Immortal Beloved (Immortal Beloved, 1)

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

From School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up–This is both a fantasy about immortals and a contemporary story of an adolescent seeking to know herself. Questions about identity and morality plague Nastasya, an immortal. A heavy-drinking party girl, she speaks as a 21th-century teen, though she was born in 1551. Her connections with friends who flagrantly exploit their magic powers, flippantly causing death and pain to others, have finally set her on a quest for guidance. She looks for River, a calm, intelligent, and patient mentor who heads a retreat in Massachusetts called River's Edge. It is for immortals who seek self-knowledge. Independent Nastasya has trouble following the precepts of the group, but she perseveres because she desperately needs to get beyond the pain of her childhood and the brutal destruction of her family centuries earlier. The other students at River's school are all working through their own personal difficulties, and each character is interestingly drawn. Among them is Reyn, a handsome Nordic fellow whom Nastasya tries to ignore at first because he reminds her of the raiders who murdered her family. The truth of their dark past together becomes a background for their developing connection and strong mutual attraction. Intrigue, humor, pathos, and underlying wisdom combine to make a fascinating read. The open ending naturally leaves readers wondering what will happen next. Suggest this to fans of Frewin Jones's The Immortal Realm (HarperTeen, 2009) and Alyson Noel's Blue Moon (St. Martin's Griffin, 2009).–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJα(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Nastasya, Nasty, is a self-described wastrel partier. When you are immortal and have seen and done everything in your 450-plus years of life, it takes extremes to excite you. For Nasty, the extremes go too far when she watches her best friend, Innocencio, commit a violent crime, and it sends her reeling. Remembering River, who offered her refuge years ago, Nasty heads to West Lowing, Massachusetts, where she finds River’s home for wayward immortals. On this communal organic farm, Nas learns to do chores, finds peace, discovers her inherited power, and meets up with Viking god Reyn. This series-starter has a few steamy scenes, but the romance hinted at in the book’s title is secondary to the story of a young woman taking stock of her choices and shaping her identity. With plenty of immortal teen angst and threats of lurking evil, this makes a strong choice for paranormal bibliographies. Grades 8-11. --Cindy Dobrez

About the Author

Cate Tiernan is the author of the popular Sweep and Balefire series. She grew up in New Orleans and lived for many years in New York City, editing and writing a multitude of popular children's series. Cate currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children. Her website is at www.catetiernan.org.

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