Cheating Death

The Immortal Descendants #5

by April White

A life has ended, the future is lost, and a war has just begun.

An explosion has split Time and Archer has paid the ultimate price, leaving Saira heartbroken and desperate to repair the rupture. But the blast has trapped Saira in an alternate future where Mongers are cornered predators and Death is the ultimate judge. If Saira and her larcenous friend, Ringo, ever want to see Archer alive, they must pull off the impossible – alter history at a moment in time to which they cannot return. But saving Archer will restore a timeline where Mongers have complete control, mixed bloods are hunted prey, and the Descendant world is spiraling into chaos.

As Saira uses her Clocking skills to prevent her worst nightmares from coming true, she travels from the dirty streets of Victorian London to the secret archives of the Vatican. She seeks a purpose that is greater than smashed hope, greater than lost love, greater than the prophecy that has shaped her very existence. She must use the lessons of history to free the present and shape the future. And in the end, Saira and her friends will face War and Death in the most important battle of all – the one for Peace.

Genres: Fantasy, Time Travel, Young Adult, Romance, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Historical

428 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2017

About the author

APRIL WHITE has been a film producer, private investigator, bouncer, teacher and screenwriter. She has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a shipwreck, and lived on a gold mine in the Yukon. She and her husband share their home in Southern California with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

Her first novel, Marking Time is the 2016 winner of the Library Journal Indie E-Book Award for YA Literature, and all five books in the Immortal Descendants series are on the Amazon Top 100 lists in Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy. Code of Conduct is an RWA Vivian Award finalist for romantic suspense, a Next Generation Award finalist for romance, and RONE Award finalist for suspense. And Death's Door is a Grand Prize winner of the Next Generation Award, and a Foreword Reviews Award finalist. More information and her blog can be found at www.aprilwhitebooks.com.

Reviews

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 What a Series Should Be Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
Disclaimer: This is a love letter to an author I respect and adore. Please take it as it is given. Thank you
Those who know me, know I am not a huge reader of YA books. That is not to say I don't appreciate them...as I was right there with everyone during each release of the Harry Potter Series. I have traveled through many different genres over my years of reading; Mysteries, Thrillers, Legal Dramas, Police Procedural, even Horror all written by various authors too numerous to mention...But each excellent in their delivery of the story.

A few years ago, I transitioned to Historical fiction with all of the dreamy love tales...with intermittent dashes of Paranormal or whatever Jayne Ann Krentz wrote as Amanda Quick and her Arcane Society...I would binge read all I could find through the library.
Then immersed me in Contemporary Romance... all sorts...and discovered a wide array...from romance, clean and simple, to erotic and sensual. Depending on my mood, there was always something to read...and that was how I found Penny Reid...

Which brings me to my introduction to April White and The Immortal Descendants series. Penny Reid personally introduced me to April White at a signing event. It was a love fest from the start...
We joked, chatted Penny's books, and then Penny told me I needed to read April's book, Marking Time. April being a class act sent it to me...saying she knew from our conversation her book might not be my thing... and it was no harm no foul if I chose to pass...

Well, I didn't...
I read it from cover to cover... and LOVED IT.

I loved it so much I begged my friends to read it...and then I begged April to please figure out a way to film it... as I felt it had all of the elements a big movie needed.
I was sort of obnoxious about it... Because every time our paths crossed at a signing...I would ask if she had started the process to get it out there on a little or big screen.

And the reason I felt so strongly about the series "getting out there" was that it brought History to Life in a way young adults would find captivating...At least that was my take on it... and still is...

But it also does more than that... because throughout this series, it talks about the acceptance of differences...and that in my book is needed more than ever. It also covers so much more in dealing with relationships -first love... loyalty and understanding...I could go on and on...

So, this has been a long-winded way to say... Please take a moment, look into this Author's work...She brings so much to the table... and does it with research, intriguing plots, swoony moments and thrills which will have you holding your breath.

In other words... this series rocks.
Lucky you, all of the books are now out... so there is no waiting to enjoy this experience... You can read it at your own pace.

Marking Time (The Immortal Descendants, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tempting Fate (The Immortal Descendants #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Changing Nature (The Immortal Descendants #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Waging War (The Immortal Descendants #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cheating Death (The Immortal Descendants #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Immortal Descendants (The Immortal Descendants #1-3) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some of the very best readers on the planet. Their reviews for Cheating Death make me so proud to be a part of this amazing community, and so grateful that such generous and wonderful people have found my books:

"From the moment I started reading Saira's story I was hooked. The characters, the places, the villains, the history, the adventure,the dialogue, the romance, the drama... I've truly loved it all."-Urban Fantasy Investigations

"Cheating Death is a riveting whirlwind of a novel, and the culmination of a perfectly executed series ... What April White does in this book is a literary phenomenon." Readereater

"The perfect mix of action, romance, suspense, and fantasy." - The Bookworm Fairy

"April White has upped her game for this final installment. Much more than a book to tie up loose ends, White digs deep and expands story lines and deepens relationships between characters. And, just when the reader expects the pace to ease off, White finds a way to crank things up!" - Book Junkie Reviews

"It's an awesome day when the final book in a favorite series gives more than you expected, ends the series perfectly, and makes you smile when you close the cover." - One Man Book Club

*** Edited to add: Just re-read because I need to remember some of the details for another project. Gave myself chills, laughed out loud, even cried a little. I wrote this? Damn!***

[Penny Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of writing last night, I read this book.



NO REGRETS!!!

This is what the end of an epic series should be.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I can properly explain how much I have loved the Immortal Descendants series. From the moment I started reading Saira's story I was hooked. The characters, the places, the villains, the history, the adventure, the dialogue, the romance, the drama... I've truly loved it all.

*Contains minor spoilers from CHEATING DEATH and WAGING WAR

The end of WAGING WAR left me yearning to find out what happened, if Archer was still alive and how Saira would get back to him. I have to tell you, when I started reading CHEATING DEATH I had to force myself not to skip ahead and make sure they truly get back to each other and everything turns out OK. It was torture to hold myself back, but I did it and I am glad I did or I would have missed a great journey.

CHEATING DEATH doesn't waste time diving back into the storyline. The pace is steady, the adventures are both dangerous and informative and the characters are as engaging and entertaining as ever.

I'm really sad that this series is over. CHEATING DEATH did a great job of wrapping up the current storyline, but I still feel like there is so much more story to share. I want to see what kind of a man Ringo turns out to be, I want to see Saira and Archer start a family. I want to see how all of my other favorite characters in The Immortal Descendants series end up. There is just so much more I feel like I need to know. April White, please keep writing about these characters, even if it's just a novella length epilogue. I would gladly read more.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

That amazing feeling when you read the final book in a series and it totally delivers everything you ever wanted ...

I don't think I can do the plot justice, certainly I don't recommend leaping in here at the fifth book if you haven't read the previous four, suffice to say that Saira and her group of friends, family and teachers bounce around alternate time-lines, 1944, 1842, 1554 and the present day. We see the Immortals, all of them and meet lots of famous characters from history. If you have read the series and enjoyed it I believe you will be totally satisfied with the pacing and plot of this brilliant finale. I will admit that I got lost a bit at times, but that's because I have an atrocious memory and didn't re-read the previous books before starting this one.

I think it is extremely telling when you finish a series, which has such a definite ending, and just want to go back to the very beginning and start all over again so that you can understand the bits you didn't quite understand. I'd love to know how April White keeps it all straight - does she have some kind of War Room filled with white boards for each separate period in time?

Just two small niggles (actually I think there were three but I can't remember the third), April White refers to the London Bridge when it should just be London Bridge (or maybe she means the London Bridge spiral?) and Hatton Gardens when it is Hatton Garden singular. I would be delighted to proof read any ARCs of future April White books set in the UK to spot any such minor mistakes :)

If you love time travel stories then I thoroughly recommend this series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

All authors hold a special place in my heart for they create a books where us readers can put our lives on hold for a while and dive into the fictional ones they've created. However, there is truly something special about fantasy authors that not only bring beloved characters to life but they create vast worlds filled with nothing short of magic. I can not think of a higher gift to give to a reader. And this is what April White has done in her fantastic series.


Cheating Death is the EPIC CONCLUSION of this 5 book series that takes us on this fantastical world of time travelers, shifters, vampires, prophecies, but perhaps most importantly love, friendships, and family.


During they're time travel Saira and Ringo meet Mary Shelley and she says: "My dream is to have mattered to the people I love, and I would like my world to be a little richer because I am in it. And perhaps, if my words can find their way into someone's heart, to give truth to an idea, or voice a question, that is reason enough to rise and face each day."



Well, my dear April I would say mission accomplished.

[Grahame · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sort of bittersweet for me. I have enjoyed these stories and characters so very much and I'm sad it's over. I'll admit, I dragged my feet a little on this one because I knew this was it. But once I started, I couldn't stop. The story is just like the others---impossible to put down and fast paced with amazing adventures.
This took us to places I never imagined. The gang met with people from history that I didn't expect and as always, there are twists and turns I never saw coming. This is storytelling at its finest. The writing is absolutely riveting and the characters come to life in such a vivid way.
I'm going to miss Saira, Archer, Ringo, and the whole crew. I thrilled with how things worked out, but I want more. It's been a long time since I've been so enthralled with a series. I'm so glad I finally listened to my friend and picked up these books.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear" - Oscar Wilde -

Saira our resident Clocker faces her biggest challenge yet. Repairing the time split. Time ripples are okay but not a split.

But how to rectify what has been done?

After losing Archer she clocks back to the alternative future where Death rules and War is nothing more than a footnote. When in the real timeline it is the opposite.

Saira & Archer have a love that spans over a hundred years. Each Archer Saira has learnt through her clocking makes her love him just a little bit more.

With only Ringo to help who really has her back and Tom who let's face it is a wildcard they travel to Victorian London to the Vatican to steal the ring which doesn't work but they have a backup plan.

I love time travel and I love history so this has been the perfect combination for me. At times I did get confused in what time they were in. Specifically 1888 & 1842. The writing is engaging, captivating and flawless. The pace is steady and there is never a boring moment.

So I didn't quite get the ending I was looking for. But what I did get was perfect.

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

So here with are with another beloved series coming to an end. I have mixed emotions….I am sad that a series that I have adored for the last few years is coming to an end but happy because it wrapped up in such a wonderfully fitting way that I couldn’t help but be satisfied.

One thing that stood out to me in this book was not going over old history. I suppose the author feels that if you made it to this book then you probably know the story and thus no need to rehash ancient history which I totally appreciated! However, I had forgotten little pieces of details from the last book so it took me a little bit to ‘remember’ where things were at in regards to some of the story lines.

This book had a much faster pace than some of the others. I was anxious to see if Archer was still alive and what the final outcome would be with the impending war. The Immortal world is so engaging and interesting. White has created a world full of interesting characters, strong female leads, and a rich fantasy world that could continue to be drawn upon. Though this is the last book in this series, I still felt like there was enough ‘meat’ in the Immortal world to write other stories set in the same realm. I would love to see a book set in the Immortal world with Ringo as the main character. Ringo wasn’t my favorite character in the series to begin with but as the books have progressed….he has grown on me so now I would love to see a book about him.

Saria is an incredible main character too. She isn’t one of those leading ladies that ‘finds herself’ in the series……she already is so strong and knows who she is to begin with but as the book progresses she continues to build on those traits to become this great leading lady that many readers could admire. I love that the whole series isn’t about her’finding herself’ like so many of the YA novels are or romance….it’s more about how she deals with adverse situations and how she continues to grow and mature into a young lady. I love that about her and this series shows how she thrives as an independent woman in various different time periods.

One of the things that sets White apart from her peers is her ability to research her novels. Because each book has a time travel element, her ability to research multiple different time periods and write about them with such confidence and knowledge is pretty incredible. Sometimes authors have more historic knowledge about one period or another but for White……her historical knowledge period to period is phenomenal! I am impressed with her knowledge and attention to detail with each book! It’s clear that she does her research before sending her characters into a new ‘world’ or ‘time’.

On the whole this was a great read. Nothing was stagnant or slow in the book and the way everything wrapped up was brilliant. I loved it but I’m sad now that it’s over!

See my full review here

[Caffenero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to be original but The Verve coined the perfect phrase that describes Cheating Death, so I'm using it, giving them credit in advance ;)
Cheating Death is a Bittersweet Symphony. Sometimes it has the tones of Beethoven's 5th (Ta-da-da-daaa), sometimes the 9th (Ode to joy)... Oh boy, it affected me in so many ways!
The rhythm and pace are never slow, and you'll discover so many things during the journey that you'll never get hungry for more knowledge because you need your time to digest your discoveries ;) All the knots have been tied masterfully. If you read all the previous books in the Immortal Descendants' series you know how April likes to give us good cardio workouts, so prepare yourself for a long, emotionally challenging ride.
Well done, my friend.
I'm a very satisfied reader :D

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.


THAT'S A CROCK OF SHITE. I NEED MORE. OK...REAL REVIEW SOON.

Just understand, I'm severely emotionally damaged right now, and I'll need to come out from under the pain/joy/elation/OMGNOSOSAD eventually. Please send wine.

Actually, send a clocker back and get me some Malmsey wine. Send a wolf with the clocker for the nose.

See how much I've helped you?

[Dorothy Chsrlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book answered all the questions left from Waging War I have all five books in paperback and on my kindle , I have a horror of loosing them on Kindle. Cheating Death is a fitting to the series I have read them all a few times now and each time I reread them I discovered something different . if you like adventure romance history and true friendship then read these books you will not be disappointed

[Darrell Mcfarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding conclusion to an excellent series. It's got everything you could possibly want in a book, Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles... Well, most of them anyway. If you liked the previous books in this series, you'll love this one.

[Dee King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. From the first paragraph of the first book I was in this world. Not just reading a story, but experiencing a multitude of worlds. I did not expect Doran's lineage, yet when it was revealed it made complete sense. White does a fantastic job of jumping through time yet not once losing sight of each character and their history. Not once, no matter how many jumps and family members were introduced, was I lost or confused or felt the story was muddled. Saira is an excellent lead. Her growth was well told. Only a year had passed, yet with all the travel it was a lifetime and she matured accordingly. I was particularly fascinated by Death, and enjoyed her interactions with him. I wish there was a 6th book that explored him & Doran and that dynamic a bit more. But with that said, this book perfectly wrapped up the series. I was not disappointed in the least bit. Thank you, April White, for this magnificent read.

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this ending to the series - everything has come full circle, but more than that, the characters really grew throughout each installment.
I can’t wait to read more about Ringo and Charlie :)

[This Literary Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review…

I found out about this series only last year and powered through the first 4 books very quickly. As the last book ended in a bit of a cliffhanger, I could not wait to get my hands on this one. April takes you on a long intense journey throughout history again in Cheating Death. You meet many famous people throughout history as she weaves them into her story line. I have always loved history and I really appreciate how she uses actual history and people and manipulates them to fit whatever she needs to to fit her story just right. And at the end of the book, she always gives you the accurate history of the time that she's meddled with, just so you don't ever confuse fact from fiction.

The story starts out with Saira and Ringo separated from Archer and everyone else they know as they are trapped on a different time stream. We don't know if Archer is alive, or what happened with him and the cure. I enjoyed how the story really explored Saira's grief when she allowed herself to feel it. Sometimes I had a hard time relating to how she grieved, but her situation is so original and she is so young with the whole weight of the world on her shoulders thing, that I am not sure I could ever relate to it. I wondered how she could just hang and have food and conversation with friends and laugh with everything that was going on. And then I remembered something that I have found recently in my own life… Joy and grief must coexist in order for you to truly live. There were times that she let it out, and I would finally see that she was truly mourning…everything. Her love, a life she once had, and the ignorance that gave her bliss to a world she didn't know existed.

I loved how we got the answers to EVERY question (well, all the ones I had anyways) about all of the characters that have been shadowed in mystery throughout the series. Doran had a power spot that I didn't see coming in the first 4 books and I loved the entire story line about the Last Mixed Immortal royalty.

Ringo really prevailed in this book for me. Above every other character, he gripped my heart. He was the strongest of them all with his fierce loyalty. And I am so glad that not only did he get the happily ever after that he MORE than deserved, but that there will be a book about him as well.

Archer and Saira were able to bring their story back together and as loss does, it brings people closer together. As we saw when the previous book ended, Archer had taken the cure and we didn't know if he would live through his horrific injuries for it to work. Not only did he live, but the cure worked and Mr. Shaw was able to give it to Tom as well. Thank goodness!! That poor Tom had some series issues brewing and with his self loathing immortality, there is no telling what he would be like after 1oo years or so We could have had another Ripper on our hands! Thanks to Saira and Ringo's constant reinforcement that he was worthwhile he started to see the value in a life better lived. The only question on the cure is, what now? Will this be developed and give to all who want it? If so, what of Death's line?? I'm sure that it could have some serious repercussions in the descendant's futures. Also, I adored Archer as A vampire!! I was a little teary eyed when the story ended and he was still human again LOL But it is where he and Saira needed to be so it was perfect for them.

The only thing that I did not necessarily love about the story was just how many important people in history that just 'happened' to pop into the story and be of help along their journey. It just made it slightly less believable for me in those moments, but we ARE talking about immortals traveling around in time, sooooooo….it may have just been the kids running around and making all of that noise and distracting me while I tried to read haha And yet, it totally worked. So, I'm not really sure how much this was a complaint haha

I can honestly say that I am 100% happy with how the book ended. There was absolutely sorrow and loss in the battle to defeat War but it was worth while in the end. I think that the epilogue was my favorite part because when it was done I had a goofy grin on my face at the HEA that we were given.

All in all a very good conclusion to this series. I will be keeping an eye out for Ringo's story!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I dragged my feet a little and almost restarted for the 5th(?) Time from the beginning just to make this trip last longer. But I also wanted to finally know where it ended. And what an intriguing end it was. Love love love this series. And I know it will be read a few more times over the summer and next couple of years. Kudos - April - a masterful tale from (more than) just a girl! ;)

Ps: just still happy - all day - because of how it wrapped up, and yet left room for more if the author so chooses. Happy happy. Penny Reid posted the perfect picture in her review. :)

[Veray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful ending to a great series. I would recommend it highly to anyone who likes to learn about history while reading a highly entertaining story. The characters are amazing and seem so real. They are strong and loyal, but make mistakes and do their best to fix them. There are so many emotions in these books. Curiosity, adventure, love, loss, pain, suffering, joy, laughter, excitement, tragedy, you name it, it is in there. I want to share this with everyone I know.

[Amber Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review of her book.

I do not have the capacity to eloquently review this book, it is amazeballs.

It is an emotional roller-coaster and at times a complete steamroller. The first half of the story picks up, obviously, where the evil cliffhanger left us. There is a lot of grief, palpable grief, you can feel it cover you like a blanket. The action is wonderful. The anticipation between what will happen next and what happens next is aggravatingly delicious.

I was deeply engaged by the story and the characters. Their actions and reactions. Their friendships and deep seated anger.

I don't think this is a secret, I don't think it's a spoiler, Saira is a clocker (time traveler) and has met historical figures in past books of the series. This one is no different on that account. What is different is the conversations she has with them. They resonated with me on such a level that I had to put the book down for a while. In the back of the book, April tells you that some of those conversations were taken from real moments in the figure's lives. That blew me away. Those conversations being where they are in Cheating Death was pure brilliance.

I have mentioned in reviews of her previous books how much I love Ringo. In Cheating Death, Ringo grows so very much. He is turning into a man and you see it happen right before your eyes! It's beautiful and heartbreaking, ugly and pure all at the same time. Maybe it's because I have a 13 yo boy that draws me to this character and how he develops.

Saira is a character I want my daughter to read. I want my girl to be so bold and someone who stands up for herself and her friends. Those are things I hope I'm instilling in her! Saira doesn't always know how things are going to turn out, and some times they are way wrong, but she has people she can go to and be with to help her along her journey.

I will miss these characters who I have grown to love. I will miss this series. I am sad to see it end, but DAMN! What a way to end the series. This was a fantastic read and I would suggest it to all my reader friends/family.

It is a great story. I absolutely loved it. Amazeballs.

[One Man Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my blog, One Man Book Club

The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained

It's a fun day when the final book in a favorite series is published.

It's a great day when the final book in a favorite series meets expectations.

It's an awesome day when the final book in a favorite series gives more than you expected, ends the series perfectly, and makes you smile when you close the cover.

This is an awesome day.

If you're a fan of The Immortal Descendants series, great news: Cheating Death is as fantastic as you hoped it would be. Get a copy and read it now.

If you're not a fan of The Immortal Descendants series, it's time to fix that.

Start with Marking Time, which was the winner of the YA 2016 Library Journal Indie E-Book Award. I'm betting you'll be hooked by one of the following:

--Time travel
--Vampires that don't sparkle
--Shape shifters
--A school where gifted descendants of immortals learn to use their powers
--A cold war along ancient family blood lines
--Jack the Ripper
--Enduring characters, particularly a strong female lead
--Historical fiction that's smart AND fun

Did I mention Marking Time is free? Seriously people. This isn't a hard decision.

Click here and then email me to say thanks:

https://amzn.to/2Kq12C2

I recommend the Immortal Descendant series for ages 14 and up.

Happy reading!

[Henry Northcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent finale

Having already guessed at the nature of Doran,this book confirmed my suspicions. I enjoyed this book more than books 3,4 and liked the historical insertions. It would be nice to have a follow-up some 18 yrs hence. I.e. when Saira and Archer have had children,and Bob Shaw and Claire have had children. Might be fun to enjoy further adventures in time

[Niaka Gruneberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tied up very neatly but..

I've been a fan for awhile now and sad that the series is at its end, loved the skip around this book history is definitely fascinating!! but I do feel like there's more in store for some of the side characters, Tom Ringo Aeron Bas..the angel dude and all that other world ness so I can't wait to see what your next book will be. Hoping for some familiar faces but excited for a new world too! Thanks for taking me on a great trip many many times!!

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, for the journey.♡♡♡♡♡
“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” – Neil Gaiman

[Jenny Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the series

I loved this series, the character with their strengths and flaws were believable. I couldn't put these books down and the ending was worth it!

[Brian Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Enjoyed this series, even though it's my normal genre. Nicely all wrapped up and lots of history and people intertwined with the story, and whole series. Just book 5.5 (or is it 6!) to finish off.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to delve too much into what's gone before, because SPOILERS!, but my main irritation (really, my only irritation) with the book (and this genre - YA - in general) is the whole falling madly in love and getting married while still a teenager - especially when half the duo is more than a century old. That really turns up my squick factor. However, since that's my only quibble (and Saira's and Archer's relationship is hella more stable than any sparkly vampire couple), I guess I'll let it go.

The best parts of this book are the historic characters (Mary Shelley! Oscar Wilde!), the history (secret Vatican intrigue!), and the fact that Saira is an unabashed feminist and really sticks to her guns about that, regardless of what time she's in and who's pushing back. For someone so young (see above "teen marriage" reference), she really comes into her strength over the arc of this series and I love how much pushback she gives to everyone who even sidles up to the implication that women - especially young women - are not up to snuff.

"...that word 'just,' when used as an adverb, means 'only' and 'no more than.' By using 'just' that way, you're saying there's something greater than being female, and you've implied that being female isn't enough."

See? That's Saira talking to someone considerable older, more powerful, and with a lot more woman-experience behind her.

What balances - and nicely, I might add - Saira's feminist strength to keep her from being unrealistic is the fact that she is so very obviously not fully adult yet. She's technically old enough, but there is still some major frontal lobe development that needs to happen. She's more thoughtful in this book than in earlier ones, but still has to rein in her tendency to think before acting. Everything is so close to the surface yet - which of course it is in all of us when we're newly emerging into adulthood and haven't yet learned to temper our emotions with our experience (and most of us aren't time travelers trying to repair rifts in the time stream and rescue our vampire lovers while avoiding being killed by angry clerics).

April's world building is fantastic. I love me some urban fantasy - it's so much more satisfying to me to have our world infested with the supernatural than to imagine other worlds where anything is possible. I like the idea that the dude I saw hunched in a trench coat in the shadows might be a vampire, and if I just find the right person, I can be next in line for some blood-sucking immortality.

The character building throughout this series has also been quite good. I am exceptionally fond of Ringo and love the path that Raven took in her development.

This five book series has been a fantastic journey, and my only real regret is that it's over. (Although I want at least a novella with Mr. Shaw...gotta love a bear shifter, amiright?)

The Quote(s)

"Miss Elian, I do believe we should be friends. There is something quite extraordinary about a woman who is quite completely herself. I find that being oneself is an excellent choice, as everyone else is already taken." (--Oscar Wilde)

The bath had done him good though, and he must have eaten fairly recently because his resting corpse-face had filled out enough to be considered chiseled rather than emaciated.

The Verdict

This book, in addition to being a great conclusion to a wonderful story, full of amazing world building, fascinating history, exceptional character development, and a unique backstory for the supernaturals running around this earth, also made me laugh out loud more than once.

(I received this as an ARC from the author.)

[Gabriella Messina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*sighs* Well... I am inexcusably late in getting this review in because, quite frankly, I've been busy writing my own book *winks*... But I finally got to give this book the attention it deserved and Oh... my... goodness!!!

Coming to the end of this series was bittersweet for me... I found it quite by accident and became so attached to this diverse group of characters... Saira just... well she just rocks as a female character! She's the kind of young adult female character that you want to see more of, a woman more balanced between her feminine and tomboyish side then she would admit to if you asked her. She doesn't tolerate any b.s. from anyone, no matter their age or her attachment to them and I love that about her so much... Is she perfect? No, but she's a heroine worth emulating...

"Cheating Death" closes the circle on the Immortal Descendants series and I thought that author April White did a phenomenal job of pulling together all the loose ends and answering all the questions that have been built into the series along the way. Everything was seamless, past events explained, character struggles resolved, but nothing felt pat or easy. It all made perfect sense, and you couldn't help but chime in as you read a part and another character went, "Oh, I get it now!", when a revelation occurred. Even the conclusion of the story, where, like many series, we get a round-up of characters and storylines, it never came off as pat or too quick, as many book endings do. it was satisfying, and for someone who loved this series and was at once excited for the finish and loathe to see it end, it was the kind of ending that I, and the myriad of fans out there, deserved.

I, for one, can't wait to see what other stories and worlds the author has up her sleeve, and based on some of the clues along the way, it may not be the last we see of some of these beloved characters either.

So my conclusion? A wonderful ending to a wonderful series... that (hint, hint, Hollywood?) needs to be made into, I don't know, maybe a five-season television series, perhaps? *winks*

[KC Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Series I’ve Read in a Long Time <3

What an EPIC conclusion to this series!

I am utterly blown away with how fantastic this series has been. April White swept me away from one adventure to the next with this captivating, time-traveling story. I was on pins and needles with this paranormal thriller, hoping and needing an HEA after the battles these characters have fought throughout their journey in time...and I was NOT disappointed.

The message behind this series, and especially this book, is powerful without being too preachy, and is something that reflects on our own history and benefits every human from the past, present and future.

”My blood runs just as red as yours does, and I love and hope and dream just like you do. We are not born better or worse than anyone else, we’re born human, and we build ourselves up from the same ground floor.”

Although we may look different, act different, have different features that define us individually, but underneath it all.. we are all still human. We bleed the same color. It's not fair or just to judge someone by the way they look or where they come from, but to look into their character to define how we feel about a person.

”We parrot the prejudices of our parents, and they continue until nobody even remembers why we hated those people in the first place."

The three main characters are a perfect example of this.

Saira, a mix-blood of a Shifter and a Clocker. There were prejudices placed on her because the Families labeled mixed bloods illegal since they were afraid of their abilities and didn't want to share power. She was on the run only because of the mix of her blood.

Archer, a Seer turned Vampire. He was feared because they were taught that "suckers" were deadly, which they are, but it was Archer's character and his morals that made him safe. He would've never hurt another human unless he was provoked or his loved ones threatened.

And Ringo. My heart is so full of love for this kid. He grew up as a thief in the streets of London in the year 1888. He was a street urchin that no one ever took a chance on so he had to steal to feed himself and survive... until Saira came along and gave him opportunity to grow and thrive. There was so much more than meets with him. Smart as a whip and proved to be so much more than anyone ever gave him credit for.

These three characters, along with all of the friends they picked up along the way, fought tooth and nail to right the wrongs that history had bestowed upon them with their strength, courage and loyalty to one another.

”The strength of your conviction gives you a greater than average chance of succeeding.”

The ending was a bit bittersweet for me, only because I'm not ready to let go of the gang yet, but Ringo's story will be continuing and I'm desperately looking forward to the next chapter of adventures.

What an incredible and thrilling series. April White is now labeled as a favorite author of mine with her spectacular and heart-felt storytelling.

[Ayanami Faerudo · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO BEAUTIFUL!

AND IT'S OVER!

NOOOOOOO!
----
There is always a certain kind of dread when you are holding the last book in a beloved series. You have been waiting for a year to get yet your hands on it. You have been eagerly –heart-thudding- anticipating to read what happens in the end. You have been waiting if your book husband is alive or not.

But the moment the book lands in your hands, even though you’re literally bouncing in your seat, on your feet, screaming at your best friend, you still cannot seem to open the first page because when you start reading, then there is no going back.

Oh, you could re-read the entire series from book one; but there is a singular magic to reading it the first time. Ask the Potterheads; we know what we are talking about.

However, you don your favorite pajamas, you brew your favorite chocolate drink, you fluff your pillows on the sofa (or the armchair or the bed or the porch swing), you cuddle your cat or dog (for later comfort), and you take a deep breath before you open the page to learn the secrets of Cheating Death.

Saira has this habit of overcomplicating things. Was there a reason for her and Ringo to travel to those times when they could just go that time window to get everything right? Maybe in this instance Saira was not thinking clearly since she just lost Archer.
Then, again, it was by design. Saira needed to travel to those times to learn important things in order to do what is best and what is good, not only for her and her loved ones but for everyone as well.
That is why I am giving a big kudos to her character growth. She is deserving of being a special snowflake.
But she wouldn’t have done it all by herself. If Frodo had his Sam, then Saira had her Ringo.
Ringo, my precious cinnamon roll, you are deserving of a book of your own.
Of course, all that time-travelling will not be as awesome if not for the well-researched and enmeshed bits and pieces of actual history. I learned a lot.

The Immortal Descendants is one of those book series wherein it is unexpected – I couldn’t even remember how I heard and got my hands on the first book; it is unbelievable – it is a rare gem in this oversaturated world of young adult literature; it is underrated – read previous phrase, seriously, why isn’t it more popular with the masses? Guy?; and, altogether, one of those stories where narrative, atmosphere, setting, plot and characters are well-developed, comprehensive, and well-entwined to form one unforgettable story.

Thank you for the incredible journey, Ms. April White.

Full review at Whatever You Can Still Betray.

[Kara-karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
This was a really spectacular ending to the series, peeps, and I feel happy about it!


First of all, tons of things happen here: in time, in space and with many revelations in between.


Saira starts the book separated from Archer by the time stream split in 1944. Together with Ringo and Tom she has to travel into the past to repair it in order to reunite with everyone she knows and love.


It's a hard journey for our Clocker and her friends. They feel very isolated and at times intensely grieving, but there are also a lot of wonderful side stories enriching the plot including characters like Rachel, Artemisia, Doran and even Mary Shelley.


While Archer is dealing with problems at his end, Saira clashes with powerful enemies in the past. As usual, Wilder is terrifying, but we also understand his and Seth's motives more due to surprising revelations about The Immortals.


The end result is a beautifully crafted, emotionally complex, rich story which I enjoyed immensely. It's sad to say goodbye to all the characters, but the ending more than makes for it! Highly recommended series.


* * *

Зрелищная концовка серии, дамы и господа, которая ну очень мне понравилась!


Прежде всего, в этой книге происходит множество событий во времени и пространстве, с большим количеством откровений между.


Саира, Ринго и Том оказываются отрезаны от Арчера и Ко. когда временной поток разрывается на две альтернативные ветки в 1944 г. Вся остальная книга разделена на две точки зрения: Арчера и Саиры, где он пытается переиграть Сета в настоящем, а Саира прыгает в прошлое, чтобы исправить разрыв во времени и вернуться к мужу.


Для неё, Ринго и Тома это очёнь тяжёлое эмоционально путешествие, так как Саира на какой-то момент верит в то, что Арчер мёртв и погружается в кататонию. В тоже время её путешествия связывают её с очень интересными людьми: Оскаром Уайлдом, Рэйчел, Артемизией, Дораном и даже с Мэри Шелли. Все они - живые, уникальные характеры, которые так и прыгают со страниц.


Уайлдер как обычно -шикарный злодей, но мы начинаем понимать его и Сета мотивацию благодаря неожиданным откровениям из истории Бессмертных.


В общем, у Эйприл Уайт вышла очень эмоциональная, красивая и многогранная история, которая аккуратно завязала все сюжетные линии в одну превосходную концовку. Читала с большим удовольствием и вам рекомендую всю серию.