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Eternal Youth
Caroline Owen is in recovery after a mental breakdown. Confined to a hostel, she has to avoid the addicts and strange, oppressive characters lurking in crannies and wandering the hallways. Getting her life back on track proves difficult as more than past ghosts are coming out of the woodwork. Bad dreams torment her of girls disappearing, girls like her, taken by some ancient evil that will do anything to stay young and beautiful. Caroline begins to learn that there are far worse things than ghosts lurking in the darkness of the world.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2018
78 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 26, 2019
This book is truly a gem for any horror fan. The plot is solid and the characters you really grow to love and hate. Great story of finding yourself,retribution,and horrors that you can’t imagine. The writing style is great just keeps you glued to the story and it’s so hard to put down. He keeps the pace just lightening fast. And no spoilers but I loved the end!!!!
November 12, 2019
I loved this book. Right from the start I was hooked with its intertwined story lines and intriguing characters. This book grabbed me right from the start, and as I neared its conclusion, I had to put it down....only because I didn't want it to end.
The book has a great pace, solid plot, and the author certainly has a beautiful writing style.
All the characters are relatable, even the villainous ones, infact I found myself empathizing with the villains to the point where I could easily have been one of them.
This book certainly invokes a feeling of raw, modern day, gothic horror, fantasy, without the sparkles, the type you want to run away to, the type where there is that secret place inside us all who wishes we could be that hero, or heroine, or villain.
A good book for me needs to be able to take me out of my world and insert me seamlessly into the story/world created by the author. This book certainly does that.
I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a high suspense page turner.
I understand this is the author's first book, and I look forward to his next one.
The book has a great pace, solid plot, and the author certainly has a beautiful writing style.
All the characters are relatable, even the villainous ones, infact I found myself empathizing with the villains to the point where I could easily have been one of them.
This book certainly invokes a feeling of raw, modern day, gothic horror, fantasy, without the sparkles, the type you want to run away to, the type where there is that secret place inside us all who wishes we could be that hero, or heroine, or villain.
A good book for me needs to be able to take me out of my world and insert me seamlessly into the story/world created by the author. This book certainly does that.
I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a high suspense page turner.
I understand this is the author's first book, and I look forward to his next one.
June 1, 2019
The characters immersed me into their lives, their thoughts, their souls. It was almost as if I actually knew them, as if I was there, observing their tales unfold right before my very eyes. I followed each of them into a journey of anguish, of pain, and of despair.
Those who were weak became strong and those who were strong became weak.
I cried for the ones who were lost and championed the ones who, despite all the odds came through the darkness and into the light.
The end came all too quickly and made me wanting more... I look forward with much anticipation to the next installment.
Thank you Alexander Williams, Thank you for taking me on this journey. My bags are packed for the next!
Those who were weak became strong and those who were strong became weak.
I cried for the ones who were lost and championed the ones who, despite all the odds came through the darkness and into the light.
The end came all too quickly and made me wanting more... I look forward with much anticipation to the next installment.
Thank you Alexander Williams, Thank you for taking me on this journey. My bags are packed for the next!
June 5, 2020
Eternal Youth by Alexander Williams did not disappoint. I was hooked from the start and the way he crafted all the desperate, sad and lonely characters was excellent. The heroine of the story, Caroline, was totally believable, pulling herself out of the mire once she understood what was happening in the town where she lived. The character of young Lucy rebelling against her parents and school was amusing and sad at the same time. Would like to see this made into a film one day just to who would play evil Charlie and Rose. I highly recommend this book indeed.
June 22, 2020
I completed Eternal Youth yesterday and OH MY GOD. It was AMAZING! So wonderfully written. I had to actually keep reminding myself I wasn't reading a King novel! It was THAT great! Thankful to have learned about such a wonderful and beautifully written book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to read more of his works in the future!
May 4, 2019
Okay. This book.
I only have one negative thing to say about this book and it is that it didn’t have chapters. Which meant i read it in one sitting as I couldn’t find an appropriate place to put it down 🙈
I really loved the story so much - and I loved the paranormal element in it.
I look forward to reading more of what Alexander has to offer!
I only have one negative thing to say about this book and it is that it didn’t have chapters. Which meant i read it in one sitting as I couldn’t find an appropriate place to put it down 🙈
I really loved the story so much - and I loved the paranormal element in it.
I look forward to reading more of what Alexander has to offer!
July 1, 2020
This book built in strength, it is a great suspense builder something that is helped by the multiple perspectives even if it takes a little getting used to at first.
It has two cracking villains and two protagonists you can really get behind.
By the halfway point I was flying through this and was really satisfied by the end.
It has two cracking villains and two protagonists you can really get behind.
By the halfway point I was flying through this and was really satisfied by the end.
Read
September 17, 2019Oh man! Not my usual reading material but this was good. In the beginning I wasn't quite sure but kept on. So glad I did.
July 14, 2020
Excellent book
A truly good read.
It does need some minor editing and chapters or breaks to help identify a new character but I really enjoyed reading it. I couldn’t put it down.
A truly good read.
It does need some minor editing and chapters or breaks to help identify a new character but I really enjoyed reading it. I couldn’t put it down.
February 18, 2019
I have to start by saying, I don't generally read novels in the horror/thriller genre, but this one caught my eye for a few reasons. First, it was described as a unique story,which it was, touching on the serious issue of "othering" and how our society tends to ignore our marginalized members. Also, the author, Alexander Williams, is a very talented writer, who uses his genuine experience to write a gripping, important, and very engaging cautionary tale. The characters are memorable,intriguing,and well developed. The reader is able to relate to, and feel for the victims and protagonist in the story, but also able to gain vision into the minds of the villains as well. It's a fabulous story that I found very difficult to put down, but it also has an important, necessary, and terrifying message that our society really needs to hear and understand as a means to change. Not to misunderstand, the novel is also very entertaining and captivates the reader by being more than sufficiently creepy and eerie, proving it is placed correctly in the genres it should be in. However, unlike many other "slasher" stories, this tale has surprising elements of humour, insight, and intelligence. William's writes a gripping, disturbing, yet compassionate story, and I very much look forward to the sequel.
March 25, 2019
What a great find on facebook! I finished this book in only a few days. It really holds your interest and has a solid plot. At first I was worried about all the characters, but they each had such a unique story line that they were easy to remember and not get confused. This book is dark, and touches on some ancient history along with modern medicine and techniques. It blends together the struggle of addiction with some dark forces that keep you engaged and connected to the characters and story line. I found it overall a great read and look forward to any other works from this author!
June 6, 2020
Wow.... this book blew me away! It’s unique plot and well crafted characters contributed to my need to devour this book. It kept me guessing and continually brought chills up my spine - truly terrifying!! I literally had goosebumps at the end. One of the best horror books I’ve read in a long time! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!!
Sooooooo highly recommend if you love a good scare!
5 well deserved stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sooooooo highly recommend if you love a good scare!
5 well deserved stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 28, 2020
Absolutely brilliant I couldn't put it down what a story .
Recommend you to read if you havent already
Recommend you to read if you havent already
March 17, 2019
Hard to put down
The only bad thing about this book is it was over too quickly.Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down until the last page was done.Thank you for a great story.
The only bad thing about this book is it was over too quickly.Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down until the last page was done.Thank you for a great story.
February 3, 2019
Pretty good debut horror/thriller.
Made me think of Stephen King, maybe a bit of JK Rowling.
Composed almost like a screenplay (with no chapters but with “cutaway scene breaks” instead), vivid, memorable characters are captured in crisp, witty detail and the occasional dead-centre laugh-out-loud sarcastic quip.
The story begins as a tale of the intersecting existence of ordinary people living in Medium-sized Town, UK, lives that are sometimes frustratingly dull on the surface, while just beneath lingers the whisper of something dark and uncanny, soon revealed as an inner torment: addiction in one, relationship breakdown, or poor mental health in another. [Side note: Social and health services are in turns indifferent, impervious, or downright too-little-too-late, while loved ones and health professionals who *do* care, though trying their damnedest, often end up failing to help even a little.]
Then wham! As if things weren’t bad enough for these vulnerable people suffering emotional or mental impoverishment, each is set upon one by one by a supernatural horror, hinted at in the first few pages, and by the middle of the story, the tension has built up to the point that you feel vaguely threatened yourself, temped to check the closets for insidious things and turning on all the lights, yet too scared to put the book down until you’ve reached the back cover.
Had the rare afternoon to myself and read this in one go while the day was bright so I wouldn’t have to finish it in the dark.
{several hours later...}
I won’t spoil it for you but it all comes to an end that is...well... QUITE satisfying.
Other horror/thriller fans would like this and I’m looking forward to read the next one from this author.
Made me think of Stephen King, maybe a bit of JK Rowling.
Composed almost like a screenplay (with no chapters but with “cutaway scene breaks” instead), vivid, memorable characters are captured in crisp, witty detail and the occasional dead-centre laugh-out-loud sarcastic quip.
The story begins as a tale of the intersecting existence of ordinary people living in Medium-sized Town, UK, lives that are sometimes frustratingly dull on the surface, while just beneath lingers the whisper of something dark and uncanny, soon revealed as an inner torment: addiction in one, relationship breakdown, or poor mental health in another. [Side note: Social and health services are in turns indifferent, impervious, or downright too-little-too-late, while loved ones and health professionals who *do* care, though trying their damnedest, often end up failing to help even a little.]
Then wham! As if things weren’t bad enough for these vulnerable people suffering emotional or mental impoverishment, each is set upon one by one by a supernatural horror, hinted at in the first few pages, and by the middle of the story, the tension has built up to the point that you feel vaguely threatened yourself, temped to check the closets for insidious things and turning on all the lights, yet too scared to put the book down until you’ve reached the back cover.
Had the rare afternoon to myself and read this in one go while the day was bright so I wouldn’t have to finish it in the dark.
{several hours later...}
I won’t spoil it for you but it all comes to an end that is...well... QUITE satisfying.
Other horror/thriller fans would like this and I’m looking forward to read the next one from this author.
November 11, 2019
Terrific debut novel, looking forward to the next one!
Well plotted with excellent characterization. Big thumbs up!
It is my own failing that I always have a hard time with sorting lots of characters. It took me a while to get a sense of the individual women as their story lines are established, but once I did, I was fine.
This story made me very uncomfortable at first, in fact, I set it down for a while. Had to find out what happened next though, and soon picked it up again and got hooked. Normally, I read before bed and all asleep after a few pages. Not this one! In fact, last night, I set it down, turned off the light and tried to sleep. A few minutes later, the light was back on and I was pushing to the end.
Well plotted with excellent characterization. Big thumbs up!
It is my own failing that I always have a hard time with sorting lots of characters. It took me a while to get a sense of the individual women as their story lines are established, but once I did, I was fine.
This story made me very uncomfortable at first, in fact, I set it down for a while. Had to find out what happened next though, and soon picked it up again and got hooked. Normally, I read before bed and all asleep after a few pages. Not this one! In fact, last night, I set it down, turned off the light and tried to sleep. A few minutes later, the light was back on and I was pushing to the end.
January 17, 2019
I received Eternal Youth as a gift from a friend. I love to read to relax but have been so busy lately I’ve read very little. The book was given to me to get me back into the habit of reading for relaxation and it was just what I needed.
The book starts rather slowly but soon picks up pace with the characters developing along with the plot, fascinating characters they are too.
I think it’s important that a book draws you in, lets your imagination fly, takes you into the story and along the journey with the characters and this book did just that. A smashing read from a talented new young author. I am already looking forward to his next book.
The book starts rather slowly but soon picks up pace with the characters developing along with the plot, fascinating characters they are too.
I think it’s important that a book draws you in, lets your imagination fly, takes you into the story and along the journey with the characters and this book did just that. A smashing read from a talented new young author. I am already looking forward to his next book.
May 31, 2019
Alexander Williams has written a fantastic debut novel. The format was different in that there were no defined chapters but I really enjoyed reading it this way. Lots of characters are introduced but it was quite easy to follow. Each page held me intensely interested and if it wasn't for my busy work schedule I could have easily read it in one day. I loved this book so much, I am sure I will be re-reading it again and again. This was a vampire story quite different from the rest. I can't put into words just how enjoyable it was. Well written, fast paced but with a great build up of suspense. I highly recommend it!
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March 28, 2019Loved it! Great book and lots of interesting characters.
September 2, 2020
I love this book bought it on amazon. I definitely recommend this. One of my top 3 favorites. Look forward to reading more stories from Alex ❤
June 29, 2020
*I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Caroline is recovering from a mental breakdown and is living in a hostel, she’s trying to avoid the drug addicts and others living there and just focus on her recovery.
She’s been put on mood stabilizers and antidepressants, which make her feel a bit foggy and not like herself, but it’s a small price to pay for no nightmares.
But then the drugs stop working.
See, Caroline has an ability, a special ability.
She can see ghosts and sees certain things when she touches a person, sometimes she doesn’t even have to touch them. She can see aspects of their lives and things that have happened.
While Caroline is trying to sort herself out mentally, there is something far worse than ghosts out there.
There are things pretending to be human and they need victims to feed off. They go by the names Rose and Charlie.
They need girls who are sad & lonely, ones that give off despair, ones who won’t be missed. They need them to drain their life and use it to keep themselves from aging.
Luckily for them, 3 women are easy prey.
Lucy is a teen and her mom doesn’t like her new friend Maxine. Lucy’s mom thinks that because she’s from the “wrong side” that she’s a bad influence. When in fact Maxine is actually a good kid.
Lucy begins acting out to get back at her mom and her relationship with her parents suffers.
Emily is stuck with an abusive alcoholic mom who won’t let her leave the house except for work.
Dayna just recently left an abusive relationship and can’t seem to get back on track. She uses drugs, alcohol, and men to ignore her problems.
When Caroline starts having dreams involving these women, she has no idea what danger they are actually in.
With the help of Paul, an older man in a mental health facility, she has to figure out a way to stop these beings from hurting more woman.
First off, this plot is amazing. This story is sad, captivating, suspenseful, and thrilling.
It’s told in alternating perspectives between the female characters.
It was a little confusing at first, until you get to know each character and then it’s easier to keep track.
The characters are very dynamic and their backstories are emotional and raw. It’s easy to get attached and want the best for each woman.
My favorite characters in the book were Caroline, Lucy, Maxine, and Paul. They were just such good characters and I connected with each of them.
My least favorites were Lucy’s mom, she becomes so crazy at one point it shocked me. Then for obvious reasons, Charlie and Rose.
I loved the incorporation of mental health and struggle, it makes the plot much more realistic.
I also loved that the beings fed off of despair and loneliness. It’s something a lot of people struggle with, which makes the story that much more frightening.
I was hooked from beginning to end with this story and I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened.
The ending was soooo satisfying, as someone who loves a happy ending, I was so happy to get one.
This book makes you feel all kinds of emotions: sadness, anger, fear, happiness, it’s all there.
This would be a great movie, I would love to see it adapted into a film.
Caroline is recovering from a mental breakdown and is living in a hostel, she’s trying to avoid the drug addicts and others living there and just focus on her recovery.
She’s been put on mood stabilizers and antidepressants, which make her feel a bit foggy and not like herself, but it’s a small price to pay for no nightmares.
But then the drugs stop working.
See, Caroline has an ability, a special ability.
She can see ghosts and sees certain things when she touches a person, sometimes she doesn’t even have to touch them. She can see aspects of their lives and things that have happened.
While Caroline is trying to sort herself out mentally, there is something far worse than ghosts out there.
There are things pretending to be human and they need victims to feed off. They go by the names Rose and Charlie.
They need girls who are sad & lonely, ones that give off despair, ones who won’t be missed. They need them to drain their life and use it to keep themselves from aging.
Luckily for them, 3 women are easy prey.
Lucy is a teen and her mom doesn’t like her new friend Maxine. Lucy’s mom thinks that because she’s from the “wrong side” that she’s a bad influence. When in fact Maxine is actually a good kid.
Lucy begins acting out to get back at her mom and her relationship with her parents suffers.
Emily is stuck with an abusive alcoholic mom who won’t let her leave the house except for work.
Dayna just recently left an abusive relationship and can’t seem to get back on track. She uses drugs, alcohol, and men to ignore her problems.
When Caroline starts having dreams involving these women, she has no idea what danger they are actually in.
With the help of Paul, an older man in a mental health facility, she has to figure out a way to stop these beings from hurting more woman.
First off, this plot is amazing. This story is sad, captivating, suspenseful, and thrilling.
It’s told in alternating perspectives between the female characters.
It was a little confusing at first, until you get to know each character and then it’s easier to keep track.
The characters are very dynamic and their backstories are emotional and raw. It’s easy to get attached and want the best for each woman.
My favorite characters in the book were Caroline, Lucy, Maxine, and Paul. They were just such good characters and I connected with each of them.
My least favorites were Lucy’s mom, she becomes so crazy at one point it shocked me. Then for obvious reasons, Charlie and Rose.
I loved the incorporation of mental health and struggle, it makes the plot much more realistic.
I also loved that the beings fed off of despair and loneliness. It’s something a lot of people struggle with, which makes the story that much more frightening.
I was hooked from beginning to end with this story and I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened.
The ending was soooo satisfying, as someone who loves a happy ending, I was so happy to get one.
This book makes you feel all kinds of emotions: sadness, anger, fear, happiness, it’s all there.
This would be a great movie, I would love to see it adapted into a film.
August 12, 2020
4.5 stars.
This book was picked by one of my Facebook groups for a group read and I am very glad.
The scene was set so well, very atmospheric and at times it felt like a really heady mix between gothic and modern with some paranormal and I liked that. The characterisation was really good with a varied range- teenage girls, addicts, patients with mental health etc and this left me caring about what was to happen and wanting to read on. The vampires were not too stereotypical going out mixing, drinking and shopping etc and the lack of gore gave it a different angle as the focus was more on locating & capturing the victims in order to preserve eternal youth (title).
The story was unique and never stalled with just the right of amount of tension to keep me hooked.
At times I had to slow down as the lack of chapters left me a little confused with the switch of characters but this didn't detract too much from my enjoyment.
An author to look out for in the future and a book I would recommend
This book was picked by one of my Facebook groups for a group read and I am very glad.
The scene was set so well, very atmospheric and at times it felt like a really heady mix between gothic and modern with some paranormal and I liked that. The characterisation was really good with a varied range- teenage girls, addicts, patients with mental health etc and this left me caring about what was to happen and wanting to read on. The vampires were not too stereotypical going out mixing, drinking and shopping etc and the lack of gore gave it a different angle as the focus was more on locating & capturing the victims in order to preserve eternal youth (title).
The story was unique and never stalled with just the right of amount of tension to keep me hooked.
At times I had to slow down as the lack of chapters left me a little confused with the switch of characters but this didn't detract too much from my enjoyment.
An author to look out for in the future and a book I would recommend
May 26, 2019
This book is out of this world and amazing! The storyline is incredible and you couldn't predict anything that is going to happen. I've seen that some of the reviews have also said that but I too am not usually a fan of horror stories but this one got me hooked from the start and I couldn't wait to pick it up again. I love how the author has put so much effort into characters and each one of them has their own story. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good thriller and a story they have never seen before. This author is an amazing writer and I can't wait for the next book!!
December 12, 2019
What a debut novel this is.
I was intrigued from the outset. It Brooches a subject most would shy away from and does so brilliantly. The main character is empowering just when she needs to be and (in a good way) some of the characters i love to hate. Written in a way that keeps you interested but describes details beautify creating a world i was sucked into.
I don't want to give anything away but its a must read. Eagerly awaiting his next book if this is what he can produce for his debut.
I was intrigued from the outset. It Brooches a subject most would shy away from and does so brilliantly. The main character is empowering just when she needs to be and (in a good way) some of the characters i love to hate. Written in a way that keeps you interested but describes details beautify creating a world i was sucked into.
I don't want to give anything away but its a must read. Eagerly awaiting his next book if this is what he can produce for his debut.
September 7, 2020
Wow, what a fantastic read! I got totally immersed in the book right from the start. It is very well written, with attention to details. Whilst there are quite a few different characters introduced quite quickly into the narrative, it was straightforward enough to keep track of them, and by the middle or so of the story I was rooting for all of them. Well, except maybe Charlie and Rose! Very well done Sir, roll on with the next installment!
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April 17, 2019Captivating!
This is the third time I have read this. It still holds my attention, no matter how many times I have read it. Such an awesome read. You will feel a connection with the characters from the book. Bravo!
This is the third time I have read this. It still holds my attention, no matter how many times I have read it. Such an awesome read. You will feel a connection with the characters from the book. Bravo!
September 5, 2020
I definitely recommend this Novel to other readers. This is the first Novel I have read that doesn't have any chapters in it, this didn't bother me in anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I can't wait to read more books that become available by Alexander Williams.
September 3, 2020
This story really sucked me in. I could identify with the characters; even the villains! I hope to read more from this aspiring author!
April 10, 2019
I belong to a Facebook group for lovers of horror novels and the author plugged his book to everyone. Other group members raved about the book so I gave it a go and I'm so glad I did.
I could not tell you the last time I truly enjoyed a vampire novel, but it's probably been close to a decade. Williams hit all of the notes I needed. The vampires were gross creeps, there was a ton of ambiance in the settings, an unlikely heroine, and plenty of calculated murder. All of this was with barely any gore and his take on vampires is unconventional.
This book is heavy on character development. I got a little worried when I saw how many pages I had left to the end and it seemed like it couldn't wrap up. It did and the ending was satisfying. I wish it had been longer but, that was just because I was enjoying it so much. I'm looking forward to whatever else Williams has coming down the pipeline.
I could not tell you the last time I truly enjoyed a vampire novel, but it's probably been close to a decade. Williams hit all of the notes I needed. The vampires were gross creeps, there was a ton of ambiance in the settings, an unlikely heroine, and plenty of calculated murder. All of this was with barely any gore and his take on vampires is unconventional.
This book is heavy on character development. I got a little worried when I saw how many pages I had left to the end and it seemed like it couldn't wrap up. It did and the ending was satisfying. I wish it had been longer but, that was just because I was enjoying it so much. I'm looking forward to whatever else Williams has coming down the pipeline.
June 9, 2019
A well written story that at first may seem a little obscure but nothing written is done so without thought and as the story progresses the web woven all comes together and creates a somewhat unusual and unique story. With a basis in the supernatural genre there is an element of a thriller.
I'm not writing anything about the story because every detail written is done so to be part of a bigger picture. One you easily get drawn into and one that you wish never ends. Certainly could be used as an introduction to a series should the author wish to do so!!
Added note. Follow the author, add him on Facebook. He's a nice lad with an interesting background and will happily have a chat with you :)
I'm not writing anything about the story because every detail written is done so to be part of a bigger picture. One you easily get drawn into and one that you wish never ends. Certainly could be used as an introduction to a series should the author wish to do so!!
Added note. Follow the author, add him on Facebook. He's a nice lad with an interesting background and will happily have a chat with you :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews