Such a satisfying ending to an atmospheric series. I loved this story and these characters and could have easily read more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Immortality: A Love Story</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<u>The Gist</u>

Dana Schwartz’s <i>Immortality: A Love Story</i>, the sequel to <i>Anatomy</i>, attempts to expand on the gothic atmosphere and medical intrigue of its predecessor. It ultimately struggles to maintain momentum or deliver a satisfying continuation of the story. While there are moments of intrigue, the novel is marred by pacing issues, underdeveloped characters, and a plot that often feels meandering and unfocused.

<u>The Details</u>

At the center of the novel is Hazel Sinnett, once again pursuing her dream of becoming a surgeon while navigating a world filled with societal expectations and supernatural elements. However, Hazel's character, feels stagnant. Her motivations are unclear at times, and her internal struggles lack the depth needed to make her a fully realized and compelling protagonist. Rather than growing or evolving, Hazel’s journey in <i>Immortality</i> often feels like more of the same. There is little advancement or change in her character arc.

One of the novel’s major shortcomings is its uneven pacing. The narrative frequently drags, especially in the middle sections, with long, drawn-out sequences that don’t add much to the overall story. The plot meanders, with certain subplots feeling like unnecessary distractions rather than meaningful contributions to the central narrative. Even the moments that should be filled with tension feel oddly flat and fail to build the suspense that a gothic novel of this nature should thrive on.

Additionally, the romance subplot, which was already lacking in <i>Anatomy</i>, doesn’t fare any better in <i>Immortality</i>. The chemistry between Hazel and her love interest remains underwhelming. Their relationship feels more like a perfunctory addition than an emotionally rich or compelling aspect of the story. The romance is shoehorned into the plot in a way that feels disconnected from Hazel’s main narrative. It makes it difficult for readers to invest in their relationship.

The supernatural elements, which should have elevated the novel’s atmosphere, are also underdeveloped. Instead of adding a layer of mystery and intrigue, the concept of immortality feels tacked on. It never fully explored or explained in a way that feels satisfying. The stakes that should come with such a high-concept theme are never truly felt. Also, the novel’s attempts to mix historical fiction with speculative elements fall short of creating a cohesive and immersive world.

<u>The Verdict</u>

Overall, <i>Immortality: A Love Story</i> ultimately suffers from the same issues that plagued its predecessor, only amplified. Its lackluster pacing, weak character development, and unconvincing romance make it a disappointment. The novel may still appeal to readers looking for a light gothic read with historical elements. Sadly, it fails to deliver on its potential, leaving much to be desired for those seeking a more engaging and thought-provoking story.

I enjoyed this one. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it after the ending of the first one, and I went in blind, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I liked the change of setting from Edinburgh and Hawthornden to London. It was a change that fit the story well, and I liked seeing Hazel get to be a female physician and actually be recognized for her work.
I wasn’t sure what exactly the love story part was going to be, but I enjoyed seeing Hazel and Dr. Ferris become friends. The two characters worked well together, and I liked the banter between them.
Hazel is still carrying a torch for Jack who might now be immortal, but it takes quite a while (over 50%) to get any answers in that regard. I wish that there had been more romance and love story in the second half because it just felt like Jack had done a bit of a 180 and Hazel was willing to settle for anything.
I liked the plot that followed the Princess, and I thought it was interesting. I also liked the Companions plot, and I thought it was fun to see notable names of the time period like Lord Byron.
This was a solid sequel, and it had some really exciting parts. I liked Hazel’s character, and I liked seeing where she ended up. The pacing was good, and overall the story is engaging.

Immortality is a sequel to Anatomy. Sadly for me this book did not live up to the first one for me.

Immortality tells the story of our dear Hazel who is a physician (not a loud for a woman during this time), and she is able to save people that others have written off. This is what leads her to be in hot water and gets her arrested, but due to her healing abilities, she is requested to become the physician for Princess Charlotte as nobody else has been able to heal her from a mystery illness. Once at the palace she quickly catches on that things are not what they seem, but she does her best and starts coming up with ways to heal the princess. In her free time she gets to spend time with the other Royal physician and even gets to meet a secret society who requests her as they think she is one of them. Little do they know that she isn't the one who took the Everlife eliquir in the first book, and instead gave it to her beloved Jack.
Between this secret society, still looking for Jack who she has not seen since she saved him, and trying to save the Princess Hazel is a little bit busy in this one.

Overall this book was okay to me. It felt like at times it was trying to hit a lot of tropes and catch on to the hype with Queen Charlotte and Bridgerton that was going on around the time it was published. Maybe thats just me reading too much into it though. I still like Hazel as a character and how she is able to keep her morals and convictions despite those around her trying to get her to break and do terrible things. However I also felt like this book was just trying to do too much, and if it had just focused on the secret society and the princess it would have been better in my opinion.

I think if you loved the first book in this duology, you probably won't love this one as much.

A fascinating continuation of Anatomy. I very much enjoyed the first book in the series and was very curious about the sequel after they way the first ended. While Immortality didn't have all the things I loved about Anatomy (Hazel and Jack's back and forth, the darker tones, etc.), it was still great to watch Hazel navigate her situation. Dana Schwartz is an incredibly talented writer and there was a lot to love about the style, prose, and content.

really easy-to-read filler. i raced through this because of how nicely the writing flows and how entertaining the content is (even if its not wholly necessary). so all in all, this is a very entertaining sequel and an ending the story needed.

A great continuation! Didn't quite live up to the first book. The plot was interesting hut not the main draw, for me, to continue. If you enjoy the main characters ftom the first book, like myself, then I would say that alone is a good reason to pick this one up.

I had such a great time reading this book! I really enjoyed the first, and I was really looking forward to this one and seeing where the story went. And oh, it went places, and I just had to follow along and see what was going to happen next!

I just have to say, this cover is gorgeous. That the dress looks like a brain, and she's working to become a surgeon, it was just so clever and well done! The way that the dress folds, and the front and the back having those gaps to mimic the lobes, I love it!

Getting entangled with the British court was an unfortunate consequence of her path. I really enjoyed her dealing with all the politics when all she really wants is to help heal people. But it does introduce us to a bunch of new characters that I loved!

The question on whether or not Jack survived or not, which was complicated by the introduction of Simon. But I really enjoyed how it all played out, and where we left these characters! I do wish there was a 3rd book to spend more time with these characters, but I'm happy with where they've been left.

This was a really great read and I can't wait to read more by Dana Schwartz!

Hazel has survived the unbelievable events of the year before and is left reeling and still unsure as to whether Jack is dead or not. She is living alone, making house calls and tending to patients trying to regroup and move on quietly. Until she’s betrayed and arrested for saving a life.

Her saving grace? Her life-saving abilities. None other than King George III has come to her aid requesting her immediate release to become the personal physician to his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte. She quickly comes to see the dark side of court life, becoming entangled in a secret society called Companions to the Death, where nothing is what it seems and no one is to be trusted.

Thanks to Wednesday Books, Dana, and Netgalley for an ARC of Immortality.

You might not believe it since it took me over a year to actually read it, but Immortality was one of my most hyped releases of last year. And in fairness, I did read it sooner than I’m reviewing it…most of my reviews run several months behind my read dates…which are usually several months behind where they should be! And, side note, once again the cover art is TO. DIE. FOR. I mean, look at it.

Dana writes beautifully. Her descriptions are lush and her knowledge of the time period in which she writes in is extremely well-researched (check out Royal Blood anywhere you get your podcasts to hear her historical true crime stories). It could be the time period or the subject matter, but I’m quite sure that it’s really just Dana’s writing style that leaves readers feeling haunted. We met so many new and fun characters that fit easily in and didn’t cause any confusion.

I think that it is best to go into this book blindly because I feel that it largely detaches from book 1, while also staying on course and giving us everything we loved in Anatomy and then some. And the ending, it was just *chef’s kiss* and I don’t know if I could’ve wanted anything more.

In this historical fantasy novel, we follow the journey of Hazel Sinnett, who is grappling with the aftermath of her previous adventures involving immortality and Dr. Beecham’s mysterious tonic. Alone and half-convinced that those events were mere figments of her imagination, Hazel now spends her days treating patients and maintaining the decaying Hawthornden Castle.

However, fate intervenes when Hazel is arrested for saving a life. A message arrives, altering her course: she is requested to be the personal physician of Princess Charlotte, the sickly granddaughter of King George III. As Hazel steps into the glamour and intrigue of the British court, she becomes entangled with the enigmatic Companions to the Death, a social club harboring secrets and possessing the same immortality as Dr. Beecham.

The novel explores themes of self-determination, the price of immortality, and the role of scientific knowledge in society. As Hazel navigates court politics, she realizes that her future as a surgeon isn’t the only thing at stake—malicious forces are at work within the monarchy, and she may be the only one capable of setting things right.

Dana Schwartz’s prose is accomplished, weaving historical events seamlessly into her fictional narrative. The courtly intrigue, the enigmatic Companions, and the mystery surrounding immortality create an engaging backdrop.

I loveloveloved returning to this world! I was so heartbroken by the cliffhanger in Anatomy and it was amazing to see Hazel and Jack together again.

Both books in the duology read and I remain at a complete and utter loss as to why this is called "A Love Story" when that amounts to *maybe* 4% of this book ...

But enjoy it all the same, I did. It's such a smooth read that I practically inhaled the audiobook. I was a little worried going into this because I haven't read the first in the series since it came out, but I was pleased to find that I still remembered quite a bit and the book gave a great recap. Everything I loved about the first was in this sequel and honestly, I had a great time. Was it as good? No. Thus why my review is technically 4.5, but Dana Schwartz is still a fabulous author, either way. Hazel is a great character with so much ambitious and courage to do what society tells her not to, and I loved seeing her thrive and prove them wrong.

Please let the record show though, I think Hazel absolutely picked the wrong dude. That's all I'll say on the matter.

While I preferred the initial book in this series, I did enjoy seeing the story progress in a meaningful way. I do hate love triangles though.

This is not usually my jam, but I ended up really liking this duology. The driving factor in that is because of how much I loved the character of Hazel. She was independent, quirky, unapologetically herself, and a force.

I love when i find a YA book i enjoy without it feeling too YA. this is a solid book and great addition to the series.not to meantion the cover is amazing

Historical fiction fantasy!
18yo Hazel lives in her family’s manor and continues to help those in need of medical care until she’s arrested for murder. She’s released and brought to the ailing princess to heal her. Hazel still has to fight the societal standards that believe a woman isn’t capable of intelligent work, let alone being a doctor. While at the palace treating the Princess, Hazel receives an invitation to a Companions to the Death meeting. She’s astonished at what she discovers!

Likes/dislikes: The romance is sweet. Intense parts kept me glued to the pages. I wish there was a third book in this series.
Mature Content: PG-13 for kissing.
Language: PG for 6 swears and no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: The ethnicity is predominantly white with mention of a Black man.

"Immortality: A Love Story" by Dana Schwartz is an enchanting tale that seamlessly melds the ethereal concept of immortality with the tender intricacies of love. Through the eyes of its protagonists, Schwartz paints a vivid portrait of eternity, exploring the complexities of existence and connection beyond the confines of time. With lyrical prose and a deft touch, the author weaves a narrative that transcends the boundaries of mortality, delving into the depths of emotion and longing that define the human experience. As the characters traverse the vast expanse of centuries, their love becomes a beacon of hope amidst the ever-shifting tides of history. "Immortality: A Love Story" is a captivating journey that will linger in the hearts of readers, reminding us all of the enduring power of love in a world where everything else is fleeting.

Very happpy to come back to this world. Anatomy was one of my favorite debuts. This book didn’t hit quite the same to me, but I still enjoyed the poetic lines and just the quirky vibe of this book. Would recommend this duology to my friends! The covers are also too knotch!

This was a great followup to a book I thought was a standalone - even after the cliffhanger ending. I think Immortality did a great job of wrapping up any and all questions we had while asking new ones that didn't necessarily need answers.

Why did I put off reading this for so long?!

I had so much fun rereading the first one, and was so happy to finally get to this!

It definitely didn’t go the direction I was expecting, but it was a fun direction nevertheless!

There were a lot of new characters introduced, and I do wish we got some more time with the characters from the first book, but I did enjoy many of the new ones.

And, like everyone else, last year I was obsessed with Queen Charlotte on Netflix- so reading about her granddaughter was super fun!

I wouldn’t mind a third one👀👀