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Immortality has never been introduced in this way.

This stirring novel was all at once witty, gritty, and surreal.

MY REVIEW

Immortal Gifts by Katherine Villyard is a fresh take on a familiar tale. These characters quickly drew me into their story and I found myself rapidly flipping pages to see what the future had in store for them.

We have two timelines and multiple character point of views. It was easy to follow along and the pacing kept the story flowing smoothly. I did read late into the night, but I didn’t finish it in one sitting.

Abraham is a vampire and he’s Jewish. He follows his religion as much as possible, considering he is a vampire. He is married to a human, Destiny. She’s a veterinarian. I love that he loves cats. He even nurses kittens, whenever Destiny brings them home. Can you picture a big bad vampire bottle feeding a tiny kitten? The animals have their own complex personalities that develop as the story unfolds.

Abraham’s biggest danger is Thomas, a blowhard vampire that rouses the masses to bring hell down on him. Abraham became a vampire when Ludwig impulsively saves him from death due to consumption. Thomas thinks that Abraham does not deserve immortality because he is Jewish, but Ludwig sees Abraham’s talents with a violin as a gift from God. There will be a reckoning.

There is a lot of historical information about Judaism and I trust that Katherine did her research. I do love the blending of religion and vampires that Katherine handles so well.

Immortal Gifts is Katherine Villyard’s first novel and I feel that she is a rising star. I loved Immortal Gifts and I can hardly wait for what comes next. After all, Abraham is Jewish and there are a lot of Nazi war criminals hiding out in South America.

My thanks go out to Katherine Villyard for the opportunity to read and review Immortal Gifts.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

He lied about his identity. Two hundred years later, he’s still paying the price…

Prussia, 1841. Abraham only ever wanted to play violin. Hiding his Jewish status so he can study at the prestigious Berlin Academy of Music, the eager young man is delighted to find a patron who believes in him. But he’s mortified when his new friend turns him into a vampire… and Abraham earns the fury of an ancient antisemite who vows to see him permanently dead.

Fleeing the hate-mongering fiend across the decades, the sensitive violinist at last settles in twenty-first-century New Jersey with a mortal woman. But when he discovers his relentless tormentor has tracked him down yet again, Abraham despairs he’ll never find true happiness.

With everyone he’s ever loved at risk, can he escape the rage of a ruthless bigot?

In a complex tale woven through history, Katherine Villyard delivers a fresh and insightful twist on the vampire novel. Infusing the narrative with profound themes of love, betrayal, and the nature of monsters, she crafts an unforgettable saga of surviving prejudice that will keep readers turning pages deep into the night.

Immortal Gifts is the thoughtful first book in the Immortal Vampires contemporary fantasy series. If you like well-drawn characters, dual-timeline storytelling, and pulse-pounding suspense, then you’ll adore Katherine Villyard’s compelling read.

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, Vampires, Witches
412 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2025 by Flower Feather Press

ABOUT KATHERINE VILLYARD

My parents met singing opera and started taking me to choir practice when I was six weeks old. I attended four elementary schools and four high schools before getting master’s degrees in art and library science. So naturally I work in IT, abusing SQL Server for fun and profit. When I’m not working or writing, I’m probably playing the Sims or spoiling cats. My greatest ambition is to rule the world.

If you’re looking for “Becoming,” you can find it here.

Be sure to follow me on Bookbub!

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