that, I actually like the way Damen has changed since he first came into Ever’s life. The down-to-earth, contemplative Damen is much more tolerable to me than the dark, brooding Damen, but he still doesn’t do it for me. This is probably why it makes sense that I love the addition of Jude; in my opinion, Jude is what makes this book engrossing. Maybe I’m supposed to want Damen and Ever to be these inseparable soul mates, but to me Jude is the more appealing choice. I realize he’s mysterious and there’s the whole question of whether he’s actually a good guy or not, but I enjoy the fact that he doesn’t display his attraction to Ever in flashy ways, but in a pure, simple, maybe even a little bit timid way. He never overplays their connection, which is undeniable, in the way that Damen admittedly did. I’m interested to see if that will remain the case in the future.In the end, the book reminds me of Sisyphus: strong enough to push the boulder up the hill, but not really achieving anything more than to complicate things for the push to come. show less

Having absolutely loved Alyson Noel's other two books in the 'Immortals' series, I thought this one would pick up where 'Blue Moon' left off and provide action as well as continue the Damen/Ever relationship. I actually was naive enough to think that the book would actually mean something. But I was wrong.

It was very slow moving and at the end of it all, I was left thinking "wow, I really should have waited until it was in paperback". I urge you all to do the same... unless you want something that's slow.

What a major disappointment! Blue Moon is one of my favorite young adult books, and I had hoped that the rest of the series would be just as wonderful. Unfortunately Shadowland doesn't live up to expectations. There is a complete lack of any meaningful plot which gives the book the feeling of just being filler until the next installment comes out (which I haven't decided if I'll bother with or not). A 'surprise' ending involving Haven, and the introduction of another too sexy guy, Jude, is pretty much the extent of where Shadowland goes. In the end, nothing is resolved and I was left with a pretty intense dislike of Ever. If you're already a fan of the series, you might as well give it a go, but I'll have a hard time recommending these show more books to friends from here on out. show less

I find myself enjoying this series more and more. The story lines keep changing and haven't been all that predictable to me (aside from knowing that Ever is undoubtedly going to make a stupid decision somewhere near the end.)

Anyway, in shadowland we learn about where Damen's convinced immortals that die go -- Shadowland. We don't really learn too much about it other than that it's terrible. I'm guessing we'll revisit the subject in upcoming books.

We also get a deeper view of Damen and Ever's pasts. I found it very interesting especially the reveal of a repeating love triangle. That was pretty much the last thing I was expecting. I also found myself really liking Mr. Munoz and especially Jude.

I feel so bad for Ever most of the time. show more She cares so much about the people around her but has a really hard time showing it. She wants to do so much more with her gifts, but every time she does something goes wrong or someone gets hurt.

Also, I found the ending to be extremely abrupt and not at all explained. That always bugs me, but I'm assuming it will all be cleared up at the beginning of the next book. One random thing about this author that I love is her choices in names. They are so unique and I really like all of them. Ever, Raine, Romy, Roman, Jude, Stacia, Sabine, Honor, MIles, Holt, etc. Sweet names. show less

I fell in love with this series when I read Evermore. Blue Moon did not disappoint either. But with Shadowland I started to feel a little annoyed and that got worse with Dark Flame. The love triangle with Ever, Damen, and Jude angered me. I never believed that Ever would choose Jude and when I read about a love triangle I want it to be possible for it to go both ways. But with this series it makes it clear from the very beginning that Ever and Damen belong together. So anything involving them breaking up is just not believable to me. And Damen starting to get all protective of Ever and start worrying about her soul and everything? I hate to say it but this sounds a lot like Twilight to me.
Now with Dark Flame I was frustrated with Ever. show more To the point of wanting to smack her upside the head if I ever came face to face with a fictional character. She has no idea what she was doing when she dabbling in magic, but instead of listening to:
1. Damen, who has been around for literally centuries and knows what he is talking about,

2. The Twins, who were raised by a witch and were witches until you came along amd made them lose their magick,

3. Ava, who is trying to explain herself and help you, but you are too stubborn and pigheaded to listen,

you go and practice anyway, not taking advice from anyone, becoming banned from the Temple of Knowledge in Summerland, and binding yourself to your mortal enemy. Yeah, not too smart there, Ever.

And then the whole Haven becoming Immortal. And being so stupid about it and hating Ever. I never really liked Haven, but this girl seriously needs to be destroyed before she ruins the world. Like Spiderman said, with great power comes great responsibility. Haven, you do not have that responsibility. You're fired. *insert Donald Trump signature wrist flick thing here.*

Now I will say that I am going to read the last two books in the series. Simply because I got this far and I need to know what happens because I am a curious person and it will always weigh on my mind if I don't finish the series. But I hope the last two are better. No more dumb love triangles. No more magick. No more trying to be parents to twins from the Salem Witch Trials. Just Ever and Damon fighting the world to be together. That is all I want. Leave the needless drama for your mama. show less