Review Detail

IMMORTALITY continues Hazel's story from ANATOMY. The story begins with her new foray into medicine, house calls, where she helps the poor (and sometimes the rich) with their medical ailments. She does not know what has happened to Jack after his hanging, but she hopes that the Immortality tincture worked. After she helps someone medically for something that could be illegal, she is thrown in jail, where it seems she might stay forever - until she receives a royal reprieve to become the personal physician of Princess Charlotte. As she works in the court, she will find herself caught up in political intrigue.

What I loved: Ultimately, this is a satisfying conclusion to the duology that wraps things up reasonably well. The ending has a finality that the first lacked, and it completes the main characters' stories in a way with which most readers will be satisfied. The historical context was interesting and lessons about practicing medicine during this time can be found throughout. Hazel is advanced for her age and time, but she studies carefully and wishes to impart her knowledge to others with the treatise she is writing.

Themes including medical expenses and the financial burden these can bring, the value placed on lives from different socioeconomic levels, immortality, ethics in medicine, prosecution of physicians for caring for patients, and women's rights make this duology particularly thought-provoking. These would work well for a book club or discussion group to delve into deeper.

What left me wanting more: This sequel felt a bit windy and seemed to take its time to get on a path, which made it tough for me to keep reading. It was easy to put down as it took a while to get into its stride. In some ways, it felt superfluous to the first story, but it was nice to get the closure. The romance felt like it took a backseat to other happenings, and it did not feel as strong as in the first book (though this is to be expected, since the relationship is already built). The story felt detached in places and seemed a bit less atmospheric than the first as a result.

Final verdict: IMMORTALITY wraps up the story from the first book with a new medical adventure for Hazel. Would recommend for fans of the first who want closure.