Immortal World—Action, Heart, and Growth in a Monster-Filled Urban Fantasy

Lauretta Hignett’s Immortal World, the third book in her riveting series, proves once again why Imogen Gray is one of the most refreshingly human immortals to grace urban fantasy. If you haven't already, read my review of the first installment in this series, Immortal. Fun fact: you'll notice I haven't reviewed the second book in this series...yet. That's because I'm binge reading this series (I'm now reading book 4) and a couple of other books at the same time, and hadn't realized I skipped book 2, Immortal Games. I loved that one too, and I'll review it next.

Fast-paced, action-packed, and deeply emotional, this installment offers battles, betrayals, snarky banter, and important reflections on family, growth, and fear. And the ending was chef's kiss!

At a Glance

Chaos, Drama, and Supernatural Intrigue

Imogen is still on her overarching quest to locate the latest reincarnation of her father, but as always, life—and chaos—get in the way. Her adopted son has a new girlfriend that Imogen instantly distrusts (with no proof, of course, but gut instinct counts for something, right?). Meanwhile, Backman’s shifter kids are under threat, dangerous creatures are pouring through the portal, and if that weren’t enough, Rafael’s supposed fiancée appears with her power-hungry father, stirring up serious vampire political drama.

Between alpha shifters threatening a youth center, vampire nobles scheming for territory, and teenagers causing all sorts of angst, Imogen barely has time to breathe—let alone sort out her complicated feelings for Rafael.

Imogen Gray—Snarky, Strong, and Unapologetically Human

One of the strongest aspects of this series continues to be Imogen herself. She's the kind of protagonist I've grown to love in urban fantasy. Imogen’s tough, smart, and fiercely protective, but beneath her sharp edges, she’s slowly growing and admitting to herself that fear—especially fear for those she loves—drives a lot of her anger. Watching her develop emotional bonds and grapple with the vulnerability that comes with them has been incredibly satisfying.

Imogen’s character growth feels real and earned. She remains delightfully snarky but shows genuine evolution in how she faces her emotions and relationships. She’s messy, imperfect, and utterly relatable despite her immortality—and that’s what makes her so compelling.

Relationships, Freedom, and Found Family

Hignett continues to weave important, heartfelt themes into the fabric of her world. Immortal World touches on the freedom to choose one's path, the importance of simply being there for someone as they work through pain, and the idea that family is defined by love and loyalty, not blood. These reflections ground the supernatural drama in very real human emotion.

The romance between Imogen and Rafael, while taking a significant leap in the previous book, stalls a little here, but the tension and care between them remain palpable. Their bond is strong, even if neither is ready to fully confront it yet.

Action, Mystery, and Emotional Resonance

The story moves at a brisk pace, with plenty of action scenes, political intrigue, and mysterious undercurrents. The battles are brutal, the stakes are high, and the personal stakes for Imogen feel more intense than ever. Every victory is hard-won, every loss felt keenly.

Hignett’s writing is sharp, witty, and deeply emotional without veering into melodrama. The world-building remains rich, filled with hidden monsters and layered politics, but it’s the characters—especially Imogen—who make this world unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Immortal World delivers everything I love about this series: humor, heart, action, and character growth. It’s a story about fighting battles—both external and internal—and choosing to protect what matters, even when it terrifies you. Lauretta Hignett continues to blend urban fantasy thrills with deeply human storytelling, and I cannot wait to see where Imogen’s journey takes her next.

Highly recommended for fans of sharp-tongued heroines, complicated relationships, supernatural intrigue, and fast-paced urban fantasy that doesn't shy away from emotional depth. I recommend this series to fans of fast-paced urban fantasy.