From Now Until Forever by Rowan Coleman is a novel that explores the themes of love, life, death, and immortality. It tells the story of Ben and Vita, two people who find themselves drawn to one another by fate but must overcome an impossibility because Ben is dying and Vita is immortal.
Ben Church is a young scientist who has a rare genetic condition that causes his blood vessels to rupture. He knows he has only a few months left to live, so he decides to travel to London and enjoy his remaining time. There, he meets Vita, a mysterious woman who seems to know a lot about history, art, and alchemy. They feel an instant connection and soon fall in love. But Vita has a secret: Leonardo da Vinci, the illustrious artist and inventor, who also left behind hints to the philosopher’s stone, the alchemical elixir of life, gave her immortality. Together, they embark on a quest to find the stone and save Ben’s life, while also uncovering the truth about Vita’s past and the dangers of living forever.
The impromptu, intense, and sincere romance between Ben and Vita appealed to me. As they attempted to make the most of their time together, I could feel their feelings and challenges I enjoyed the intrigue and adventure that the book provided as Ben and Vita searched for the philosopher’s stone, the alchemical key to eternal life, by following the hints left by Leonardo da Vinci. The mysteries and secrets they discovered along the road piqued my interest. The book’s historical and cultural references, which crossed several periods and locations—from Renaissance Italy to contemporary London—were interesting to me. I gained a great deal of knowledge about the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci, in addition to global and European history.
The book’s exploration of subjects like life, death, and immortality, as well as the moral and psychological ramifications of eternal life, struck me as interesting. The book, in my opinion, posed some intriguing queries and got me to reflect on the purpose and worth of life.
The novel is a mix of romance, adventure, mystery, and historical fiction. It is well-written, with engaging characters and a fast-paced plot. The author did a great job of researching the details of Leonardo da Vinci’s life and works, as well as the history of Europe and the world.
The ending felt a bit abrupt and left me with a lot of unanswered questions, though. Hoping for a sequel, maybe?
Overall, From Now Until Forever is a novel that will appeal to fans of romance, history, and fantasy. It is a novel that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, from hope to devastation, from now until forever. Looking at the cover (and even the title), it was not what I expected at all; it is so much more than your run-of-the-mill romance. It is pure escapism.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this review copy.
About the book:
Jonathan Ball Publishers – From Now Until Forever
