Deep in the heart of Florence a young boy is orphaned to fend for himself on the harsh streets. Luca Bastardo knows his survival depends on his keen instincts. Starvation is not an option, for he has learned how to quickly lift coins from unsuspecting people he encounters each day. Quickly he adapts to his ever changing world but the unexpected occurs when he is kidnapped by a cruel and twisted man known as Bernardo Silvano. Bernardo forces Luca to serve in a brothel. There Luca loses his innocence to the cruel and twisted clients who visit the establishment and demand his services.

Luca discovers his freedom when the plague unleashes its deadly curse through the streets he calls his home. The Black Death's victims are powerless to stop the agonizing death that it leaves in its path. No one is exempt from its horrors; from the royal to the poverty-stricken it wreaks its havoc on all who get in the way of its destruction. Luca is tired of all the death, pain, and destruction that exist in his beloved Florence. He decides he needs to flee the city and build a new life far away.

Luca’s new life brings a bright and lucrative profit to his coat pocket. He is able to raise his head far above his shameful past but still the old demons haunt his memory. He knows in order for his conscience to be clear he must return to the place where his youth was lost. There he will be able to lay his demons to rest so that he can look towards the future.

By far Immortal is one book that is assured to go down in history. This is the type of reading pleasure that only comes once in a lifetime. The entire plot wraps around the reader’s heart and keeps him / her glued to the pages until the very end. I was so impressed with the talent Traci L. Slatton displayed in this one title. It is hard to find words to describe the feelings I experienced all throughout this generous portion of five hundred pages of pure emotional drama. History lovers will love the opportunity to catch of glimpse of some of the greats of the Renaissance period - Giotto and Leonardo da Vinci. How these characters play a part in this story is truly a work of art. Very highly recommended.