I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately somewhere between being 24-38% into this book the plot was completely lost. The pacing is incredibly slow and there are too many things going on at the same time.

The Last Immortal is advertised as a gothic horror, but I unfortunately can't see it. The first few chapters in which the fmc is institutionalised in an insane asylum definitely had the potential and gave of those Penny Dreadful vibes. But after her release the plot was quickly lost. Peeled down, everything seemed to revolve around sex. From her touch (that turned EVERYONE on), to the mmc 'riding' his carriers and the fmc and uses them to just have... sex?

I also couldn't help notice that most of the - very few - POC characters in this book all end up getting killed off. The fmc seems to be mixed race, but lighter skinned than her brother (he's described as having dark skin) and is oversexualized.

And let's not forget this gem "Yes, but even a black woman can be pale if she keeps out the sun, I replied".

This book would have benefitted from one or more sensitivity readers and I really wish publishers would make use of them.

The characters were interesting and the story was engaging. I will look for other books by this author.

Amazing twists and turns that you won’t see coming. Hooked after the first page, didn’t want it to end!

This was a rough book for me but I think that was mostly due to the triggers involved, not really an issue with the writing. I liked the split up timeline of different points in the MC's life and the fantasy elements worked well. But it was a difficult finish.

Did Not Finish

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book. I’ve tried multiple times but I just couldn’t get behind it. I was excited for a gothic book but that’s about all that this had for me. I found myself uninterested in the story. I found myself uninterested in the characters. I wanted to know more about Ramillia and her life and her eventual marriage to Julian but…I just couldn’t care enough.

I wanted to like this book, especially with such a cool cover but I just couldn’t.

The Last Immortal by Natalie Gibson — A Haunting Gothic Descent into Immortality and Madness

Natalie Gibson’s The Last Immortal is a bold, atmospheric Gothic horror novel that immerses readers in a gaslight-era world of occult secrets, psychological torment, and female rage. This is not a tale for the faint of heart—but for those who can brave its darkness, it offers a gripping, unforgettable experience.
Goodreads
+1
Goodreads
+1

Told through the voice of Lady Ramillia Winmoore, the story begins in a Victorian asylum, where she awakens with no memory of the gruesome murder of her parents. Her release into the care of the enigmatic Sir Julian Lawrence only deepens the nightmare, as she is drawn into a secret society of immortals who feed on power, cruelty, and control. Ramillia’s journey is one of survival, transformation, and reckoning—with herself and the monsters who made her.
Amazon
+6
NetGalley
+6
bhcpress.com
+6

Gibson’s prose is rich and evocative, blending historical fiction with supernatural horror and psychological suspense. The novel explores themes of trauma, identity, and female empowerment in a world designed to silence women. As one reviewer notes, “Gibson explores the many facets of the female psyche; the mother, the child, the ruthless survivor, and raw sexuality” .
bhcpress.com

The narrative structure, reminiscent of a memoir, adds depth to Ramillia’s character, allowing readers to delve into her psyche and experience her transformation firsthand. The pacing is relentless, with shocking revelations and dark twists that keep the pages turning. As another reviewer states, “This book is a wild ride…one of those stories that I can tell will be sticking with me for a while” .
bhcpress.com
+6
NetGalley
+6
Amazon
+6
bhcpress.com

⚠️ Content Warning: The Last Immortal contains graphic depictions of violence, abuse, and psychological trauma. Readers should review content warnings before diving in.
NetGalley
+6
Goodreads
+6
The Movie Database
+6

Verdict: The Last Immortal is a daring and provocative addition to the Gothic horror genre. Gibson crafts a tale that is both harrowing and empowering, offering a unique perspective on immortality and the human condition. For readers seeking a dark, immersive experience that challenges and captivates, this novel is a must-read.

4/5 stars an extraordinary interesting take on a book. I loved the insane asylum take with her it had me drawn in on her story closely I would recommend it to everyone

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

Did not finish book.

Giving this a 3☆ because it does have potential, I just think that the triggerwarnings should've been more obviously there as I would've probably not picked it up then

The fact that she's to marry her cousin, and the weird comments about her dad liking her and her mother to look underaged?

This book is too much of a wild ride for me, and I think the trigger warnings should've been in the Netgalley description as they are very easy to miss once you start reading. 'this book is not for the faint of heart' is too little of a warning in my opinion

this book was really confused but I think this one's on me bcs i'm a bit stupid and couldn’t connect with the characters
thank you netgalley for the arc

I’m a bit conflicted with this book. Loved the gothic, gore vibes. Loved the fmc, she was strong build, smart and made you want to follow her and see more. The world building it was nicely built. But overall that was it. It was nothing especial. It was okayish.

I cannot give this a star rating because I am unsure how to feel.

I love horror, the trigger warnings were things I can make it through, but this was so heavy and dark and bleak it almost felt like a splatterpunk that takes place in a Victorian setting. I love gothic horror, but I felt like not only was I trying to not be bogged down by how dark it was, but I also had to try and solve a mystery that doesn't have all the clues there.

If you can read the warning list and be like "yeah these are alright" and want pitch black splatterpunk, this is for you.

The Last Immortal by Natalie Gibson had a lot of promise with its dark, gothic fantasy horror vibe, which initially intrigued me. The blend of genres created a unique atmosphere, and the author definitely didn’t shy away from pushing boundaries. However, that heavy reliance on atmosphere ultimately left the plot and characters feeling underdeveloped.

While the book certainly stands out in its approach, it often felt like shock value was prioritized over meaningful storytelling. The gore and triggering content seemed to be included for the sake of provocation rather than serving the story.

I do appreciate that the author was bold and tried something different, but personally, I felt it went a bit too far. If you’re sensitive to heavy content, this one’s worth checking the content warnings for, as it can be intense.

This book felt stagnant and sluggish, with little progress made by the end. The multiple POVs were confusing, and the transitions weren’t clear, often requiring me to reread sections to understand who was speaking. Parts 2 and 3 included unnecessary recaps that felt repetitive, making it seem like each section was a standalone story rather than part of a cohesive narrative.

I am s sucker for a good victorian gothic horror and this did not disappoint. The storyline and plot points pulled me in almost immediately

the first thing to know about this book is that it’s very dark. If you’re sensitive to certain topics, I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand. This gothic horror story dives deep into body horror and explores themes of sexual and emotional abuse, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

That said, the book absolutely delivered on its promise of darkness. The shocking twists kept me on edge at every turn, and the main character felt incredibly relatable, making it easy to empathize with their journey. The premise also stood out as fresh and unique—it didn’t feel like a story I’ve read countless times before which is beyond refreshing and a need from time to time.

2/5 stars
sorry but this book wasn’t for me. The characters felt off and a little flat. I guess I had higher expectations than what I got.

DNF around 50%. This book is way too long for what it is. It is written well, it’s just not my cup of tea. I might go back and try to power through it because I do want to know what happens and do like the premise.

This felt like it was 300 pages too long and unnecessarily gory and dark. I like dark things but this was a little much.

This book was a super heavy read. However, the gothic vibes were wonderful for the falltime if you are reading for ambience and not a quick moving plot. I noticed the trigger list has been updated since I checked first and I'm very thankful. A lot of the topics covered in this were dark and awful. If you weren't expecting them, it would have come as a scary surprise. If you like vibes and reading for feels this is for you. If you want a quick moving plot with super fleshed out characters, you may be disappointed.