Book Review & Giveaway: Everlasting by Alyson Noel.

Please note: There may be spoilers for previous books in the series in this review.

Product details:
Publisher:  Macmillan Children's Books.
Paperback, 368 pages.
Release date: July 7th 2011.
Rating: 3½ out of 5.
Ages: 12+
Series: The Immortals #6
Other Books in Series: Evermore[rating: 5 out of 5], Blue Moon [Rating 3 out of 5], Shadowland, Dark Flame, Night Star.
Overall Series Rating: 3½ out of 5.
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Everlasting is the sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united-or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!

In Everlasting, the sixth and final book in The Immortals series, Alyson Noel takes us right back to the start of Damen and Ever’s journey, and to their very first lives together as Alrik and Adelina. Here is where they learn the dark secrets and mistakes of their shared past that have followed them through the ages. With a mysterious old woman called Lotus as their guide, the time has come for Damen and Ever to find out if they are truly meant to be together, or if they are better of apart forever.

This series has been a roller coaster of a ride for me. As the first YA series I read in those dark post-Twilight days, The Immortals has a special place in my heart, but that’s not to say we haven’t had our tough times. I loved Evermore, and it remains one of my all time favourite YA books, but things got a bit shaky for me somewhere around mid-series with Dark Flame. Now though, with Everlasting, Noel has written a fitting ending to the series. Of course everyone wants to know if Damen and Ever will finally get their hands on that elusive antidote so that they can truly be together, but here we find out that the antidote is not the only thing that stands between our two favourite immortal beings. Things are about to become much more complicated than you ever would have guessed!

Although Everlasting is the story of Ever and Damen’s love since it’s inception, this is essentially Ever’s story and her coming of age as a character, as she takes center stage, while Damen is often absent from events. It’s fair to say that I’ve had certain issues with the character of Ever throughout this series. On reading Evermore, I loved the character of Ever. She was a feisty, strong independent girl, but as the series progressed, she seemed to regress as a character to the point where she bugged the hell out of me at times with her constant indecision, bad choices and downright stupid mistakes. In this book though, Ever shines as a character. Mature and level-headed, she’s grown up, she’s learned to trust her instincts and to make the right choices. Finally.

Throughout The Immortals series, Noel has created some quirky, compelling and extremely entertaining characters, and it’s a nice touch that in this book we get to spend some time with characters we’ve come to love or just loved to hate throughout the series. As for my favourite character throughout the series, that has been Damen, but I have to say that his character was a little disappointing for me in this book. I love Damen for his romantic gestures and his complete devotion to Ever. He’s been consistently adorable throughout the series, but here we see a different Damen. While he still has his moments, for sure, he also spends a lot of time being moody and snappy in Everlasting and he sulks a lot. Not such a hot look!

Everlasting is an enjoyable ending to a series that I will always think back fondly on. Will Damen and Ever get their hands on the antidote and finally get their happily ever after? You’ll have to read this and see, but I will tell you that their are lots of surprises in store for these two as they continue on their quest to be together forever!

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