Immortal Warrior (Immortal Brotherhood, #1) (2024)

Once I got past the extremely trying first 40% of this book, I wound up enjoying it immensely. Definitely enough to read the next one.

Alaida of Alnwick has had her grandfather and uncle imprisoned, has had to put up with numerous unwanted suitors, and now is being given in marriage by a king she doesn't like to a man she doesn't trust. Ivo has lived for over two hundred years under a curse that forces him to spend daylight in the form of an eagle. It is only during the night that he can be a man. But he can't tell his new wife this, partly because he fears her reaction and partly because he wants what small slice of time he can have to live as a normal man with a wife and family. That is, until his companion Sir Ari has a vision that Ivo's child will be cursed as well. As if it wasn't bad enough to lie to Alaida about his mysterious absences during the day, now Ivo must try to control his urges for fear of getting Alaida with child. But he soon finds out he's too late...

The first almost half of this book is spent concentrating really on the separation between Ivo and Alaida - he can't be with her during the day, but he can't tell her why, and that makes Alaida stuck in a marriage she doesn't want with a man keeping secrets from her and she's alone and bitter most of the day. It isn't until she leaves to check the properties Ivo has bequeathed her, and they return and have to come together to stand up to a neighbor that you begin to see any worthwile interactionb between Ivo and Alaida. They spend more time together, getting to know one another, and even though Alaida is hurt and confused as to why Ivo now doesn't want to bed her, she can't help but fall for him. I like how Lisa Hendrix doesn't do what a lot of authors do when the book includes long separations - oh, we hardly know each other, but the sex was great, so it must be love. Kudos for that.

Brand (a bear) and Ari (a raven) make interesting secondary characters and I Can't wait to read their books (especially Brand).

B-

Cool! A paranormal romance set in the Middle Ages with tortured heroes, brave heroines, and a wickedly evil witch! "Immortal Warrior" is the first book in a new 'Immortal Brotherhood' series by Lisa Hendrix and if you like your paranormal in a different setting, this just might be for you. This first story has a lot of world building which was sometimes irritating, but necessary to set up the rules and boundaries of Hendrix' creatures.

Ivo has been around for a long, long time. His curse changes him into an eagle by day and back into a man each night. This transformation has kept him apart from humanity for so long as he can't risk discovery. Just because he's immortal doesn't mean he can't feel pain. His loneliness and the thrill of battle led him into contact with humans, and now he's come to the attention of the king. For his latest reward he requests a castle. He gets a castle...and the woman in it too.

Alaida is tired of being besieged by prospective husbands...especially since they're beginning to lose patience with wooing and she's pretty sure at least one is contemplating force. So when yet another group of three knights appears at her gate, she dutifully goes to greet them intending to turn them away if possible. Instead, she learns her grandfather is a prisoner of the king and the beautiful man looking at her with fire in his eyes is her new lord...and soon to be husband.

This first story did stretch my credulity a bit. I thought a strong female like Alaida would be a little more aggressive with finding out why her husband is gone every day! And how the super-sexy Ivo managed to restrain himself was another sore point for me. But overall, I did enjoy the characters and the story and I think the setting actually helped with both the above. There was quite a bit of relationship building instead of just action and sex and I enjoyed that change of pace. I was even a bit surprised by exactly how the ending played out and that doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

I definitely want to get the next book, "Immortal Outlaw", which comes out in June 2009 and see where the author intends to take her series next.

Here we meet Sir Ivo cursed to fly as an eagle by day and to only take his human form at night. Ivo longs to again have a home and a family and his wish is granted when, for service to King Charles, he is given land and a woman to be his wife. Ivo's fellow warriors - Brand who is a bear by day and Ari who is a man when his friends are in their animal forms and a raven at night - think that Ivo is crazy for attempting a normal life. But though Ivo knows that he will likely only be able to enjoy this normalcy for a short time, when he meets Alaida his fiery wife to be, he knows that he will take whatever moments he can with her to hold in his heart until they are discovered and must go to ground.

Both Ivo and Alaida are great characters and the sparks start flying immediately when Ivo comes to claim his reluctant bride. I loved Alaida's feisty outspokenness, and Ivo's nobility but what I really liked about the pair was their intelligence and their sense of humor. Ivo's buddies are also interesting characters, Brand is sympathetic as the leader whose actions brought about the curse and Ari is charming with a poet's soul. The supporting cast is rounded out by Merewyn the lovely wood witch who discovers their secret, takes it all in stride and becomes a useful ally.

With Immortal Warrior author Hendrix avoids the pitfall of many of the new `immortal warrior' series hitting the shelves this year by limiting the introductions to just Ivo, Brand and Ari and saving the other six cursed shapeshifters for future books. I was so happy to not be scrambling to keep track of a humongous male supporting cast. There was an additional bonus in Hendrix's choice of concentrating on just a few good characters in that was there was space to really develop a strong relationship and romance between Ivo and Alaida, and if you've been reading the same books that I have this year you'll know how unusual this is for first-book romances in large series such as this one.

You may be saying to yourself, "Cursed immortal Vikings? Cursed immortal shapeshifters? Haven't I seen this some where else?", but don't fear Hendrix has a unique take on this and is starting out her series as `historicals' - this one is set in Medieval England and I think that I read somewhere that Hendrix is planning to move the series forward through different historical periods in each subsequent book. I'll certainly be checking out the next one, Immortal Outlaw, out in June 2009.

I really like Lisa Hendrix's writing style. It was easy to follow, and flowed well.
The story is about a Viking crew who killed the son of a sorceress in battle, and Cwen in turn cursed them into animal form-some by day, some by night. Ivar is around a 1000 yrs old, when he is granted land and the land's lady by King William. He and Lady Alaida throw sparks immediately. For him, lust, for her, anger. They got married, had a fabulous wedding night, and then he left her. During the day he becomes an eagle. Parts of it were really cute, how Alaida would see the eagle and call him "her" eagle, and she wouldn't let anyone hunt eagles. When she realized she was pregnant, she called the baby her little bird. Cute. The ending was fantastic. Action, love, a happy ending. Cwen was not vanquished, of course, since this is only book 1, but it was satisfying. The epilogue, was less of an epilogue, and more of a bit of foreshadowing.
My complaint with this book is that the middle annoyed me. The beginning was interesting, the ending was good, but the middle...okay, after their first night together, Ivar won't sleep with Alaida again because Ari, his friend and fellow cursed Norseman, had a vision of their child being an eaglet. So the book would say, a week passed, 40 days passed, a sennight passed...it got old with nothing happening during the time passing. Alaida bickered with Ivar, and at 4 months pregnant finally realized she was pregnant. Then she still won't tell Ivar. When she does they finally are together again, but then he leaves for 2 months and more "time passes." I got bored.
The ending was good, though, and it's a quick read. It's a medieval paranormal romance, and I liked the history that Lisa Hendrix threw in at the end as an author's note. Ivar has no history, but the land, names and castle are all real.

Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix is a tale of true love overcoming the odds. Wonderfully romantic, wickedly sexy with one foot in the historical realm and one foot in the paranormal realm, this novel is sure to delight any romance lover out there. I for one cannot wait for the next book and this installment will be going into my personal collection to read again and again. Like your favorite movie, you just can't seem to get enough of it.

Lady Alaida is extremely beautiful, young and opinionated, feisty, fiery, gentle and fair. She is the perfect woman to run a keep and knows her people and treats them with a firm but gentle hand. She actually cares. Unfortunately her kindness does not extend to the King or to any of the number of suitors that swill her ale while ravishing her pantry during the time in which she must make a choice for husband and Lord.

Ivor Graycloak is a brave man and also cursed. He has served the King for many years and now his payment for all of this is a keep, it's people and a young maiden to wife. Ivor is a bit reluctant to take on all of this because of his curse but finally decides that he has lived long and hard and would love to have a normal life per say. Only problem is, will it come to pass or will the curse win out?

Our story starts out with Ivor and two friends traveling to Alnwick to claim his prize that King William has bestowed upon him. Upon arriving he finds the keeps great hall is littered with would be suitors for the hand of Lady Alaida. It would seem that it has been some time that these men have been here for they have not only misused the Lady's property but have gone so far as to nearly wipe out the stores of food and ale. Being the disreputable bunch of louts they are, Lady Alaida has had all the ladies of the keep sleep in her chambers to protect her from these lecherous bastards.

Lord Ivor makes his claim to Alnwick and it's Lady and thus the fun begins. This Lady is not about to let some man just come in here and run her life, her keep and her people. At least not without a bit of a fight. Even though she can not say no outright to Lord Ivor, she is not about to be accommodating.

Meanwhile, Lord Ivor and his second leave before the sun rises and return after the sun sets each evening while their friend does just the opposite. He comes at sun rise and leaves at sun set. It doesn't take long before there is talk among the people but Lord Ivor puts it to rest quite easily and logically. His biggest problem is making Lady Alaida see things his way without question.

Our story is really quite wonderful in all respects. Descriptive scenery and dastardly villains erupt from the historical setting with the ease of listening to someone tell a fairytale of old. What makes this tale so much more is the love and devotion, good vs. evil and the complete feeling that you are truly watching everything happen from a first hand point of view.

Our author has given us a fresh perspective into another facet of the paranormal world. A delightful coaxing of characters as they bend and blend to make the story come alive. A story of hot steamy sex, delightfully playful romance and deep down soul searing true love that even the Gods would be leery of fiddling with. If you miss this novel you will be missing a wonderfully written work of art.

Centuries ago, nine viking warriors were cursed by the sorceress Cwenfor for killing her son when they raided Britain. Now they live as shadow beasts with animal halves, doomed to live during the night as men and the day as their fylgja - their spirit companion: animal or bird - or vice versa. Each took the form of the animal or bird on their amulet, which Cwen gathered and scattered.

Now, two hundred years later, it is 1096. The first of them to try to live as a normal human being is Ivar, the handsome blond warrior who spies for King William and is given land as a reward. An estate on the Scottish border and a bride: Alaida, daughter of the rebellious former lord of the estate at Alnwick ("Ah-nik"). He must marry Alaida and build a castle at Alnwick to please William, but since he lives the days as an eagle he fully expects to enjoy himself for little more than a month.

Taking his war captain, Brand - who turns into a bear by day - and Ari - who becomes a raven by night - Ivar, known as Ivo de Vassey amongst the Normans, takes the manor easily into his possession but has a great deal more trouble with the beautiful, spirited Alaida. He's so taken with her that he'll do anything to keep up the pretence and stay longer at Alnwick, even when Ari has a vision that Alaida will have a baby that will change into an eagle, forcing Ivo to keep his hands off her.

Desire, passion, intrigue, magic, witches, plotting rivals, an ancient foe - Immortal Warrior kept me on tenterhooks because I wasn't sure where it was going to go - and the ending (in the epilogue) surprised me a little, mostly because it's not the usual format of paranormal romance. I enjoyed the writing style, the character development and premise for the story, and that the character of Ivo de Vassey is based on a real person, as is the castle at Alnwick (where a bit of Harry Potter was filmed).

It's not a time period that features often in books, perhaps because it takes a great deal of research to get the facts and details right - and I can't vouch for them here, I'm no expert. I can imagine that the next books in the series take place in different time periods, which would be interesting, though that's just a guess.

I really liked Ivo, and felt for him too. Alaida I liked too - resourceful, with an independent streak that doesn't clash too much with the period, and sharp-tongued but passionate. They had a lot of chemistry and that really kept the story going. One thing I do wish for, in any book that uses Gaelic or Saxon or Welsh names - even Norman - is a glossary with pronunciation guide. I don't know how names like Alaida are supposed to be pronounced, so I have no choice but to say them phonetically. A name like her nursemaid's, Bôte, I have no idea how to say. Some help would be appreciated. I only knew how to say "Alnwick" because she gave that pronunciation at the back in her "Historical Notes".

Ivar (or Normanized into Ivo) and his Norse warrior friends have been cursed by a sorceress for killing her son. They spend daylight (or night, depending on the man-imal) hours in the form of their personal animal guardian (eagle, bear, raven) and the night (or day) as a man. And they're now immortal. Making it tough to develop relationships or live in one area for long.

A hundred+ years later, Ivo begins serving the Norman-English king William. William awards him a manor, some lands and a wife, because she comes with the "important" stuff.

Ivo spends his wedding night doing what newlyweds do, but then his also-cursed friend Brand reminds him the wife could get pregnant. This is bad because also-cursed friend Ari has seen a vision of an eagle (Ivo's animal form) flying from an infant's crib. Ivo fears this means any child of his may also be a were-eagle and spends the next 2 months doing all he can to not get busy with his hot wife.

Meanwhile, Alaida is very hurt and confused over why her new husband, whom she didn't want but seems to like quite a bit anyway, leaves every morning before dawn and doesn't return until after sunset. Also, why won't he touch her anymore, since he enjoyed the wedding night? He seems to like her, and seems to care about his new manor and lands, so why doesn't he stick around to be lord of the castle?

Much romance, action and resolution follow for a satisfying ending. Almost too satisfying, as this is supposed to be the beginning of a series. Nevertheless, I'll read the next in the series to see how it goes. I'm intrigued.

IMMORTAL WARRIOR is the first in a new paranormal series, The Immortal Brotherhood, about a crew of Vikings cursed by a powerful sorceress to be immortal were-creatures. The next book in the series is IMMORTAL OUTLAW, coming June 9, 2009

Tracy was kind enough to loan me her copy of Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix. She read it and quite enjoyed it, as did PJ at RNTV. The premise sounded interesting to me, a group of warriors cursed by a sorceress to live half their lives as men, half as the irtalisman animals. In the case of our hero, Ivar Graycloak, an eagle. So, by day, he is an eagle, and at sunset he becomes a man. When we meet Ivar, he is in a meeting with William the Conqueror who is inquiring as to what gift Ivar would like in reparation for his service to the crown. Usually Ivar takes money, but instead, this time, he asks for lands. He is gifted with Alnwick, and the heiress of that estate, who he must take to wife. Ivar has lived centuries with no lands and no woman, so he agrees readily to the statutes of the gift.

When Ivar arrives at Alnwick, he meets the lady Alaida, who is a smart mouthed, but well trained lady, who has been maintaining Alnwick and its lands in the absence of her grandfather (who was arrested and stripped of his lands for treason). Needless to say, she is less than pleased with Alnwick's new lord and she is furious to hear that she's to be given as a bride to him. So displeased, in fact that she resolves to steal away to a convent rather than submit. Of course, Ivar (known as Ivo, for reasons I wasn't clear about) catches her and insists she give her word to agree to marry him, for the good of her people. Alaida agrees reluctantly to wed him. They have one very hot night together, but to Alaida's dismay, Ivo leaves her before dawn, and informs her that he'll be doing the same every single day of their lives. Of course, Alaida is mortified by her husband's hasty departure from her bed.

Ivo travels with two companions, also cursed by the sorceress, one, Brand was actually the leader of the men who were cursed, and he carries the guilt of the curse with him. He transforms each night to a bear, and has no awareness of what happens during the time he is a bear. As an aside, Ivo remembers bits and pieces of the time that he passes as an eagle. Brand and Ivo also travel with Ari, whose form is a raven. Ari, though, is opposite from Ivo and Brand in that he his a man by day, and a raven by night. This allows them to safely maintain their illusions, since Ari is with Alaida during the day, and can handle any issues that arise, and vice versa with Ivo. Ari is also cursed with visions where he can foresee the future.

It is after Ivo and Alaida's first night as man and wife that Ari has a vision that tells him that should Alaida conceive, the baby will be cursed as Ivo is. Ivo must immediately forego the marriage bed. Obviously very unhappy news for Ivo.

The set up for this book is just the sort that I love. Paranormal, medieval, and a strong and snappy heroine with a mostly patient hero who is more amused by her antics than anything. But for some reason, I found it very easy to put this book down. I think part of the reason for this is that the book is setting up the world, as it's clear that there are going to be many in this series written. So there was quite a bit of info dumping. Also, even though I understood his motives, I was really frustrated by how long Ivo went on with the lies that he had to tell to Alaida to continue his charade. I felt sorry for her, because she really didn't understand, and he expected pretty much total acceptance from her. Which I understand is probably more historically correct, but it made me have a really hard time warming up to him. The story itself is well written and has a really imaginative premise. But overall, I just didn't love it. I'm not sure I'd read another, especially since it seems book 2 is about a character I've never heard of, which means I'm less attached than usual. I do undestand why other readers enjoyed the book, but it just didn't keep my attention enough for me to want to read the next in the series.

Final grade: C

A thrilling story with fantastic characters. The style of writing displayed was intriguing and really drew me in as a reader. Looking forward to the next instalment.

I love this time period of history. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to others in the series. My modern day tendency was to of course roll my eyes at the "instant attraction" between Alaida and Ivo but then I remembered that, well, first it's a book and second it was common practice during that time for women to be given to men as brides whether they wanted it or not. Women had basically zero rights, which is probably why I really appreciate the FICTIONAL element here - the women end up having opinions and authority because their men adore them so. Hmph. That's the way it should be. *snicker*

Okay, back to my thoughts... I enjoyed the banter between all the characters and was heartbroken in many instances throughout the book. Ari's desparate attempts to produce a different vision from the Gods than the one he originally was given, Brand's growing affection toward the woman that would show them the way to redemption by giving up her own life to save them, Ivo's constant heartache over the thought of leaving his wife and child, Alaida's heartbreak over believing her husband didn't want her or their child, just so many moments. I loved the chemistry between Alaida and Ivo and it was believable as he noticed far more than she realized and really took the time to learn her personality finding the things she loved and that were important to her. I loved her constant strive to keep her guard up only to find Ivo able to so easily disarm her defensive walls with a kind word or gesture that caught her unaware. The slow build of love was wonderful to read.

I was especially grateful for the downfall of Neville. What a snake. I will admit that the final moment of his demise, as well as the climax of the storyline for Bote was fairly predictable but it didn't bother me as the story flowed easily and wrapped nicely with the layouts started for the continuing storylines. I loved the epilogue beginning, written by Ari, that provided closure on Alaida and Ivo. I like happy endings because it happens so rarely in real life.

Good book and a series I look forward to reading more of in the future. Two thumbs up. I'd give more than two but alas if I had more than two thumbs I'd probably be in a circus. ;)

Alnwick Castle is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Northumberland, and Hogwarts students learned to fly in its bailey. So say the historical notes at the back of Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix. The fact that I’ve actually seen the castle in real life only adds to the attraction.

The immortal warrior of the title is Ivo, which is in fact the name of the Norman lord given charge of the castle after a 1095 uprising against William the Conqueror. The historical lord’s descendants held the castle for 200 years, though he may not have been quite as intriguing a character as the one portrayed by the author. Here, Ivo is an immortal Norse warrior, eternally cursed by the sorceress whose son died at his friend’s hand. Each of the survivors of that long-ago battle now lives a strange half-life, unable to die, and shape-changing between animal and human as the sun rises and sets.

As an eagle, Ivo spies out the land for his king. And as a man he reports what he’s learned. But one thing the king and his Christian men must never learn is Ivo’s shape-changing, which they would surely call demonic. And when Ivo is given a castle and a bride, he must keep his terrible secret in a far more public place, and hide his darkest fears from his dearest love.

Romantic Times describes this as “a bold and beautiful fairy-tale for grown-ups.” I’d have to say they’re right. The love-scenes are sensual and sweet, the history is delightfully convincing and well-researched, the characters are tortured and wonderful, the plot twisting, surprising, satisfying. The author combines myth, adventure and romance in well-seasoned proportions and creates a delightful whole. I shall eagerly watch for the next in this series.

What a great combination of historical and paranormal romance with a hint of the old 80's movie Ladyhawk theme. In the prologue the story is set, a group of Viking warriors led by Brand kill an evil witch's son while pursuing a treasure for their King. After a heady battle the witch curses the remaining living nine Vikings to immortality spending part of each day or night as the animal of their Viking fylgjur( totem) forever damned.

In Immortal Warrior the first of a proposed nine book series the year is 1095 in the reign of William Rufus of England we meet three of the warriors. Ivar Graycloak (The Eagle) now going by the Norman name of Ivo de Vassy is charged by his King to build a castle at Alnwick and thus comes with the deal the fiesty Alaida. With his companions Brand (the bear) and Ari (the raven) they must hide their true selves while trying to break the curse which damns themselves and their future children for all eternity.

I especially liked the historical tie in of the story, apparently a real Norman knight called Yves de Vescy did build the first castle at the great historical site which is Alnwick and featured as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books. As each warriors's story is told and the curse is broken the timeline of the story will move ahead so we will get a new historical aspect as well as a HEA in each instalment.

4.5 stars.

In the mood for a bit of a romance of the unlikely variety, this was perfect: Set in medieval England, with cursed immortal Vikings (hot Vikings of course), hiding the Viking, the immortality and the curse from the Normans. All the good things for escapism fantasy romance.

Ivar is offered the chance to wed, have a wife and home as a reward from William Rufos. Despite knowing he is cursed to spend the daylight hours as an eagle and that the home must be temporary, he accepts. He travels to the castle, weds and falls for the beautiful spirited Lady and with his friends, also under the curse, sets about trying to maintain the status quo.

The plot is vivid, intricate and interesting, the sex is smoking hot and there is just enough of it to keep you interested in the romance without ever thinking ‘Oh, no, they aren’t going at it again are they’. Early on I figured that this was going to be one in a series, which each one of the cursed men having their own romance, I could not figure out how the author was going to swing that and the ending came as an excellent surprise, Ivar’s curse is, of course broken but the others have yet to find their own ways out of their curses... I can’t wait to read more of them.

This book did not really blow me away. The story reminded me a little of Ladyhawk: animal by day, man by night. The story had potential it really didn't go anywhere. The characters were thrown together in a marriage that was arranged so they never even met one another. The romance was not developed and the characters didn't really breathe any life into it. There were sweet moments of charity, kindness and chivarly but it was not enough. I am really sad, because I wanted to give this book a really good rating but I couldn't.

THis book is about men cursed by a witch when they killed her so 50 men were there but only 9 survived till this point. Immortal, some change during the day others at night but all living the tormented life of their guardian animal. I loved the characters, the plot, the way the story developed. Just great

Reading this again 😁

Sir Ivo de Vassy was once known as the Norse warrior Ivar and he, along with eight fellow warriors, was cursed by the powerful sorceress Cwen when her son was slain in a long-ago battle. Forced to suffer endless days in the form of an eagle, only allowed human form at night, he was made immortal. Now working for the Norman King William, his service to the crown awards him a boon, and feeling the need to settle, even for a little while, and taste a sliver of normalcy for however long it lasts, he requests and is granted land and the title of Lord of Alnwick and is given the granddaughter of the former Lord to wed, Lady of Alnwick, Alaida.

Alaida doesn't much care for the king who imprisoned her grandfather, and she's less pleased with the idea of the political marriage. Duty bound, she follows the letter of the king's law and marries Ivo, but spirited and smart, she rebels in her own way and goes toe to toe with the imposing warrior. Instead of a tyrant and an oaf, however, Ivo proves to be a generous and thoughtful Lord, and Alaida finds herself attracted to her new husband, even though his odd habit of disappearing before the sun rises each day causes her pain and embarassment.

Before Ivo can relish the warming of his new wife's temperament, fellow cursed warrior Ari, by day a man and by night a raven, tells Ivo of the vision he's seen, a vision in which Ivo's progeny bears their curse. No matter how much his body and heart crave his wife, he is damned to never again lie with her as husband or risk getting her with a child that will be just as tortured as he.

What he wants most, he can't have. What he cares about most deeply can never be his. And even as living amongst men threatens his secret, and living with his wife threatens his fortitude, any chance at love may quickly turn to horror and death if Alaida ever finds out the truth of her husband's nature.

Despite the fact that historical romance isn't a preferred genre of mine, I was both impressed and pleased with the genuine feeling of historical accuracy that Lisa Hendrix brought to this series debut. I know little of medieval history, so I can't speak with authority about technical accuracy, but with deft descriptions of the people and the lives they live, the influence and power of the church, the nature of the workings of the homestead, and the substance of the dialogue, Hendrix infused an air of authenticity into Immortal Warrior that I have found severely lacking in other historical-themed books. Frankly, it just felt like Hendrix did a fair amount of research into the nature of medieval life and replicated it well, even as she blended in the magical nature of the characters. From a reader's perspective, I appreciated the attempt, and as someone not intimately familiar with historical accuracy, I found it very successful.

Ivo and Alaida were well formed characters, and Alaida in particular really appealed to me. One of the reasons I tend to stay away from historical romance is that the female protagonists tend to fall into one of two basic categories, either they're too progressive for the era in which they're being written and the book stumbles on technical merits, or they're too simpering/submissive/innocent, and the book stumbles on story merits. I was very impressed with Hendrix for creating a female lead of her era, aware of her duties and her responsibilities, knowledgeable of her restrictions, and still fiery and independent within those rigid strictures, and despite her innocence of men. It was a deft and intelligent bit of writing to maneuver that particular tightrope and I applaud Hendrix for it.

Immortal Warrior is a fast read, quickly paced, and I practically flew through it. Well rounded secondary and ancillary characters supported the story nicely, adding depth, and I very much enjoyed the mythos and backstory for the warriors. Hendrix went so far as to introduce readers to Brand, who spends his days as a bear, and Ari, the nightly raven, and both are appealing enough to instill a desire to see them reach their happily ever after. Smart move, really, and it set this book up nicely as a very strong starting point for what could truly be an impressive and original series.

There were a few minor cliched aspects, and a bit of formula in the developing romance between Ivo and Alaida. I'm pretty tired of romances in which the lack of communication, regardless of the reason, is the sole or major conflict between the romantic pairing. My reading preferences lie elsewhere, and again, is another reason why I tend to stay away from historical romance. The inherent nature of the historical era seems predisposed to communication issues between the man and woman. I would have preferred a more external conflict to drive the plot.

I was slightly disappointed that so little of the eagle was included in the story. Despite Ivo's dual nature, little of his animal side, or of the animal sides of Brand and Ari, were significant to the plot beyond the fact that they exist. When they were included, I found their differences and unique natures fascinating and would have liked to see more. On a brighter note, a very subtly-written ancillary plot thread that featured Brand and the healer Merewyn was appealing on a couple of different levels and I hope that we will see them again in the future.

There was a plot twist that I didn't see coming, and it certainly took me by surprise, but it was also the only part of the book that was more plot-driven than character-driven, so it didn't blend as well as all the other aspects of the story. It teetered a bit over the line into cliche and took a dance with overly convenient plot devices, but to expound on that would provide way too many spoilers and I was taken off guard to such an extent, I'm loathe to ruin that surprise for anyone else. Coupled with what I felt was a slightly odd conclusion that was far too...populated...for my tastes, the book didn't end quite the way I would have preferred.

Between being thoroughly impressed with the genuine historical feel, though, and admiring of the originality and scope of the mythos and backstory, as well as being truly fond of Ivo and Alaida, there was much to enjoy. The characters, various conflicts, and plot threads wove together to create a balanced and emotionally substantial reading experience.

I've purchased the second book in the series, Immortal Outlaw. One of the more tantalizing aspects of this series is the scope of historical times and various eras this series can feature. Given the research and attention to detail Hendrix offered here, I look forward to seeing if Hendrix intends to make use of a wide range of eras and the myriad of opportunities that range provides.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

Trigger Warnings:
Rape: The MFC is drugged in order for her to submit (the MMC doesn't do it but he has sex with her when he knows she doesn't want to, which is also rape), the MMC literally says "no" and the MFC mounts him anyway. A male character wacks off while imagining the MFC being raped by another guy. Another guy talks of raping the MFC and gets as far as kissing her before he's interrupted.
Historical BS: women being treated as sex slaves, women being treated as property, women being told to submit, women living under threat of physical harm should they speak, women being told they are evil incarnate for having any sort of sexual anything, the list goes on
Child endangerment: the MMC wishes the death of his child so he doesn't have to deal with it being part eagle like him (which it isn't), it even sounds like he would kill it at one point but he doesn't. He doesn't even want to name her, acknowledge her, or care for her until he finds out she's human

What the Hell is wrong with historical fictions? Why are so many of them filled with rape? Everyone says "Oh, because it was normal back then." Well necrophilia exists too but we don't read about that in every freaking romance book, do we? Why is the suffering of women supposed to be accepted and enjoyable to read about? Think on it.

The entire book is rape-y. It's hard to say that the plot was awesome when the entire thing is constant rape. It WOULD have been cool; men being cursed to take the form of an animal by day or night while being men on the flip side of that. And the personalities of some of the characters were pretty cool. But it's hard to enjoy a book when you're not sure if the MFC is going to be raped, drugged, or if the MMC is.

Ivo is cursed to be immortal and shift into an eagle at day, a man at night. After several 100 years of living more or less off the grid to hide his secret, he accepts land from the king, and the lady of the land as his wife. While the lady is not amused, she does give in, this is actually a refreshing part of the book – the woman is neither a push over nor overly angst driven.
So the story goes along with likeable characters, interesting sidekicks, and deep secrets, entertaining but unfortunately not overly exciting. The plot is so far fetched and confusing that the book lost all credibility for me at that point. Up to that weird ending I wanted to read the next book in the series, now I am not so sure anymore. Mood point since I already ordered it. Oh well.

The cleverness behind the curse and its potential for other great stories in the series pushed my rating to 4-star territory. Alaida is a strong-willed and intelligent leading lady with a whip-like tongue and a dangerous wit. Ivo (Ivar), our immortal hero, is amused and intrigued by heroine. Fearful of being found out and unaccustomed to being so close to 'mere mortals,' Ivo comes off as a bit aloof and a lot co*cky. It isn't until after their marriage that we see how caring and kind Ivo can be. However, we could have saved both Alaida and Ivo a lot of unnecessary tension if they both were honest with each other; Ivo especially. Then again, I guess the book would have been quite a bit shorter if that were to have happened. Love the idea of the series and would love to read more.

Loved !! I couldn’t put this book down once I started. I have been in a dry spell with my reading and I couldn’t get into any books at all they had no hook that grabbed me, but this book on the other hand got me hooked from the start. I couldn’t put it down I think I read it in 1-2 days and honestly that’s saying a lot. I enjoyed the plot immediately and found the lead female smart and courageous and not dumb witted at all, which in most books like these the female lead is usually a dumb, dull female in distress who is irrational for no bloody reason. And this book is the first book in a few months that I read through and wanted more immediately! ITS A MUST READ!!

I love when books are based in actual historical facts, however small they may be, because it somehow makes it feel more real, more possible, even before you knew it was based in fact.
This was an interesting story. Most shifter novels are based in current times; this was the first one I've read that has taken place so far into the past. It also wasn't like regular shifters because they were cursed to shift at dawn and dusk and couldn't change that except when the curse was broken.
It was a well written, well peopled, engaging story and I will definitely look for the next one.

DNF.

NO DOUBT SOME MIGHT ENJOY THIS BUT WHEN THE STORY HAD ME FEELING BORED, I COULDN'T HELP LOOKING AT THE REVIEWS AND FOUND ONE THAT JUST GAVE ME THE ENTIRE STORY. I guess I was looking for a reason to stay and finish the book but it didn't grasp my attention at all. I'm so sorry but, when it's a no, it's a no. But don't mind me, perhaps this one might suit you after all if you're not a picky reader like me. I just wasn't feeling it between the characters even if the plot was unique AND it's a marriage before love story.

I really enjoyed this one! Lots of steam and some fun characters. It was really cool that the author used Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts) and provided some history at the end on some of the characters - though the story is fiction, there were some real people they were based on! Will definitely be picking up the rest of the series and finding out what happens to Brand, Ari and the rest of the guys!

I liked it. Hero only had eyes for her. I didn't like how he lost his immortality at the end.

awesome first book in what looks to be a great series!

Klappentext:

"Er ballte die Fäuste, bis sich seine Nägel in die Haut gruben, als er daran denken musste, welch Vergnügen und welche Gefahr eine Heirat mit sich bringen würde. Wie sollte er sein Geheimnis vor seiner künftigen Ehefrau bewahren?"
Niemand am englischen Hof ahnt, dass Lord Ivo de Vassy, der als Spion für den König tätig ist, tatsächlich ein verfluchter Gestaltswandler namens Ivar ist - auch der König nicht, der ihm ein Lehn anbietet und die Vermählung mit der jungen Adligen Alaida befiehlt. Ivar hingegen ist völlig klar, dass es Wahnsinn ist, sich auf eine Ehe einzulassen. Doch er kann seiner Sehnsucht, endlich wieder ein Heim zu haben - und sei es auch nur für kurze Zeit -, einfach nicht widerstehen. Vor allem nicht, nachdem er Alaida kennengelernt hat, eine ebenso kluge wie eigenwillige Frau.
Doch nicht nur der Fluch, auch eine dunkle Prophezeihung bringt die beiden in tödliche Gefahr ...

Meine Meinung:
"Unsterbliche Liebe" ist der erste Band von insgesamt neun Stück aus der Reihe der Nachtkrieger von Lisa Hendrix. Ich muss zugeben, dass ich vor dem Lesen einige Vorurteile hatte. Ich dachte, diese Reihe wäre genauso wie die anderen, die es schon gibt. So eine Art Mischung aus verschiedenen Büchern wie "Herren der Unterwelt", die Gestaltswandler-Reihe von Nailini Singh, etc.
Weit gefehlt!! Das Buch ist der Hammer. Eine der besten Bücher aus dem Genre.
Ihr wollt wissen, warum es mir so gefallen hat? Lest es und ihr werdet es sehen. Die Grundidee mit verfluchten Kriegern, Gestaltswandler gibt es ja schon, aber Lisa Hendrix hat es meiner Meinung nach perfekt umgesetzt, um aus der Masse herauszustechen. Bei vielen ähnlichen Büchern ist es immer die Liebe auf den ersten Blick und dann sind alle happy und würden ihr Leben für den anderen geben, dabei kennen sie sich erst einen Tag lang... In "Unsterbliche Liebe" ist es gut gelöst, denn Lady Alaida sieht es genau anders. Sie mag ihren neuen Ehemann nicht, den der König ihr gegeben hat. Ich musste so oft lachen, weil Alaida nicht auf den Mund gefallen ist. Sie hat zu allem eine Meinung, die sie dann auch vehement vertritt.
Auch macht sie keinen Hehl daraus, dass Ivo ihr den Rücken hinunter rutschen kann. Sie ist klug, selbstbewusst, stark und hat ihren eigenen Willen. Für die Zeit in der die Geschichte spielt - 1095 - war sie wohl eher eine Ausnahme, denn damals hatten die Frauen nicht viel zum sagen. Jeder andere Ehemann hätte sich ihre scharfen Kommentare nicht lange gefallen lassen, aber Ivo findet es gut eine Ehefrau mit eigenem Willen zu haben. Langsam und vorsichtig kommen die beiden sich näher ...
Die Charakteren waren alle sofort sympatisch, Alaida hat mir gut gefallen ebenso wie Ivo. Sie wirkten beide sehr authentisch und passten perfekt zueinander. Aber auch Ivos Freunde, besonders Ari, fand ich auch sympatisch. ;)
Ich freue mich sehr, wenn dann irgendwann Ari an der Reihe ist und uns seine Geschichte erzählt, denn er ist derjenige, der alle Geschichten aufschreibt, ein ehemaliger Hofdichter. Auch Brand ist gut gelungen, alle drei krieger haben ihre Stärken und Schwächen, sind mal in guter Laune und auch mal in schlechter Laune vertreten. Sie wirken nie wie der Prinz auf dem Pferd der kommt um die holde Jungfrau zu retten. Dies finde ich sehr realistisch gestaltet. Denn die drei müssen die ganze Zeit mit der Angst leben, entdeckt und so verjagt zu werden. Ivo und Brand verwandeln sich jeden Tag bei Sonnenaufgang in ihre Schutzgeister, Ari in der Nacht. Die drei haben mir sehr Leid getan, vor allem Ivo, der nach und nach beginnt seine Frau wirklich zu lieben und Angst hat, sie bald wieder verlassen zu müssen. Die ganze Zeit macht er sich Vorwürfe, er steckt in einem tiefen Konflikt, den einerseits will er bei seiner Frau bleiben, auf der anderen Seite darf sie von seinem Fluch nichts wissen...
Es gibt auch ein paar unerwartete Wendungen im Buch, was zur Spannung beiträgt. Die fast fünfhundert Seiten lesen sich im Nu und schon sitzt man da und klappt das Buch traurig zu, da es leider schon zu Ende ist. Ich freue mich schon sehr auf den zweiten Teil, der von einem anderen, bisher unbekannten Krieger handelt.
Ach was ich noch erwähnen wollte: Die Personen im Buch gab es teilweise wirklich, z.B. lebte in dem oben genannten Jahr wirklich ein Ivo de Vassy auf Alnwick, ein Nordmann. Er hatte eine Frau namens Alda und eine Tochter namens Beatrice...
Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass die Autorin hierfür reale Personen genommen hat. Das finde ich aber umso besser ;).
Zu der Reihe kann man noch sagen, dass es insgesamt neun Bücher werden, von denen jedes einzelne in einer anderen Zeit spielt. So bekommt man also auch verschiedene Epochen und deren Menschen dargestellt, worauf ich schon sehr gespannt bin!! Im März erscheint das zweite Buch unter dem Titel "Ewige Begierde".
Unbedingt lesen!!!

Mehr Rezensionen von mir auf:
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Cursed to the form of an eagle for the daylight hours, the hero has long since given up on the hope of freeing himself from his prison. But when given the chance, he leaps at the chance of having a home of his own and a wife to warm his bed during the cold nights. Knowing it is a mistake to take such of risk of being caught in the Change, he still can't help himself from experiencing a moment of happiness and excitement, even if it's to be temporary.

His home, granted to him by the king, is a keep deep in the wilds of the north. His wife, the granddaughter of the previous Lord who betrayed the king and is imprisoned. Though he disagrees with the notion of gifting a noblewoman in marriage, he is nether the less pleased with his bride. She is beautiful, though anyone destined to be his would seem so. She is also witty and in the possession of a sharp tongue which he is on the receiving end of on more than one occasion. He prevents her from escaping to a convent the night before their wedding and at the alter she is defiant and stubborn. But in the end, she does her duty and they are husband and wife. He can hardly wait for the wedding night, eager to know her body and anticipating the warmth to be found in this passionate woman's arms. All that fire can only translate into a woman built for night play and he is pleasantly rewarded with a wedding night filled with passion and human connection, 2 things he's longed for so long for. But his peace is not to last.

The curse is still upon him and before the sun rises in the sky, he leaves the keep and ventures into the woods. The heroine never wanted this marriage and never wanted the man who has become her husband. He is arrogant and possessed the habit of laughing at her, something she wants to smack him for. But she didn't anticipate the joy and wonder to be found in his arms. Indeed, she never expected this wanton behavior from herself but if this is what marriage is to be, then she imagines she'll suffer it easily enough. Then her husband leaves before she awakens, humiliating her in from of her people. In fact, her husband is absent every day without fail, only to return at nightfall to tease her and expect all to be forgiven. And just when she expects to explore more of the night play, he grows cold and distant. She doesn't understand his sudden and unexpected absence but she knows she is hurt and angry. The hero's chance of happiness is crashing down around him. He can no longer enjoy his wife because he receives horrifying news that a child produced by their union would share the curse of its father. So, he must keep away from the temptation of his wife even though he knows his refusal to bed her hurts her feelings. It also drives a deeper wedge between them. But when he finds out she is pregnant, the fear of the future and the longing to know her and have her while he can is overpowering. How can he leave this beautiful child and its equally beautiful mother when his women are his world?

The curse is all powerful and the witch who cast it has returned to see it through but the hero knows he'll sacrifice everything to see his wife and daughter safe from danger.

This was a great start to the series and I enjoyed very much the unique plot and Viking mythology. The hero as a character was deliciously tortured and at times he let his temper fly because of the injustice of it all but mostly he was a martyred loner who suffered in silence. He was a good Lord to his people and earned their respect and loyalty much easier than he did his wife's. She was eager to think the worst of him. Even though she desired him, she didn't trust him. She was a dutiful wife though and obeyed him for most of time even if it wasn't in silence. I admired the fact that the author penned her as a woman typical of her time period yet did manage to give her a strength and a fire. She bore the absence and mystery of her husband well and I empathized with her confusion over why he refused to bed her, even though she tried to seduce him. They had a lovely relationship, even though they only managed to spend a few hours together at night before sleep claimed the heroine and the hero left in the morning. What I will say is that I actually thought Brand to far more intriguing hero and honestly would have preferred him to be the main character. The torment of the death of his wife paired with his teasing personality and quick humor would have made for a lovely book. Still, this book was great regardless. Easily a 3.5-star rating which I'm happy to upgrade to a 4.

Because I always loved history and because I am from the birthplace of the Vikings, I was especially fond of this book. Really interesting caracters and even a love story :-)

Thank You Ms Hendrix.
I am off to the next book in this series

Ken