Cover Image: Immortality: A Love Story

Immortality: A Love Story

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I enjoyed reading this book, it was better than the first one. It so well written, great descriptive writing with an amazing plot. I couldn't get enough of this book. If you read the first, you'll definitely want to pick up this one, you won't be able to put it down.

Was this review helpful?

Immortality: a love story
To Be Published: February 28, 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Supernatural
Trigger warnings: Graphic depiction of human anatomy; medical procedures
5/5 Stars
Summary from Amazon:
Beecham has disappeared. Is Jack alive or dead? Hazel does not know, but she is determined to carry on her medical practice in Hawthorden Castle until she finds out.
When saving a life leads to her arrest, Hazel seems doomed to rot in prison until a message intervenes: Hazel has been specifically requested to be the personal physician of Princess Charlotte, the sickly granddaughter of King George III. Soon Hazel is dragged into the glamor and romance of a court where everyone has something to hide, especially the enigmatic, brilliant members of a social club known as the Companions to the Death.

As Hazel’s work entangles her more and more with the British court, she realizes that her own future as a surgeon isn't the only thing at stake for her. Malicious forces are at work in the monarchy, and Hazel may be the only one capable of setting things right.
Review: Hazel is swept away to court, where new characters based on actual historical figures live, and where she must solve medical mysteries in order to continue to survive and be free. Hazel is also invited to join a secret society The Companions to the Death – she is unsure of their motives or purpose. Hazel also learns the fate of Jack Currer. Will Hazel continue to pursue her dreams of being a surgeon or follow a different destiny? The stunning finale to the Anatomy Duology is full of surprises for the reader. Anatomy: a love story was a slow burn and Immortality picks up the pace with suspense, action. Hazel Sinnett is a character that will inspire young women to dream for more and to achieve their goals in life.

Was this review helpful?

This is an excellent follow up to Anatomy, it makes for a very fun sequel and I think fans of the first novel will really like it. However, the tone of this book is quite different, it's much more fantastical than the first, which up until the very end, felt quite grounded in reality. I still liked this book, but it was a very different reading experience that the first book. Dana Schwartz's love of history is certainly on display again, it felt well researched, but it was also fun to see her play around with the real history. I think it's a can't miss book for fans of Anatomy!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Immortality continues the story of Hazel Sinnett which began in the book Anatomy. The cover art continues to wow, but the story is also wow worthy as well. In this follow-up, Hazel is wrongfully accused of murder and is saved from death by becoming the doctor tending to Princess Charlotte who is suffering from an unknown illness. Questions still abound around whether Jack is still alive as well as Beecham.

Overall, this was a worthy follow-up and kept the story moving. I found myself enjoying this book a bit more than Anatomy, but it was most likely because there was less need to world build and you can get right into the story since there is a familiarity with the characters and setting.

I can't recommend both Anatomy and Immortality enough!

Was this review helpful?

I have a soft spot for a good gothic romance, so I love Dana Schwartz's macabre royal history podcast, Noble Blood, and her novel Anatomy: A Love Story. When I heard the announcement for its sequel, Immortality: A Love Story, I was excited to spend more time with Hazel in atmospheric 19th century Edinburgh and pick up the unanswered questions from the first novel.

I had high expectations for this sequel, which partially explains why I had trouble settling into the story. After Anatomy's epilogue, I was convinced that Jack had survived his hanging, and I had the sense that Hazel shared the same faith. In Immortality's opening, I was surprised to see her certainty wavering, and confused to the point of distraction because the contents of the unsigned letter Hazel receives that hints at Jack's survival had changed. In Anatomy's epilogue, the note reads, "My beating heart is still yours, and I'll be waiting for you," while in the proofs I received of Immortality, the note is a far less romantic but more direct request to "find me in America." I felt that Hazel's uncertainty about how to proceed makes more sense with the original missive.

Continuity issues aside, I felt that Immortality struggled to find its footing. The first third or so of the novel focuses on Hazel's imprisonment for assisting a young woman with an abortion. I found this plot arc jarring, especially since it largely serves as a plot device to get Hazel to London, where the bulk of the novel's action occurs. Hazel's arrest and imprisonment are barely mentioned afterwards, with minimal impact on the subsequent plot.

Once Hazel arrives in London, the novel finally settles into its three main plotlines: Hazel treats Princess Charlotte for a mysterious illness, meets a secret society of immortals who have all taken Dr. Beecham's tincture, and faces a choice between Jack and a new love interest. I was initially worried by the introduction of a love triangle, but I really enjoyed how Schwartz plays with the plot device. Instead of the superficial drama of "who will she choose?," each love interest represents a different type of future Hazel could lead. As such, this decision becomes a major turning point for Hazel, in which she must decide whether to follow the passion of her first love, despite the doubt and distance, into a romantic, wild unknown, or establish herself in society with a peer and colleague who respects and supports her work as a collaborator.

I most enjoyed the alternate histories woven throughout the novel. I was happy to see Princess Charlotte get a happy ending. Pure wish fulfillment for anyone who wants more for a historical heroine who is largely remembered in tragedy. I found the introduction of the Companions to the Death an especially rich development. The members' immortality allows different intellectuals of the 18th and 19th century to cross paths and converse. I love the allure of a secret society, and the fantasy of all of these figures in the same room is good fun. I especially loved Lord Byron's appearance among the members; his characterization as a self-absorbed drama queen felt like a treat especially for me. Most compellingly, the return of Dr. Beecham's immortality tincture allows the story to pick up the ethical questions surrounding immortality, beyond its individual ramifications, by revealing a scheme to control political outcomes.

This novel ended up being very different from what I had expected. Hazel's relocation to London society gives the novel a more Bridgerton feel. While I enjoyed it, I missed the gothic elements. Despite this tonal change and sometimes unwieldy plot pacing, I was happy to spend more time with these characters.

Was this review helpful?

Was so excited to get a copy this book in my hands! Just could not wait to read this one! It did not disappoint, even better than the first book in the series!

I read in from start to finish in one sitting! Give yourself a big block if time, you will not want to put it down!

Love the characters Hazel, Jack and Simon so much! Just WOW! A five star plus book for sure. #1 bestseller!

Highly, highly recommend

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books for granting me an advance copy of this book in exchange my honest opinions.

Was this review helpful?

3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4)

——

Immortality: A Love Story picks up where Anatomy leaves us: Hazel is trying to make her way as a surgeon, running her small clinic from her home and mourning the possibility of her love story with Jack. When she’s charged with murder, nothing seems to be going her way until a stroke of luck places her as the personal physician to Princess Charlotte, the beloved but sickly granddaughter to the King. But the whirlwind of the British Court hides much behind its starry exterior. Introducing new characters, like the charming Simon, doctor to the mad King, this book was a wonderful addition to the Anatomy world. While I was content with the ending of Anatomy, I found myself genuinely curious about where this new adventure would take us.

What I love about this book is the gothic, sometimes spooky, vibe to the 1800s London-Scotland backdrop. This book doesn’t shy away from the morbid or from having a little gore. The introduction of the bright lights of London help offset the heavy feel of Edinburgh. There is this feel of Tuck Everlasting meets Jane Austen with just a dash of Gilmore Girls (anyone else just get that vibe from these books?). The addition of these new characters helped offset the impossibility of Jack’s immortality by introducing more immortal folks, showing how deep within society immortality thrives and influences.

What I didn’t love was Hazel and her romance with Jack. While Hazel is certainly a flawed character, she seems too perfect for the timeline and setting she’s thrown into. She’s headstrong and resilient, which I love, but the impossibility of a respected female surgeon in the 19th century is just that - impossible. For her not to have to continue to disguise herself as a man to do her work is just unrealistic, even for a fantasy novel where immortality thrives. I like the push back of society towards her with her imprisonment in this novel, but hired by British nobility to serve the Princess? I just can’t see it. I wanted to see more push back, more skepticism towards her from the British monarch (okay there is some) and from society for being a female surgeon. Despite all that, I loved how Anatomy ended with such an emphasis on Hazel’s work. She didn’t need this overwhelming love to be whole because she had her true love of work. To reverse that in this book and make her have that romantic happy ending with a man just killed it for me. I wanted the love story to be with her work, not a happily ever after. But that’s just me.

Overall, this book is perfect for every lover of gothic romance, historical fantasy, medicine/anatomy, and the impossible.

Was this review helpful?

**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz was a great conclusion to Hazel and Jack, I loved the journey and how Hazel grew into herself more away from home. Im glad that we weren't left to wonder about the other characters at the end, we got to see where they ended up.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book and this cover is amazing! My second book from this author and I'm so glad I got to read this. Such descriptive writing and a beautiful story. Can't wait for another!

Thank you NetGalley and Dana Schwartz!

Was this review helpful?

I was so happy to receive this ARC as I was on the edge of my seat after finishing Anatomy: A Love Story. If you enjoyed the first book or haven’t taken a look at it yet but enjoy historical fiction and romance, this is perfect for you. Beyond the classic features of a historical fiction romance, this book has beautiful language and a heroine who will stop at nothing to pursue her dreams. I also loved the push and pull between science and magic in this book as it’s always fun to examine the way that concepts intertwine, especially in fiction. I can’t wait until the release to share some quotes that I loved but until then add this to your tbrs.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

As always, I love Dana Schwartz. Immortality is a great follow up to Anatomy. The action wasn't quite as thrilling in this book but it was nice to see Hazel settle into herself and who she truly wants to be and that she is able to find a community who supports her. I appreciated how the real life figures are part of the world, but don't overwhelm it. I hope there is more to this series!

Was this review helpful?

4.5/5 stars

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC! I had read and enjoyed "Anatomy", book one of Dana Schwartz's duology. It was well-written with a fun cast of characters and an interesting central mystery, but it suffered a bit from some pacing and worldbuilding issues: while initially it read like straight historical fiction, there was an element of supernatural that came (to me) out of nowhere. The titular love story itself was also a little weak to me.

However, I enjoyed it enough that I was willing to give its sequel, "Immortality" a try, and boy, am I glad I did. "Immortality" is an improvement on the original book in every aspect. Hazel, already a fun protagonist, gets some additional depth and direction as she struggles to find herself in a magical world clashing with the science she cherishes. "Immortality" is essentially a mystery - Hazel is tasked with redeeming herself by assisting in the diagnosis of an ailing royal - and the story is all the more stronger for the focus on plot, character, and intrigue. We're introduced to a brand new cast in London, complete with royal court, secret societies, and Frankenstein-esque body horror. While the love story that was weakest to me in the first book is still present, it's not nearly the focus, and this made "Immortality" such a joy. It's one of those books that makes the first book even better by virtue of how it concluded. Highly recommended to fans of strong heroines, light gothic horror, and YA historical fantasy.

Was this review helpful?

The beauty of the cover was what attracted to me by the first book in this series, and so with great authority I can say, 'you can definitely judge these books by their beautiful covers!' Like I said, I loved the first book, and am very pleased to say that I loved the second book as well, perhaps even more! A gothic thriller and romance, Victorian-era Scotland and England, interesting characters and a swoon-worthy romance - I loved it all. And I am so grateful I got the chance to review this ARC, because the ending of the first book was fantastic yet diabolical of the author, and so I desperately needed to know what happened next! I highly recommend this book and the first in the series, and cannot wait to own this book in its print version!

Was this review helpful?

Immortality: A Love Story is a perfect sequel. It builds on the plot and events of Anatomy but has its own well developed story, as well. I loved Immortality so much because the ending of Anatomy was unexpected, and so I really had no idea what to expect with Immortality, and it’s so good I could hardly put this book down.

I was worried that Immortality would use bait and switch tactics to rope the reader in with tropes and excessive plot twists, but that is not the case at all. Dana Schwartz cradles her readers—not in a spoon feeding sort of way—but she takes care of them by creating such an immersive world and telling a fantastic story without ripping the reader’s heart out for pain’s stake.

I couldn’t get enough of this. I am eager to read whatever Dana writes next!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me to enjoy this ebook early in exchange for my honest review.

It’s very hard to go into a book unbiased, with no expectations. It was even hard for this book because I already read and loved the first one but I tried! I enjoyed it so much it was a great follow up and ending to an already incredible love story. I read the first book because I had heard it was a love story for people who didn’t really like romance. That checks out because with the mix of supernatural, historical, medical and horror aspects of the story, the romance part wasn’t centered. It wasn’t overly mushy or cheesy either so bonus points for that.

This book continues our story of Hazel, a young girl in 19th century Scotland who wants to be a surgeon in a time where women aren’t allowed to be much of anything. In the first book, she falls in love with Jack, a resurrection man aka a man who digs up bodies in the graveyards and sells them to medical professionals for study and practice.

We get to see Hazel go through so much in her quest to become an intellectual, a doctor, a respected person in society. We get answers to the questions we were left screaming about when the first book ended. We meet some new characters who I fell head over heels in love with. There’s drama, there’s betrayal, theres science, there’s mystery and there’s love.

I can’t say enough good things about this book, preorder it, grab it, read it as soon as possible. This is a great story and this book made it an incredible duology that I am still thinking about.

Was this review helpful?

I highly recommend reading Anatomy: A Love Story before this. While the author does a good job recapping what happened in the prior book, the initial book does leave a mild cliff hanger ending, and that's where this story picks up.

I will keep this review as spoiler free as possible for both books

This is also a historical fiction laced with gothic supernatural elements. A strong, independent-thinking girl fights for her right to be a surgeon when all of her family and society expected her to marry a rich man. She stumbles upon a mystery in the prior book, which is further explored in this sequel.

Struggling to find her way to become a proper surgeon, Hazel gains a reputation for assisting those in society who fall upon hard times. This compassion and willingness to pursue her dreams at all costs further propel both herself and her reputation until she is eventually practicing in the heart of London.

Hazel finds that there is much more to the mystery than she ever expected. She has a heart of compassion, and the intelligence required to make a difference in the medical field. A field that is dominated by men. . She must decide her fate: Which side will she choose?

This book's love story between Hazel and Jack plays out while delving into complex issues such as feminism, abortion, LQBTQ rights, forced marriages & corrupt political power.

Was this review helpful?

The love story in this book isn’t as enrapturing as the first book but still such a fun and enjoyable read since it made up for that with the sprinkling of diversity and representation that the first one lacked. I enjoyed the *spoiler* secret society *spoiler*. I love, love Simon and hope if there is a third book, that we learn more of him. I’m crossing my fingers that Dana wants to write a third!

Was this review helpful?

“My heart is yours,” he said. “Beating or still.”

I originally read Anatomy: A Love Story earlier this year at the behest of instagrams algorithm. I wasn’t disappointed. I’m normally not one for historical romance or mystery, but that book kept me enticed reading Hazel and Jacks story/stories.

I felt as though this book followed more along the lines of me not getting in to a historical fiction book like I’d normally guess. I also have a somewhat difficult time with romance that isn’t really romance?

It took me a lot of effort and time to get through the first 60% of the book because there’s just a lot to unpack when there doesn’t necessarily need to be? Secret societies, false murder accusations, deaths, non-deaths/fake deaths, random attempted murder. It’s just a lot, but again it could just be because of my preferences as Dana is an incredible writer.

Dana Schwartz is a fantastic author and I would love to see more of their works in different book settings.

Was this review helpful?

I loved Anatomy so much but the somewhat ambiguous ending had me *hoping* for a sequel…so this was one of my most anticipated upcoming winter releases!

Dana’s writing is such a pleasure to read. Beautifully descriptive and creative, and it pulls you right back into the story. I love Hazel so much, she’s easily one of my favorite MC’s ever. I love how she is brilliant and serious but also loves a pretty dress - and totally owns it…but also couldn’t care less most of the time. I found the duality highly amusing and relatable.

The romance is similar to the first book where it is somewhat a side note until towards the end, and it’s a nice, low spice vibe. I felt like the middle meandered a bit, I would have liked to see some of those middle bits swapped out for the ending being a little more fleshed out. But overall I very much enjoyed the story and was so happy to be back in Hazel’s world. And I can’t wait to see what Dana writes next!

Was this review helpful?

3.75/5 (so getting rounded up to 4) A sequel to Anatomy: A Love Story. Following Jack's hanging, Hazel is bereft but keeps working as a doctor in Edinburgh. She is hopeful that the tincture she gave Jack worked, but is not really sure besides an anonymous letter she received (which at least in this proof was different from the end of Anatomy???). However, soon she has to worry about herself when she is accused of murder after helping a woman who tried to get rid of her pregnancy. Imprisoned, she is sure that now she is going to die. However, she soon is freed to go try to find out what is wrong with the Princess of England. There, she reconnects with Jack and a mysterious society of immortals.

I missed the darker tones of Anatomy here. The first 40% ish of the book felt like a really extended set-up/deux ex machine just to get Hazel to London. Once she was there and got in with the immortals, I was so much happier with the story. I think it almost would've been better if she had moved to London after Jack's death. We could've skipped the whole imprisonment storyline and it would've been ok. I liked the alternate history with Princess Charlotte, but again if Hazel had just become part of the underworld of London, I think she could've been noticed by the immortals then. Overall, a decent sequel (once you get to the second half) but missing the gothic tones from the first book!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?