📖 Overview
The Immortals follows Selene DiSilva, a former Greek goddess living in modern-day Manhattan who protects women from abuse and violence. When she discovers the brutally murdered body of a woman near Columbia University, Selene must embrace her divine powers to investigate the crime alongside classics professor Theo Schultz.
The investigation leads them through academic circles and occult societies as they uncover connections to ancient Greek religious practices. Their search reveals a pattern of ritualistic murders and a conspiracy that threatens both mortal and immortal worlds.
The novel combines elements of urban fantasy, mythology, and procedural mystery while reimagining classical deities in a contemporary setting. It explores the intersection of ancient beliefs with modern life as gods and monsters navigate present-day New York City.
The story raises questions about justice, vengeance, and the price of immortality while examining how ancient power structures and gender dynamics persist in modern forms.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise the detailed Greek mythology integration and the modern Manhattan setting. The protagonist Selene's complex character development and the murder mystery plot earn positive mentions in reviews. Multiple readers note the thorough research into both classical mythology and NYPD procedures.
Common criticisms include a slow-paced first third of the book and romance elements that some found predictable. Several readers mention struggling with the academic tone of certain mythology passages.
From reader reviews:
"The police procedural aspects feel authentic without overwhelming the story" - Goodreads reviewer
"Too much time spent explaining basic Greek myths most readers already know" - Amazon reviewer
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (7,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings)
The book scores higher among readers who specifically enjoy both urban fantasy and Greek mythology, with lower ratings from those seeking a pure crime thriller or romance novel.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🏺 Though the novel is set in modern-day Manhattan, it weaves in authentic elements of ancient Greek religion, including accurate historical details about the cult of Artemis and her temples.
🗽 The author, Jordanna Max Brodsky, is a Harvard graduate who studied Classical mythology and worked in Manhattan—both experiences that directly influenced the book's setting and scholarly elements.
⚔️ The protagonist Selene's weapon of choice—a pair of golden daggers—is historically accurate, as twin daggers were indeed used in ancient Greek hunting and combat techniques.
🌙 The novel's exploration of the Eleusinian Mysteries, a secret religious cult in ancient Greece, is based on real historical accounts, though much about these mysteries remains unknown even today.
📚 The book launched a successful trilogy called The Olympus Bound series, which follows Greek gods living in contemporary New York City while dealing with their fading immortality.