The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

When I first heard that Julie Kagawa had a vampire book coming out, I thought ... um, hasn't that subject been done to death and then some? But then I read the description and saw the trailer, and despite my misgivings, I found myself intrigued enough to give the book a try.

I am SO glad I did.

This book is fabulous. Dytopian setting, kick butt heroine, interesting secondary characters, incredible world-building, and a plot that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I was thoroughly immersed in the story from the very first page. If you love dystopians, action, paranormal, romance, or books that will rock your socks off, this book is for you.

My favorite part of the book (besides the exceptional world building) is the journey Allie (the heroine) takes internally. From being a survivor who looked after only herself, to becoming the creature she hated and feared the most, to losing her faith in humanity to deciding SHE could choose what kind of monster she was going to be ... it was really excellent. Nothing felt rushed or out of place. I appreciated that there were no easy answers, and that every choice had a consequence.

I wish the sequel was already in my hands. This is a series I'll be devoted to until the very last book.

THE IMMORTAL RULES, by Julie Kagawa, has to be the best book that I have read this year. At first a skeptic (Dystopian with a side of vampires? Yeah, I've seen that quite a few times!), the story quickly transformed me into a true believer. Though, to be honest, I don't think it surprised me any. Kagawa has a way with words that is like magic, turning simple descriptions into realistic settings that you can almost sense with all five of your senses.

For me, the characters were probably the selling point to the whole story. You have an incredible female lead that not only grows, but stays consistent in herself no matter what is happening in the book. This works incredibly well because Allison (lead) starts off as a strong character, yet somehow manages to grow and become an even stronger character by the end. The other characters stayed very true to their own stations as well. It's a very harsh world that THE IMMORTAL RULES takes place in and everyone seems to know their place in that world very well. Though, no matter how dark and dreary the world seems to be, there are always a handful of those who believe that it is better somewhere else and they will stop at nothing to get to that place. To be honest, their drive is endearing and I love the fact that it seems none of these characters seem to want to give up - no matter how hopeless they may feel at times.

This book is a little heavy... on descriptions, character emotion, story leads, etc. However, I couldn't see the book working any better with less story. Everything written in this story has a place and has a reason to be there. Every sentence has a purpose and to read it all is even more enthralling than reading a book with less... it has that much of an impact on the entire book. With Kagawa's twist of her own mythology on vampires, I know that all of my paranormal lovers will enjoy this tale. And even if you don't like vampires, if you like Dystopian stories then you will not want to miss this one. This story is about much more than vampires, but you'll have to read for yourself to understand what I'm talking about. Believe me, you won't be disappointed.

I was really nervous starting this one. I love Julie Kagawa's writing, but as a general rule, I don't like post apocalyptic or dystopian novels very much. After finishing, I sat here thinking, what was I thinking worrying? Julie Kagawa is such a talented writer, and only she could make me love a post apocalyptic novel this much.

Why no one has thought of a post apocalyptic vampire novel before now beats me, but it was SO COOL. I loved Julie Kagawa's vampires. The mythology behind her vampires made so much sense, and it was just really neat. I loved the Julie Kagawa's vampires were actually scary, and maybe even scarier than them, is the rapids.

All the mythology of the creatures poured into the world Julie Kagawa has created set up an awesome plot. While this book has a very dark tone to it, there still are quite a few lighter moments. I loved when I was finally able to figure out little pieces of the plot, and then had to speculate how I thought they would play into the story later down the line. There was also a pretty decent creep factor in this one.

I loved Allison - she was SO SNARKY. I found myself laughing at some of the things she said all the time. I really liked Kanin. While he was all cryptic like, I thought he was pretty snazzy and I hope to see more of him in the sequel. ZEKE. He was pretty rad as well. After Allison, I think Caleb was my favorite character of the book. He was adorable and I wanted to give him a hug.

Book 2 cannot come soon enough. I need it like yesterday. The Immortal Rules nicely ties up this plot arc, while opening the path for one that will be just as awesome, if not even more intense. I cannot wait to read it, and see what is next for Allison and the crew.

Julie Kagawa doesn't hold back at all with this one - she has pulled out all the stops. This is the sort of book everyone needs to read. I don't care if you say you are all vamped out, read it anyways. It was so unique, awesome, and just brilliant, that I want to shove it into the hands of everyone I see. I loved it so so much. Another masterpiece from Julie Kagawa.

This is NOT your average vampire book...

Don't laugh too hard at the poem. ;)

Roses are red & violets are blue
If you were Turned like Allie
You'd cry tears of blood too
Tryin' so hard to keep her humanity
It's almost enough to lose her sanity

No family, no friends and nowhere to go
She sets out in search of a place to belong
And stumbles upon Zeke, Caleb & Jed
Who tell her she's welcome to tag along

The longer she stays the greater her need
Till one stormy night she's forced to feed
The truth is discovered, a monster uncovered, tearing new friends apart
Threats are made, promises broken, leaving more than one shattered heart

Now, with nothing to hear except her own voice
Allie will learn the true meaning of choice
To stay or to go, when life is at stake
Only she can decide; no room for mistake

Just when it seems all has been lost
And her thoughts linger on sleep
Hope returns, faith is restored
Yet everything comes at a cost

While light shines through the darkness
Allie's work is not done
With a whisper, a prayer, and a kiss
Her choice once again becomes life or death and a question
Can love be worth all of this? (Um, definitely, yes)

I don't usually "do" blood, guts, gore and overall "ick" but this story is SO.MUCH.MORE. than all that!

The world building is incredible, making you feel like you're inside the story but at the same time, the gory parts aren't overwhelming. The characters are multi-layered and have depth without seeming stereotypical.

Desperate to survive, Allie chooses "life", and now has to learn to live with her "dead" herself. The one who "created" her explains that what's left of her humanity will slip away the more she relies on human blood to survive. Allie refuses to believe this, still hoping she can make a difference, especially now that she's immortal. She even hopes to avoid being able to kill but Kanin assures she will eventually kill once her Hunger gets to be too much. There are rules that come with this new life of hers but Allie is kinda stubborn, a trait that doesn't change when she's "Turned", and she breaks a few which results in her being hunted and having to go on the run.

When she's on her own, Allie stumbles upon Ezekiel, or "Zeke" and his band of humans who are journeying toward, Eden, a "Promise Land" of sorts. Eden is a land where there are no vampires, no Rabids and humans can live safely with all they need to better themselves. The idea of Eden is bittersweet for Allie because it's exactly the kind of place she could only dream about when she was still alive and now is off limits to her "kind". Zeke's group is led by Jebediah Crosse, a would be religious zealot with a deadly opinion of vampires. If Allie is to remain with this group for long, she'll have to convince them she's as human as they are. But the longer she stays, the harder it becomes and it's not just her Hunger that's being tested.

Zeke is unlike anyone Allie's ever met, human or dead. He's kind, caring and puts the needs of others before himself. (Did I mention, Preacher Boy has a first class ticket to Hotville?) Allie's used to fending for herself, even before becoming what she is now but the more she gets to know him the more difficult he is to resist. How is it that he seems to be able to see past the monster, to the good in her, even though he doesn't know what she is? It's only a matter of time before the truth will come out and when it does, it will change them both forever. *clutches chest*

For Zeke, Allie is fascinating! She's beautiful, exotic, and powerful with her pint sized Samurais self. She makes him laugh and she challenges everything he's ever believed. Everything he knows, he's learned from Jeb (his adopted father) and Allie makes him realize that while he may share some of the same beliefs as Jeb, his faith is his own, for his own reasons. (We can grow up with our parents faith but at some point we have to decide for ourselves what/if we believe and why. We have to own it.) Zeke is convinced, like Jeb is, that vampires are soulless demons and should be killed but when a string of bad luck hits their group and Allie's true nature is revealed, the lines between truth and conviction will blur.

Cast out and on her own once again, Allie will have to decide her next move, fully aware of the danger that awaits the pack of humans she's grown attached to and the boy who promised to kill her if their paths cross again. When the group find themselves in the hands of a vampire Prince who seeks the cure for those who've been "Turned" and will stop at nothing to get it, Allie can choose to help or flee but to help means coming face to face with Zeke. The ending is heart pounding, action packed and left me breathless and CLUTCHING MY CHEST!

Knowledge is power and there's a war brewing. The bonds of family and friendship will be tested, people will die but life is about choice. You can choose to live how you've been told to believe or you can choose to live based on what you've seen and know to be true.

I was also left wishing I didn't have to wait so long to find out what happens next!

PS - LURVE ME SOME PREACHER BOY! Let's hope Cupcake Boy doesn't get too jealous. ;D


POTENTIAL SPOILERS:
Allie, is stubborn and strong willed but not so much that she isn't willing to consider other people's point's of view and learn from them. She is exposed to both Jeb and Zeke's idea of faith and is able to see the difference between the two. One has lost complete faith and is simply fulfilling a duty while the other still has hope that God still exists, and there's still good to be found amidst the evil in the world. She's brave, selfless and refuses to accept that she has to live her life a certain way. Even when she's cast out of the group she still protects them, risking her own life in the process which goes against everything in her nature. It also dispels everything the group has ever been taught about vampires.


Zeke is the BEST kind of hero! He gives all that he has to others and even after he knows what Allie is, he comes back for her and is still willing to do whatever is necessary to save her. How can you NOT love him?! *SWOONS*

I enjoyed Kanin as well and he has good in him too. He may act like he's soulless and tell Allie that she's a monster but I don't buy it. The fact that he's still looking for a cure and that he leaves something for his victims shows that he too is fighting to hold onto a part of himself.

Jeb has redeeming qualities too. Even if he no longer believes in God, he's determined to help as many people as possible get to Eden and he doesn't turn away anyone in need. He certainly isn't perfect but this story is a good example of how judging people based solely on beliefs can mean missing out on an extraordinary person. People are not always what they seem and something good can come from a bad situation there is light in darkness.