Ageless

by Renée Schaeffer

“[A] gripping story centering women’s power.” — Foreword Reviews

“Fans of The Age of Adaline will enjoy . . .” — Booklist

Is eternal youth a blessing or a curse?

Naissa Nolan is a happy child in 1850s Philadelphia—until tragedy strikes while she and her family are on holiday. Alone and heartbroken, she is thrust into an immortal life she never bargained for or imagined. Naissa spends the next few centuries on Earth—and beyond—desperate to learn more about her condition. While working with the esteemed Oberlin Institute in Vienna, she makes an important discovery that could change everything.

But trusting the wrong people is a mistake, and Naissa's immortal life enters a new chapter she never anticipated.

For readers who enjoy The Age of Adaline, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, and Once Again by Catherine Wallace Hope.

Genres: Science Fiction

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2024

Reviews

[Ilene from State Farm · Rating 1 out of 5]

It must take a lot of work to make such a great premise into such a really dull book.
This book is literally all tell and no show. After the first few interesting chapters the main and only character leads the same dreary life for hundreds is years.
Knowing she can never die should you'd think incite her to take chances and do wild and dangerous actions things but at 50% in it hasn't happened and I'm ready to DNF
It's not just the lack of any real plot, it's the constant narrative of she did this she did that and no real dialogue or action. Isn't that creative writing 101??

Then we get these scholarly lists of innovations to show the passage of time instead of - once again - showing it. Very lazy and really dumb. I don't need a dry textbook list of everything that happened that generation ..
The book should be called Ages, as that is how long it feels like it's taken me to get to just about half way through
The rest of us don't live forever so don't waste your precious time on this book

Skimmed ahead just to see if it could get any better and it incredibly manages to get more cliched and less interesting even as she goes to live in several planets. Unbelievably the author doesn't take the time to even describe life of those planets other than in the most superficial of terms .
I honestly think this was written as a high school project. That hopefully got a C-

[Amanda Woolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic debut novel, which I really enjoyed.

Historical fiction meets science fiction… Is being ageless a blessing or a curse?

Naissa suffers much tragedy, heartbreak, and loss over the years and has to start over many times with new identities.

Over the course of her life, Naissa tries to make the world a better place, but things often turn "pear shaped" and she feels guilty for things that happen as a consequence.

Many historical events are mentioned, and we get a glimpse into a predicted future, which, of course, includes the obligatory flying cars and interplanetary habitats.

We also meet Rys, another ageless person who I am not going to say much about because it would be a spoiler.

I would definitely recommend getting a copy of this book and reading when it is released on the 3rd of December.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[x · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ageless was a wonderfully written book, exploring the immortal life of Naissa Nolan. The premise was intriguing and I was hooked as soon as I started it. While that was the case, I believe the heavy reliance on narration to drive the story and the world-building was a missed opportunity. The book's dependence on the protagonist describing every detail leaves little room for the reader's imagination. The world-building, while comprehensive and well-researched, could've been carried out in a more engaging manner by incorporating more 'show don't tell' elements, such as dialogue. That being said, Renée Schaeffer is an amazing author and this is an absolute fire debut. It had great pacing and was overall well-crafted.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story about a woman who lives from the 1800s until the 2100s. As she ages, she must deal with people, both those from whom she must hide her secret, and those she trusts to keep it. Although the story deals with, in future times, the science of aging, the book is really about her encounters with people, those she grows to love and those she hates. This seemed to me to be a very different story from usual science fiction. Most of the time I felt sorry for the heroine, but it was intriguing to see how she handled her problems. I wouldn’t classify this as an easy read, but certainly one I enjoyed mostly because it was different from most run-of-the-mill books that are published today. Well written and very interesting. Great job by the author. I received this book as an ARC from BookSirens and leave this review voluntarily.

[Jaki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ultimately, a disappointment. Very much “I did this”, “And then I moved to this town”. Very little about how she actually felt about things. 60 or so years after the tragic accidental death of her first husband who she loved, she mentions she sees some of his paintings hanging in an art gallery/museum - and it’s dealt with in one sentence. No mention of how she feels about it, or even reminiscing about him or the particular paintings being done.

No thoughts on adopting new fashions - her first time wearing a short skirt, or corsets finally going out of fashion, or even her first bra. No mention on how she felt about going from folded up cloth to tampons or easier use of modern pads for her periods. Or the changing views of society towards women. Or describing the ease of no longer wearing crinoline and bloomers and petticoats etc.

It’s all tell and no show.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much narrative driven, rather than plot driven. It took around 80 pages to realise that what I was reading wasn't background before the real plot started, but was the plot. It felt as if someone was just recounting events - I did this, then I did that, then this person died - which I suppose is essentially what the main character Naissa is doing, but even if this had been a biography of someone who had lived 280 years, it would have been very dry.

The secondary plot was very much underplayed to the point where I almost wondered whether it was worth its inclusion. Much more of it could have been woven into the narrative to flesh out the plot.

The special note at the end was very poignant; I was sorry to read that the author had died.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written story about a young woman, Naissa, who, after losing her parents and her sister at a young age, discovers that once she has reached adulthood, she will not age a day, will never get sick, and her wounds will heal instantly. This is her story.

I found the novel a little too sweet for my tastes. However, I found the SF part interesting as the story progressed.

Not quite my kind of book, but well written and undoubtedly very interesting for readers who can appreciate this kind of story.
3 stars.

[Jeffrey S. Kuehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ageless by Renee Schaefer
Received as an ARC.
Naissa has a tragic family tragedy while visiting Paris in the 1850s.
As she lives with relatives she realizes she doesn’t age and heals very quickly. But why?
She experiences Many lives, loves, and events.
Living her never ending life she learns constantly, teaching and helping others.
How she must adapt and evolve over the centuries and always strive.
Delightfully different than I thought it was going to be in a good way.

[Lucas MacKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of an immortal protagonist and her need to reinvent her identity every few decades as well as her perspective on major world events as time went on.
Then.....I kind of lost interest in it.
It didn't grab me.
Especially once the story surpassed the modern age and ventured into Science Fiction and genetics.
Your mileage may vary of course.

[David Lum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very uneven, especially the last quarter, which I found nearly unreadably arbitrary and senseless. The book did cover an admirable amount of ground, from 1850 through 2100, from Earth to Mars to an exoplanet! However, I never found the characters or relationships to ring true— especially the “mother/daughter” one near the end.

[Chris Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting take on immortality, or at least prolonged life. Mostly because it goes beyond the present and into speculative fiction, including settling Luna and Mars, but also beyond.

The writing seemed a bit prudish at first, but now I think maybe it was a reflection of the time in which the character was living.

Not sure this is for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the main character's long life, relationships, and challenges throughout different eras, from the 19th century to the future. This novel was a unique blend of historical fiction and science fiction.

[Jedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good in theory, mostly good because I read 60% of it, but I DNF because I didn't feel the existential dilemma and didn't connect to main character enough to carry on anymore.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4. This was an interesting story that was released after the author passed away. It was clearly a labor of love. The premise was interesting.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. There was virtually no plot, the dialogue was stiff, and the book reeked of white savior complex.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book masterfully weaves together poetry, courage, and rich character development to create a story that’s both captivating and deeply satisfying. Blending historical fiction, science fiction, and young adult romance, it offers a unique and exhilarating reading experience. Even if sci-fi isn’t your usual go-to, this book will take your breath away. I highly recommend it.