House Immortal by Devon Monk
Series: House Immortal #1
Published by Roc
Published on: September 2 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
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One hundred years ago, eleven powerful ruling Houses consolidated all of the world’s resources and authority into their own grasping hands. Only one power wasn’t placed under the command of a single House: the control over the immortal galvanized....
Matilda Case isn’t like most folk. In fact, she’s unique in the world, the crowning achievement of her father’s experiments, a girl pieced together from bits. Or so she believes, until Abraham Seventh shows up at her door, stitched with life thread just like her and insisting that enemies are coming to kill them all.Tilly is one of thirteen incredible creations known as the galvanized, stitched together beings immortal and unfathomably strong. For a century, each House has fought for control over the galvanized. Now the Houses are also tangled in a deadly struggle for dominion over death—and Tilly and her kind hold the key to unlocking eternity
The secrets that Tilly must fight to protect are hidden within the very seams of her being. And to get the secrets, her enemies are willing to tear her apart piece by piece.…
So many strange things happened in the first several pages of this book that I made my husband stop constructing whatever diabolical thing he was working on in our basement, so I could have his undivided attention when I read those pages to him out loud.
First sentence:
“The way I saw it, a girl needed three things to start a day right: a hot cup of tea, a sturdy pair of boots, and for the feral beast to die the first time she stabbed it in the brain.”
After that we find out that something in the ground (nano) is presumed to mutate animals like the crocboar our heroine Matilda is currently trying to kill, it’s causally mentioned that said feral beast makes for excellent “dragon chow,” and the farmhand first known as “Neds” quickly becomes Left Ned and Right Ned (b/c Neds has two heads).
So weird.
And yet . . . so captivating.
Matilda Case is a Frankenstein-esque creation of her father’s, a scientist of great renown (or notoriety depending on who you ask), but unlike the monster in Shelley’s Frankenstein, Matilda is . . . at least partially . . . truly her father’s daughter.
You see, when Matilda was a child, she became very sick and almost died, but her brother somehow managed to transfer her consciousness into the body of a “stiched” person.
There are twelve other “stitched” people in Matilda’s world known as the galvanized. They are immortal. They do not age, they feel no pain, and they cannot be killed unless you irreversibly scramble their brains.
They’re basically sentient zombies.
They’re owned and employed by the eleven houses that control various essential resources (and the WORLD) . . . and to the general population they are . . . celebrities.
FUN FACT—If you google the word “galvanize,” the definition you’ll get is:
1. shock or excite (someone), typically into taking action.
Heh.
The world-building in this book was amazing.
It’s important that I firmly establish how spectacular the world Monk created in this new series, before I go on to say that by the time I finished House Immortal, I had so many unanswered questions that it took all of my self-restraint to not find her and give her a shakedown (YES, a shakedown) for the next book.
The premise was equally great.
I don’t want to share too much for fear of giving something away, but suffice it to say that the hints Monk drops with just enough frequency to keep us chewing our fingernails rather than throwing things (like books and/or temper tantrums) are well worth the frustration when you finally get to the fist-pounding euphoria of knowing you were right all along (and I so was).
BUT.
What comes now?
We’ll have to wait until book 2, Infinity Bell, hits bookstores in March to find out. And you’d better believe I will be counting down the days.
Until then, House Immortal by Devon Monk tosses you headfirst into a brave new world of mutated creatures and people, all controlled by Houses grasping for power and . . . immortality. From two-headed farmhands to tiny, fruit-loving octopuses that live in trees (and yes, are kind of cute), I can promise that you have not read anything like this modern parade of human oddities and the results of scientific experiments gone horribly awry. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for not-your-ordinary heroine, or not-your-ordinary anything, really. Strange is good.
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I have yet to try Devon Monk, but this looks really interesting. I may have to give it a try.
Melanie Simmons recently posted…Gravity Audiobook by Dannika Dark (Review)
I started the Allie Beckstrom series a few years ago, and couldn’t get into it, but this one . . . this one, I really, really liked.
As you said Strange is gooooood, Jessica!! I’m adding this one to the wish list but I don’t plan to read it till closer to March so the agony of waiting won’t be as bad!
Unique and different reads tend to be far in between and I’m so gonna be not missing this one!
Great review!
Pili recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday #63!!
I got this Audiobook when it first came out, but other books got on its way. I’m going to move up up the list right away!
Thanks Jessica 🙂
Lupdilup recently posted…Gravity Audiobook by Dannika Dark (Review)
Well, color me intrigued by this one Jessica! Mary really enjoyed it as well despite it’s strangeness, and I honestly couldn’t be more curious about Matilda and this world. Stitched creatures with someone else’s consciousness? Must give it a try for myself!!!
This book definitely sounds unique and interesting! I’ll have to check it out!
Nicole recently posted…Review & Giveaway – Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer
You had me at strange, Jessica. Nothing else could be better.
Amanda recently posted…Death by Didgeridoo by Barbara Venkataraman {Jenna’s Review}
Oh wow this sounds awesome. The stitched people and the crocboar! I must get my grubby paws on this one.
Heidi recently posted…Something Wicked Strikes Day #8: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper: Guest Post, Review and Giveaway!
My first ever experience with Devon Monk was her Broken Magic duology, which was the spin off from her Allie Beckstrom novels. I think that’s why I was a bit lost, and admittedly the experience left me a bit gun shy about her books. Kinda regret not picking this one up now though, because it’s gotten pretty good reviews, and being a brand new series I think I would have liked it a lot more.
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: Dust and Light by Carol Berg
Wow this sounds really weird at the start, but the catch is that I love weird!! Not to mention unique and for that this one is going to my TBR list. It’s amazing that you got to enjoy it that much at the end and I cannot wait to read it myself. Great review, Jessica 🙂
Tanja recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday (#16)
i have this one on my wishlist and your review made me glad not to have it yet as i’m sure i would be really impatient so better i get and read it with march fast approaching or i will be crazy when book 2 release
but you did made me want to read this for sure
miki recently posted…Divine Vices (Divine Vices 1) by Melissa Parkin
Ok, sure I could see myself reading this
blodeuedd recently posted…Fool’s Gold – Zana Bell
Oh mutated characters? I love me some mutants! Seriously there needs to be more mutants. I haven’t read Devon Monk before but this is going to end up on my list. I just checked and I can get the kindle version $5.99 and add the audio for $3.49 🙂 Christmas/Birthday definite!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…Blogger Confession: Taking it Personally
I wanted this book before and now I want it even more. Oh I love the sound of the worldbuilding and I’m so curious about how twisted this one sounds. Yep… twisted… that’s for me! LOL
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios
How did I miss this book?! I love Devon Monk and she’s a local author. I guess I’ll have to pick me up a copy at sci fi authorfest if I can make it. It sounds very unique and slightly strange (in a good way).
Candace recently posted…Book Review: Chaos by Sarah Fine
This one sounds so weird. But in a good way (I think).
Megan recently posted…Review: Gideon Smith and the Brass Dragon
When I see the elephant button thingy I know the review will be a good one. This sounds amazing! I have yet to read a book by Monk, but I keep hearing good things
Celine recently posted…Do You Read Misbehaving Authors?
I haven’t read this author yet but this book sounds very…interesting. lol Not sure I’ve read another with this sort of story line.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…What Accessories and Toys Every Hamster Cage Should Have
The world building is truly spectacular in this book. I highly recommend Devon Monk’s Allie Beckstrom series if you’ve not read it yet. I am going to visit her steampunk western series while I wait for March.
I’m glad this ended up being as unique and amazing as I hoped it to be. I bought this (of course) and hope to devour it soon! I love the worlduilding and the sound of the heroine and the Neds too 🙂
kim { Book Swoon } recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday: The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
I have read a MONK series before, and I actually really enjoy her work. Even though this one confused you a little in the beginning, it seems like another great read of hers. Great review Jessica!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Naomi recently posted…Release Blitz Review & Giveaway ~ Status by J.A. Huss
This does sound strange but in a good way. I think I own a different series by this author but haven’t started it yet. I’m glad that you really loved it though. It is always the mark of a great book if you have to pull your husband away from what he is doing to hear you out, I do the same thing with my boyfriend over great books.
Thanks for the great review!
Alexa recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books For Readers Who Like Character Driven Novels
LoL this sounds super weird, but fun weird! And I agree with all of the things she mentions in the first sentence; that’s always the start to a good day!
I’ll have to check this one out, because curiosity!
Amber Elise @Du Livre
I was a little anxious before starting this one, because I loved her Devon Monk series and I wasn’t sure it would be up to it but in the end I loved it and I liked the ideas there so I’m glad you enjoyed it as well. you made me laugh with the translation of galvanize, I didn’t know it meant that.
I still haven’t read this book yet but I actually read another review for it not so long ago and your review just convinces me I need to pick it up! Great review Jessica 🙂
Lily recently posted…I’ll Give You The Sun: Review
The world building sounds well done but creepy!
It certainly sounds unique, Jessica. 🙂 The world building and the characters, particularly Matilda, have me curious. Really curious. This one’s going atop Mt. TBR so I can check it out…perhaps closer to March. 😉 Fab review, as usual, my dear.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Relentless Rhythm ~ Michelle Mankin**
This sounds amazing, and I have to read it! Full stop 🙂
kara-karina recently posted…Friday Mini Reviews #31: Anne Bishop, Cate Rowan & Michelle Diener
I have only read one book by Devon Monk and loved it. Actually, I don’t know why I haven’t read more books by her. This one sounds really good, I’m adding it to my TBR.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Movie Trailer: Exodus: Gods and Kings
Any UF series that opens with a four star book is enough to grab my attention! Even though I’m not a huge zombie fan, the galvanized sound promising. The fact that there are so few of them is definitely unique for most zombie books (as opposed to overrunning the human population). I’m also loving the subtle stitching around the model’s neck on the front cover…very spooky/cool!
Danya recently posted…Review: Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
This sounds intriguing and humourous. I’m not sure I want so many unanswered questions with the next book being available right away, but this definitely sounds like a great start.
Sarah recently posted…Review: Web of Lies
A 4 star on a first book from you is high praise. I had thought about picking this one up but second guessed myself. I will have to pick it up after all.
I totally like it when I have the good kind of unanswered questions that leave me clan morning for more.
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