Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Nastasya is a 459 year old immortal stuck in a 17 year olds body. This is classified as young adult but it really isn't. The only thing remotely childish about it is the jealously displayed by Nell over Reyn. It's more of a find-yourself type of novel. Nastasya doesn't like who she has become or the immortal friends she's been hanging with in London so she runs off to Boston to a place where immortals recharge. Nastasya is really hard on herself and isn't the least bit friendly or trusting. It takes over half the book to get to anything interesting. The only reason I persevered is because I was stuck at work without something else to read otherwise I would have dumped this book.
I was disappointed in this book. Everything I've read by Cate Tiernan has been really good and this wasn't. Don't get me wrong it was ok but a real slow starter. Took almost 200 pages before I started to like the story. Nastasya ("Nasty" to her friends) is not a likable character even though she sees what she is doing as wrong and tries to change. I eventually felt sorry for her and came to somewhat like her. I may try the next book with the hopes that the world building is done and we can get to the meat of the story...other immortals trying to kill her. Yay.
I was disappointed in this book. Everything I've read by Cate Tiernan has been really good and this wasn't. Don't get me wrong it was ok but a real slow starter. Took almost 200 pages before I started to like the story. Nastasya ("Nasty" to her friends) is not a likable character even though she sees what she is doing as wrong and tries to change. I eventually felt sorry for her and came to somewhat like her. I may try the next book with the hopes that the world building is done and we can get to the meat of the story...other immortals trying to kill her. Yay.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Is it weird that Im wavering whether to give this book 3 or 5 stars, and not something in between? IMMORTAL BELOVED really did something for me. I lament the repetition in paranormal literature nowadays, but while immortality is not news, the careful way in which Cate Tiernan layered this story is something to take note of.
Tiernan incorporates flashbacks into the narrative in a way that doesnt feel forced. At first we think we know what the smart-mouthed Nastasya is about: oh, just another poor little tortured soul of an immortal being whos lost sight of her humanity until she meets the right person, or people. But the more time I spent with Nastasya, the more compelling I found her. Yes, shes fallen into some despicable times and habits, but her flashbacks reveal her behavior to be a perfectly justifiable defense mechanism against some horrible memories. The flashbacks serve not only to illuminate her character, but also to add a sliver of suspense and investment with every page we read, so that while in the foreground nothing truly remarkable happensNastasya runs around a farm for reformed immortals and struggles to adjust to their wayswe cant help but be sucked in.
IMMORTAL BELOVED is admittedly slow, especially if you feel like flashbacks are a cop-out from true plot. However, the characters have convinced me of their interestingness, and Nastasya has secured my empathy and respect, so I will be really interested to see where Cate Tiernan takes us next. IMMORTAL BELOVED just might remind us paranormal lit cynics (yes, thats me) that good writing and strong, well-developed characters can still take us all the way.
Tiernan incorporates flashbacks into the narrative in a way that doesnt feel forced. At first we think we know what the smart-mouthed Nastasya is about: oh, just another poor little tortured soul of an immortal being whos lost sight of her humanity until she meets the right person, or people. But the more time I spent with Nastasya, the more compelling I found her. Yes, shes fallen into some despicable times and habits, but her flashbacks reveal her behavior to be a perfectly justifiable defense mechanism against some horrible memories. The flashbacks serve not only to illuminate her character, but also to add a sliver of suspense and investment with every page we read, so that while in the foreground nothing truly remarkable happensNastasya runs around a farm for reformed immortals and struggles to adjust to their wayswe cant help but be sucked in.
IMMORTAL BELOVED is admittedly slow, especially if you feel like flashbacks are a cop-out from true plot. However, the characters have convinced me of their interestingness, and Nastasya has secured my empathy and respect, so I will be really interested to see where Cate Tiernan takes us next. IMMORTAL BELOVED just might remind us paranormal lit cynics (yes, thats me) that good writing and strong, well-developed characters can still take us all the way.
I really like this book along with all her others. Its a fresh twist on books that are increasingly becoming the same.
