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The Immortals #1
Eternity
Three hundred years ago, Raven St. James was accused of witchcraft...Only one man tried to free her from the hangman's noose--Duncan, the town minister, who died trying to save her. Three hundred years later, the accused witch still lives and longs for her love...At last, after centuries of loneliness, Raven has found her precious Duncan. But as he awakens to the passion of his past life, so too does the evil that tore them apart. Now Raven and Duncan must prove their love for all eternity...
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
907 people are currently reading
4630 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Shayne
287books2,553followersI live in the teeny, tiny town of Taylor, NY, (Alliteration Alert!) though my mailing address is Cincinnatus, my telephone exchange is Truxton and I pay taxes and vote in Cuyler. All of these are at least in the same rural county in the southern hills of New York State; Cortland County. There are more cattle than people here. The nearest “big� cities are Syracuse and Binghamton and they are an hour away, in different directions, and not really all that big by most standards, though they both seem humongous to me. I look out my window to see rolling, green, thickly forested hills, wildflower laden meadows and wide open blue, blue skies. My road is barely paved. The nearest neighboring place is a 700 acre dairy farm.
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.� I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little� being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory� for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.� I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little� being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory� for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
October 27, 2018
Eternity is the second book I’ve read by Maggie Shayne (the other being ‘Texas Homecoming�), and by now I think it’s safe to say that her books just aren’t for me. I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but both books just didn’t suck me in, and in both cases I got bored, skimmed an awful lot, and just gave up at some point. The story itself was actually interesting, and should’ve made me care a lot about the characters, but for some reason it just didn’t happen.
Raven St. James awakens next to her mother’s dead body after being hanged for witchcraft and discovers she is a very powerful, immortal witch. She feels an instant connection to Duncan, the one man who tried to stop the execution, but decides to leave him and England behind and escape to America to live with her aunt. Unbeknown to her, Duncan has the same idea and they end up on the same ship, where she saves him from almost dying of a fever by using her magic. After that she leaves him behind and goes on to live with her aunt. A while later, Duncan is asked to be the preacher in the same town, where the current preacher already suspects Raven is a witch and asks him to investigate. When that doesn’t bring the desired results he hires a witch hunter and Raven once more finds herself hunted down by an angry mob. At one point Duncan sacrifices his live for her, Raven barely escapes the bad guy, and that is the end of Part One. Part Two starts 300 years later. Raven is still heartbroken and searching for Duncan, who is born again because he gave his live for her (of course he doesn’t remember her or his old life), but it never occurred to her that she wouldn’t be the only immortal searching for him and . After that, she is once more hunted by the bad guy, and that is pretty much it.
There were a lot of little things that bothered me, but mostly I didn’t really like Raven as a character.
The romance itself, as I mentioned, felt a bit weird for me. I know their kind of love is considered romantic and eternal and whatnot, but to me the whole insta-love thing always feels weird, and I just want more than some magical connection between two people. I like to see them get to know each other and each day finding new reason to love the other one instead of instantly exchanging “I love yous� without truly knowing that person. In Part One, Duncan instantly falls in love with her as he sees her hanged, and can’t stop obsessing about her. In Part Two, after he’s reborn, Raven sees him in town, marches up to him and starts kissing him, and he doesn’t even try to push her away, or demand an explanation from her, and it’s insta-love all over again. I just didn’t understand Duncan. He grew up to be a priest in the early 17th century, so some fear of witches would’ve been installed in him from day one, yet he sees a complete stranger hanged for witchcraft, feels compelled to her for some reason, sees her using magic again and again but never once is determined to find out just what Raven is, and still ends up sacrificing his life for her. I don’t know, but that felt more stupid than romantic to me.
Raven St. James awakens next to her mother’s dead body after being hanged for witchcraft and discovers she is a very powerful, immortal witch. She feels an instant connection to Duncan, the one man who tried to stop the execution, but decides to leave him and England behind and escape to America to live with her aunt. Unbeknown to her, Duncan has the same idea and they end up on the same ship, where she saves him from almost dying of a fever by using her magic. After that she leaves him behind and goes on to live with her aunt. A while later, Duncan is asked to be the preacher in the same town, where the current preacher already suspects Raven is a witch and asks him to investigate. When that doesn’t bring the desired results he hires a witch hunter and Raven once more finds herself hunted down by an angry mob. At one point Duncan sacrifices his live for her, Raven barely escapes the bad guy, and that is the end of Part One. Part Two starts 300 years later. Raven is still heartbroken and searching for Duncan, who is born again because he gave his live for her (of course he doesn’t remember her or his old life), but it never occurred to her that she wouldn’t be the only immortal searching for him and . After that, she is once more hunted by the bad guy, and that is pretty much it.
There were a lot of little things that bothered me, but mostly I didn’t really like Raven as a character.
The romance itself, as I mentioned, felt a bit weird for me. I know their kind of love is considered romantic and eternal and whatnot, but to me the whole insta-love thing always feels weird, and I just want more than some magical connection between two people. I like to see them get to know each other and each day finding new reason to love the other one instead of instantly exchanging “I love yous� without truly knowing that person. In Part One, Duncan instantly falls in love with her as he sees her hanged, and can’t stop obsessing about her. In Part Two, after he’s reborn, Raven sees him in town, marches up to him and starts kissing him, and he doesn’t even try to push her away, or demand an explanation from her, and it’s insta-love all over again. I just didn’t understand Duncan. He grew up to be a priest in the early 17th century, so some fear of witches would’ve been installed in him from day one, yet he sees a complete stranger hanged for witchcraft, feels compelled to her for some reason, sees her using magic again and again but never once is determined to find out just what Raven is, and still ends up sacrificing his life for her. I don’t know, but that felt more stupid than romantic to me.
January 7, 2019
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!
He died trying to save her from the hangman’s noose. Raven was accused of witchcraft, hung and died, only to be “reborn� with the gift of eternal life. Duncan, a mortal priest saw something in the girl’s eyes that called to him as he watched her neck break. His compassion killed him, but she lived on for three hundred years, searching for his soul to return. Will this time around be enough to prove these soulmates can find their happily ever after? They were still strangers, but their hearts knew where they belonged, unless one evil entity can come between them once again.
How far would you go to be with the person you loved? What would you give up to keep them safe? How long could you wait hoping they will return?
Maggie Shayne’sETERNITY is a wonderful tale of love, hatred, prejudice and a dark quest for power at any cost. For me, this tale was just a little too long and dragged in places, bringing the moments of fever-pitched tension down. All in all, a good read with some fabulous characters that hopefully will get their own story told. There is a lot going on that never got expanded on in addition to the overly slow moments so it missed the mark for me by the time I got to that last page. I would say try it, you may like it just fine!
Series: Immortal Witches - Book 1
Publication Date: January 10, 2013 ( 1st edition, 1998)
Publisher: Maggie Shayne
Genre: Fantasy /NA
Print Length: 354 pages
Available FREE from:
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow:
He died trying to save her from the hangman’s noose. Raven was accused of witchcraft, hung and died, only to be “reborn� with the gift of eternal life. Duncan, a mortal priest saw something in the girl’s eyes that called to him as he watched her neck break. His compassion killed him, but she lived on for three hundred years, searching for his soul to return. Will this time around be enough to prove these soulmates can find their happily ever after? They were still strangers, but their hearts knew where they belonged, unless one evil entity can come between them once again.
How far would you go to be with the person you loved? What would you give up to keep them safe? How long could you wait hoping they will return?
Maggie Shayne’sETERNITY is a wonderful tale of love, hatred, prejudice and a dark quest for power at any cost. For me, this tale was just a little too long and dragged in places, bringing the moments of fever-pitched tension down. All in all, a good read with some fabulous characters that hopefully will get their own story told. There is a lot going on that never got expanded on in addition to the overly slow moments so it missed the mark for me by the time I got to that last page. I would say try it, you may like it just fine!
Series: Immortal Witches - Book 1
Publication Date: January 10, 2013 ( 1st edition, 1998)
Publisher: Maggie Shayne
Genre: Fantasy /NA
Print Length: 354 pages
Available FREE from:
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow:
February 24, 2013
I got this book as a freebie from Amazon and it was a very enjoyable read. While the love story between Raven and Duncan was the main focus of the novel it was the historical aspect of the witch trials in both the UK and US that intrigued me the most. I felt that there was a lot of research undertaken that helped make the the whole story feel very real. As someone who has a Wiccan in their family I felt that Maggie Shayne's representation of the old religion to be sensitive and compassionate. I found it hard to put down and I sit here writing this review after only 5 hours sleep because I had to know what happened in the end. All in all a satisfying read and I will look forward t reading book 2.
August 31, 2013
2- the story idea was nice about two people who time and death could not separate. The idea was nice I just thought the story stuttered a faulted for me. First I really dislike tales of witch hunts, mob mentality gone stupid and just plan ignorance. *This book had all three. I got uninterested and found myself skimming pages through the horrible history parts, the back ground of the white art/darks arts, and many more. The Native American bit was thrown in there so random and incomplete it was disappointing. I would have loved it if the story and gone in that direction instead of where it went. But as it was they were introduced has some cool magic going and then they were out of the story and it was 300 years in the future.
The Bad guy was deplorable. He was also a poorly made sob story with a dead son who only wanted another. Should have been a Oh, boo hoo, but it just didn't come across right. He felt like Moe from the Three Stooges with a blood lust. Bumbling idiot, with murderous intent.
I did finish it when I should have dropped it. It was not the book for me.
The Bad guy was deplorable. He was also a poorly made sob story with a dead son who only wanted another. Should have been a Oh, boo hoo, but it just didn't come across right. He felt like Moe from the Three Stooges with a blood lust. Bumbling idiot, with murderous intent.
I did finish it when I should have dropped it. It was not the book for me.
January 22, 2012
OMG! I LOVED THIS BOOK! TRUE ROMANCE AT ITS GREATEST. THE STORY IS TOLD FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF MULTIPLE CHARACTERS IN FIRST PERSON. THE STORY IS TOLD SO ELOQUENTLY IT IS "BEWITCHING." THIS HERO AND HEROINE HAVE A LOVE FOR ALL TIME. A KEEPER, TO BE READ OVER AND OVER, ESPECIALLY FOR ANY WHO ARE WICCAN AND/OR WITCHCRAFT BELIEVERS/FOLLOWERS.
February 22, 2016
This was such a unique paranormal witch tale. Here's my breakdown:
Pros:
* Solid characters
* Great writing style
* Offered as a freebie
* Really sweet romance
Cons:
* It became repetitive at times, especially during "Part 2" of this read
Overall, I was impressed with this book and will definitely check out book 2 in the series.
Pros:
* Solid characters
* Great writing style
* Offered as a freebie
* Really sweet romance
Cons:
* It became repetitive at times, especially during "Part 2" of this read
Overall, I was impressed with this book and will definitely check out book 2 in the series.
October 12, 2012
This book should probably be three stars instead of four. Predictable, formula, been done, but I enjoyed it. OK? It was a fun read. Immortal witches, time travel, treachery, and some steamy romance and a hot Scottish dude, but do all Scottish hotties have to have the last name Wallace? Overall an enjoyable bit of escapism so four stars but don't expect great literature, just a fun story.
February 16, 2021
One of my all time fav/keeper romance. I bring this book out to reread over and over when I want a emotional, tear-jerker love story.
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July 15, 2012
This book is so good! I had a very difficult time putting it down. I kept turning the pages wanting to know what happened next! I have not done this in a long time. Ms. Shayne wove a wonderful story around actual historical events, bringing those events to life.
March 4, 2021
I wanted wanted love this book so bad. The plot for this book has so much potential, but the amount of mistakes, inaccuracies and general lack of editing made it hard for me to 100% love it. The two stars are only because of the plot potential.
The amount of grammar and spelling mistakes and typos throughout this book were maddening. It was almost as though the first or second draft was published, as if no copy editor, or even a friend, looked at it prior to its publication.
Inconsistencies with how only two years have passed since they both made it to Boston, and they both emphasize this a lot. But then, out of nowhere, Raven says it was three years, only for Duncan to say a little bit after that it was two again. This leads me to believe there was for sure no editing.
The historical inaccuracy was enormous. The year in which Raven first died is only mentioned later in the book with the reborn Duncan (and spelled out at that). However, the historical events do not match at all. European witches were hunted because of the plague in the mid 1300s; the Americas were discovered in 1492, and and Salem witch trials didn't start until 1692. Yet, for some reason, Raven was killed, went to America AND saved witches at Salem, all in the span of about three years total. The way she spoke (as well as other characters) is not reflective of the time period either.
Another thing. By the end of Chapter 11, the author uses a list of names to bring emphasis to the character's mourning of inmocent strangers. I understand writing 3-4 names, but 19? It was excessive and distracting, definitely made me want to stop reading.
The amount of grammar and spelling mistakes and typos throughout this book were maddening. It was almost as though the first or second draft was published, as if no copy editor, or even a friend, looked at it prior to its publication.
Inconsistencies with how only two years have passed since they both made it to Boston, and they both emphasize this a lot. But then, out of nowhere, Raven says it was three years, only for Duncan to say a little bit after that it was two again. This leads me to believe there was for sure no editing.
The historical inaccuracy was enormous. The year in which Raven first died is only mentioned later in the book with the reborn Duncan (and spelled out at that). However, the historical events do not match at all. European witches were hunted because of the plague in the mid 1300s; the Americas were discovered in 1492, and and Salem witch trials didn't start until 1692. Yet, for some reason, Raven was killed, went to America AND saved witches at Salem, all in the span of about three years total. The way she spoke (as well as other characters) is not reflective of the time period either.
Another thing. By the end of Chapter 11, the author uses a list of names to bring emphasis to the character's mourning of inmocent strangers. I understand writing 3-4 names, but 19? It was excessive and distracting, definitely made me want to stop reading.
August 13, 2018
This story of immortal witches in Scotland seems to be based on the Highlander theme. To start we don't know they are immortal and possibly the author made it up as she went along to explain a jump to today's time for the second half.
The author starts in 17th century Scotland but she doesn't know the difference between stocks and pillories. Stocks were when the prisoner sat and was held by boards over and under the ankles, chained or bolted in place. Pillories were when the prisoner had to put a head and wrists, or just wrists, through the boards while standing. These were punishment by mocking and people might fling dung or old vegetables at them. Women so imprisoned would probably be groped at the least too. Anyway our heroine is put in pillories with her mother, though the author calls it stocks. Also someone fainting away is not spelt feint. That's what you do swordfighting.
Then it gets very unpleasant and we take it that through some magic the heroine escapes and takes passage to the New World. Any time I have had a fever worthy of the name, I have not been in the least amorous, but a man on board the ship, Duncan, is highly fevered, able to converse, and amorous.
I couldn't take it any way seriously after this and the time jump to Duncan holding a cell phone just didn't work for me. But other readers might enjoy the tale more. This is an adult fantasy romance.
I read an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
The author starts in 17th century Scotland but she doesn't know the difference between stocks and pillories. Stocks were when the prisoner sat and was held by boards over and under the ankles, chained or bolted in place. Pillories were when the prisoner had to put a head and wrists, or just wrists, through the boards while standing. These were punishment by mocking and people might fling dung or old vegetables at them. Women so imprisoned would probably be groped at the least too. Anyway our heroine is put in pillories with her mother, though the author calls it stocks. Also someone fainting away is not spelt feint. That's what you do swordfighting.
Then it gets very unpleasant and we take it that through some magic the heroine escapes and takes passage to the New World. Any time I have had a fever worthy of the name, I have not been in the least amorous, but a man on board the ship, Duncan, is highly fevered, able to converse, and amorous.
I couldn't take it any way seriously after this and the time jump to Duncan holding a cell phone just didn't work for me. But other readers might enjoy the tale more. This is an adult fantasy romance.
I read an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
August 6, 2011
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down!
It shares the typical moral of "You don't know what you have until it's gone"
You're following Raven St. James on her journey. She finds family that she felt she'd lost. She grew as a person/witch. She fell in love and fights to keep it alive even after 300 yrs.
Witches normally aren't my thing. This however made them "my thing" as long as they're Maggie Shayne's. The more I read of her the more I love her works.
It shares the typical moral of "You don't know what you have until it's gone"
You're following Raven St. James on her journey. She finds family that she felt she'd lost. She grew as a person/witch. She fell in love and fights to keep it alive even after 300 yrs.
Witches normally aren't my thing. This however made them "my thing" as long as they're Maggie Shayne's. The more I read of her the more I love her works.
September 14, 2011
Would rate this at about a 3.8. Read this about ten years ago and apparently I'm no longer the die-hard romantic I used to be. While it was a pretty quick read I had no trouble putting it down to get other stuff done. There was a ton of saccharin romance that turned me off, but the plot is really interesting. Favorite character in this book is Arianna, who just happens to be the heroine of the next book :)
May 2, 2020
I found this story very exciting! Duncan and Raven meet when she's about to be killed as a witch, in the 17th century, and they instantly feel a connection between them. But things conspire to keep them apart and they actually have a chance at being together in the 20th century - nothing weird about this since it's a paranormal romance novel.
November 24, 2020
I have arranged my takeaway thoughts into a haiku:
"Good things don't come twice,
What's lost is often for good.
Ah, but not always."
"Good things don't come twice,
What's lost is often for good.
Ah, but not always."
October 12, 2012
A beautiful story of a love that endures through out time
January 18, 2023
Omg. What a journey.
I read this book many years ago and the only thing I could remember from it were references to Salem witch trials, a lighthouse and some form of reincarnation. I googled this book so many times and never found it until somebody on Bookstagram randomly shared it as one of their favourite books. The excitement and joy! Omg I couldn’t believe id finally found it! And that’s where my review comes in!
Plot:
Raven is about to get hanged for being a witch and the only person who tries to save her is a priest in training. There is something about him and his eyes that makes Grace wish she wasn’t about to die.
Duncan Wallace watches a young woman die and is unable to do anything to stop it. Imagine his surprise when he sees the girl he watched hang getting on a ship to the New World.
As the two young peoples lives cross again years later, nothing is as easy as it should be. Raven is an immortal witch, Duncan a priest and there is a dark witch hunting for Grace’s heart.
The story is divided 50/50 into 17th Century and 20th Century and takes place over 300 years.
What a story though.
The love Duncan and Raven feel for each other was actually one of the purest lives in romance in my opinion. I just love these characters and this world.
Maggie Shayne has created a new outlook on witches and supernatural and it is intriguing and so original. I loved my reread so much.
I took away one star because it seemed the villain was always winning and Raven, despite her training, never getting stronger?
Duncan in the second half was too soft, too forgiving and a little too beta. I could see why and understand it, but didn’t love it. Raven deserved better.
But the end more than made up for Duncan. He delivered and was the man we always knew he would be!
I am definitely doing a reread of the rest of this series too and have already ordered my paperback copies as my trophies!
I read this book many years ago and the only thing I could remember from it were references to Salem witch trials, a lighthouse and some form of reincarnation. I googled this book so many times and never found it until somebody on Bookstagram randomly shared it as one of their favourite books. The excitement and joy! Omg I couldn’t believe id finally found it! And that’s where my review comes in!
Plot:
Raven is about to get hanged for being a witch and the only person who tries to save her is a priest in training. There is something about him and his eyes that makes Grace wish she wasn’t about to die.
Duncan Wallace watches a young woman die and is unable to do anything to stop it. Imagine his surprise when he sees the girl he watched hang getting on a ship to the New World.
As the two young peoples lives cross again years later, nothing is as easy as it should be. Raven is an immortal witch, Duncan a priest and there is a dark witch hunting for Grace’s heart.
The story is divided 50/50 into 17th Century and 20th Century and takes place over 300 years.
What a story though.
The love Duncan and Raven feel for each other was actually one of the purest lives in romance in my opinion. I just love these characters and this world.
Maggie Shayne has created a new outlook on witches and supernatural and it is intriguing and so original. I loved my reread so much.
I took away one star because it seemed the villain was always winning and Raven, despite her training, never getting stronger?
Duncan in the second half was too soft, too forgiving and a little too beta. I could see why and understand it, but didn’t love it. Raven deserved better.
But the end more than made up for Duncan. He delivered and was the man we always knew he would be!
I am definitely doing a reread of the rest of this series too and have already ordered my paperback copies as my trophies!
February 21, 2025
La primera parte es emocionante, te deja con la intriga del "querer saber más", pero llegas a un punto, (específicamente en la segunda parte) donde terminas de leer la lectura solo porque quieres más respuestas.
El antagonista no da la suficiente talla para ser llamado "villano", esperaba más de él en especial por su edad y supuesta "experiencia"
Casi nunca me suelo enamorar de los personajes secundarios, pero debo decir que lo más rescatable del libro fue Arianna, es un personaje fuerte, maduro, con los pies sobre la tierra y sin duda fue el personaje que más me gustó de la historia, pese a que no era la protagonista.
El antagonista no da la suficiente talla para ser llamado "villano", esperaba más de él en especial por su edad y supuesta "experiencia"
Casi nunca me suelo enamorar de los personajes secundarios, pero debo decir que lo más rescatable del libro fue Arianna, es un personaje fuerte, maduro, con los pies sobre la tierra y sin duda fue el personaje que más me gustó de la historia, pese a que no era la protagonista.
September 16, 2022
What a lovely love story! I very much enjoyed this one and am excited to hear the next chapter in this world.
Duncan and Raven are ! Now, I'm excited to see what becomes of her sister!
Duncan and Raven are ! Now, I'm excited to see what becomes of her sister!
February 13, 2021
This author sure loves her ‘twill and ‘twas�
‘Twas extremely painful.
‘Twas extremely painful.
March 11, 2015
Historical, magical, and ultimately wonderful!
3 Stars
Series: Book 1: Immortal Witches
Characters: Raven and Duncan
Setting: Europe, New World - Maine
Mature Themes: Rape, murder, violence, sex
Recommendation: The witch trials were brutal and Eternity does little to hide that, if you’re into historical fiction, this does have a nicely woven in connection. There are some violent deaths and though not extremely graphic, something to note. All of the romance, historical, and magical aspect were combined together to create a wonderful read and fans of that genre may find this a pleasant afternoon.
Raven is a witch in a time when being a witch is dangerous, but when her cousin is taken by the plague, the danger becomes all too real. Left without a home, and not much too her name, Raven’s only family is in the New World and must venture across the Atlantic to begin again. Trouble always follows, but love does too.
The synopsis of the book made it feel like the story would pick up in modern time, but after reading chapter one� then two� and finally getting to four (three was out of order entirely and I didn’t find it in the ebook copy until nearly 200 pages in), the modern age shows up. I wouldn’t say this is a negative, simply not what I was expecting, however, I didn’t mind it overall.
The story was filed with characters of all different personalities. Raven, our main protagonist, was perfect and short of being a witch when they were persecuted, she really had no flaws. As the story progressed, she became whiny and boring, but the introduction of Arianna made up for it. Raven and Arianna had some very entertaining interactions with one another, and their love for one another was written more believably than the Raven and Duncans, especially since Duncan’s main plot function was to fawn over Raven as if she were oxygen. Raven’s mother and the story’s villain were also two strong characters that even when not in a scene, as the reader my mind would often return to them. The characters were very obviously the focus in the story seeing as how the setting was so minimally described. There were no glorious forest explanations or poetic descriptions of the Atlantic crossing.
The story itself was enjoyable and entertaining with some pretty simple but effective story arcs. Small surprises were littered through the text and a few times I found myself smiling at how a mini story arc had been concluded. There were a few plot holes, one near the end that still has me scratching my chin, but overall, very enjoyable.
3 Stars
Series: Book 1: Immortal Witches
Characters: Raven and Duncan
Setting: Europe, New World - Maine
Mature Themes: Rape, murder, violence, sex
Recommendation: The witch trials were brutal and Eternity does little to hide that, if you’re into historical fiction, this does have a nicely woven in connection. There are some violent deaths and though not extremely graphic, something to note. All of the romance, historical, and magical aspect were combined together to create a wonderful read and fans of that genre may find this a pleasant afternoon.
Raven is a witch in a time when being a witch is dangerous, but when her cousin is taken by the plague, the danger becomes all too real. Left without a home, and not much too her name, Raven’s only family is in the New World and must venture across the Atlantic to begin again. Trouble always follows, but love does too.
The synopsis of the book made it feel like the story would pick up in modern time, but after reading chapter one� then two� and finally getting to four (three was out of order entirely and I didn’t find it in the ebook copy until nearly 200 pages in), the modern age shows up. I wouldn’t say this is a negative, simply not what I was expecting, however, I didn’t mind it overall.
The story was filed with characters of all different personalities. Raven, our main protagonist, was perfect and short of being a witch when they were persecuted, she really had no flaws. As the story progressed, she became whiny and boring, but the introduction of Arianna made up for it. Raven and Arianna had some very entertaining interactions with one another, and their love for one another was written more believably than the Raven and Duncans, especially since Duncan’s main plot function was to fawn over Raven as if she were oxygen. Raven’s mother and the story’s villain were also two strong characters that even when not in a scene, as the reader my mind would often return to them. The characters were very obviously the focus in the story seeing as how the setting was so minimally described. There were no glorious forest explanations or poetic descriptions of the Atlantic crossing.
The story itself was enjoyable and entertaining with some pretty simple but effective story arcs. Small surprises were littered through the text and a few times I found myself smiling at how a mini story arc had been concluded. There were a few plot holes, one near the end that still has me scratching my chin, but overall, very enjoyable.
February 6, 2023
On the day Raven met her one true love, it was also the day of her first death. She would have more,
but this one signaled a change in Duncan's life as well. For he once was a priest, torn from what
he thought his life would be after witnessing the horrors carried out on this beautiful young girl
and her mother. Hung for nothing more than a man's fear and ignorance. He pled mercy for her soul and her life but in the end- it meant nothing. She died that day and though he tried to put her behind him he wasn't successful.
Raven's death signaled her rebirth as an immortal. Now, with her sister in tow, they are resolved to
find a new life for themselves in the new world. Though she has always sought out the face of her
beloved in the crowd, she fears if he comes into contact with her again, he may suffer. Fate
has her plans and neither Raven nor Duncan can fight them but when the past repeats itself, it would be more than 300 years until they would meet again and then it would mean the finale of everything be it good or bad.
I enjoyed this book however it was by far more fiction vibes than my typical PNR. I enjoyed the honest portrayal of the fear and resulting murders of the past. And while there were people- like Duncan- who didn't succumb to hysteria, unfortunately it didn't make any difference in the end result. I appreciated Raven's faithfulness to Duncan throughout her years without him, and Duncan's willingness to not fight too hard his feelings for her even if he didn't understand what was happening.
Unfortunately, It lacked some magic- no pun intended- to keep my attention and I often found myself drifting a bit.
but this one signaled a change in Duncan's life as well. For he once was a priest, torn from what
he thought his life would be after witnessing the horrors carried out on this beautiful young girl
and her mother. Hung for nothing more than a man's fear and ignorance. He pled mercy for her soul and her life but in the end- it meant nothing. She died that day and though he tried to put her behind him he wasn't successful.
Raven's death signaled her rebirth as an immortal. Now, with her sister in tow, they are resolved to
find a new life for themselves in the new world. Though she has always sought out the face of her
beloved in the crowd, she fears if he comes into contact with her again, he may suffer. Fate
has her plans and neither Raven nor Duncan can fight them but when the past repeats itself, it would be more than 300 years until they would meet again and then it would mean the finale of everything be it good or bad.
I enjoyed this book however it was by far more fiction vibes than my typical PNR. I enjoyed the honest portrayal of the fear and resulting murders of the past. And while there were people- like Duncan- who didn't succumb to hysteria, unfortunately it didn't make any difference in the end result. I appreciated Raven's faithfulness to Duncan throughout her years without him, and Duncan's willingness to not fight too hard his feelings for her even if he didn't understand what was happening.
Unfortunately, It lacked some magic- no pun intended- to keep my attention and I often found myself drifting a bit.
March 21, 2013
I wish I could give this 10 stars! 5 just doesn't seem like enough.
This book has far surpassed expectations. I admit that I started reading it a bit skeptically - I did not think I liked stories about witches and never had any interest in reading them. However, all that has now changed with Eternity. The plot is so original and creative, the characters are dynamic and exciting and even though I just finished the novel, I already miss them. The characters are an exciting realistic blend of extraordinary people with great strengths and realistic weaknesses, and they move you and as a reader one cannot help but feel connected to them.
The story is just amazing- the way it all wraps together - the past, the present, the spells, good & evil, the common threads of humanity, the excitement and suspense, and love - such a great romance it's breathtaking! and all the fascinating details - well it's just one of the best stories I've ever read.
Yes, I love it that much. I am amazed by the excellent writing, original plot, and incredibly well developed characters. This book has completely taken me by surprise and has impressed me. This is the first book I've read by Maggie Shayne and I am a fan for life.
For any reader, whether you enjoy witchcraft or not (I would've always said I did not, but after this I definitely do), this is a must read and a truly amazing book. I feel lucky to have found it and I enjoyed reading every word that was written.
This book has far surpassed expectations. I admit that I started reading it a bit skeptically - I did not think I liked stories about witches and never had any interest in reading them. However, all that has now changed with Eternity. The plot is so original and creative, the characters are dynamic and exciting and even though I just finished the novel, I already miss them. The characters are an exciting realistic blend of extraordinary people with great strengths and realistic weaknesses, and they move you and as a reader one cannot help but feel connected to them.
The story is just amazing- the way it all wraps together - the past, the present, the spells, good & evil, the common threads of humanity, the excitement and suspense, and love - such a great romance it's breathtaking! and all the fascinating details - well it's just one of the best stories I've ever read.
Yes, I love it that much. I am amazed by the excellent writing, original plot, and incredibly well developed characters. This book has completely taken me by surprise and has impressed me. This is the first book I've read by Maggie Shayne and I am a fan for life.
For any reader, whether you enjoy witchcraft or not (I would've always said I did not, but after this I definitely do), this is a must read and a truly amazing book. I feel lucky to have found it and I enjoyed reading every word that was written.
February 7, 2015
Romance originally released back in the 90s about a young woman in the late sixteen hundreds who discovers after she’s been killed, that she’s an immortal witch, and that there are two kinds of immortal witches. And the evil ones need her heart to give them more power.
Raven is about to be hung as a witch when she first meets Duncan, a young priest who feels an immediate connection to her and does his best to prevent it.
I’d read this series when it was initially released so long ago and jumped at the chance to get a Kindle copy when it was offered for free. I recalled the concept of the immortal witches but not the story itself, so it was like reading the book for the first time.
I really like the characters and the world building when it comes to the immortals, as well as the challenges they have to face. The story is emotional and contains some action. It does not really center on witchcraft as a philosophy or a religion, but as something you are born with.
But I do have to say there is a great deal of angst, especially in the second half of the book, which dragged a bit for me. I still enjoyed it enough to read the rest of the series again.
Raven is about to be hung as a witch when she first meets Duncan, a young priest who feels an immediate connection to her and does his best to prevent it.
I’d read this series when it was initially released so long ago and jumped at the chance to get a Kindle copy when it was offered for free. I recalled the concept of the immortal witches but not the story itself, so it was like reading the book for the first time.
I really like the characters and the world building when it comes to the immortals, as well as the challenges they have to face. The story is emotional and contains some action. It does not really center on witchcraft as a philosophy or a religion, but as something you are born with.
But I do have to say there is a great deal of angst, especially in the second half of the book, which dragged a bit for me. I still enjoyed it enough to read the rest of the series again.
February 28, 2013
What a amazing book ! I can't believe I have never come across this series or author before.
Raven and her mother are set to die at the gallows accused of witchcraft. The plague has claimed many , and local townsfolk believe they are the cause,
Duncan Wallace , a priest in training protests the hanging. Duncan and Raven see each other .... and time stands still , a connection has been made ... a heartbeat , a breathe .... a soul searching. The lever is pulled and Raven's neck is snapped. Death is dark , but not the end . Raven lives again , for she is a High Immortal Witch. Immortality is a gift bestowed on those who have saved a witch's life in a previous life. There is a dark side... the Dark Ones can also gain immortality by cutting out the hearts of High Immortal Witches thus gaining their strength and power.
This is a story of strength , courage, love found and lost . A soul mate love story at it's base with the power and beauty of the Old Ways of Wicca , with dark elements. I can't wait to start the next book!
Raven and her mother are set to die at the gallows accused of witchcraft. The plague has claimed many , and local townsfolk believe they are the cause,
Duncan Wallace , a priest in training protests the hanging. Duncan and Raven see each other .... and time stands still , a connection has been made ... a heartbeat , a breathe .... a soul searching. The lever is pulled and Raven's neck is snapped. Death is dark , but not the end . Raven lives again , for she is a High Immortal Witch. Immortality is a gift bestowed on those who have saved a witch's life in a previous life. There is a dark side... the Dark Ones can also gain immortality by cutting out the hearts of High Immortal Witches thus gaining their strength and power.
This is a story of strength , courage, love found and lost . A soul mate love story at it's base with the power and beauty of the Old Ways of Wicca , with dark elements. I can't wait to start the next book!
March 25, 2015
Hated this book. I'm not surprised I didn't finish it, which is rare for me unless I truly dislike a book.
There was just no story between Duncan and Raven. They meet, fall in love at first sight but after that?
When you're reading a romance novel, there must actually BE romance in the book. The reader here is just to assume that it was true love and not lust at first sight. There was no romance, nothing for the reader to actually care whether or not this couple is meant for each other.
There's no character development either. I didn't care one bit for Raven or Duncan. When he died? So? Who cares? And when Raven meets him again, SO?! Who cares?!
The concept of the immortal witch and good and dark ones was interesting, but the author didn't flesh out the details for us readers.
I've liked Maggie Shayne in the past. But now? I'll probably never read anything of hers again. I just thank god that this was a free e-book on the Kobo website.
There was just no story between Duncan and Raven. They meet, fall in love at first sight but after that?
When you're reading a romance novel, there must actually BE romance in the book. The reader here is just to assume that it was true love and not lust at first sight. There was no romance, nothing for the reader to actually care whether or not this couple is meant for each other.
There's no character development either. I didn't care one bit for Raven or Duncan. When he died? So? Who cares? And when Raven meets him again, SO?! Who cares?!
The concept of the immortal witch and good and dark ones was interesting, but the author didn't flesh out the details for us readers.
I've liked Maggie Shayne in the past. But now? I'll probably never read anything of hers again. I just thank god that this was a free e-book on the Kobo website.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2016
I am breathlessly wowed!
I have read A LOT of Maggie Shayne books and have loved every single one, so hearing Maggie say that Eternity was "the single best novel I have ever written" both did and did not surprise me.
After finishing the book though, I can sort of see where she's coming from...
Wings in the Night will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I stand my assessment that The Portal series is epic. This book, however, is truly something special and will be one I will read way more than once. I can't wait to continue the Immortal Witches story with Infinity and am thrilled that I finally sat down to enjoy this work of art! <3
I have read A LOT of Maggie Shayne books and have loved every single one, so hearing Maggie say that Eternity was "the single best novel I have ever written" both did and did not surprise me.
After finishing the book though, I can sort of see where she's coming from...
Wings in the Night will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I stand my assessment that The Portal series is epic. This book, however, is truly something special and will be one I will read way more than once. I can't wait to continue the Immortal Witches story with Infinity and am thrilled that I finally sat down to enjoy this work of art! <3
March 27, 2013
This was an entertaining book. No literary award winning book, but a pleasurable book that kept me reading on my bus ride home from work. I was sad to see it end...ready to read another!
The writing in this book was great. Although "mystical", I never said..."Are you kidding me?" The main characters are very well developed; you really know "who" they are, and they reacted appropriately to their character in the different situations and conversations in the story.
There is a big time gap in the story. I wonder how exploring that time gap would have changed the story. Not sure if it would have added to our subtracted from the overall feel of the book.
Anyway, I liked it. Fun to read.
The writing in this book was great. Although "mystical", I never said..."Are you kidding me?" The main characters are very well developed; you really know "who" they are, and they reacted appropriately to their character in the different situations and conversations in the story.
There is a big time gap in the story. I wonder how exploring that time gap would have changed the story. Not sure if it would have added to our subtracted from the overall feel of the book.
Anyway, I liked it. Fun to read.
June 19, 2017
RE-READ 5/4/15: 4.5 stars! I love paranormal books, especially ones that involve some sort of past lives. I find it even more romantic to love someone so much not only in one life, but all of them. I do know that I jut wanted to smack those crazy people from the 1600's when they sprouted all this crap about witchery. Such fools!
A very different kind of witch story, but it had a nice sense of history to it, but a lot of action along with a deep everlasting love. I loved the series very much.
A very different kind of witch story, but it had a nice sense of history to it, but a lot of action along with a deep everlasting love. I loved the series very much.
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