Destiny by Gillian Shields REVIEW

Immortal series: Book Four

Summary:

Helen has always been the "crazy" one among the girls of Wyldcliffe, scarred by her bleak past and her troubled relationship with her mother, the former headmistress and leader of the Wyldcliffe coven, Mrs. Hartle.

But Miss Scratton promised Helen that a love "beyond the confines of this world" is waiting for her. Could this be Lynton, the mysterious music student who visits Wyldcliffe for his lessons? And what about the brooch her mokther gave her--what can the Seal reveal about Helen's past and future?

Now that Miss Scratton is gone, life at Wyldcliffe takes an even darker turn. An unexpected threat arrives in the form of a new high master, whom Helen remembers from her unhappy childhood. Can Helen, Evie, and Sarah finally overcome Wyldcliffe's darkness? Will Lady Agnes come to their aid? And what sacrifices must they make to fulfill their destiny?

My Thoughts:

This series should have ended after Betrayal. The narration changed again for this book, and although I should be used to it by now, it didn't change completely. All of the main characters have certain parts of this book to narrate. I'm used to it after reading a couple books that were like that (not by this author), but this was different. This series should have never changed narration if it wanted to be a great series until the end.

Velvet was given a bigger role in this book, but not big enough.

My Rating: 1 star

Eternal by Gillian Shields REVIEW

First: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!
Now: On to the book review!!!

Immortal series: Book Three
Summary:

At Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, Sarah is the faithful friend to Evie and Helen, her sisters in the Mystic Way. But this term Sarah finds that their friendship is tested. Evie is turning her back on the Mystic Way after laying her beloved Sebastian's soul to rest; Helen is distracted by her tormented relationship with her mother. Sarah struggles to keep the sisterhood together as the threat of attack looms from the dark coven and the Unconquered lords.
All that keeps Sarah going is her connection with her earth powers and a promise she cannot break. When she must step out of the shadows and fight the eternal darkness, will her sisters join her, or will help come from unexpected sources, like her Romany ancestors and a love she'd only just dared hope for?

My Thoughts:

I was sad to find that Sebastian died in the previous book, and I wasn't eager to read this one, since the protagonist is a different person than the last two books.
First: why won't the coven just die??? do they have an infinite lifespan? because they want to be immortal, they aren't supposed to be immortal, but they don't seem to die. at all.
Second: the plot twist with Velvet was supposed to be interesting. While Velvet is present for about half the book, she doesn't seem to play a part in the overall story.
Third: I had to keep reminding myself that Evie isn't the narrator. Why can't the whole series be narrated by just one person? I understand that other characters can be added in, like in the Lunar Chronicles, but the narrator in this book isn't a new character.
Conclusion: While this book was well written, it was definitely not as good as the previous books when you talk about the storyline.

My Rating: 2 stars

Betrayal by Gillian Shields REVIEW

Immortal series: Book Two

Summary:

When Evie Johnson started at Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, her life changed in ways she couldn't possibly have envisioned: the discovery of her link with Lady Agnes, her special bond with Helen and Sarah, and their sisterhood in the astonishing secrets of the Mystic Way. Above all, Evie's love for Sebastian has turned her world upside down.

Now Evie returns to Wyldcliffe for another term and more danger. Surrounded by enemies, she lives every day in fear that Sebastian will fall into the darkness of servitude to the Unconquered Lords. The Wyldcliffe coven is plotting to destroy Evie and use Sebastian to secure their own immortality. Evie and her sisters must master the power of the Talisman before it is too late. But could it be Sebastian himself who will ultimately betray Evie?

My Thoughts:

The first book, Immortal, was really good even though I read and reviewed it a very long time ago.

I expected this book to be just as good.

While it was well written and exciting with lots of surprising twists, it gave you the wrong idea of what would happen at the end; if you think Sebastian will be saved but still live, you'll be disappointed. While Sebastian got free of becoming something that he never wanted to be, he could only stay alive for one more day. He died, but he wouldn't be in torment like he would have if he didn't die.

Conclusion: this book was a great sequel but not as good as the first one.

My Rating: 4 stars

Immortal by Gillian Shields REVIEW

Immortal series: Book One
Summary:

Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.
Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl - a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could by a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

What I Liked:

This is a really good book - even though it is romance.

What I Didn't Like:

A few parts of this book were very confusing.

My Rating: 4.5 stars