4 pleasantly surprised stars. I did not know what to expect going into this book, but found myself thoroughly enjoying it. I finished it pretty quickly and it was a pleasant escape from my actual academic life.

The Immortal City was such a great book! It was like the beginning of Sherilyn Kenyon' s Dark Hunter series, but the new era version. I couldn't put it down!

What I also liked: the setting, the mythology, the characters, the way their relationship evolved (things didn't move too fast, I'm not a fan of insta-love), the action, the mystery, did I mention the setting? (I'm adding Venice to my bucket list). The use of magic and Atlantis history was like a breath of fresh air.

At the same time, I found the plot itself a little too cliche and old school Paranormal Romance for my liking, it was pretty obvious where things were going. Like most debut novels, it felt a bit clumsy at times, some scenes could have been better, but I still loved the story overall. The writing helped, it flowed so easily!

If there's more books in this series, I will definitely continue reading them, there's a lot of potential here!

More like 4.5 stars

Oh boy yeah a DNF for me at 30% - everyone is gorgeous, the MC is ALWAYS right and the story went from murder/mystery to your typical romance driven novel. I had such high hopes for this one.

A mystery set around the story of atlantis that feels like I have read it before though it was an enjoyable read

Title: The Immortal City
Author: Amy Kuivalainen
Series: The Magicians of Venice
Publisher: BHC Press
Release Date: September 9, 2019
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars
When a gruesome murder is committed in Venice, Penelope Bryne a scholar is called in to help decipher the language left behind on the crime scene. She meets Marco Dandolo, the inspector in charge of the case, Alexis Donato a mysterious man with many secrets, most of which she has been searching for her whole life, and his band of magicians. Penelope gets caught up in the mysteries of Atlantis and finds she may be of help in saving the world from destruction. Can she let herself, a mortal, get caught in a magical war or will she retreat to save her life?

I was hesitant about reading this story. But once I started I couldn't put it down. The scenery was so beautiful. Penelope Bryne, was charming and very realistic. Marco seems like a womanizer and I would've liked to have seen more of him. Alexis seems aloof at first, but you can tell how he changes when he meets Penelope, as it appears their destinies are entwined. The whole gang gave me an "A Court of Mist and Fury" Vibe. Their interactions were so natural despite only having known each other a short amount of time. When the real menace makes itself known, Penelope must help Alexis and the magicians defeat Thevitat without exposing them to the mortal world. Her feelings for Alexis become real and can be a hindrance to the mission. The plot was exciting from the beginning, the sheer wonder that Penelope shows as she becomes a part of this magical world is intoxicating. Kuivalainen has such a way with words that I want to go and look for Atlantis myself.

Recommend for readers who like, The DaVinci Code, and Contemporary Fantasy.

Disclaimer: I received this copy from the Publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. #TheImmortalCity #NetGalley

• NEW REVIEW •

I was given a free copy of "The Immortal City" by Amy Kuivalainen by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 • (4.5⭐)
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I finished my first NetGalley ARC last night, The Immortal City. It was really good. Fast paced, full of mythos, and easy to follow with a streamy love story mixed in. The characters are beautifully written and the ending was left open for now but not on a "claw my eyes out" while waiting for a follow-up book kind of open ending.
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If your a fan of myths and magic mixing with reality, vivid imagery and smells, I highly recommend this book. But be warned, there are very graphic scenes of death, torture, and murder depicted as well as love making. This book isn't for everyone but if you don't have a problem with graphic imagery be sure to read The Immortal City by Amy Kuivalainen
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AmyKuivalainen @akuivalainen

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this novel, but the blend of a supernatural police procedural and dark academia made this an unusual book in the best way. This novel is steeped deeply in the history of Venice, a setting that comes to life and seems as equally magical as the not-so-mythical Atlantis. There was obviously a lot of heartfelt research that went into this novel and it shows. The author puts exquisite detail both into describing the beautiful Venice, its culture, and history, and the horrifying ritual murders that plague it. This novel does a great job of balancing the enchanting magic that sweeps readers off their feet and the dark murders that propel the plot forward.

Penelope is a great main character with infectious enthusiasm for mystery and the wonder of the world around her, and it's easy to get caught up alongside her as she delves deep into the Atlantean history and magic. She's self-assured, brave, along with being an expert in her field, and a character you really want to root for. Her love interest is a powerful magician, but she's still capable of taking care of herself.

The romance is sweet if a bit heavy-handed and the novel is sometimes bogged down by a rather large cast of characters that don't seem to have a lot to do, but overall it was a good read. Definitely for fans of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code series and those interested in seeing history intertwine with the fantastical.

Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a digital ARC of this book.

This book was engaging from start to finish. It was a detective/police mystery with fantasy added in. Penelope has always had an obsession with Atlantis. When she finds a tablet that might help her to pinpoint or understand the lost civilization, academics ridicule her for it and her career implodes. However, when she receives a call from Venetian detective Marcus Dandalo to come help solve a ritualistic murder, she is drawn into a case that will answer her questions about Atlantis an magic and change her life. This book has all the elements of a winner!

“How did I know I would find you hiding in a book?”
She smiled up at him. “You can’t share a place filled with books and expect me not to touch anything.”

The Immortal City is, at its heart, a book about believing in the impossible and fighting hard to stand by your beliefs. Whether it’s a belief in how the great pyramids were made or the belief in a city like the Great Atlantis.

Doctor Penelope Byrne is an academic that believes in Atlantis and because of that she was shunned by her professional colleagues and the academic community. Fortunately for her, a hard as nails detective isn’t part of her academic community and after a brutal murder rocks the city of Venice, Penelope Bryne is invited to help stop a murderer using her knowledge of the Great City of Atlantis.

Having a book that already promised explainable magic and having a book that starts with a gruesome sacrificial murder sets up an extraordinary opportunity that Amy Kuivalainen rode right out of the gate. This book was absolutely astonishing.

The seamless blend of history and mythology pushed the setting of Venice past all of it’s boundaries and turned the city into something entirely new. Dripping in magical anomalies and dark seductive history, The Immortal City, seemed to blink awake while reading it.

It goes deeper than magic and mystery. Just the character if Alexis alone was enough to push this book forward. Adding another layer into the already complex and balanced world. Everything about him is unexpected. Almost every time we see Alexis he is adding to the plot line and creating new twist with his explanations on his past and even in Penelope's future.

There was nothing about this book that seemed to drag or stop. The excitement kept coming and it was almost like Tomb Raider meets Angels and Demons.

Every piece of information is important, not just to stop a murder sprees across Venice but to uncover the truth about a passionate belief in Atlantis.

I expected a kind of urban mystery/murder story with elements of mythology and magic, and since it is about Atlantis, my mind went straight to Disney's Atlantis for grown ups. It wasn't anything like this.

First of all, I didn't know there would be romance, so the moment it started taking over every single element that I loved in the book I lost my interest. The story started with a murder in Venice and the inspector asking our heroine, an Atlantis expert, for some help to solve the murder. She immediately travels there to look at the scene and find more clues for her research. I was hooked and couldn't wait to see where the story would go, how they would solve the ritualistic murders and the Atlantis history. Very early in the story the premise changed and from paranormal, murder mystery it became a romantic story. I didn't like how quickly it happened and how much it took from the story. The writing in general was good and the original idea very interesting, but the romance was unnecessary and the characters average at best.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-arc, in exchange for my honest review.

The Immortal City is a mythical elevator ride to an enchanted world full of magic and mystery. An eclectic compilation of fantasy, mystery, and even romance, the story will have you happily staying up late to find out what happens next. In this first novel of a promised series, we meet Dr. Penelope Bryne, an academic who is fighting hits against her reputation while maintaining her determination to find the lost island of Atlantis. When she is called to Venice to help solve a series of murders, her eyes are opened up to a whole new world of mystery and danger.

What I liked:

The plot touches on the real-life fantasies of many people who believe in the mystical and magical places of long ago. Ancient Greece and Rome along with their many gods and heroes have long spurred the imagination, and nothing embodies that more than the lost city of Atlantis, whose demise created stories of mythical proportions.

Immortal City is fast paced. It is one of those books that you start, and when you think to look up from the page later, you discover that hours have passed and you are already halfway through the story. When you read as much as many of us do, this is a refreshing aspect of the novel.

An exotic city local fits perfectly with the story. Venice is a romantic city within what was once the Roman Empire. The use of it brings up another famous series of books that it loosely resembles (only the mystery aspect, not the fantasy) but I love the solving of puzzles, and the novel keeps you guessing in that aspect.

What I Wish:

A more thorough description of the magicians’ home would have helped me to visualize it better. On the flip side, more exposition would slow down the pace of the novel, but I would have sacrificed a slower pace at times to be able to visualize better the home which is both normal and fantastical.

The dialogue flowed better at certain points in the novel. Dialogue can flow smoothly, just as in real life, or it can get bogged down and clunky with trying too hard to sound natural. There are several points in the novel when this happens, though it did not detract from my overall love of the novel.

To Read or Not to Read:

Immortal City is destined to be a great new series in urban fantasy fiction. It will entertain and delight you as you join Dr. Penelope Byrne in discovering what happened to Atlantis. Be assured that you will happily volunteer to keep reading long into the night.

Dr. Penelope Bryne believes in the Lost City of Atlantis. Years ago, she found a tablet that she believes to be Atlantean. But this belief has not been good for her career. When the Venetian police stumble across an occult murder, the only person with any similar language references is Penelope. Jumping on a plane to help, her arrival in Venice triggers the attention of Magicians and the Occult. Who is she and how is she connected? Who can she trust? Who is committing the murders? Full of magic, mystery, and suspense, readers will enjoy reading about Penelope’s journey into the world of the Occult. The plot is a page-turner from start to finish. Adults who like dark fantasy and mysteries will enjoy reading this book. Recommended for those who like Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness or Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files.

I have to admit that when I request ARCs of books, I don't always pay attention to what I'm requesting. So when I received this book and eventually realized I only had 10 days to read it, I may have freaked out a bit. 'AH! If I hate it, then it will be a hard 10 days!'

... I didn't hate it. I reaaaaally didn't hate it.
In fact, I was sad to finish it and am very happy with it. In short, Penelope has been on the search for Atlantis since she first heard stories about it as a little girl. She is the laughing stock of her field for believing it is real, but is brought to Venice because of a murder that is associated with what seems to be the Atlantean language that she has been studying. She meets a handsome man... full of sexiness, magic, and knowledge of Atlantis.
Lots of romance, magic, and a murder mystery thrown in there.

As a 30+ year old, I don't go for romance much anymore. I'm often sick of books that look to be perfectly made for a tv show on the CW. And in general, this kind of fits that description: a bit ridiculous, definitely too many pretty people, and a main character that has to be right ALL the time.
And yet I loved it. I was sucked in after about 20% and hidden from my family until I finished. The worst part of reading ARCs? Having to wait for the next book in a series... when the first book isn't even technically out yet! I want number 2! I want more of this!

Thank you so much to BHC Press and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of "The Immortal City" in exchange for an honest review. I hope I will be considered for the next in the series! ;) :)

This book definitely had an interesting plot and kept me entertained! I would have given it more stars because of that, but I noticed that a lot of the dialogue felt unnatural and stilted. I would recommend it, but only if you can overlook that issue!

I'm a sucker for anything about Venice, Italy. However, this particular book was hard-going for me. In the very early pages, there is reference to "Le Cane Doge," referring to the police inspector. "Le" is feminine plural; "il" is masculine singular. The error is repeated later in the book. At what my Kindle tells me is 6% into the book, the author has "Polizia de Strato." "Strato" is the Italian for "layer" or "coat." "Stato" is "state." The proper preposition is "di" and so the correct title is Polizia di Stato (although you will also hear "dello Stato").. This error likewise recurs in the novel. Given that the proofreader's name is on the verso with that of the editor, I hope these errors will be corrected prior to publication.

Although I was ready to give up at 6% of the novel, I did finish the book. The writing isn't bad, and the pacing is quite brisk. However, apart from the grammatical errors (which, as you can tell, REALLY bother me), I am not the target audience for this book.. Although I do read and enjoy urban fantasy, this was more of a romantic fantasy/suspense story, and I had difficulty sustaining interest. I note on GoodReads that many readers are enjoying it immensely, but it's not my cup of tea. I am grateful to NewtGalley and BHC Press for the opportunity to read the novel in return for an honest review.

Simply put; I loved this book and everything about it. From reading the synopsis alone, I thought I would enjoy it but I wasn’t prepared for just how much. I literally read this in a day, I could not put it down! I really tried to pace my reading but it was utterly unputdownable. Now I’m suffering from a major case of anticipation waiting for the sequel!

The Immortal City has everything I enjoy in a fantasy novel: ancient civilisations, magic and sorcery as well as a sizzling hot romance to top it all off. Much like the protagonist Penelope Bryne, I’ve always been deeply fascinated by ancient civilisations like Atlantis, Ancient Greece and Ancient Mesopotamia to name a few. So it was really interesting to see the way Amy Kuivalainen explores the myth of Atlantis and makes it her own. It was clear from the level of detail how much research and consideration has gone into the story. From the description of the venetian architecture, to the costumes and jewellery, it was so rich and informative. You can definitely feel Kuvalainens’ passion for history and culture throughout the novel which really heightened the experience for me.

As well as the fantasy and magical aspect, I also enjoyed the police investigation parts of the novel where the detectives try and figure out who the serial killer is. It was also made more interesting by the fact that we got to read through the perspective of the killer at certain points and it was creepy and the cult like aspect was reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Immortal City and can’t wait to read the sequel already. It was the perfectly balanced story for me and I liked that it totally transported me to the streets of Venice and it was fun imagining this secret underworld stemming from the legend of Atlantis.

This book was received as an ARC from BHC Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed all of the brilliant wordplay and the enticing story that just put the pieces together in this plot. I have never been to Venice and after reading this book it just makes me want to go there even more. I loved how Amy Kuivalainen treated Venice similar to the lost city of Atlantis comparing the significance and the impact the city had on history. Incorporating dark magic and the characters of Penelope and Alexis made this story even more interesting to the point that I could not put this book down and had to finish it right away. I know our readers will relate and love this book as much as I did and it will be a huge hit with our community.

We will consider adding this to our Fiction collection at our library. We wish we could award infinite stars but the most we can give is 5 so we give this 5 stars.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this book but it certainly wasn’t Demons, Magicians and the secret of Atlantis ! Add in a somewhat discredited archaeologist who gets embroiled in a murder investigation in Venice and it really was an interesting story . There’s an evil plot, characters with their own issues and of course a romance. I just honestly found myself getting sucked in and would definitely read more from this author.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This book is not at all what I expected but in the best way! The book begins very much like a typical police procedural, which concerned me as those are not my kind of books, but very quickly shows itself to be something very unique. The novel begins with the charismatic Italian police officer investigating a gruesome crime scene. He is told that Penelope is an expert on the writing found at the crime scene so he contacts her for help. Penelope is an expert on Atlantis, and even found a unique piece of evidence about it, but has found her reputation to be tarnished by her work. Shortly after arriving in Venice strange things start happening and before long she meets Alexis, a man that she feels a connection with, who introduces who to a world beyond even her imagination.

I felt the best part of this novel was in the middle as Penelope gets to know Alexis and his story. Along with those of his friends who are very unique and in the case of one quite amusing. Then once again the crime that brought Penelope to Venice makes itself known again. The novel ends in a way that very much sets up what I hope will be a new series. There are a lot of questions hanging at the end that I want to find out about. The author has a great cast of characters here that I would like to see again. This book is a lot of fun and a great adventure with a very unique premise. I can’t wait to read more!

What an absolutely refreshing read! Packed with adventure and intrigue this book was such a lovely reprieve to the heavier novels I have been reading. Magic, adventure, whit, and beautiful details make this book an absolutely delicious read. I will be adding Amy Kuivalainen to my list of authors to follow as I adore her style of writing. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code or Discovery of Witches as it's magical realism is just as enticing and addictive as those novels.