Reviews

Eternal Life by Dara Horn

hmogie's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A

4.25

 When I first started reading this book my main thought was "Jewish Addie LaRue." Although it has a similar presence it explores some different themes around life, immortality, and family that I found to be interesting and compelling. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Child death, and Death

Moderate: Antisemitism, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Cancer

saraanneb3's review against another edition

5.0

Stunning and thought provoking

This book is amazing and detailed and beautiful. It made me think and ask questions and wonder about my own life.

johnwwyatt's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

loar's review against another edition

4.0

Mám tuhle autorku fakt ráda. Zajímavý nápad, pár myšlenek, co si podtrhnete, a spousta reálií z Jeruzaléma v době okupace Římany.

(Docela ráda bych si přečetla nějaký historický román z toho prostředí. Nějaké tipy?)

battyb's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

shariwatson's review

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

courtego's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

shirleytupperfreeman's review

Dara Horn spins a good story while also providing thoughtful commentary on matters of life and death - or eternal life and no death, in this case. The story begins over 2000 years ago. In order to save their young son, Yochanan ben Zakkai (a real person in Jewish history), Rachel, and her young lover Elazar, make a promise that results in each of them being unable to die. They have lived, mostly apart, for centuries. Each time they 'leave' a life (fire is usually involved), they begin again as young adults. Both have watched generations of their children die and this has become unbearable to Rachel. Her granddaughter, in this century, is a scientist working on gene editing and Rachel begs her to help her finally be able to die. The rest, as they say, is history.

microbookologist's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

gdaly18's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75