Customer Reviews

Infinity (Immortal Witches)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ever since I read Eternity, I have been waiting for Arianna and Nicodimus's story. As a reader, I knew the rough outline of this book from what happened in the previous one, but Ms. Shayne does not disappoint in her writing. It did not matter that we knew what was coming, if anything it made the story more poignant.

Arianna is a strong character who seems woefully spoiled in the beginning of the story. She senses that she is different and dares anyone to oppose her. Nic knows that she is headed for trouble, especially in a time where there is little tolerance for witches. Rightly or wrongly, Nic does not explain what she truly is and this just causes more trouble for this strong willed youth. While battling his own desire, not wanting to be attracted to Arianna or her willful ways, he can't seem to help but be drawn to her. As the story progresses, Arianna grows too. It is this maturing of Arinna that really keeps the interest of the book going.

There are many twists and turns which I did not anticipate (though I probably should have). All the secondary characters are key to the plot and are a delight to read about. They are fairly well defined, though I would not have minded a little more in depth explanation into backgrounds and motives. Hate, greed, and love are strong motivators but brief in description. I also did not understand why Arianna did not go after her husband's murderer. Wouldn't she want revenge? Four hundred years is a long time, why didn't she just kill him after she got stronger (especially once she had her sister's help?) Besides that one little criticism, I loved this story and strongly urge you to read it and Eternity if you have not done so yet.

I loved this book even more than Eternity, which is saying something. The plot was tight and engaging, the characters were strong and confident. No cowering wimps in this one! This is the book I've been waiting for romance writers to write for years. Nicodimus was oh so sexy. A perfect match for the headstrong Arianna. I'm now crawling all over used book stores looking for Maggie Shayne's past works. Here is a writer I can finally relate to.

"Infinity" by Maggie Shayne is a hauntingly romantic tale of danger, adventure and a love that endures through eternity. Shayne has created a captivating mix of romance and suspense that is guaranteed to keep readers glued to the pages. With its fresh and original storyline and endearing characters, "Infinity" will stay in the minds and hearts of readers long after the book is done.
Arianna, independent, stubborn and often reckless, is an Immortal High Witch. She knows exactly what she wants, and his name is Nicodimus. However, Nicodimus, also an Immortal High Witch, has suffered too much pain and loss in his seven hundred and fifty years of life, and has vowed never to love again. But when he must marry Arianna to keep her safe from accusations of witchcraft, this wilful beauty begins to break down the barriers around his heart. But not until Arianna is kidnapped and taken from him does Nicodimus finally realize that he truly does love her and cannot live without her.
Arianna has been kidnapped by Nicodimus' life-long enemy, Marten, a Dark Immortal High Witch, who survives by taking the hearts of Light Witches such as Arianna and Nic. But when Nicodimus comes to rescue Arianna, he walks in on a trap, and dies believing that Arianna has committed the ultimate betrayal.
For five hundred years, Arianna walks the earth longing for her lost love, until she finally finds and kills the Dark Witch who stole Nicodimus' heart, and discovers a way to bring Nic back. And though Arianna is successful in returning Nicodimus to life, her actions also summon the powerful evil that tore them apart all those centuries ago - Nicodimus' mortal enemy - who threatens all that they hold dear.
Now, Arianna and Nicodimus must confront the past, for only then can they reawaken the love that was always in their hearts, and triumph over the evil that threatens to destroy them once and for all!
This is a great book. I was immensely entertained from cover to cover, as Maggie Shayne absorbed me in her wonderful world of magic and true love. Nicodimus and Arianna are fantastic, vivid, and lovable characters, with realistic flaws and strengths. I highly recommend this book, so buy it today. You won't regret it, I promise!

Even though I don't believe in the overall philosophy that is clearly being spelled out in this book (forgive the pun), I couldn't help but enjoy the story and be intrigued by the whole idea of immortality and what that state would truly be like. I've read other books about immortals, but this one (and the prequel Eternity) more realistically portrayed the good and bad aspects of living forever. Arianna is a believable heroine and I found myself drawn into her story. Nic was more than just a good looking hunk. He actually had a personality, one we can see clearly because he narrates a lot of the book (nice to see things from the man's point of view). Other than the veiled put downs of Christianity, I loved the book.

Set in Scotland in two time periods, first in 1511 and then 1999. Arianna was born an immortal high witch in a small village called Stonehaven in Scotland. She frequents the local witches called the Crones to learn all about their magic. Little does she know that her powers exceed way beyond those of her teachers. When the Crones are murdered by the villagers for being witches, Nicodimus steps in to save Arianna from the same fate by marrying for he is a close friend of the cheiftains of the village. Nicodimus is also an immortal high witch but is discreet about his powers. He is many centuries older than Arianna but remains at the physical age of 28, the age that he first experienced death before reliving again. Nicodimus has given his name to Arianna for her protection but not his heart for he has been hurt in the past from the death of his first wife and three children. Slowly but reluctantly he teaches Arianna what she is and what powers they hold. In the background lies danger in the form of Nicodimus' ex brother in laws who blame him for the death of their sister. Before Arianna can truly learn about her status, Nicodimus is taken away from her and they do meet again until over four hundred years later in 1999.

This is the sequel to Maggie Shayne's Eternity which features Raven and Duncan's story. In a way the first half of the book is a prequel to Eternity whereby the second half is the sequel. I would recommend that you read Eternity first otherwise you will feel cheated half way through the book when it jumps four centuries ahead with only a page and a half to explain what happened between the centuries.

This is a captivating little saga with danger lurking closely at every corner. You feel for Arianna as you wonder whether Nicodimus is ever going to return the love that she feels for him right from the start. The time period is well described so you can feel that you are living in 1511 in Scotland. Arianna makes for a strong heroine and Nicodimus a genuine and caring hero. The villains are truly villainous and you find yourself rooting for Arianna and Nicodimus to defeat them. A thoroughly good read and highly recommended.

Lealing

Maggie Shayne has done it again. Like many readers I have been waiting anxiously for the release of Infinity. As much as I loved Eternity, Infinity is even better! The characters are vivid, compelling and so well drawn that their pain and happiness were truly my own. Thank you Maggie. Again, like many of your readers, I will treasure these books always, not to mention, I'll be anxiously awaiting the third!!!!

Warning: Do not read INFINITY without reading its prequel ETERNITY, or else you will not understand what happens between Part I (medieval Scotland) and Part 2 (modern day) in INFINITY.

I was looking forward to reading INFINITY, because the hints about Arianna's back-story in ETERNITY intrigued me. Unfortunately, this sequel didn't grip my attention. The premise is interesting enough: Arianna and Nicodimus are both Immortal High Witches, who meet and marry - and are killed - before reuniting to battle an evil Dark Witch. However, the author has a ponderous and brooding writing style that didn't work in this book (it bored me actually), and the story didn't really pick up until after Nic dies. In the meantime, Arianna irritated me. She's one of those overly rebellious heroines who brings about disaster everywhere with all her rash decisions - yet all the guys drool all over her anyway cuz she's cute. (Insert eyeball rolling here) The ultimate cheesy moment in this book occurs when dirt-poor, social outcast Arianna is told by a Liard that she can pick any guy in the clan to marry - even his own sons - in order to protect her from villagers who want to burn her as a witch. Right. Whatever. Anyway, INFINITY is an alright read, if you don't mind all the caterwauling about unrequited love, etc., that the author pounds you on the head with. And if you don't mind predictability. Also, don't expect a lot of magic here. They are witches, but they never seem to cast any spells. They just mope about love and sex, and they die (and are resurrected) every so often. Ho hum. The prequel was a much better read.

For a silly and delicious witch story, read Teresa Medeiros' BREATH OF MAGIC and its sequel, TOUCH OF ENCHANTMENT.

Maggie Shayne is one of the greatest writers who portray the characters as honest, strong and independant people with real thoughts and feelings. I loved the first book Eternity and the second book Infinity is just as amazing. Arianna is a hard character but you take a liking to her once you've known her story, I hope that Maggie Shayne will continue to put out great stories that will portray witches the way they really are.

Although I rated this 5-stars I must express how much better Infinity's predecessor, Eternity, is to this. Though they're both splendid and captivating in the same sense, the enthralling brew of love and passion just wasn't a strong enough concoction the second time around, though still I think it heavenly to read. And Arianna's misunderstood deception which leads to the untimely death of Nicodimus is terribly sad yet thrilling at the same time. It's a much different storyline compared to most romance novels today, which--to this avid reader--was a breath of fresh air. M.S. also takes you on many a journey to the modern-day world all the way back to the historic Stonehedge where the two first confessed their love on a snow fallin' Winter's night. The descriptive atmosphere and surroundings are beautiful and exhilerating while her storytelling is rich and sensual. And, though the second in the series, the events which take place here actually happened before Eternity and will hardly disappoint those who loved the first. I haven't read Destiny yet (which dives further into the background character featured here: Nidaba), but I hope to purchase it soon. So here is what this book is all about...

For five centuries he has been dead to this world, his body lying dormant in the Highlands of Scotland. Yet as an Immortal High Witch, Nicodimus Lachlan has never truly been dead--instead, his spirit has been suspended in an eternity of darkness. His heart stolen away in the ultimate act of betrayal, his mind can only remember the vibrant, golden girl whose passion touched his soul, but whose treachery cost him his life...

For five centuries Arianna has suffered, until at last she discovers a way to bring back her love. But the power that returns Nicodimus to her arms also summons an ancient enemy--an evil that threatens all they hold dear. To fight this dark danger, Arianna and Nicodimus must confront the past. Only then can they rekindle the love their immortal hearts could never forget, and reclaim infinity in each other's embrace...

So if you're reading this right now please take my advise and don't be a fool by passing this up. Maggie Shayne delivers romance with sweeping intensity and bewitching passion. Readers, much as I have, will lose themselves in her dark, enthralling brew of love, danger, and perilous fate.

I was looking forward for this book. However, this book totally disappointed me. Nicodimus was brooding. The emotions and the pain in this book were intense but it was dragged on. I understood this was a very hard book to write and to describe all the pain, frustration and anguish. But I just couldn't be drawn into the story and be charmed by Duncan.
It was good story, just not my cup of tea.