I had such high hopes and expectations for this book after absolutely loving the first, but this one fell a bit flat for me. I think maybe this would’ve worked better as a trilogy, the first part seemed to drag and the second part seemed too rushed.

Overall, I liked the way everything wrapped up in the end, but I feel like we were rushed to the finish line and certain parts weren’t given the attention they should have.

Hazel is still amazing, and I would do anything for her.

Thank you Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted book and ALC. [Spoiler free series review]

What I enjoyed about this series:
• The Edinburgh setting (Anatomy) and London setting (Immortality)
• Gothic vibes
• Regency era
• Interesting main character
• Very unique premise
• Jack ♥️

I know I was not alone in feeling not fully satisfied with the ending to the first book in this series, Anatomy, so I was anxious to see where Immortality would take us. I have all sorts of mixed feelings about this series and there were parts I felt a little “eh” about it, but overall I enjoyed them. I love the gothic vibe and regency setting and there is a certain Midnight in Paris (one of my favorite movies!) feel to the sequel that I enjoyed. The series is 3/3.5 stars for me, but the audio narration is a 5!

TW/CW: descriptions of surgery and illnesses/dead bodies/grave digging. Abortion.

Anatomy definitely needed a sequel as I was definitely keen to get some well deserved closure after Hazel's realtionship with Jack and this one definitely doesn't disappoint. There is a whole lot of drama in Hazel's life with her being betrayed and ending up at the prison. Next, she is taken into royal life and a whole community called Companions of death with her constanly making huge decisions that could impact her life big time. As a sequel, though it felt a solid one, it could have been shorter in length. I definitely missed Jack in the one!

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Immortality is the second book in Dana Schwart's YA-Gothic Fantasy Romance The Anatomy Duology. First, let's get the most obvious thing out of the way. This cover is absolutely stunning and the two novels together are perfection. They also fit this story nicely. These books follow Hazel Sinnett, who after the tumultuous events of [book:Anatomy: A Love Story|57917042] finds herself on her own.

Not one to give up in the face of adversity, however, Hazel continues to plug along, doing what she does best; learning about human anatomy, while also putting her knowledge to good use helping the underprivileged of Edinburgh.

When a young woman comes to Hazel, scared and distressed, she never even considers turning the sick woman away, even though the procedure she requests is against the law. Unfortunately for Hazel, her efforts that day don't go unnoticed and she is arrested and imprisoned. The punishment, possibly execution. This is no joke.

Just when Hazel thinks it's the end of the road for her, a confounding message arrives that saves her skin. She has been specifically requested to be the personal physician of Princess Charlotte, the sickly daughter of King George IV. Before she knows it, Hazel is freed from prison and transported to the Palace, where she must befriend the Princess, a task easier said than done, and figure out just what the heck is wrong with her.

As Hazel becomes more involved with the royal court, it's clear to her that something is afoot. If she can't figure out what it is, and soon, there could be a lot more than just her life at stake. We have a mystery on our hands!

Immortality is a very solid sequel. Sometimes it can be difficult with a second book to create the same magic as the first, but I think Schwartz pulled it off overall. I was delighted from the get-go to be back with Hazel. I really grew to love her over the course of the first book and she was sticking true to herself in this follow-up.

As a girl who goes against the grain of what family and society expect of her, Hazel's personality rings true and is quite intriguing. I love how she never backed down, even when her family basically shunned her. She took risks and although doesn't live the most extravagant lifestyle, I think she's able to sleep pretty comfortably at night.

I was sorry to see her get into a bit of a pickle early on in this one, but it was fun watching how she got out of it. Of course it was more pure luck and her reputation than anything else, but we'll take what we can get. I also liked her immersion in the royal court. There were definitely some interesting characters flitting about around there and as expected, a ton of royal drama.

While this one didn't feel as dark and gothic to me, mainly due to the different road the plot went down, it was still well done as far as the atmosphere and overall vibe. I also missed the dynamic we had between Hazel and Jack in the first one. As they were getting to know one another, the pining and tension was fantastic and you really couldn't have that same thing here. I missed it, but obviously understand why that couldn't be a part of this continuation.

However, we do get another intriguing man, a doctor no less, circling around Hazel like a bee to honey, so that definitely brought some more cute fun.

I've enjoyed watching Hazel grow over the course of this story, as she became even more committed to her vocation, in spite of the contempt, disrespect and disregard she received from most of her male peers. I also enjoyed the light fantastical elements sprinkled throughout the duology, the idea of the immortality serum; to learn more, you'll have to read the book, by the way.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I enjoyed my time with this duology and am looking forward to reading more from Dana Schwartz. I hope she sticks to the gothic-feeling, light-fantasy romance style that she brought us here. She does it so well!

This is book two in the Anatomy Duology.

I loved Anatomy and I enjoyed this one just as much. Hazel has returned but this time around she’s sent to England to be the personal physician for Princess Charlotte, the granddaughter of King George III. While in London she’s trying to figure out why the princess is always ill, gets invited to a secret society of scholars, but all she keeps thinking about is Jack…

I would recommend reading Anatomy first to understand what’s going on. It was the perfect ending to the duology. Hazel is a strong woman, she’s rebellious, and she kept true to herself. I love how she always puts the needs of others first and the ending…no spoilers but I loved it! My only complaint is that Hazel’s story is over. ☹

Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz is a delightful follow-up to the first in the series, Anatomy: A Love Story. It picks up right where we left Hazel Sinnett, a young woman living in Scotland determined to become a surgeon during the Regency era when it was severely frowned upon for women to do anything other than become a wife and mother.

Ever since I finished reading Anatomy last year, I could not wait for Immortality to be released so I could find out what happens with Hazel & Jack. Despite some minor plot holes and pacing issues, I had a lot of fun reading this book and could not put it down. My only wish was that it was a bit longer to give more space to develop some of the relationships more. I didn’t feel as emotionally invested as I did with the first book.

That being said, the pages flew by as I immersed myself in the mysterious, Gothic world of Hazel Sinnett. Schwartz’s ability to blend historical fact with fiction adds a layer of authenticity that brings everything to life. The amount of care and research that went into the book is clear.

If you’re looking for a fun, quick read that has aspects of multiple genres including romance, historical fiction, and fantasy, the Anatomy: A Love Story duology is an excellent choice.


Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Dana Schwartz, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Immortality: A Love Story, the sequel to Anatomy: A Love Story.

Hazel Sinnett is back! I was so intrigued to see where Dana would take this sequel, I could not help myself and I had to sign up to review. I was pleasantly surprised with this sequel. It was a great follow-up filled with historical easter eggs and satisfying twists.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: We are back with Hazel and she is still more confident with a scalpel in hand than about the state of her life. After Jack’s disappearance, we return to her attempting to keep it all together. The Jack-shaped hole in her heart is apparent and does give Immortality’s Hazel a more mournful tone and demeanour. I did not see it as her spunk or spark from Anatomy having disappeared, instead, she has had to do some growing up and we are getting quite a natural character progression for someone trying to move on with her life after losing her first love.
Setting: This sequel gives us a change in setting as we are whisked away from Edinburgh to London. Not just to London but to a royal palace to help an ailing Princess Charlotte. The year is 1818. It was these historical easter eggs that really made the book shine. My biases come through here as for one I myself have a history degree, but also I am just a huge fan of Dana Schwartz’s history podcast Noble Blood. Fans of that podcast will love this book and if you are not already a listener of the podcast I highly recommend it.
Pacing: I was having some issues with the plot and pacing, especially in earlier parts of the story. Something as simple as it takes us four or five chapters to see Hazel arrested and to really kick off the impetus for the sequel. I personally would have tightened up those first few chapters, maybe into just one or two to keep the pacing going. I read another review that said this may have been better served by a novella which I don’t agree with as so many of the wider plot and world-building elements needed some room.
Romance: I do not want to go into much detail on the romance elements of the story as I do not want to spoil you. Obviously, this story opens with our protagonist heartbroken over the potential loss of her love. Of course, those who have read the first book, which is a must-do before this one will know the state of his life and death was left hanging in the balance. I wished some of the answers came a bit earlier, but that probably stems from some of the issues I had with the pacing. This book is less of a love story than Anatomy. A better subtitle to me maybe would have alluded to the mystery elements which were fascinating and probably one of my favourite parts of the book.

Immortality: a love story is the continuation of Anatomy: a love story. Spoiler: I LOVED Anatomy.

Sometimes in the dead of night, if Hazel distracted herself long enough….she could pretend that Jack was still alive.

The second instalment is full of:
•handsome doctors
•secret societies
•Victorian surgery
•love

This book was a fun, quick read. But I’m still just not quite sure how the secret society fit into it. I feel like Anatomy could exist as a stand-alone. However, I quite enjoyed Immorality.

This is the second book in The Anatomy duology. The first book, Anatomy: A Love Story (which came out last year) was such a surprising read and became a new favorite of mine. It had such a dark and gothic feel that lent itself well to the overall subject of the book. Hazel, the main character was trying to become a surgeon in 1800’s Scotland. This was unheard of for a woman in that time and frowned upon too. Hazel though, she just never gave up. She was tenacious and had so much ingenuity to problem solve. She was my absolute favorite character in the first book and she is still my favorite character after reading book two.

Book one ended on a cliffhanger of sorts so I couldn’t wait to read the sequel, Immortality. For me, it didn’t disappoint. I was on pins and needles so ready to find out what happened to Jack and without spoiling I will say it’s a bit into the book before that is revealed. The first book is still my favorite but I enjoyed this one and love where the author took it-especially when Hazel is called to court by King George to help save his daughter. I’d recommend this duology completely.

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It’s been a year since Dana Schwartz released Anatomy: A Love Story, but I had no trouble slipping right back into the world she’s created when I picked up Immortality: A Love Story.

And it starts at the cover. It’s a wow just like its predecessor, making it hard to pass by without picking it up. Immortality’s cover also foretells some of what will take place.

Schwartz’s prose is again inviting and compelling. And her characters — Hazel at the head — are perfectly cast and realized.

Anatomy A Love StoryThe main difference between the two books in this duology is how Hazel is perceived. In Immortality, no one wants her to become a surgeon and rarely is she a welcome help, even in the direst circumstances.

In Anatomy, Hazel has become a novelty of sorts. People welcome her gifts as a doctor, but she still lives on the outskirts of society. But once Hazel finds herself at the British court, things change. She finds a group of people who truly value her abilities, and that changes everything.

Immortality: A Love Story is a Gothic historical fiction novel with hints of Frankenstein-like science-fiction and romance. Schwartz deftly intertwines these elements, creating a world that’s believable. It’s a page-turning read that should be read in conjunction with its predecessor.

Thoughts: I was not blown away by the first book but wanted to finish the series out and was offered an advanced copy. I was PLEASANTLY surprised at how much I enjoyed this one and really think the author honed in on her skill to write about this particular time. I found myself wanting to pick it up often and finished in just a couple days!

Picking up almost immediately where ANATOMY ended, you find Hazel, now a surgeon in 19th century Edinburg. Women doctors/surgeons are still not seen as respectable and here is where Schwartz really had me - Hazel was such a trailblazer and romantic period feminist that it really spoke to the parallels we have in women’s and reproductive rights today. Another strong part of the story (and perhaps my favorite) was the nod to all of the political historical pieces of that time including Whigs and Tories, the French Revolution and the poetry, music and passion for life at that time.

My only qualms are 1) the love story was very meh (much like the first) and TBH, I would have rather seen her with (slight spoiler!) the other guy instead! And 2) there are a few plot holes that never got cleared up - especially a HUGE one dealing with abortion, arrests and jail time and it just kind of …went away?

Overall, a great Romantic period story with themes of women’s rights, feminism, lgbtq+ love and revolution!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

A stunning conclusion to Dana Schwartz’s Anatomy Duology, Immortality: A Love Story follows Hazel in the wake of Anatomy: A Love Story’s conclusion as she finds herself ensnared in the British court and the mysterious Companions to the Death.

When I reached Anatomy’s cliffhanger, I was absolutely distraught. There were so many loose ends, and I couldn’t wait to find out the answers to all my questions. Thankfully, Immortality answers all those questions and more. I think I honestly found this book more entertaining and engaging than Anatomy, though the story had a shallowness to it where Anatomy had more richness. Ultimately I’m pretty satisfied with the way things played out in Immortality, and I am positive that this duology is one I will be coming back to in the future for all the gothic vibes and interesting historical setting.

This book is the second part of The Anatomy Duology. I had been waiting for it for so long. This is an excellent cover (brain on this one, heart on the first). It's a delight that these two book covers share a common theme. For me, it was sad that this book ended. I would like it to be endless, so I can enjoy it for much longer than 400 pages.

I just love this world and will miss it. It was one of the most anticipated books of 2023. The characters here were as amazing as they were in the first one. This book stole my heart and I couldn't put it down until the last page. This story is well-written and perfectly crafted. There was an atmospheric writing style and a marvelous plot that made this story stand out. 

Another beautiful aspect of this story is its setting. Creating an ideal Gothic atmosphere was possible in England because of its mysterious nature. Hazel will have to face her past and make critical decisions. You will see these settings, and these streets, and smell these smells. It will be impossible for you not to feel her emotions when you are with her. It was so impressive, I liked it.  

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this book.

Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

This is book 2 of The Anatomy duology. I am glad Dana Schwartz wrote this book because book one leaves Jack in a cliffhanger. The writing is beautiful and flows nicely through the pages. Hazel has been arrested and gets the opportunity of a lifetime to get out of prison. She gets to be the Dr. for the princess. I like how intelligent Hazel is and people need to take her seriously with the medical knowledge she has is top notch.

There is so much happening in this story and the title has meaning within the story. Can you imagine being immortal and living forever. We get closure with Hazel and Jack's relationship and that is important from the previous book cliffhanger.

Narrated by Mhairi Morrison and Tim Campbell which made listening to this book so enjoyable. The characters came to life and it was easy to follow. I recommend reading book one to follow along with the two books to get the full story. I think both books deserve the praise they are getting.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of Immortality: A Love Story for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved Anatomy (book 1 in the duology) so much that I admit to coming into this one with some reservations, but Schwarts manages to replicate the magic of the first book and one-up herself with even greater storytelling.
We rejoin Hazel as she buries herself in her work in an effort to forget her heartbreak and worries about Jack's ultimate fate. She's continuing to work as a surgeon and writing a treatise that she hopes will make medical terms and healing methods more accessible to the masses. She's living half a life but is content with it until her kindness in saving the life of a woman lands her in a very serious situation. Things are not looking good for Hazel until a very unexpected savior arrives, the Crown Regent wants a female surgeon to help his daughter heal from whatever mysterious ailment is troubling her. All the most famous and skilled doctors have tried and failed, so it's up to the oddity that is Hazel to give it a try. Thus begin Hazel's adventures in London.
The people Hazel meets as she maneuvers around what the Regent is asking of her, what the princess actually wants, and the unexpected feelings she's developed for the Crown's doctor are as fascinating as the problems she has to solve. It's not just the princess and her illness she has to figure out or her feelings for kind, understanding Simon, but the unexpected appearance of a group of immortals who want her to join their ranks. So many revelations and excellent surprises await Hazel and readers that I'm loath to describe more of the plot for fear of ruining anything.
The big revelations are once again plainly obvious almost as soon as the first seed is laid out for them, yet Schwarts manages to make the way things are revealed almost as good as if they weren't.
I do caution that this book really needs to be read after Anatomy to fully get the enjoyment and understanding it deserves. It's not that you wouldn't get a great reading experience from it, it's just that the background will give you a better understanding of the character's motives and expectations.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the most excellent read!

Possible spoilers alert.

I loved Anatomy: A Love Story and was so excited to pick this up. But I think this ended up being a case of setting my expectations too high.

I was so excited for Hazel and Jack to reunite. It felt super lackluster when it actually happened. And of course they tried to spice this one up with a love triangle that I was not jiving with.

This just felt like it was missing the spark that Schwartz created in the first book. It was okay. I kind of wish I had just ended with book one.

I adored Anatomy: A Love Story - it was a near-perfect gothic horror story with a beautifully ambiguous ending. I loved it. So I was curious to see what the author would do with a sequel. And the first 1/3 of the book was fantastic. I felt that it captured the same vibe as the first book.

Then the middle seemed to drag for a bit. I wasn't sure where the plot was even going until I hit just past the halfway mark. Luckily the pace picked back up at around 70%.

There were elements that I really loved - the dark tone at the beginning of the story, the Companions to the Death, the Princess Charlotte storyline, and even just the horror of how the immortality tincture actually works. I also found the way the author blended fantasy into history - it's my favorite kind of fantasy and the author does it very well.

What I loved about the first book was the story of a girl fighting to find her place in a world dominated by men. And also the graverobbing. I just didn't feel that in this story after that first 1/3. There were way too many coincidences to make me give this 5 stars, unfortunately. I definitely preferred the gothic settings and ambiguous ending of the first book. I also feel that this story leaned way more toward romance than the first book did. Where Anatomy feels like a gothic horror with a bit of romance, this felt more like historical romance with a touch of fantasy/horror. But all that said, I still really enjoyed getting to visit with these characters again.

I had mixed feelings about the first book in this duology, Anatomy - particularly the way it ended on such an ambiguous note. So I was thrilled when it turned out there was going to be a sequel after all, if only so it could clear up some of that vagueness that the first book left us with.

In the end, my reaction to this book was fairly similar to the first. The writing was solid and the plot mostly delivered, particularly in the first half. I'm not a huge fan of revisionist history, so those elements frustrated me a bit, but I still felt like the scenes with Princess Charlotte worked well enough, as did that plotline as a whole. The Companions of Death, too, were intriguing and chaotic, and generally fun to be around, even if they did have an ultimately sinister vibe about them. And like in Anatomy, Hazel was a true star, managing to be both likable and complex as she struggled to find a place for herself in a world not yet ready for her.

However, like the first book, the romance elements didn't quite work all the time. Hazel and Jack have incredible chemistry, it's true, but the moment I stepped away from reading, I realized that I didn't have any real sense of what drew them together beyond that combustible attraction. There was also a vague attempt at a love triangle involving Dr. Simon von Ferris (whom I adored and tbh would have chosen, but that's just me), except it never rang true to me. Poor Simon never really had a chance and because of that, I wondered if the romance element needed to be there with him at all.

I will say that, since this book committed to the immortality element much more fully than the first, the existence of that ability and the Tincture that causes it felt much more organic in this book than in the first. I didn't at all get that sense of whiplash when the plot point came up again and again.

Ultimately, I enjoyed reading this book, maybe even more than the first installment, but I still didn't quite feel like it stuck the landing on everything that it was trying to do.

3.75/5

While I enjoyed this book MUCH more than the first one. It was still just a ok read for me.

I truly loved hazel and I found the plot more intriguing BUT For me this is easily a read, enjoy, forget kind of book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC of Immortality: A Love Story. The narrator for the audiobook was perfect! The book itself was fantastic. I loved the new characters. I liked this one even more than I liked Anatomy: A Love Story. 4.5 stars.