The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden) (edition 2012)

3.5 stars

Big thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this!

'There will come a time when the road before you splits, and you must decide your path. Will you choose to become a demon with a human face, or will you fight your demon until the end of time, knowing you will forever struggle alone?'

Allison Sekemoto was a survivor living in the Fringe struggling to survive on a daily basis. Now that she's been turned and is now learning how to live as a vampire she's struggling to maintain her fleeting humanity. Allison intrigued me in the first part of this novel with her strength and her constant persistence to stay as human as possible. The Immortal Rules compared to most vampire stories was vastly different as Allison was sympathetic towards the human race despite the fact that she relied on them in order to stay alive. In that same sense it reminded me a lot of Warm Bodies and how R cared for the human race, or Julie in particular. It's an interesting and original take on a consistently similar story but, I didn't fall completely head over heels for it. I think for me the main issue was that she was almost too humane to be a 'credible' vampire and I missed the typical bad-ass vampire.

I felt that after the interesting start, when Allison and Kanin part ways and she discovers a group of human survivors seeking a place they call 'Eden', what followed was easily the books lowest point as it was in desperate need of some excitement. The story really lost its hold on me during this time and it took me several days to get through it. After getting a small glimpse of Kanin in the beginning I kept waiting for him to make another appearance in order to spice things up. I just had a hard time understanding her attachment to this group of people and why she never decided to go back to Kanin. The group reminded me of some creepy religious cult-type group much like the one in Ashes. It was inevitable that she be discovered as a vampire and I didn't understand the insistence that she stick around in order to make sure that the group remained safe since the majority of them were incredibly unlikable people and were constantly rude to her. I suppose this was just another facet of her attempting to keep a hold on her humanity.

The ending was a bit lackluster but fortunately didn't leave off with an enormous cliffhanger. Will I continue this trilogy? More than likely. I went into this book naturally comparing it to the Iron Fey and was pleasantly surprised that it was nothing like any of the books in that series (which was a good thing as I wasn't the hugest fan of that series) but I was still hoping for something more but more of what I'm not completely positive.

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Mine at last!!!!!!!!!

( )

♥ Celeste & Ana’s review: We were so excited to each get a copy of this from Net Galley as we love Julie Kagawa’s writing from her Iron Fey series. We will always have a soft spot for vampire stories, and for this to be set in a post-apocalyptic world…we were all over it!

♥ The story: The story begins with Allie and her gang living the daily fight to scrounge and survive another day in a world where vampires rule and keeps humans as registered pets. Allie is an unregistered and lives on the Fringe. Life is hard, and when she and her friends are attacked, she is nearly killed. However, she was presented with a decision to become something she hates instead of dying. Her choice changes her forever.

♥ The setting:
Celeste: I’ve read quite a few post-apocalyptic novels now and this one was different because the vampires were in charge. I loved how people lived either inside with the vampires as registereds, or outside as unregistereds. The descriptions were so vivid I felt like I could smell the mold in some of the places that Allie hid out.
Ana: I thought the description of the crumbling cities and barren lands was really well done. I could easily see them in my mind and feel the hopelessness in the Fringe. I also liked the idea of walled cities to minimize dangers which was something done back in history.

♥ The secondary characters:
Ana: Kanin was my favorite secondary character (although I’m not sure if he’s really secondary but he disappears for more than half the book so I consider him one). I loved his mystery and his attempts at hiding his kind heart by being a rough vampire. I thought that the other characters were well developed and, again, easy to picture, especially Jeb and the family.
Celeste: Kanin was my favorite too! He was a vampire of little information and very secretive. I loved how he interacted with Allie. I needed more! I can’t wait for him to come back (he has to!!) I found that there was more than one set of secondary characters. Very interesting!

♥ The romance:
Celeste: Well, I didn’t feel it. Maybe it was because the story was being set up for action and it will all fall into place with the 2nd book. I also assumed it would be with someone other than the person Allie was drawn towards! So between those two points Immortal Rules was definitely not strong in the romance department (but maybe it’s not supposed to be…..yet…I don’t know!)
Ana: I would have liked to see more here mostly because I love love. I understand that this wasn’t the primary focus of the story but I would have liked a little more.

♥ The ending:
Celeste: Oooh, I liked it. Allie is such a strong character and I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow even more. I wonder who she will be reunited with first in the next installment. It wrapped up nicely with no massive cliff hanger, but is by no means over. I need to see where the story goes.
Ana: So much unknown. What will happen next with the “family”, with Zeke, with Kanin?? I can already imagine the adventure that’s going to unfold in book 2 and I think that Allie will grow so much in the upcoming books.

♥ Rec it?:
Celeste: yes! It was a fabulous read, something different, something that will keep you turning the pages. Can’t wait for book 2!
Ana: yes! I think that Allie is such a strong character. She provides for everyone in the beginning of the book and, even though she doesn’t want to be a vampire she embraces it in order to help others. The book felt like it was almost split into a couple of distinct stories – before and after becoming a vampire – and each story was important in helping us get to know what kind of person Allie is, so I’m definitely excited to read more and to recommend it to others! ( )

Book Info: Genre: Dystopian Fantasy Reading Level: Young Adult Available: Currently available in Hardcover and Kindle/eBook format; available in Paperback on 5/4/12 from MIRA Ink.

Disclosure: I received a free eGalley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

My Thoughts: What an awesome book! In a world filled with books about dystopian futures, vampires, zombies and ridiculous romantic entanglements, Julie Kagawa manages to write a dystopian young-adult vampire book with zombies (well, what else would you call the rabids??) and still make it completely fresh and exciting. I read it in one marathon sitting – took me about 7 hours.

I was afraid there might be a romantic triangle in here, as that seems to be de rigeur nowadays; I was very thankful not to run across one. The reasons that Allison holds herself aloof from those around her, including Zeke, to whom she is drawn, are realistic without being overly dramatic. Characters that are essential to the plot are developed well. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development of the more minor characters, but you can’t have it all. The plot flowed smoothly; this is a very creepy and dangerous world in which these people live, and I often found myself shuddering in sympathy.

I believe a wide range of people will enjoy this book – fans of dystopian fiction, horror fiction, psychological thrillers, etc. This is book one of a series, and I know that I, for one, will be watching with keen interest for upcoming books in this series. Highly recommended. ( )

With her successful saga The Iron Fey, Julie Kagawa has returned with a new kick-ass series, The Blood of Eden; a venture from Fey to Vampires.

Allie (17) is an ‘unregistered’ in the outer part of New Covington, where vampires rule the world and humans are their pets. Born and raised where food is scarce, and survival of the fittest defines life for those living in the city – humans, creatures, and all, there is no surprise that Allie has grown to become such a strong and brave girl. She’s the type who would rather risk the chance of getting killed, than to sit around and starve to death. All was normal – well, as normal as humans living in a district with blood-sucking creatures of the night can get – until the starve for food has pushed Allie to take on the Ruins where rabids – creatures whom are fatal to both the human and vampires - lurk, and gets herself severely injured; on the verge of death. She was given a choice then, to really die or to embrace the darkness … to die and return as the very monster she has grown to detest. Here, the new life of Allison Sekemoto begins.

Dystopian? YES, PLEASE!

High on adventure? Yes please!

Romance? Yes!

Vampires? Yeee… Vampires? Uhm, I don’t know …

The other versions of this book, has been released somewhere in 2012, and as much as I wanted to grab it, I kept putting it off. Why? Because although I am such a huge fan of Julie Kagawa and her writing, I’m not sure how Vamps and Julie Kagawa would mix; I just had a hard time picturing it. Though I can confidently say that ALL doubts were erased, by the end of the first chapter! What I am about to say next may seem biased or words of a crazy devoted fan, so I am reminding you now, that I keep all my reviews honest. Julie Kagawa really lives up to expectations; she deserves all the success she has received. It was never about the hype or how big her series got, because it was all before that when I became a fan.

If you are thinking that going into this book, will be nothing but cringe-worthy romance, you are definitely wrong! Characters of The Immortal Rules will not only have your toes curling of loves-lines, but they will also have you perspiring with endless action and adventures; from burrowing tunnels to tunnels, to crossing rivers in seek of an ancient legend. You’ll be begging for a break!

Usually the secondary characters turn out to be my favorites, however it does not apply here. I do not believe anyone can top Allie when it comes to diverse characteristics. She is well rounded. Regardless of her past life in the Fringe, she still held on to her humanities; her character is born headstrong – I expected her to be emotionless and cold hearted – given the place she grew up in, and yet as the story goes on she still leaves room for the emotions that gives her human qualities. This was a trait I both respect and sympathized with … her wills to not kill recklessly and her attachments’ to humans is awing, especially when her thirst for blood can make her go mad; but her non-acceptance of whom or what she has become, can lead to forever fighting those who see humans as just a piece of cow and most importantly … internally fighting herself.

On her search of a path to follow, she ends up meeting with a bunch of humans, who are in search of an ancient legend. With other intentions, her journey with them ends up being another attachment and an event that just certifies her choice will be a lonely one; especially when feels for a certain boy grows stronger, and longing is unavoidable.

Zeke, as most male protagonist should be, is swoon-worthy and supportive towards the leading lady. He defines the word ‘Angel’. Though I am afraid his never ending kindness can lead to success or his death. His fraction in the story is not as significant as it will be in book two. It took less then nearly half of the book, for his part to show up – I even thought he wasn’t an important character at first. But Julie Kagawa knows what is best, and I think his introduction was perfectly done.

So he is not forgotten, I would like to also briefly mention Stick. He was with Allie during the beginning as the weak kid who lets other walk all over him. He is overly dependent of others and that makes me want to knock some sense into him. He needs to learn to get up and fight for himself. I just felt bad for him and felt the need to give him a moment.

Moving on, each and every character brought something to the table; I was never left feeling this character was just a wall decoration, that’s why I know it will make returning to the second book, a fun and worthy one.

With a perfect 5/5 stars rating, there is nothing more that is need to be said. Go grab this book if you have not done so already!

A read you do not want to miss!

Thank you to those at Harlequin Teen for providing this review copy. ( )

5Q, 5P The writing subtly makes the reader think about morality, choices, and prejudice. By starting the story with Allison as a human who protects weaker humans, before Allison is faced with the choice of death or vampirism the reader sees Allison as a “good guy” and cares about her struggles with becoming a creature that feeds on others.