Immortal

Dragonrider Chronicles #4

by Nicole Conway

Destiny has called. A dragonrider must answer.

With Jaevid Broadfeather forever lost to the depths of Luntharda, Felix Farrow struggles to stand on his own. He begins a violent downward spiral which causes him to abandon his post as a dragonrider, hiding in the halls of his family estate. His one hope for redemption lies within the heart of someone from his past—and the very last person he ever wanted to see again. And now the time has finally come.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Magic, Audiobook, High Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2016

About the author

Nicole Conway is originally from North Alabama and attended Auburn University. She is happily married and enjoys writing as a full time career.

Best known for her international bestselling fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES - Nicole is currently working on a follow-on series, THE DRAGONRIDER LEGACY. Her other published works include MAD MAGIC, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN STARS, SCALES (Releasing Spring 2019), and RENEGADE RUNNER (2021).


Nicole is represented by Fran Black of Literary Counsel.

Reviews

[Dea꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the ending at all....

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I did buy this book and the whole series too!

This is the 4th and final book in this series. It is for young adults. I definitely think you have to read the series in order to understand all of the characters much better.

I took way to long to read this story. Life gets in the way, and I’ve been very busy with work and college. I’m working on catching up!

At first when I started reading, I was confused because it was from Felix’s point of view. This was not my favorite book in the series, but I still liked it. I know it didn’t go how I wanted especially the end, but I’m just a reader. Jae is the hero, but this book was more of Felix’s journey and his growth. This book definitely departed from the format of the first 3 books. This book had tons of action and tragedy that made me cry for both Jae and Felix. I don’t want to give anything away, but I enjoy this world and this conclusion for what it was….an ending.

I recommend that everyone who started the series should read and see what happens, but remember each story is unique!

[Phoebe Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immortal by Nicole Conway

I've been high on the Dragon Riders series since Avian, which took the characters and standard-but-well-done premise introduced in Fledgling and turned it into something darker and special. This series started off as Harry Potter meets How to Train Your Dragon, and the characters of Becca, Jaevid, Felix, Sile, and Jace were my favorite and carried the story well. Traitor deepened the story by taking Jaevid and Jace into Luntharda, the forest home of the hated gray elves. In the forest, Jaevid learns of mysterious parentage, his nature powers, and about Horvid's treachery. Jaevid emerges from the forest alone (Jace stays behind with the Elfen princess) with the knowledge that the king is an impostor. Que the beginning of Immortal.

Felix featured very little in Traitor because Jaevid disappears to the forest early in the novel, but Immortal starts with Felix's temper destroying his career as a dragon rider. It's bad enough that Felix flees back to his childhood home. Felix is Duke now, and he promptly begins to drink himself stupid until Julianna comes back recouple him to his sanity.

When Jaevid returns, he gathers 'the gang' together to betray the king. Everyone takes some convincing, but Jaevid proves the king is Horvid in disguise. When they fight Horvid, he is absolutely as nasty as you would expect him to be, which isn't a letdown. The ending is bittersweet, so don't go in expecting everyone to live. Still, it's a satisfying end, although most of the book is told from Felix's POV for...reasons.

Rating: 5 stars A strong end to a strong series

[Jan farnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in this series but it not the end as the author stated on Facebook their will be more story. The chronicles is just the beginning to build us up for the next step. This one is by far the darkest one out of the series but for a good reason- its war and war is never pretty. Their will be death, in fact your heart will be ripped out and stomped on but it all for a good reason. I was sad by the end of the story but i know that was laid out is the path to the freedom for these characters. The best part is you get a glimpse into the future as their is a sample of what to come in the next series. So strap yourselves in guard your heart and know it all for the freedom and that path is paved with tears and blood.

[One Man Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my blog, One Man Book Club

The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained

Now here's a series your fantasy loving middle graders will love!

The Dragonrider books by Nicole Conway are marketed as two separate series.

The first four books are The Dragonrider Chronicles. They introduce the main characters and deliver the first story arc. The Dragonrider Legacy includes the final three books. This series continues the story of the main characters after a 40 year time jump, introduces new characters, delivers it's own story arc, and puts a nice bow on the conclusion of both series. Because the two series are so connected, I consider them one, seven book series.

The Dragonrider series isn't unique and it's quite formulaic. Not really any surprises here.

Unassuming, unloved boy gets accepted into Dragonrider school after a dragon chooses him to be his rider. The boy discovers he's the chosen one, destined to unite the people of the land, restore order and balance, overthrow the evil tyrant, and save the day. Twice. You know, because there are two series. The ending to the first story arc was meh, but the wrongs are righted in the end of the second story arc. Dues ex machina is the go to solution for the biggest problems.

But if the formula works, it works, and these stories work for their audience. The Dragonrider series are definitely story driven. It was enough to keep me interested through 7 books! Battles, mysteries, coming of age, magic, elves, first love, humor, friendship, bad guys, heroes.

Plus...dragons! Like I always say: dragons are the bacon of books--they make everything better!

The Dragonrider books are targeted for upper-middle grade fantasy fans and dragon lovers everywhere. Content appropriate for 10 and up.

Happy reading!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect that ending, but it was fitting all the same. I like these characters and they'll stay with me as I wonder what their future has in store for them. They'll live on in my thoughts even with their story ended.

[Ornella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't a huge fan of Felix's PoV, mostly cause I just like Jae too much also that spiral in the first third was ugh. Once things got going it was good!

That ending was bittersweet :(

[Steven Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awkward ending to promising series that will still pull you in.

Nicole Conway delivers an ending to a series that leaves me with mixed feelings that made a work I would have give a four star rating a three-star only because I can't give it a 2.5. It very much feels like a bait and switch type of book in which the promises of the first three books are somewhat ignored or forgotten in the final book of the series while she prepares the ground for the next book series set in the same world.

A little honey before the vinegar. Nicole Conway does create characters that you feel for. Part of the frustration with this book is that her characters are interesting and you care about what happens to them and the relationships they have developed. She's shown at least that she's willing to take chances in her stories. I feel that she would be great in writing epic fantasies with multiple points of views. The story still pulls you in but not as deeply as the previous three books because there's always a feeling it's something just a little off.

The truth is the series could have been wrapped up easily in the third book. In order to stretch out a fourth book we are given a new point of view from Felix in large part of the final book leaving only 7 chapters in total for the main protagonist, Jaevid, in the middle. The first part of the book takes up most of the story in which we follow Felix around for the three months that Jaevid was lost in the forest. While it is interesting to see a romantic relationship evolve with the character for the most part it's simply depressing and was summed up in the previous book with Felix punching his friend in the face. It feels bizarre that the third part of the book comes from Felix's point of view as he watches Jaevid. I feel this choice would have been okay so long as the author had done such things in the previous three books. Instead it felt like an awkward story with the pacing wasn't quite right and information dumping was much less smooth and mmore redundant. The resolution of the of the series comes off as wonky as if the author was trying too hard to surprise the reader with certain twist of Fates.

Nicole Conway makes decisions in this work that are hard to pull off making the story feel both too short and too long at the same time. For and ending of a series that was supposed to have an Epic Fantasy feel it felt rushed. I was sorely disappointed in what should have been an epic Clash involving swords and plenty of action be almost fast-forwarded through making what had been a supposedly hardcore antagonist into a laughable villain. The entire confrontation that the book series was leading to comes and goes in a blink of an eye. Point A to point B with no twist in between. Even as I give my review I find myself liking the story less and less. Too much of what had been set forth in the previous three books unravels at the end and does somewhat taint the series.

That said considering the author is going to have a sequel series I'm more than likely will read it but with a great deal more caution and trepidation. A Series has to be really bad for me not to finish it or pick up stories that follows in it.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out good, but quickly became frustrating after being several chapters into the book. I wanted the author to get on with where they had left off on the third book. I felt there were a lot of details that might have been unnecessary almost to the point of being boring, only because the author was trying to fill a whole book, instead of continuing the story. truthfully with how little time was spent continuing the story, the author could have finished the series in the third book. Especially because in the third book she waisted time having Jaevid train to fight his evil half elf brother, in what was meant to be an epic battle, however the battle was extremely lacking. The epic fight Jaevid trained for never happened, there were no swards used at all, and barely any magic before the extremely quick end.

There are 3 parts to this book, the 1st part is from Felix’s prospective, and so is the 3rd part. Now after finishing the book I understand even more why it started the way it did from Felix’s prospective, however I still feel she spent too much time dwelling on details about Felix, when she could have spent more time on the action parts of this book.

The last half of the book also had some gruesome details, although that seemed to be evident in the other books as well. There is talk of war, abuse, and genocide in all the books, this one also adds talk of using blood for unholy things. Close to the end there were more tragic events, and while I had expected them to happen since the third book, but it didn’t make it easier for me to handle. I held out hope that my fears and suspicions about how this series would end would be wrong, unfortunately they were right. I am also frustrated about the fate of BD, the author waisted time having Jaevid talk about how worried he was for her future and asking his brother to look after her, and also talking about her being protected by fate. Why put details in a book if you’re not going to follow through with them?

I am grateful however that because of the direction the author chose to take in the end, that in the beginning of this book she brings into play a romantic love for Felix, and someone to show him family love as well, because he loses everything else in the end.

I am personally more interested in happy ending type books, however I did still enjoy this book, and series. I gave this book only four stars due to the fact that it seemed to lull a bit in several parts, it was extremely lacking in the epic battle, and also because I have very mixed feelings about the ending.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! What an ending to the Dragonrider Chronicles! this is not a type of ending I generally like as I hate how (in books with endings like this) the main character has gone through so much and then it seems to give them no gain personally, and especially in this case with Jaevid melding with a god and turning to stone as well as losing Beckah. I know its highly suggestive that this isn't 'the end' but I still find it sad and tragic after everything Jae has had to go though.

This book grabs you with its dragon claws and doesn't let you go until you've read every word. It is brilliant in an entirely ruthless way that leaves you clutching at your kindle with a white knuckled grip. I loved how some of it was from Felix's POV as I think he is a great character and we learn that there is much more depth to him than originally perceived in the other books. Jaevid, again, is a hero that you can't help but love and sympathise with at every emotional turn this book throws at you.
Thank God for Conway's new series that follows on from this one, 'The Dragonriders Legacy', otherwise I would probably die from wanting more of this world, especially as this book doesn't completely round of this series and hints at future events.

[Dylan Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was okay at best. I was expecting an actual ending to the series but instead the book ended prematurely and we were given an epilogue in the form of the first few chapters of a spin-off that takes place years after the first four books. It feels like the author got tired of writing about the main character from the first three books because the more than half of this book is about the main character's best friend from the other books. Then the main character of the series doesn't really get a satisfying ending as he seems to be shelved for the author to bring back in the spin-off series.

[Barbara Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as I wanted to. I've really enjoyed the rest of the series, and while this one did tie up most of the loose ends and answer most of the questions, it felt like it was telling a different story -- especially in the first half, which rather wallows in reaction to the previous book's events. The second half, by contrast, feels rushed to me, with moments events rushing past with little exposition or consideration.

[lisa watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing ending


I really enjoyed the first three books. I was greatly disappointed with the ending of book four. The way main characters were left with so many loose ends. I expected much more.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I had such high hopes for the last book in this series, but the ending, to put it bluntly, sucked. All that time and emotion invested in the series ... all for a bad ending. Sorry, folks. Supremely disappointed.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final battle begins and it's up Jaevid to break the curse that his father started and return the Godstone. First, he must convince his friends to commit treason and trust him when he says that the King of Maldobar isn't the one who should be sitting on the throne. Felix thinks Jae is dead and that sends him on a downward spiral that he may never come back from until someone from his past whom he thought he got rid of returns to help him, his betrothed Julianna.
Jaevid and Felix's adventures continue in this final installment. For me, this series is a fun, an exciting adventure that I admit is not the most challenging. The writing of this series is not the greatest as it feels juvenile and there is still more tell than show in this final book. I also was disappointed with the final battle with the bad guy. It felt rushed. It is not boring, just went by too fast for me. Other than that, the book was exciting and emotional. We get the perspective of Felix since Jae has been separated from him and the others. They think he died in the battle during the third book, but of course he is Luntharda learning more about where he comes from and his destiny. Julianna is a nice addition to the story providing a different kind of female character compared to Beckah, although I did not realize until later that we met her briefly in book 2 (I think) when she kissed Jae. I hate Felix's mom a whole lot and want to smack her! Though, I had issues with the battle with the bad guy, what happened after was good. I was also surprised with certain aspects with the rest of the final few chapters. Let's just say, I did not think Nicole Conway would go there since this Middle grade. Despite the situation, the author still manages to add humor and one of them involved an entertaining reveal. I liked Felix's personal story. It is very sweet despite what happened with his mom, and I enjoyed his reunion with Julianna too. This book and this whole series has flaws, but I enjoyed the ride.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars 🌟

This was the final book in this initial series and I have to admit that I went through this series without stopping. I was extremely eager to get to this book to find out how everything ended up. In the end, this book was okay. Until I finished the book and took a moment to think about things more closely.

Let me start with this. This book is different from the first three books in the series in the fact that most of this book is told from Felix's POV. It also goes back in time and lets the reader see what was happening in Felix's life when Jae was lost in the forest. That was okay. I didn't mind getting the other POV. It then switches to the present timeline that book 3 leaves off at. Here is where I began to have issues.

Maybe it is that I went through the books so quickly and was just invested in the story. I didn't have time to then think about the book I read because I immediately started on the next book. I'm not sure. But, when I was reading/listening to this book, things began to take me out of the story. Without going into spoilers, certain actions and reactions just didn't make complete sense. I mean, the whole battle plan (there was 24 hours of notice and planning), then the climax was...well.... very anti-climatic. Then the ending....it felt rushed and honestly, just not very realistic.

But, it wasn't until I was finished that I began to realize all of the plot holes and man oh man were there a ton of them.

So, in the grand scheme of things I really enjoyed this series. I really liked the character development of many of the characters, especially Jae, Felix and Jace. I may not have liked the last book as much, but it was worth it to invest the time in the series.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first three books have been a pleasant surprise. Not having heard of this series at all, I only stumbled upon this books by accident. Reading the first chapter of Fledgling was enough to convince me to push through, and glad, I am. Immortal is the final book in the Dragonrider Chronicles. Prior to reading, like an idiot I read some of the reviews. Most have been unpleasant, dissapointed with how Nicole Conway ended the series. I was so nervous with this one. I was expecting to be let down by Immortal, but for the most part, I absolutely enjoyed it. There was less Jae and Mavrik though, instead we get most of the book focused on Jae's bestfriend, Felix Farrow. The first half we follow Felix, however not at the present time, but rather during the events of the last book, Traitor. This I thought was better if if it was placed in the last book, instead of spending the first half of the final book with a flashback, dragging the pace. I also felt due to this, Felix's story line felt rushed, along with the final events of the books. When we finally get to the present, we dive straight into the action, picking up directly where the last book ended. Which is fine by me. I still enjoyed it, but still felt too fast considering the built up from the first three books. The ending, which disappointed a lot of people, actually was something that I liked. Personally, I think it makes sense this is where Jae's story line ends. I am now reading the second trilogy, and I am liking where Nicole Conway is taking this story, world and lore.

[Alysha DeShaé · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one started out slow and actually backtracks a ways into the previous book. I'm not sure how I feel about it being a split point-of-view, but it starts out with Felix realizing Jae isn't coming back from their first battle. There is a lot of introspection, some romance, some personal stuff that most of which could have been completely left out I think, but that takes up the first third of the book, approximately.

Then we switch to Jae's perspective and things get a bit more involved, the action starts happening, and I can't say much else or I'll want to spoil everything! But in spite of it's slow start and obvious set-up for another series in this universe (which I'll definitely read), it's a good solid ending. I loved it. And yes, I even loved that mushy personal stuff at the beginning. :-p

[Thomas Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but good.

My first thought was wondering where in the world Jeavid went. Why was Felix the narrative. Then when I heard tragedy I never believed it. It was an epic book. Do hope it continues. Really extremely sad what happened to Nova. That female bird dragon thing at end what ever happened to that? She clearly liked Felix. What ever happened to the deal that was made? Next book to far in future and does look like it interest me due to no dragons and very confusing at beginning from preview. Nova and Mavrik were perfect mates. Was really sad what happened and no explanation on how it happened or why. Really why one survive not the other when they both there same time perfectly fine and he was protecting her. Didn't like how Nova was treated. Being thrown in stable for months? Treated like some animal? Not even acceptable. You never do that to a human why a dragon?

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. So I finally figured out what I don't like about these books, as well as their sequels.

The endings are always rushed.

These books were SO GOOD!! I loved them... until I got to the last one. It seemed like the author was trying to cram too much information into this one. Felix's POV was not neccessary. We don't need a recap of what happened to him, because it WASN’T NECCESSARY. We only needed to know about the major plot of the story, and Felix didn't contribute to that.

I've read the Dragonrider Legacy series too, and those books were way too rushed. I think Nicole Conway really needs to work on pacing, because it's too fast for me to understand. Everything is too abrupt.

The Heritage series is the same too.

Author, it's okay to stretch out plotlines and characters' development. It'll make the endings and future content all the more satisfying to read.

[Kim Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downer

Is it good when you finish a series and feel so bad about the ending that you wish you had never started it? These books are marketed to young people and there is more death than I as an adult was comfortable with. I realize war is brutal, but really! I kept waiting for that part where the author would say, " Just kidding! They are still alive! " Will definitely avoid the other series by this author because the trust is gone!

[Olivia Ganzenmuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal: YA. Secondary-World Fantasy. Animal Companion - Dragons. Adventure. Action. War. Dragonriders. Friendships. Loss/Grief. Responsibility. Romance. Duel POV. Magic. Family. Grey Elves. Humans.

How much I liked it: 4 stars
Ideas - World Building: 4 Stars
Ideas - Plot: 4 Stars
Character Depth: 4.5 Stars
Character Interactions: Average
Animal Characterisation: Standard (Wyverns)
Warnings: None.
Execution: 5 Stars
Writing Notes: n/a

[Devin Phandara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audible. It bittersweet ending to the series—not sure how I feel about it just yet. Initially I thought it was going to be two halves, but most of the story was told from Felix's perspective. I didn't mind that, but I also think it was too short to split the book into three parts, not only that, it was kind of weird as the first three books were told from Javeid's. Felix's part would've been better as a novella.

[Amanda Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

This whole series is good. I can't wait till the next one. This story is told at a different perspective than the other one. It was kinda refreshing. Parts of this book made me cry a little. That is the highest compliment.

I will give you one spoiler. This is not the ending but it is a beginning.

[Wendy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want to put it down

This book was different from her first three in the series but I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to find out what was going to happen to all the characters and how they were going to solve their problem. I would recommend this book to readers young and old who like adventure.

[Darlene Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad that it's done

I loved every page. What I enjoyed the most was looking forward to getting done with my day and settling down to read these books. Characters are written so well that you feel them, the storyline moved right along with no drags to just fill pages , was very sad to reach the end and say goodbye

[Billie Bogart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uncomplicated hero is still a hero.

I have become attached to the characters, although my earlier complaint about stereotypical women’s roles stands. This series is a quick, pleasant and easy read, very straightforward. I found in this fourth book touched my heart. A return to simple times when a hero is just a hero.

[Lou Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicole how could you do this to me? And so close to the end!

Okay first if you thought you knew the end of this story you might be at least partly right. But the important things are coming to an end just like they had to. But I had to give this one a three for poor editing. On almost the last page there is a very important missing pronoun. Hence my title.

[Lucas S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this series based on the cover because I'm into fantasy and because it was recommended to me on Amazon. This book kept my interest because this last book was full of action and interesting parts. Like when Jaevid created golems or when he killed Hovrid. Or when he smashed the god stone to pieces.

[Jayshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Eragon Would Fall in Love with this series

From the moment I started reading, I couldn't stop. I couldn't turn the digital pages fast enough! One of the best of its genre since Eragon!