The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky Series: Olympus Bound
Published by Orbit Books on February 16, 2016
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Selene DiSilva enjoys the tranquil serenity of the predawn hours. As she walks her dog along the Hudson, she finds the body of a young woman. Clearly the victim of a brutal crime, the woman is wrapped in laurel. Selene's rage builds, for it is she that should have prevented this crime. It is her responsibility to protect the lives of women, a promise she swore when she was a Greek god, her name: Artemis.
Now, as modern society's belief in the gods has waned, they no longer hold the power they once had. Some have gone insane, others use the power they once held to gain celebrity and prestige. But Selene, Defender of the Innocent, is a vigilante of sorts, protecting the women of Manhattan from harm.
Yet the discover of this body is just the beginning. Someone is attempting to resurrect the power of the gods, no matter the danger to humans. Selene forms an unlikely alliance with Theo, former lover of the victim, to put an end to the murderous terror that has befallen Manhattan.
What a truly remarkable novel this is! I truly enjoyed the modernization of Greek mythology, the creativity the author put into the development of the gods’ characters was stunning. Though I have seen instances of this in middle grade and young adult fiction, I have yet to see it done so skillfully in adult fiction.
The plot built around this premise, too, is brilliant. The author wove these Greek myths into a truly captivating thriller, educating and entertaining at the same time. A truly unique concept, one I feel will win the adoration of many.
I was thrilled to see this is the first in a new trilogy. As the audiobook neared its end, I was remorseful that my time with Selene must come to an end. I hope that she continues to play a key role in the subsequent books, for I truly enjoyed the reversal of roles, a female hero that is a force to be reckoned with! Narrated by the author herself, along with one of my favorite narrators, Robert Petkoff, made this a truly rewarding and entertaining listening experience! A brilliant weave of mythology, thriller and yes, a touch of romance, this book truly has something for everyone. Highly recommended.
