Book Review: Immortal City by Scott Speer

 

**Received this book from Around the World ARC Tours for review**

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.

My Thoughts:  Well, I have to say this book wasn't one of my favorites.  It was a slow read and very choppy.  It wasn't horrible and did have some entertainment value but not one I will pick up again.

In the City of Angels, Guardian Angels are paid for their protection.  If you have enough money, you are virtually invincible.  For those that don't have tons of money, a lottery is available or the "charity case" (one person gets picked and protected pro bono).  Jackson Godspeed is the hottest angel and next up to become a Guardian.  He is on all the magazine covers and everyone who is anyone knows who he is.

Which brings us to Maddy.  Maddy is busy helping her uncle with his diner, filling out college applications and trying to get into a good college...on the east coast, as far away from the City of Angels as possible.  She is just not into all the Angel gossip even though her best friend Gwen is.  Then she meets Jackson when he comes into the diner after a grisly crime is committed.  She isn't impressed with Jackson but Jackson cannot seem to get her out of his mind.  

Amid all this is the chaos of Angels being "de-winged" and murdered.  We meet Officer Sylvester and try to figure out the mystery of who is killing angels. I did have a sneaking suspicion as to who the bad guy was but I wasn't completely certain so that was a bonus point for me.

The thing that REALLY annoyed me in this book was all the name dropping of brands.  By the end of the first chapter I pretty much understood that the Angels were celebrities and rich and had designer clothes and awesome cars but the author felt the need to constantly describe what brands were being worn (right down to the sunglasses, shoes and handbags) and what kind of cars the Angels drove.  It got old pretty fast.   

Like I said, this wasn't a miserable read by any means but not one of my favorites.  If you like Angels and mysteries, pick it up and give it a try for yourself.