By: Sherry Soule
Release Date: April 19th, 2013
Genre(s): New Adult Paranormal/Mystery
My Review: (4/5 stars*)
Immortal Eclipse is an interesting paranormal mystery novel. I found it very appealing and appreciated the detailed writing style although it was a little too descriptive at times. The main character Skylar is daring and determined to find out the truth behind her uncle's untimely death. While I liked the protagonist it was difficult to completely relate to her—she's a little shallow (aren't we all though?), but also unbelievably stubborn in a Scully from the X-Files sort of way. She's dead set against the idea of any paranormal existence or anything beyond the realm of possibility and too easily changes her conviction. Immortal Eclipse draws upon other stories such as The Picture of Dorian Gray—the love interest is even named Dorian, but despite similarities with other works it links together a lot of neat ideas. While the story wasn't particularly out-of-the-box it still kept me reading on to find out who the culprit is, and why the mansion is haunted. I enjoyed the creepy feel this novel produces entwining many horror elements. I liked the different characters that are introduced but I wished they weren't dumped upon the reader all at once—it took effort to remember who was who until it no longer mattered. The world that's created is dark and most of the entire story is told from one setting—Skylar's inherited haunted mansion—Summerwind. The mystery aspect of Immortal Eclipse was intriguing enough but the character's history and back-stories really lacked for me. I was more than a little disappointed that the heroine of the story wasn't too bright at putting two and two together and was always 10 steps behind the reader. I think if you're looking for an eerie read with a puzzling murder-mystery, ghosts, a little romance and other paranormal twists this book will please you.
For a great portion of the novel you know more than the lead character herself which was a little irritating for which I found myself internally screaming. Also how the novel is narrated is strange because its feels like you're reading it like a movie script. It's very out-of-body can't quite feel connected or tethered to the story. That initially made me wary but eventually I got used to it and it no longer was an issue. There's not much development in the romance department which was somewhat disappointing. Though labeled New Adult Immortal Eclipse can almost classify as Young-Adult because their is minimal sexual content and a moderate amount of "bad" language. Aside from the little issues it has a lot of redeeming qualities as well from the varying characters, to the honestly creepy vibe, to the multiple stories that unravel—that itself made up for a lot.
Skylar Blackwell is twenty-five, obsessed with fashion, and lives in New York which only feeds her addiction. When she unexpectedly inherits Summerwind Mansion after her uncle dies under suspicious circumstances she feels she owes it to him to do some investigating. After being let go from her fashion photography job she decides it gives her the perfect opportunity to find out what really happened to her uncle. Upon arrival the mansion's staff seems almost hostile to her for being there until a worker's death turns their anger into fear. As more and more bodies start piling up at the estate Skylar is determined to figure out what's going on and she knows it's no coincidence—just like her uncle's death. The longer Skylar stays at the Summerwind Mansion the more she notices strange things occurring and it's nearly impossible to hold on to reason and logic when things are clearly not as they seem. Then there's Dorian, the attractive and utterly mysterious caretaker who she seems to be inexplicably drawn to. As Skylar looks for answers and tries to keep her romantic notions to herself she starts to uncover a darkly hidden past of the house and it's inhabitants along with a deadly lurking secret.
Sometimes I get lucky and stumble across a commendable read and other times I get stuck with a lackluster one - Immortal Eclipse falls slightly in the middle. There were many things I enjoyed and some things I really didn't. Overall I thought it was just good and amusing. It has an alluring mysterious story with a level-headed (albeit slow at times) heroine, a chilling premise, characters that will pique your interest, and lastly a broody/gorgeous hero. Immortal Eclipse held my interest till the end and I would recommend it for a rainy day when you can get the complete effect of the novel and fully appreciate it.
Synopsis:
MYSTERY, MURDER, and MANOLO BLAHNIK
A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .
When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house.
Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again.
Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian Delacroix, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar.
Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.
For a great portion of the novel you know more than the lead character herself which was a little irritating for which I found myself internally screaming. Also how the novel is narrated is strange because its feels like you're reading it like a movie script. It's very out-of-body can't quite feel connected or tethered to the story. That initially made me wary but eventually I got used to it and it no longer was an issue. There's not much development in the romance department which was somewhat disappointing. Though labeled New Adult Immortal Eclipse can almost classify as Young-Adult because their is minimal sexual content and a moderate amount of "bad" language. Aside from the little issues it has a lot of redeeming qualities as well from the varying characters, to the honestly creepy vibe, to the multiple stories that unravel—that itself made up for a lot.
Skylar Blackwell is twenty-five, obsessed with fashion, and lives in New York which only feeds her addiction. When she unexpectedly inherits Summerwind Mansion after her uncle dies under suspicious circumstances she feels she owes it to him to do some investigating. After being let go from her fashion photography job she decides it gives her the perfect opportunity to find out what really happened to her uncle. Upon arrival the mansion's staff seems almost hostile to her for being there until a worker's death turns their anger into fear. As more and more bodies start piling up at the estate Skylar is determined to figure out what's going on and she knows it's no coincidence—just like her uncle's death. The longer Skylar stays at the Summerwind Mansion the more she notices strange things occurring and it's nearly impossible to hold on to reason and logic when things are clearly not as they seem. Then there's Dorian, the attractive and utterly mysterious caretaker who she seems to be inexplicably drawn to. As Skylar looks for answers and tries to keep her romantic notions to herself she starts to uncover a darkly hidden past of the house and it's inhabitants along with a deadly lurking secret.
Sometimes I get lucky and stumble across a commendable read and other times I get stuck with a lackluster one - Immortal Eclipse falls slightly in the middle. There were many things I enjoyed and some things I really didn't. Overall I thought it was just good and amusing. It has an alluring mysterious story with a level-headed (albeit slow at times) heroine, a chilling premise, characters that will pique your interest, and lastly a broody/gorgeous hero. Immortal Eclipse held my interest till the end and I would recommend it for a rainy day when you can get the complete effect of the novel and fully appreciate it.
Synopsis:
MYSTERY, MURDER, and MANOLO BLAHNIK
A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .
When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house.
Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again.
Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian Delacroix, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar.
Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.
Good review. I was on the fence with this one and appreciate your insight to help make up my mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leti,
DeleteIt was a good read, not amazing—but good. I think if I hadn't read so many paranormal books already I might have said it was great but by now I've read a lot of similar stories. This one combines them and creates its own. I'll be on the look out for other books by this author because she is talented I personally would just like to see something more unique! :)
It's always nice to hear back from other readers!
-Seirra
Thanks for taking the time to review my newest novel, IMMORTAL ECLIPSE. The review is thoughtful and well-written. I hope other booklovers are interested in reading my new novel, too. :-D
ReplyDeleteHappy reading,
~Sherry
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