Limecello’s review of Into the Flame (Darkness Chosen, Book 4) by Christina Dodd
Paranormal romance released by Signet on 5 Aug 08

The fourth and final installment to the Darkness Chosen series was good, but not my favorite in the bunch. (That would be Into the Shadow.) Into the Flame is well written, the characters are all likable – and I’m glad I read the series. The premise was interesting and I enjoyed seeing how everything came together.

Firebird Wilder is a strong and complicated heroine. (Who has such an unfortunate name, poor thing. Imagine growing up with it.) Firebird is take charge, but has a difficult time establishing herself in her alpha male dominated family. She handles herself and situations well, but isn’t a very warm character. Quite mature for her age, it’s easy to forget Firebird has seen and lived through a lot at the age of twenty-three.

Doug Black is something of an enigma. You’re not quite sure if he’s the good guy, or the bad guy, and really he’s a bit of both. Partly due to the nature of the story the reader doesn’t get to know much about Doug. He does have a sad past, but with all that’s thrown at the reader immediately after, the sympathy factor isn’t all that it might have been.

Into the Flame I feel is a lot more plot than character centric. In a minor way, Firebird and Doug’s romance is a bit cheated, because so much of the book is devoted to the culmination of the three prior novels, and making sure the happy ending for all the Wilders occurs. As a whole, this is a very involving book, with little down time, dominated by a lot of drama, intrigue, and characters fighting for their lives.

I really enjoyed the introduction and the first part of this book. It was nice to see Firebird as a person, and find out who the father of her son, Aleksandr, is. The scene where Firebird sets off to see Doug are also very enjoyable. I do wish they had a bit more time to communicate, but it probably would have ruined a few plot elements.

Some things I didn’t like quite as much were a few of the discrepancies found in the later half of the book. The Varinskis and Wilders along with their other unique characteristics have incredible healing powers. I’m not sure if that includes rejuvenation, but it seemed that the Varinskis healed faster than the Wilders did. Yes, it created greater tension, but it didn’t fit. Then there was a part near the end, where the women remembered most of a prophecy, but not a “key” part that was obvious, yet left off for what seems to be the sole purpose of creating yet more drama. I found that somewhat unnecessary. On the other hand, if it had gone smoothly the story may have seen too pat. I guess there was no real way to win.

I did really like how Ms. Dodd continued the story on after the major conflict in the novel, and took the time to resolve Firebird and Doug’s relationship. Oftentimes after the action is over, a novel simply ends, leaving the reader hanging, but Ms. Dodd takes Into the Flame all the way to a believable happy ending. I recommend those that have read the Darkness Chosen novels read this last book – it’s a nice wrap up of the series. I think that Ms. Dodd was also setting up a new paranormal series in this book – but we’ll have to wait and see. Anyway, if you like Ms. Dodd’s book, you should try this one, and there’s no harm no foul, because it’s a “Great Read Guaranteed” book.

Grade: B

Ruggedly handsome cop Doug Black is determined to find the birth family who left him with nothing but a terrifying inheritance: the ability to change into a savage golden cougar. His search leads him to a woman as fearless and exotic as her name. Firebird Wilder is bitterly familiar with supernatural gifts, and flees on discovering his secret, leaving him alone once more. But no one can escape a wild cougar on the hunt. When he finds her, they both must decide which is more powerful: the love that binds them together – or the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series: