Immortal City
Author: Scott Speer
Series: Immortal City #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Summary:
But Jackson’s high-profile life takes an unexpected turn when he meets seventeen-year-old Maddy. She’s smart and down-to-earth, and sees Jackson for who he is and not for his celebrity. They forge an instant – and electric – connection. Their vastly different backgrounds seem like the only obstacle in their path to being together…until something much more dangerous threatens to destroy their chance at love.
Because not everyone worships the Angels: a bitter killer is murdering the Guardians one by one. And it’s up to Maddy to save Jackson – he’s next in the killer’s sights.
Set in a reimagined Los Angeles that sparkles with glamour and celebrity worship, Scott Speer’s Immortal City is charged with passion and haunted by themes of power and idolatry.
First Sentence: At 3a.m., the Pacific Coast Highway was nothing more than a gray ribbon winding through the ocean fog.
My Review:
The minute I saw the cover of Immortal City, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Just look at the cover; it’s absolutely gorgeous! I love the guy (and his muscles), his (cross?) tattoo, his tight black shirt, his sharp wings, and the cloudy background. The summary of Immortal City also immediately caught my attention – I’ve never read, or heard, of any book that made people pay for an Guardian Angel’s service. The cover and summary both immediately caught my attention, and with that, I resolved to get my hands on Immortal City as soon as possible. I did…but it was sitting on my bookshelf unread, until now.
I love reading about the world-building/society in Immortal City. Like I said above, Scott Speer’s idea really caught my attention. It’ll be a scary world if Guardian Angels, if they really exist, really do charge money for their services. Right from the very first page, Scott Speer explores the unfairness of that issue: one person who could afford to hire a Guardian Angel gets drunk and drives, which results in a massive car crash. However, that drunk person gets saved by his Guardian Angel because he can afford to hire one while the other innocent driver unfairly drives. This situation certainly pulled me in into the book and caught my attention.
“What about him?” Brad asked.
…
The angel looked at the sinking pickup as if seeing it for the first time.
“He didn’t have coverage,” he said. (4)
Immortal City is told from four different points of view if you ignore the first introductory chapter: Maddy, Jackson, Sylvester, and Kevin. I enjoyed reading every single one chapter written from their point of view, although I don’t really think Kevin’s point of view is needed. Kevin’s point of view didn’t show up until near the end of the book and only appeared in two short chapters. Scott Speer could have managed writing the book without it.
I didn’t really feel Maddy and Jackson’s romance – it was almost like insta-love. They met under unusual circumstances, talked for awhile, felt sparks and a connection, was forced to leave each other’s company, and from that moment on, Jackson can not forget Maddy and Maddy can not forget Jackson. A short time later, they were both in love with each other. I never really felt Jackson and Maddy’s chemistry, it wasn’t really believable.
His hand was hot to the touch, and Maddy thought she could feel a crackle of electricity, as if a current of energy was passing through Jacks and into her. From the look on Jack’s face, he had felt something too. (79)
I really enjoyed and liked reading the mystery component of Immortal City. I never saw the culprit coming and I’m really good at predicting plot twists. I was all like ugh, how could I have not figured that out? The culprit was so hard, yet simple, to figure out. Another reason why I enjoyed reading the mystery component in Immortal City is probably because I wasn’t actually expecting their to be any mystery in the book. I never read the full summary of Immortal City, so when the mystery part of the book was bought up, I was surprised and somewhat pleased.
“You don’t just kill an Angel out here with the whole world watching.” Sylveser pulled his keys out of his coat pocket. “Come on, Bill,” he said as he walked toward his car. “We’re not at the murder scene.” (110)
It’s sad that I heard that the sequel to Immortal City, Natural Born Angel, isn’t as good as Immortal City. I’ll probably avoid reading the sequel to Immortal City, unless the Immortal City series is a trilogy. Will I recommend Immortal City to others? Definitely. It’s a fun read with an unique take on angels. Immortal City might be the first book about angels that I absolutely liked.
I love it when the mystery surprises me with unpredictable twists. It’s so much fun when I think I finally figured it out and it turns out I’m terribly wrong. I’m not sure I’ll be reading this book though. I’ve read some other reviews and I don’t think Jackson is the type of character I like to read about. But, I’m happy you enjoyed it! :)
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Review 168. E.D Baker – The wide-awake princess.
Yeah, I agree Mel, it’s so much fun when I can’t guess any of the plot twists. However, in most books I’ve read, I’ve been able to guess all the plot twists, which makes the book a lot less fun to read. ):
Jackson in Immortal City wasn’t that bad; he’s just used to getting what he wants without lifting a finger. The Jackson in Natural Born Angel, however, is a totally different story I’ve heard.
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Immortal City – Scott Speer
I’ve seen this book around, but I don’t think many people have read it. For the most part, I really like angel stories, and I’m glad you enjoyed this one! That synopsis surely is different, I’m quite curious about the payment for a guardian angel aspect. However, since you mentioned that the romance didn’t work out at all, I’ve become a little hesitant. I need my romances to be good, so I may end up skipping out on this one. Fantastic review though, Kelly! :)
Jen recently posted…The Program by Suzanne Young | Review
I don’t know why people don’t read Immortal City. It’s really a fun book!
Yeah, sadly the romance in Immortal City is an insta-love, which I know will turn many people off. It was still a fun read though!
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Immortal City – Scott Speer
I haven’t read this yet! I had seen the cover but actually didn’t even know what it was about. Now I might just pick it up!
I can’t wait to see what you think of Immortal City when you pick it up Rachel! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle Mead
Great review! i am a sucker for angel books and I have always wanted to read this one. I love that there are different points of view and I love the quotes you shared. <3
Thank you! (:
I’m not really into angel books, but Immortal City just plain amazed me. And yeah, aren’t the quotes unique? :D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [38]
I’M DYIGN TO READ THIS!! The hype surfacing around this makes it more intriguing!! Well done with your review! :D
Really, there’s a hype for this book? This is the first time I’ve heard of it. o:
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
I have heard a lot about this book and I’m ashamed I haven’t had any thought to pick it up. It definitely sounds interesting and the characters sound great as does the world-biulding. Sorry the romance didn’t work out for you. I’m not a fan of insta-love either. I am really looking forward to pick this up soon!
Great review! Glad you enjoyed this! :D
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Maida @ Literary Love Affair recently posted…Official Trailer Reveal: Frigid by J. Lynn, Jennifer L. Armentrout
Woot, I’m glad that you’ll pick this up soon Maida! (:
Hopefully you won’t mind the insta-love as much as I did.
Thanks!
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Dirty Little Secret – Jennifer Echols
Sounds really really good! I know how common insta-love, somet times it can get really annoying but sometimes it works! we’ll see with this book. :) thanks for the great review.
Luckily, Immortal City has a certain case of insta-love that doesn’t annoy me. :P
No problem! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Read The Acknowledgements Page?
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Immortal City before. But the title definitely caught my attention. By the cover I can tell it’s about angels of some kind. I think I’ve only read three different kinds of angel books. I definitely need to add some more of those :)
Honestly, I feel that Immortal City is one of the best angel books out there. It was such a fun book.
I hope you’ll love Immortal City as much as I do Hillary! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
Great review!!!! I do agree on the cover–it is gorgeous!!! I have been wanting to read this book for awhile!!! It does sound like a book i would enjoy!! Did you know that the author chorographed dance moves on a movie called Step Up Revolution!!! That movie has amazing dancing in it and when i came across the name i was puzzled for a little bit then googled the name and found out it was the same person–multi-talented!!!!!
Oh sounds good! I love angel books, and this one looks have a very interesting plot!
Celebrity angels, I love this! lol I’ll definitely add it to my tbr list.
great review!