Book Review: The Immortal Rules + Giveaway!

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
by Julie Kagawa
504 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Source: Publisher for Review (Thanks Harlequin Teen!)
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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.

I am a HUGE skeptic when it comes to vampire novels. Because of some YA vampire lit out there *cough* Twilight *cough* I have avoided paranormal and basically all vampire stuff like the plague. In fact before reading The Immortal Rules the only other vampire novel I had ever read was Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan and that was only because it was forced upon me by my Library book club. So to say that I was a bit hesitant to read The Immortal Rules would be a huge understatement. Honestly, the only reason I decided to read it was because the author is Julie Kagawa and she's Asian and I still haven't read her Iron Fey series so I felt guilty. I know, shame on me. >.< I guess you could say I wasn't in the best mindset going into this book. I kept having to reassure myself with "It's not gonna be Twilight, IT'S NOT GONNA BE TWILIGHT" and lo and behold: It wasn't! Let me tell you I am beyond glad that I decided to give The Immortal Rules a chance because this book is FREAKING AMAZING vampires and all!

There are many reasons why I love this book but first and foremost is the heroine Allison Sekemoto. This girl can kick ass like nobodies business, she's Asian, AND she's my short buddy measuring in at only 5' tall (just like me)! Yeah, we're obviously fictional soul mates. But Asian shortness aside this girl is AWESOME. She's tough as nails, a true survivor, and even after she's been turned into a vampire she still tries her hardest to maintain a strong moral compass. Oh and did I mention that she wields a samurai sword? Yeah, she's a beast.

Another thing that I just love about The Immortal Rules is the way Julie Kagawa was able to create her post-apocalyptic world. It's hard enough to write a believable post-apocalyptic setting without adding in the craziness of vampires and rabids (which are basically a vampire/zombie cross-breed). This is a world like no one has written about before. It's totally unique and while it is definitely fiction it also seems like a believable apocalyptic future. Yes, even with the crazy vampireness it still has an element of reality to it. Nice job Julie Kagawa!

So the thing I was most skeptical about was definitely the vampires and Julie Kagawa pulled these guys off so well. No sparkling skin and longing looks ala Edward Cullen here! These vampires are BADASS. They're evil, and bloodthirsty (obviously), and not the kind of creature you would want to run into in a dark alley. Plus they rule the world. Literally. Plus I loved Allison's inner struggle of wanting to maintain her humanity and yet not being able to because she's been turned into a vampire. Ohhh the character issues and development! SO GOOD.

The Immortal Rules has everything you could want in a good novel. It's got awesome characters (Allison Sekemoto may just end up replacing Katniss Everdeen as my favorite female heroine!), great action and suspense, a darker futuristic setting, and even a little bit of romance. It's less a book about vampires and more a book that has vampires in it. For the paranormal lover and non-paranormal lover alike I would highly recommend this book! I give The Immortal Rules 5 out of 5 ice cream cones.

If The Immortal Rules is any indication of how good Julie Kagawa's The Iron Fey series is then I need to get reading that pronto! I am definitely now a HUGE Julie Kagawa fan!

Oh and The Immortal Rules has already been optioned to be a film. This has me super excited because if they end up making it the main heroine is gonna be Asian and will quite possibly end up being a hapa! OH YEAH! You do not even understand how excited that makes me.

And now for the giveaway!




Want your own lovely hardcover copy of The Immortal Rules? Well congratulations this is your chance!


Giveaway Info


What: One brand new hardcover copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Who: You can only win if you're from the US or Canada. Sorry other peeps. :(
How: Just fill out the super easy Rafflecopter form below!




a Rafflecopter giveaway


May the odds be ever in your favor and big thanks to Harlequin Teen for sponsoring the giveaway!

Julia :)