Immortal—A Witty Urban Fantasy with Heart, Snark, and High Stakes

After thoroughly enjoying The Wolf vs. the Vampire, I learned that Lauretta Hignett’s books are all set in a shared universe, with overlapping characters and storylines. Naturally, I had to follow the recommended reading order—and that led me to Immortal, the first book in the Imogen Gray series. And wow, what a ride.

At a glance

A Story of Death, Rebirth, and Witty Banter

Imogen Gray is immortal. She doesn’t know what kind of immortal, just that no matter how many ways she dies (and there have been many), she always comes back—albeit slowly and painfully. When she rescues a young boy from an evil witch, she ends up entangled in a quest to stop the apocalypse at the hands of an even darker foe: the so called Bloodlord. Along the way, she gathers a misfit band of allies, including a good witch, some shifters, and a brooding Vampire King.

This book is fast-paced, creative, and crackling with energy. The writing style gave me major Kate Daniels vibes, especially in the dynamic between Imogen and Raphael, the Vampire King. Their chemistry is undeniable, filled with tension and sharp dialogue, and if it develops into something more, I’m absolutely here for it.

What I Loved

Imogen is one of my favorite urban fantasy heroines in recent memory. She’s ancient, nearly indestructible, and endlessly sarcastic, but underneath all that bravado is someone deeply vulnerable and tired of being alone. Her sass and strength make her incredibly fun to read, and the way her immortality is portrayed—gruesome, painful, and very inconvenient—adds a fascinating twist.

The side characters are just as memorable. Sonja, the sassy witch, practically steals every scene she’s in. Her banter with Imogen was a highlight and gave me major Pam-from-The Southern Vampire Mysteries energy: irreverent, hilarious, and loyal to the bone. The entire cast feels well fleshed out, and the “found family” dynamic that forms over the course of the story was surprisingly touching.

The supernatural world is expansive and imaginative. With immortal beings, witches, shifters, vampires, and other realms, it’s a rich setting with endless potential. The book walks that perfect line between dark and funny—never too heavy, but never too silly either.

Quote Highlight

Here’s a perfect taste of the tone:

“Capiche?” Sonja did not capiche. “I’m going to rip out your intestines and string them through these very trees,” she hissed at me. “I’m going to pluck out your eyeballs and give them to the fly-fishing club to use as bait.” “That sounds both inventive and charitable,” I said, nodding. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve lost body parts to fish, you know, and it would be for a good cause.”

More of this, please.

Tropes & Themes 🧬✨

👫 Found Family

✨ Magic

🌌 Other Realms

🧛‍♂️ Supernatural Creatures

🦸‍♀️ Reluctant Hero

Final Thoughts

Immortal is a smart, snarky urban fantasy full of humor, heart, and just enough darkness to keep things interesting. Actually there one scene that gets a little too gory toward the end. So maybe don’t eat while reading. If you enjoy sharp dialogue, high-stakes adventures, and a protagonist who can literally lose a limb and keep cracking jokes, this book is for you. I’m diving straight into the next one—and probably every other series Lauretta Hignett has ever written. This series is perfect for fans of Kate Daniels and Anita Blake.