minkkmuse 's review for:

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

2.0

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

 i was drawn in by this book’s compelling premise, and while i enjoyed the character-driven, polyvocal structure, the story itself falls flat for me. it is steeped in an emotionality that does not feel earned 

(and, in my opinion, cruelly uses the aids epidemic as an emotional twist)

and almost grossly misrepresents certain social issues. the most fascinating themes of the novel (possible futures, fate and circumstance, free will) are elided in favor of banal family dramas. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide

Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Death of parent

includes discussion of hiv/aids epidemic