Review: Immortal City by Scott Speer

Celebrities with wings, these are the Angels.

Want to be an Angel? This book might help you think of it a little deeper and reconsider grabbing the chance if you can be one.

Title: Immortal City (Immortal City #1) by Scott Speer
Pages: 336
Release Date: April 3rd 2012
Published by: Razorbill
Source: Publisher (thanks Tina!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them.

He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat & and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.

For all the angel-themed books I have read, never have I thought of them made to resemble celebrities. They were supposed to be celestial beings sent by God to save us all. In Scott Speer's book, they're the same. Sent from the heavens hundreds of years ago during The Awakening. Fast forward to today, these beautiful, captivating beings barely heed the purpose they supposedly have. Now residing in their own version of Beverly Hills, maybe Hollywood, their own City of Angels (literally) because the eyes of the people are on them. They're celebrities, models, endorsers, reality show stars. They have a whole channel dedicated to following them 24/7. They even have their own Walk of Fame stars! What about saving people, you ask? They still do, but for a hefty price. It was all about the money and the fame for these winged creatures and the most popular of them all is Jackson Godspeed. And then he became a suspect in an Angel murder spree.

Despite the very cheesy name, Jacks has been looking forward to becoming a full-pledged Guardian all his life. He has a bright future ahead of him, with the whole world watching over his every move. Utterly gorgeous Jacks with the most beautiful, ethereal wings and heavenly features, this blonde and blue eyed Angel is used to being in the spotlight. Growing up in a celebrity family puts a lot of pressure in his shoulders and all that Jacks wants is to go out there saving lives. He has never questioned his purpose in life, nor of the Angels, until he meets Maddy. Suddenly he re-examines his life and all his beliefs. And goodness gracious, Jacks is one hot winged creature! He's used to getting what he wants, cocky, arrogant but he's a good guy who's got a strong sense of family and doing what he thinks is right. If there really were Guardian Angels and he was one of them, I'd want him to save me too. Jacks' life unraveled the moment he became the prime suspect mortalized Angels, and suddenly he was facing an ancient evil, uncovering the secrets of his seemingly perfect family, and following a destiny he never knew he had.

Maddy is unlike other teenagers. She's not Angel obsessed. She can't see what there is to rave about a bunch of winged creatures who were supposed to save everyone in need and not just the privilege few who can pay them for protection instead of parading themselves on TV, getting busy attending parties. And then she met Jackson because of a pretense, and suddenly she was swept into his world. Maddy is a great character to read of because she was special. She wasn't easily blinded by the superficial, shallow life the Angels lead and despite her very negative outlook towards life and herself, she's one who can see the good in people. Innocent, very naive, she couldn't see the point why Jackson was fascinated with her. But Maddy had secrets of her own, and then in a flash being the freak in school had a reason, a deeper connection with Jacks and ultimately with the Angels. Maddy had a lot of spunk in her, and even though she spends a lot of time belittling herself, I loved how she slowly transform into this person who would do anything to protect the ones she loves. From a shy, timid girl to a strong lady who will do anything to fight for what she believes in.

What made Immortal City such an interesting read was the drastic make-over of the Angels. They've been turned into these celebrities people worship and adore and yet they didn't lose that Celestial presence in them. It's like turning them into a significant part of pop culture, or like a big family of well known people, venerated but in a way that we can all relate to, like the way we treat a well known popstar, or models, actors and actresses. Also, what gave this book depth is the way Scott Speer tackled the act of saving people. How can the Angels turn such a divine purpose into a business? An income generating occupation? The question 'if one needs to be saved, does it matter if he has money or not' is a constant theme in this book. Does money determine who dies and who gets to be saved? Saving was supposed to be an essential, sacred part of an Angel's duty and it was turned into a big publicity event where people gossip and rave who gets to be protected and who doesn't. Is that fair? Why and why not? That moral dilemma will make the readers examine if the Angels do deserve all the attention and admiration they are getting.

Such a fascinating concept gave birth to such a wonderful read. Immortal City has a great and well balanced combination of forbidden love, popularity and stardom, mystery and intrigue, heart stopping action scenes and a little bit of religion and faith all in one great package. Immortal City has a great ensemble of characters, ranging from those you will love to hate and those you will hate to love. Engaging right from page one, Immortal City left me craving for more! I want to know more about Jacks and Maddy, and how their relationship will progress. I want to experience more of the complicated yet highly fascinating world of the Angels. I want to be more immersed in the book. It's a highly addictive read! I think I found a new favorite Angel themed book.

My rating:

Content (plot, story flow, character):

I love this story so much!

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:

That's Jacks in the cover!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.