The Immortal Collection

By: Eva García Sáenz, Lilit Žekulin Thwaites (translator)

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings, Angela Dawe

Length: 17 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Adriana, a brilliant young archaeologist, accepts a position at the Museum of Archaeology in her hometown of Santander, Spain, she never imagines that her new boss has lived through the history she can only study. Iago, the charismatic technical director of the museum, is more than 10,000 years old but appears to be only 35. Iago and his family are longevos - people who never seem to age after reaching adulthood. The ancient family is divided: Iago’s brother and sister seek the source of their longevity in hopes of creating more like themselves, while Iago and his father fear the repercussions of the true Fountain of Youth.

A dangerous game of power and knowledge that has played out over eons becomes even more complicated when Adriana attracts both brothers’ attention - and learns their secret. Filled with science, history, and passion, The Immortal Collection transports the listener through time and space, from the days of cavemen, through the Roaring Twenties, to the charming plazas of contemporary Spain. Ancient history meets cutting-edge research in this modern love story and sweeping historical saga.

©2012 Eva García Sáenz. English translation © 2014 by Lilit Žekulin Thwaites. (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Wow, wow, wow...such a good read!

Would you listen to The Immortal Collection again? Why?

Definitely would read many times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters are interesting, but of course Adriana and Iago are my fave.

What does Jeff Cummings and Angela Dawe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jeff and Angela bring the personalities of the characters to life that enjoy with the audio book that I wouldn't have if I just read the book and I so looking forward to the 2nd installment in this saga in audio form as well.

If you could take any character from The Immortal Collection out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably Hector/Lur because he would have such a wealth of knowledge of human histories and experience more so than any of the other character, even Iago

Any additional comments?

Wow, wow, wow...such a good read. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story. Such rich characters and story. Well written both in structure and content. So glad I took the time to read this book. Can't wait for the 2nd installment of this story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Best Book I've Listened To In A While!

I have to say that I was sooo pleasantly suprised by this book. The narration was excellent. Especially considering that it was translated from spanish and there was a lot of Spanish places that had to pronounced correctly.
A book about immortals that aren't vampires was also refreshing. You get a deep insight into the characters and their family connections.
For the romance junkies there's enough of that without it being porn.
So worth the money for this one.
I will still give an adult rating.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

love it

I have to admit I could not put it down it had me hooked right from the beginning and the ending OMG I hope it was not a cliffhanger because if it is they have to be another book that continues to explain

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Incredibly boring

I normally love Angela Dawe because she has a lovely voice but her voice just seemed to make the book even more dry and uninteresting. I just noticed Jeff Cummings was the male voice. Another normally great narrator! There was just no saving this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Could have been shorter

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes and no. The plot was interesting, as were the characters, but it just seemed to drag in places. Since this was an interpreted book I felt lost at times with all the foreign places and names. The history lesson was interesting, but again too long at times.

A lot of questions were left unanswered. It does end with a cliffhanger so maybe some of them will be answered in the next book but I didn't like it enough to continue with the series.

Any additional comments?

Both narrators did an excellent job with the foreign names and places.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Way too long and filled with boring monologues

It is not that this book was bad it was just too long. While details and building are the characters traits and personalities are good, this author provided an over abundance of just tedium.

The storyline and plot where very good but honestly we could have removed the 10 hrs of this book and had a wonderful book. I felt like I was in a mandatory history lesson. Which is NOT romantic. Then after 17 hours the author STILL ends with a cliffhanger..... REALLY

We could have closed out with and what happened to her cousin and his kids, whether or not the Dana has children.... Oh but NO! It's like putting me through 10 hours of Anthropology 101 was not enough just to get through the plot then the author provides NO closure. Not going through another 17 hrs.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

It Dragged a little

I figured out what was happening well before the Characters in the book. I found it hard to believe that the characters could live so long and not learn anything. There were several side issues left unsolved.

good story

I loved the story, kind of didn't love the voice actors though...I'm not sure why.

Not a fan of Angela Dawe's narration

I am not sure I will be able to finish this book in audio version because of how bad one of the narrators is. I actually just yelled at her to shut up while listening to this book. She has a pleasant voice, but emphasizes and lengthens every vowel sound she comes across. It's incredibly irritating.

Amazing new imaginings of familiar human dramas

One of the best books I have read in a while, The Immortal Collection is a little bit fantasy, a little bit mystery, a little bit science fiction, and every bit an epic family story. It is also in every moment an opportunity to contemplate the human condition. By presenting us w/characters who are long-living rather than truly immortal Eva Garcia Saenz keeps this novel down to earth. Our everyday challenges around love, family, and the quest to overcome tragedy and rediscover ourselves is magnified and complicated by lives, relationships, and even villains that span generations. It is set in contemporary Spain with character back stories that take us back 1000 years and across the European continent, so in some moments it is like having an archaeologist travel guide through ancient civilizations. Since the social backdrop changes as the drama of the characters' lives continues to unfold, reading this felt like there were always new settings to imagine and problems to think about and solve. It was never boring: I wanted to get to the end to find out how it was going to end but I also was so sorry when it was over.

Unexpected and Brilliant

Where does The Immortal Collection rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book was outstanding - and the story was like nothing I have read before. Will definately read again and again

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lago was my personal favourite and I could understand the way he held back. I enjoyed the way the relationship built with the main female character, Adriana. There was enough depth in the portrayal of the characters to provide interest.

What does Jeff Cummings and Angela Dawe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I like the use of two narrators providing the voice for the main male and female characters. Good jobs well done

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Not all the living history in a museum is on show.

Any additional comments?

I will watch for more books and there was opening story lines left for sequels.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

good story - terrible narrator

If you could sum up The Immortal Collection in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, predictable, enjoyable

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Jeff Cummings and Angela Dawe ?

Jeff cummings was fine, but I think a softer voice was needed for the female narration. Angela Dawe seemed to be 'reading in capitals' , with the tonal ebb and flow all wrong!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it kept me interested!