Member Reviews

After the cliff hanger of book one, this was a thoroughly enjoyable book 2 experience!

The pacing and writing flowed so well, it was a quick and easy read to follow Hazel as she moved to a new adventure with so much intrigue.

While continuing with an empowering feminist voice, Schwartz cleanly tied up any lingering questions from book one and gives readers a thrilling conclusion to the duology!

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Immortality is the sequel to the wonderfully written Anatomy. (which I absolutely DEVOURED). This is no different. I loved the originality of this duology and am heartbroken to see that it is finished. More secrets await in Immortality and you will find yourself completely engrossed in the words Dana Schwartz has written for us. Truly spectacular story teller. These two books have moved her to my "must buy" author list. I don't care what it is. Dana Schwartz is THAT phenomenal.

a HUGE thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this a few days early.

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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved Anatomy and couldn't put this one down! And LOVE this cover!!
Really enjoyed the twists and turns of this sequel. Perfect amount of mystery and romance. I highly recommend reading the first book, Anatomy, before reading this one! Dana Schwartz's writing is so well done.

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In this second book of the series Hazel has started treating patients as a surgeon and is starting to get her life back together. She has no idea if Jack is alive or dead, but she starts to venture out from her gloomy castle. When she treats the wrong patient she finds herself thrown into jail, only saved from the gallows by an unexpected order from the royal court.

It is great to have another novel with Hazel in it. She is a very strong feminist character, and I love how sure of herself she is with confidence way ahead of her time. I found the royal setting and Princess Charlotte very interesting, and liked the change from her working alone in her Scottish castle. A wonderful job was done with the historical details and I really appreciated it. I did think the jail scenes were a little hard to believe in the way she is suddenly released after being told little about her charges. The secret society was SUPER intriguing and I enjoyed the cast of characters - especially the unique way that Hazel could help it's members.

Based on this book alone, I found myself more invested in Hazel's relationship with Simon instead of Jack. Everything draws from where their relationship left off in the last book, and Jack does nothing to really convince me that they have a great love that can endure. I was just left wanting more from them both.

Once again the cover is beautifully done! I do recommend this book, especially if you like strong women and medicine. It is not nearly as graphic as the first book when it comes to medical procedures, which is a plus. This is definitely a YA book and the romance is fairly innocent. Looking forward to more from Schwartz in the future. I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press.

3.5 stars rounded up

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First off: I cannot express how much I enjoyed being in Hazel’s world. As a woman who loves science and healthcare, I immediately fell in love with Hazel’s plight to study and learn in this space. And as a lover of dark academia, this story was a beautiful combination of everything I adore. Immortality was a great continuation of Hazel’s journey, getting to see her shift into navigating a royal court was fascinating and interesting. Dana Schwartz’s sequel seemed less gothic, but still riveting nonetheless.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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NetGalley ARC
First of all, I can’t start this review without openly marvelling at how the cover is absolutely gorgeous like the first book!
This book was a great wrap up and conclusion for what happened in the first book, anatomy: a love story, since there was a lot of things unanswered with that (sorta) open ending.
But, I honestly think that this book was too unnecessarily long and would have been better as a novella to the first book thought. Returning to the historical/medieval vibes was great, I’ll be missing it!

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I've been a fan of Dana's since her twitter fame days and I really loved Anatomy when I read it last year. I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but I adored how Anatomy ended -all bittersweet and open ended but with a lot of hope and I didn't really wonder about what happened with Hazel and Jack because I thought it was implied.

That being said, while I didn't think Anatomy needed a sequel, I was very curious about Immortality. Dana's writing is so good and I enjoyed just sitting down with her prose. I read this book very quickly and I liked the way the story wrapped up which felt true to both Hazel and Jack. However, I'm still not sure this book was really needed. There wasn't really a plot and the "villain" was sort of boring. There was also an introduction of a love triangle that didn't really serve the story.

I still really loved reading it and being back in that world and it was lovely to get closure for these characters.

Thank you SO much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Immortality is the much awaited sequel to Anatomy: A Love Story. It follows as Hazel continues her work as a doctor to the poor. Although I love the premise of a female doctor in this time, I felt that this sequel was lacking luster in comparison to the first book in the duology. Overall, I did enjoy the book, although it is nothing of what I anticipated. I also love that the author clearly has no shortness of talent when it comes to illustrating their words into a picture.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Dana Schwartz, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin’s Press for the digital arc of this book.

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Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sending me this e-arc the read and review.
I really liked this installment in Dana Schwartz's series/duology. Even though I did enjoy the Anatomy better I could love and appreciate what was said in this story. 3.25 rounded down to a 3 for GoodReads.

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Book Review: Immortality by Dana Schwartz

Immortality: A Love Story is the second book in the “Anatomy Duology” by Dana Schwartz. It is a young adult historical novel with elements of royal intrigue, fantasy and gothic romance.
When Immortality opens Hazel Sinnett is still working quietly as a female surgeon out of her estate in Edinburgh. She doesn’t know exactly what happened to her lover Jack after she gave him the immortality serum nor her former teacher the murderous Dr. Beecham. After helping a local woman Hazel ends up in hot water with the law only to get a last minute reprieve from the royal family in England. Princess Charlotte of Wales is in poor health and they hope a young female doctor might able to help. Hazel finds herself embroiled in the politics of the monarchy, a secret society in London that includes some of the greatest minds of the time and a flirtation with King George’s personal physician.
Immortality combines the gothic vibes of Anatomy with some details about the British monarchy in 1818. Although it diverges from the actual facts it still has some fun name drops in its alternative history. I enjoy Hazel as a character because of her unending quench for knowledge and need to be herself at any cost.
I recommend this sequel to anyone that enjoyed Anatomy: A Love Story and is looking for more science, dark deeds and romance.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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These YA gothic romances are super quick reads and there’s a lot to like about them - they’ve got a plucky heroine who’s trying to make it in a man’s world, hot makeouts in graveyards, 1800s UK historical figures. Surgery and anatomy talk usually icks me out, but here I was fine with it. Wild some of the cures they used to have!

But there were some things that also didn’t work for me. Nothing really happens in either book until about the 80% point, and then TOO much happens at once, where not a lot of thought seems put into certain decisions. The sci-fi twists these books take made…very little sense. Also, I hate to say it, but the romance didn’t really work for me! The chemistry Hazel has with the second guy in Immortality was hotter, sorry!

I do wish there was a short epilogue in this sequel. I want just a glimpse of where Hazel ends up!

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My thoughts are currently unassembled and my mind is still reeling from that emotional whirlwind but what a sequel!!!!

Dana Schwartz outdid herself. Honestly, couldn't have asked for a better finale and I do not understand the bad reviews? Did we read the same book? Don't think so. Everything that I loved in the first one is all here, but even better and ugh I so loved this series so much.

From the creepy atmosphere, to the Victorian setting, to the dark body descriptions and the delightful romance, I really couldn't ask for more. And ofc the discussions on feminism in this time period. Hits every single time.

I was tabbing up a storm with this book. A new hobby of mine but there were just so many great lines and I love Dana Schwartz's writing. So excited to see what she does next.

I honestly couldn't have asked for more. And I think what lacked in character depth in the last book really came out in this one. I love Hazel as a character so much and I loved how we got to see how lonely she was? That's always a hard conversation but it's so vulnerable and real. And relatable welp.

And the plot!!!! I mean, what a rollercoaster. Honestly mindblown and not at all what I expected but such a fascinating take on history. I'm a huge history fanatic and I love when authors combine history and fiction *sighs*

Aside from that, I was rooting for the romance SO FREAKING HARD. Ugh my heart was pounding the entire time and I wanted to know what would happen. Love the rise of the love triangle done right. I mean it was pretty obvious who she'd end up with and my heart was melting.

If you're looking for an atmospheric YA historical fiction with a fast-paced plot, Victorian setting and lots of romance, this is a great series for you to devour. Literally. It's honestly so good and I need more people to love it alongside me. And scream alongside me because that happens too <3<3<3

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Excellent follow up. This is a great YA series and I hope Dana Schwartz continues writing. I look forward to including this and the previous book in my class library And will be encouraging students to read!

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Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz is the much awaited follow up to one of my favourite books of last year; a book that I instantly pre-ordered when I first heard about this sequel back in September.

Okay, so after having some time to think about this book, I've concluded that I liked it a lot, but seeing as how I LOVED Anatomy: A Love Story, I'm a bit disappointed that it didn't quite get there; it had a lot to live up to, mind you.

I feel like there's so much I want to say, but I also think that if you want to read this one, you should go in blindly (because of the wow factor), so this review is going to be slightly cryptic!

Hazel is everything and more that I want from a heroine (Paper Bag Princess vibes still remain), but I think I just wanted a bit more from her and the other characters overall. Hazel is still struggling being a female in a world that says she should be at home, not becoming a doctor and writing a treatise; a time when women weren't often published (I'm VERY happy something related to her publication didn't happen). The first book handled the magical realism (alright, probably fantasy) aspect so lightly, and this one had a heavier dose of it, which somehow irritated me. The representation was a beautiful and surprising touch. I wanted more of one aspect, after realizing it was maybe what I loved most about the first book (because it gave me ALL the right feelings)... but I was just left longing for more of it.

In summery to this very bizarre pile of thoughts... I love Hazel so much, but I just loved her and her story more in the first book. Obviously, I'd be delighted if a third book made its appearance, as I suspect that would give me more of the craving that wasn't entirely fulfilled by this book.

Final, final thoughts: the covers are brilliant, the titles are brilliant, Hazel is brilliant.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy to read and review.

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Immortality is the sequel to Anatomy: A Love Story. I'll try to keep away from spoilers for book one.

In Anatomy, we met Hazel Sinnet, a teen girl in 1817 Scotland, who desperately wants to be a surgeon. She dresses as a man to study, and she meets Jack, a young graverobber, whose friends are disappearing, and they team up to investigate. 

The duology is a mix of young adult historical fiction, romance, and fantasy/horror.

Immortality picks up with Hazel working as a surgeon, and trying to finish writing her medical treatise, when she's accused of a crime.

Hazel is the best part of this duology: she's a wonderful character, intelligent and full of heart. I really enjoyed seeing her further adventures, and her grief and healing felt deep and real.  

Like the first book, this one was a bit unevenly paced.  There were moments I wanted to see more of (especially Hazel coming into her own as a surgeon -- I wanted more of the creepy, bloody stuff from book one) and sometimes it felt like things resolved much too easily.  

However, I still really recommend this book just because it's so different from other YA books out there right now.  It's unpredictable and doesn't rely on easy tropes.

I do recommend reading Anatomy first, as I don't think this would work as a standalone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for my review copy of this book.

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Gosh I love this series (well I hope it's a series because I NEED the life and times of Jack and Hazel) so much! The premise of it all is so unique and the storytelling is just incredible. Immortality is such a fun and FULFILLING follow up to Anatomy which made it even more of a joy to read. The twist at the end threw me for a loop & I was so happy when Hazel ended up taking the tincture. If Dana Schwartz does continue on with this series I hope we get to see Hazel see a time where her medical gifts are appreciated as they should be.

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This was an easy read but I felt like it wasn’t really necessary and the series could have been a standalone instead.
The writing is easy to read and flows well but the pacing felt slow. Nothing really happened until 70% in and then everything happened at once.
I love Hazel as a protagonist and it was fun to see her continue to see her pursue her passion as a surgeon. I also loved gothic atmosphere to the story.
The love story plot line in this book felt a bit forced and underdeveloped to me. I didn’t believe the chemistry and it made some of the decisions confusing.
Overall a quick read but a bit slow at times.

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After reading Dana Schwartz debut novel “Anatomy: A Love Story” and it turned out to be one of my top 10 books read in 2022, I couldn’t resist reading the second book in the duology, “Immortality: A Love Story”. I was not disappointed! It had all of the things that I loved in the first book, and more.

Being able to read the continuation of Hazel’s story was truly a joy and adventure. The absolutely stunning covers are a great representation of what is contained within these books. Hazel is a women of science that sticks to her morals and understands the power of love. As a woman of science myself, I greatly appreciate how the author wrote about Hazel and I felt in her a kindred spirit. She struggles with the same things that all women scientists do: masochism, finding the balance between being a woman and a scientist/doctor, finding happiness and love while balancing an incorrigible spirit that constantly requires intellectual nourishment. Immortality has all of this plus mystery, a secret society, political intrigue and lovable characters.

I honestly cannot think of much that should dissuade anyone from reading this book. It is delightful whether you are a woman of science or not. The only thing that I can think of is that as a YA the romance is there and there is a bit of spice, but this is not a spicy romance and there is a love triangle of a sort. So, if you do not like romantic romance or love triangles, then maybe you wouldn’t like this book. I would still say that it would be worth a try though.

I truly loved this book. I will be rereading it in the future, and I do not reread books that I do not consider worthwhile. I cannot wait to see what Dana Schwartz does next!

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Immortality: A Love Story
by Dana Schwartz
5 stars

Hazel Sinnett is living alone in her castle, with her cook and maid. After the past events, she is unsure of what is going to happen now. Hazel decides to keep doing what she needs to do to help people who can't afford physicians and surgeons. After saving a lady's life, Hazel is arrested. While waiting in prison to be hung, one day Hazel is let go but she is requested to go to London to help Princess Charlotte. Unsure of how or why it happened, Hazel is grateful not to be dead and to get on with her work taking care of people. As new events happen Hazel goes through a roller coaster of emotions and hanging on while one thing after another comes to life.

If you have read the first book in this duology and wondering what happened to Jack, Hazel, and Dr. Beecham this will give you all the answers you need. I loved the first book and when I got approved to read this one I couldn't wait, Hazel is amazing in this story. She is a true badass, Im so happy with how her life leads her to what she always wanted in life. I don't want to give any spoilers away but if you read the first one definitely go read this one it will answer so much for you. Also, the cover I have to get a physical copy cause the cover is amazing.

Thank you, Net Galley and St. Martin Press for this eARC for an honest review
and thank you, Dana Schwartz, for writing such an incredible story.

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Immortality continues Hazel's story - this time following her to London, where she has been selected as physician to the Princess. While she continues to build her medical knowledge, she is swept up into the world of the Companions to the Dead and British society.

I thought the plot of this novel was much more developed compared to Schwartz's first in the duology. I thought Hazel was a stronger character who was much more set on setting her own path and furthering her career - and then Jack showed up. I did not care for his character in the first novel and thought this was going well until Jack showed up. While becoming a surgeon was so important to Hazel, she quickly gave it up, so I was a little let down. I loved the play on many historical characters within the novel, but just didn't end up liking the direction Schwartz took it.

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