This book is over 600 pages long but never feels like it. It's addictive, engaging and fast-paced. Indiana Jones / Lara Croft quest vibes, monsters and a race against the clock set on an abandoned spaceship. Sean is an endearing main character without filter and I can't wait for book two.

Perfect for any readers looking to try sci-fi for the first time.

There were a lot of very creative ideas in this book, especially the aliens and their communication style. It's clear a lot of thought was put into this. I thought it was a very cool approach to make the main character a linguist--I don't think I've ever seen that before in a sci-fi book. There were also some nice horror elements, always a plus for me in a space opera.

The book took me a VERY long time to read, though, and I can't really put a finger on why. The pacing was technically fine. The writing could be a bit clunky, but I've read books with WAY worse prose much more quickly. Maybe it was just that too much about this book was "technically fine", but not mind-blowing... nothing wrong with any of its elements, but neither did any of them grab hold of me and refuse to let go. I suppose this is a "it's not you, it's me" kind of situation.

A fun quick sci-fi read, with an interesting science-based view of the future and a relentless pace, full of action with some heart to keep you entertained the whole way.

I sadly could not get into this one, not sure if it was my mood or the book itself, i haven't yet got around to trying to read it again

I loved this book! The world-building, the linguistics, the main trio. Absolute agony that the sequel will be released in 2025.

Stars: 3.5 out of 5.

Surprisingly, this book pulled at all of my heartstrings. Even though it's monster horror in space, it made me care about the characters. Well, at least the main ones. 

I mean, you can't help but feel sorry for Sean, who survived the destruction of his whole city and saw his family and everyone he knew lying dead at the hands of the Ministers. I understand why he clings so desperately to Benny, even though they have absolutely nothing in common apart from that tragedy that defined their childhood. It's not a healthy relationship and clinging to it is slowly destroying both of them.

I was also impressed by the sheer capacity for compassion Sean has, even after everything he went through. Or maybe because of it? He saw so many people die that now he tries to do everything in his power to help other in need, because he doesn't want any more deaths. And once he is stuck on the ship full of monsters with two people who, in his eyes, are responsible for the Kystrom massacre, he doesn't immediately classify them as enemies. He has the moral strength to overcome that anger and see them for what they are - people.

I also liked Tamara and Indigo and how we progressively got to know more of them and get glimpses of humanity from the emotionless Minister and the battle-hardened soldier. They have to collaborate to survive long enough to recover data that is vital for both their races survival. In the case of the Ministers, that meaning is very literal.

The setting itself is the stuff nightmares are made of - a derelict ship left by a dying star. So vast, so dark and silent... and full of monsters that are very very hard to kill, because the scientists who created them were experimenting with immortality. And now those monsters are angry with their creators. For creating them in the first place, for the horrors they were subjected to during that creation, and for abandoning them to die on this ship without a second thought. It reminded me a bit of the video game Dead Space, which I never could finish because I'm a chicken.

There is a lot to love about this book, but there are a few flaws as well. The flashbacks, even though they serve a purpose of explaining Sean's frame of mind, get annoying after a while. I wish the author could have found other means of passing the information to the reader. The characters other than our main trio are two-dimensional at best, and Benny was so devoid of redeeming qualities it was almost caricatural. The story also started dragging towards the end. It was like the author kept putting away the resolution and throwing more and more obstacles in our characters' way. They had already been through so much though, that I experienced danger fatigue. I just wanted them to be done with this ship one way or another.

All in all though, I really loved this first book in a new series and I will check out the next one, especially considering the twist at the end.

PS: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Easily recommend this book, it was fun and so thrilling. Character development was great, even if the detail was a little overpowering at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

I could never really get into this book. It wasn’t bad, but it never hooked me. Some bits were interesting, but the writing itself just fell flat for me.

Fun, fast-paced sci fi with a ragtag team that kept me on the edge of my seat!

This was such a fun read. I really enjoyed it, and it was long but the writing and action kept me hooked throughout. I would highly recommend this for fans of guardians of the galaxy and space operas that keep you engaged.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc!

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2023 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2023/01/2023-reading-list-announced-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

The Immortality Thief grabbed my attention with that awesome spaceship on the cover. It looks epic and from what I have read, this space ship is actually just that epic. While it didn't completely sweep me up as others have said it would, I did really enjoy this book.

This book introduces us to the rather talk active Sean as he is navigating a space ship to a deserted patch of space. To a deserted space ship where he and his 'crew' have to pick something up. As we spend some time with him we learn that he is good in languages and apparently a criminal. He is very focused on not wanting anyone dead. I thought that was an odd fixation for every situation but as we learn of his past with his 'friend' Benny, that starts making a bit more sense.

What I found most interesting in this book was the set up. A few hundred years ago the humans, who at that point had a good bit of technology, were set back by the ministers who seemed to have come out of nowhere. Thought to be aliens who came to punish them for having too much for their own good. The ministers took over ruling the humans in a set part of space, letting there be room for a human Republic to rise in another part of space. One can imagine they do not get along very well. But this setting set off a lot of questions. Who are the ministers? What really did happen all those hundred of years ago? Well I can tell you, you will get some answers to that. I was glad for that because we aren't going to be stringing along in a series to get some of these answers. Instead we get the answers by the end of this book and then we get the chance to explore and move on with the story more.

While this book is a science-fiction book, it strongly borders into horror as our group of characters navigate the ship. Human like creatures that want to eat them with razor sharp teeth, children with more sharp teeth and lets not forget the nanobots from the ships computer who sees humans as a threat. There is a bit of gore, blood and violence in it because of that.

Having said that, I didn't immediately warm up to our main character or the other characters. With Sean I really needed to get a good feel for his character. Getting a good look into his past and how his alliance with his 'friend' Benny came to be. I was glad to find him in different company for most of the book because there he got the chance to develop himself without that influence. As I warmed up to him however I was able to extend that to his two companions who both came from very different sides. They were a contrast but a good addition to Sean.

All in all I'm excited to read on in this setting and series.

This book was fantastic. Excellent worldbuilding, it was creepy and atmospheric, with a happy-g0-lucky protagonist who was way out of his depth. I enjoyed the found family aspects and the fast paced nature of the plot. The representation of translating an ancient language was so accurate! I really hope we get more of this series and these characters as I want to keep returning to this world. One of my favourite books of 2022.

This book is SO much fun, and absolutely makes my list of Best Reads of 2022. I've seen a lot of reviews describe it as 'Indiana Jones in Space' and suchlike, but it's so much more than that.

The world (universe?) building is perfect. We follow through the eyes of our protagonist, the cocky Wren, who is one of the last survivors of a holocaust on his home planet. Yes, he's traumatised, but we see that in flashbacks as it comes to his mind. Usually while he's unconscious.

The reader is never out of their depth. This isn't a book with hundreds of worlds, species and technology terms to learn. We have humans, their colonies, and the 'enemy'. And a floating ship that may hold the key to immortality. Wren is part of the team tasked to investigate, as he's both smart and expendable.

Everyone in this, from Wren himself to the mysterious Ministers, are real. Most are messed-up in some way, but we feel for them despite all. The 'locked room mystery' of a derelict spaceship is tackled in what seems like a new way, and I found myself caught up in it, 100% invested.

This may seem like a long book, but believe me when I say it's not long enough. I definitely look forward to more from this talented writer.

Beg, borrow or steal - or just buy - a copy now.

A very intriguing sci-fi with shades of horror. The plot is taut and premise of taking place in a packed space station that is about to go supernova kept me on the edge. The characters are likeable and interesting enough to follow, especially Sean and Indigo. The prose was...adequate. I found it a bit lackluster when it comes to bringing out the drama in situations, but apart from the minor gripe it was still good enough to make the book an entertaining read.

The Immortality Thief is a ridiculously fun, fast paced, seat-of-your-pants read full of treasure hunts, traps, deadly enemies, betrayal, secrets, mysterious aliens, adventure and action as the story races to the find the secret to immortality.

Far off the edge of human existence, beside a dying star lies a nameless ship abandoned and hidden, lost for a millennium. But there are secrets there, terrible secrets that would change the fate of humanity, and eventually someone will come looking.

Refugee, criminal and linguist Sean Wren is made an offer he knows he can’t refuse: life in prison, “voluntary” military service – or salvaging data in a long-dead language from an abandoned ship filled with traps and monsters, just days before it’s destroyed in a supernova. Data connected to the Philosopher’s Stone experiments, into unlocking the secrets of immortality.

And he’s not the only one looking for the derelict ship. The Ministers, mysterious undying aliens that have ruled over humanity for centuries, want the data – as does The Republic, humanity’s last free government. And time is running out.

In the bowels of the derelict ship, surrounded by horrors and dead men, Sean slowly uncovers the truth of what happened on the ship, in its final days… and the terrible secret it’s hiding.

---

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the copy!
Gorgeous cover with a well-written plot and storyline. It's a very solid adult sci-fi. Highly recommended for sci-fi fans out there!

This was undoubtedly one of my favorite reads of this year. I was super excited going into it, it seemed exactly like something I would love, and it did not disappoint.

Tha Immortality Thief is a fun, fast-paced story following Sean and his friends on a potentially deadly quest they couldn't refuse. Sean is a criminal if you will, and he was pretty much forced into this not-at-all-dangerous task of going to an abandoned ship next to a star that's about to go nova. His group is searching for some extremely important data, and what could go wrong? If you guessed everything, you're right! Sean is suddenly alone but the ship is not abandoned, and enemies are turned into unlikely allies in the face of danger.

I have no idea where to start with this review, but I will say this is an interesting book from the get-go, and Sean is a great character to follow. He is potentially unreliable as a narrator, but at the same time very interesting, and you just feel compelled to keep on reading. Besides him, the plot itself is action-packed and you will want to keep on reading to see what happens next.

I am usually a sucker for character-driven books, and while this book has amazing characters, it is not lacking in plot at all. It is equally plot- and character-driven, and both aspects are really well done and strong here. It was a great book to binge-read, I was sucked into the world and didn't want to look away for a second. The entire 600 pages had me sucked in with my eyes glued to the page. It doesn't feel long at all, I didn't even notice how fast I flew through the book. I also love enemies to allies as a concept in books, and this novel does a fantastic job of making you understand everyone's motivations and really connect with the characters.

The characters were amazing, and so interesting to read about. As I mentioned we follow Sean, and for most of the book his unlikely allies Tamara and Indigo. They are all on different sides, so to speak, but they are forced to work together to survive. We see how their relationship changes as they get to know one another, and it was truly one of the best aspects of the book. I loved Sean as the main character, I thought he was a great character to narrate the story. He is funny and he has a very strong moral compass that often causes him more trouble than good. He is often caught in the middle, wanting the best for everyone, even the opposing sides and I thought that was a very interesting and fresh take. I liked how much compassion and understanding he had, the way he thinks about everything was really different, for lack of a better word. He deals with a great deal of sadness and grief and expresses himself with kindness and understanding rather than bitterness, and that is what really bridges the differences between the three characters we follow.

All in all, I absolutely loved this book and I would highly recommend it. I cannot wait for the sequel, especially with that cliffhanger of an ending! In the meantime, while I wait for the sequel, I will be trying to make everyone read this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

More of a 3.5 I think but I'm rounding up.

Cool world building, very thrilling and numerous action sequences that just keep us readers on our toes all throughout and a fascinating antagonist make for a fun space opera in this scifi debut.

'The Immortality Thief' is a quick read with very short chapters and simple prose. The fast pace often prevents the build up of atmosphere, but together with the main character we learn a lot, which makes exploring the abandoned space ship quite interesting. The world building is also good, though I would've liked to see even more.
The strongest point of this novel though is the characters working together and getting closer, it makes for a great dynamic.
I really enjoyed 'The Immortality Thief', it presents a lot of cool ideas and twists. Sometimes too many to create a balanced pace, but overall quite enjoyable.

I’ll be honest – when I finally got around to reading this one, I wasn’t really in the mood for a creepy deserted space ship, which I’ll own is my problem rather than anything wrong with the writing. So it’s a testament to the author’s skill that by the time I was a quarter of the way into this one, I was thoroughly hooked.

The reason why I found myself so wrapped up in this adventure is that I became thoroughly invested in Sean. The main protagonist is masterfully handled by Hunt. In the early stages of the book, I found him hard work. His ‘cheeky chappie’ façade started to wear thin very quickly – and by their reactions, I realised the other crew of Viper felt much the same way. But as the book wore on, I began to appreciate that Sean’s wisecracking, irreverent attitude hides a deep belief in the sanctity of life. And a strong sense that the dumb stroke of luck that allowed him to survive the massacre of his family, friends and neighbours has left him with a need to pass it on whenever he finds someone wanting help. Hunt does a really good job in conveying this belief without portraying Sean as some futuristic Pollyanna.

I also got thoroughly caught up in learning more about the two other characters Sean finds himself sharing his terrifying adventures with – initially, they both seem utterly horrible and extremely dangerous. In fact, they remain extremely dangerous throughout, which provides some interesting plot twists along the way. I’m aware that I’ve only really discussed the characters – but this is principally an action adventure novel, brimful of action set on a derelict space ship on the brink of catastrophic disaster. And it provides plenty of tension and nasty surprises along the way, which makes for an engrossing page-turner I found hard to put down.

A completely unexpected twist right at the end has me keen to read the next book in this series and it comes very highly recommended for fans of tension-filled space opera adventure with memorable, excellently portrayed characters. While I obtained an audiobook arc of The Immortality Thief from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10

Actual rating - 4.5

Uh, so I really enjoyed this story. Seen entirely from pilot, criminal, and linguist Sean Wren’s perspective, this book starts out as a not-so-voluntary data-salvaging mission that soon turns into a sort of ‘space race’ for a stone that promises immortality.

Pacy with complex characters, this soft sci-fi novel was so compelling and readable thanks to Sean’s easy manner. Even when the book bordered on horror - cue gruesome monsters and confined spaces - his voice was a lighthouse. Although seen from his point of view, you do get a real in-depth understanding of the two other characters he meets along the way and that sort of development really pulled me into the story. I also love the idea of found family and some of the bonds forged in this book felt really special.

Parts of this were definitely tense, others scary (I’m a wimp, sue me) but it was also deeply moving and really raised a lot of questions about the importance of human connection and morality. It’s adventurous, it’s bold, it’s high-stakes, and although I saw a couple of twists coming, there were some that I did not predict. I’m excited to see where Sean, Indigo and Tamara go from here and can’t wait to see what manner of impossible gets thrown at them next.