Review: Immortal

Immortal by Gillian Shields
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pub Date: August 4, 2009
Pages: 368
Age Level: YA

Synopsis
Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced
with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance

Review
Immortal was a compelling and exciting story that kept me turning the pages until I had reached the end. Though I found some parts to be predictable, there were also times when I didn’t have a clue as to how certain elements were connected, which made for an engaging read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. I felt they were well developed, realistic, and interesting. However, I must admit that when I heard Sebastian tell Evie to stay from him because he was dangerous I thought, “Oh no, please not another ‘“Keep away, I’m dangerous!”’ male love interest.” I believe you all know which book I’m referring to. Thankfully it didn’t turn out to be quite like that and Sebastian had plenty of good reason to warn her.

One of the only problems I had with this book was the writing style. Not that there was actually anything wrong with it. It’s just that it read a little differently and took some getting used to, which I eventually did. Although, I did really enjoy the alternating points of view from Evie to Lady Agnes’s journal. I also felt it was very easy to picture everything in my head thanks to Gillian's use of imagery. Sometimes I had a hard time remembering that this book was set in modern times because the description of the ruins and school made me feel like I was reading a book set a century or more ago. I actually found I liked this quality.

Before reading this book I thought it was a stand alone title. However, and it may just be I’m really slow finding this out, I now know it is, in fact, the first in a series. I wasn’t really expecting the ending that I got but I liked it just the same and it has left me dying to read the next book.

Part of me was afraid that I wouldn’t like Immortal after seeing the reviews but I still loved the premise, so I read it anyway, which I’m certainly glad I did. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of paranormal romance. I know I definitely enjoyed it. Hopefully I’ll eventually be able to save up the money and get my own hardcover copy because I definitely plan to re-read this.

Grade
Characters: B+
Writing: B
Plot: B+
Ending: B
Cover: A+
Recommendable: B+

Overall: B+