It’s been at least 7 years since I have read a novel, and yes you read that right. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE a great story, but my short attention span just can’t tolerate a boring book, so I am incredibly selective about what I read. At BookExpo ’17 a publicist baited in with her enthusiasm about this book and after hearing the premise I reluctantly gave in.

What kind of book could pull in a reluctant reader like me who avoids novels like the plague? This one.
The Immortalist, Four young siblings from New York City hear about a woman who would tell you the exact day that you would die. Unable to resist the temptation, all four of them tempt fate and get their dates. The Immortalists, recounts their incredible journey.

As you might imagine, inherent in this novel are questions about life, choices and how simple decisions can affect your life forever. You can’t read a book like this one unchanged, or at least I couldn’t. The questions…what would you do if you were presented with an opportunity to know the exact date you died? Would you tempt fate or would you be able to walk away, and if you got your date how would that kind of information change your life? The book really makes you think about choices, life and what is really important.

The award winning author, Chloe Benjamin is clearly gifted. She has a way with words that captivates you with every breathtaking page. Despite being 352 pages, I literally finished this book in a week. Once I started reading, I really couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to, I had to know what Varya, Daniel, Simon, and Klara would do next. From the Prologue to the 4 sections of books, which chronicled the lives of Varya, Daniel, Simon, Klara and their father, Saul and their mother, Gertie you see how easy it is to make the decisions that they make. The book has so many unpredictable tosses and turns that you are literally are at the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Chloe’s treatment of such a tender topic is not just entertaining, it is well researched and thought provoking. As I read, I was transported to the times. I could see each one of them age and grow and make choices. At the end of the book, most of my questions about the characters were answered, but it was impossible for me to read this book without thinking about my own life. How would I live out my own life, what do I want to make sure I accomplished, what do I do about my dreams and what kinds of things drive my choices?

Just as the publicist promised, The Immortalists was a refreshingly enjoyable read. I dare say, it was a book that I would of regretted not picking up. The four siblings Varya, Daniel, Simon, and Klara make a huge impression on you from the Prologue until you read the last page. Chloe shares their stories with such ease and as their lives unfold they become lessons and gifts to us all. If I were you, I would DEFINETELY add it to my must read list.  The Immortalists, is due out on January 9, 2018 and in my opinion it is a must read.

Please Note:  This book does include some very graphic chapters, especially in the beginning, so know that this is an adult read!