Thursday, March 22, 2012

Review: The Immortal Rules

Book: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 485
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, Harlequin!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5
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. 


(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:  

Holy sweet goodness... There's a reason why the world loves Julie Kagawa and this is IT. Her writing is flawless; her creativity is out of this world. She could probably write about flying chickens and it would still be amazing!   

The first thing you have to know is that this book can hardly be compared to The Iron Fey series because they're so DIFFERENT (in the best possible way!). The only things that remain constant are Julie's talents for writing, fantastic world-building, and creating a cast of realistic characters that you'll be handing your heart to before you know it (like Kanin and Caleb!)

The Immortal Rules is set in a world where vampires dominate and humans have the choice to either be well-fed blood sources or starving Unregistereds. The way it was crafted was flawless. No plot holes here! Vampire stories may be a dime a dozen nowadays, but Julie proves that there's still hope for originality in the bunch. 

Both as a human and a vampire, Allie kicks ass and I completely love her for it! She's fierce, determined, and loyal, but she's also REAL in ways that other a lot of other books can't pull off. And then there's Ezekiel Crosse Zeke for short who is so sweet and sexy and wholeheartedly good (yet still hot with a weapon) that falling for him is non-negotiable!  

Dark and gritty and a page-turner from the very start, The Immortal Rules does not disappoint! My only warning is to not start this book without time set aside to read because you won't stop thinking about it even after the last page is turned. :) 

BUY or BORROW?: Buy buy buy buy it! This book is written by Julie Kagawa. (And the heroine wields a katana along with her fangs!) Why are you hesitating?? x) 

-Mimi

40 comments:

  1. Aaaaaah, Mimi, you make me want to read it even more! *fangirls* I'm so excited about The Immortal Rules! I mean, if she could create a creepy-dark-fantastic!world of faeries, what can she do with a world of vampires? GOSH, I WANT TO READ IT.

    And, you know what?? The Immortal Rules is on Netgalley! I already registered and requested it -- now fingers crossed that they let me read it.

    Amazing review, Mimi! ♥ I'm glad you adore Julie Kagawa as much as I do. Have a GREAT day, I loved hearing your thoughts on the book ♥

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  2. Right. I am going to go and bump The Iron Fey series up the list so I can compare it to this one when I finish reading it! The cover to this one is frightening. So different from her other books. I have to say I am pretty excited about this one!

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  3. I am so jealous that you got this!!!

    @Sophie- Onto Netgalley I go! :P Haha.

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  4. Don't hate me...but I read a chapter or two of her first book in the Fae series and gave it up. BUT my excuse is that it WAS Christmas and I was so busy and hectic and I hardly read during the festive season and when I received The Hunger Games box set, I had to read the next installment stat AND at the time I was reading more than one book and just couldn't cope. So when I heard of her new book coming out I didn't really think much, but you have convinced me and I am now interested! :)

    Mimi, as always LOVE this review. <3 You rock !

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  5. I am reading this at the moment and am LOVING it! I think it's better than The Iron Fey series.. though I only read the first 2 books in it! :P Graet review I completely agree with you based on what I've read so far. :)

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  6. You know, Mimi, at this point, I don't think I'd mind a book about flying chickens. We've pretty much seen everything else.
    I requested this just last night and I better get it, I was excited about it before, but now that I've read your review, I'm going crazy over here.
    I always liked Kagawa's writing and her worldbuilding for the Iron Fey was pretty amazing, so if you say she managed to live up to that, that's all I really need to know.
    And of course I need to meet Zeke asap!
    <3 Fantastic review, Mimi! You always make me smile.

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  7. OMG Mimi - what a fantastic review! <3<3<3

    I sooo can't WAIT to read The Immortal Rules and now I want to read it even more! By the sounds of things, this one has just about everything to make a great story. And you are so right about Julie Kagawa, her writing is seriously the best. I just found this on NetGalley *fingers crossed* so hopefully the wait won't be too long!

    Thank you so much for sharing! <3<3<3

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  8. Oh, I want to read this one! The whole concept sounds really interesting. Great review.

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  9. Mimi, you always right the best reviews that make me smile all over my face! I was excited for the book before but I am SUPER excited. You sure have a way with words! :D I can't wait to read it. Until then, I should probably finish the Iron Fey series, haha. Love your review, Mimi. ♥

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  10. LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH MIMI! I can't say enough good things about it or Julie Kagawa. I had really high hopes for this one going in, and it absolutely did not disappoint:) And I completely agree with you on Allie, she was kick-butt but still felt like someone I could know in reality, and I just loved everything about her:)

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  11. I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK! It sounds absolutely enthralling and the fact you said it was a standout vampire book has made me even more excited. I will definitely be picking this book up as soon as its released!

    Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves

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  12. Great review! Alright that's it..I must read this!! You have me pumped up..lol.

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  13. I actually think a book about flying chickens sounds kind of interesting...although it would depend on the plot of course! I didn't love the Iron Fey series like a lot of other people did but I definitely want to check out more of Kagawa's writing!

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  14. Awesome review, Mimi! I'm so excited for this book, and now that I finally have a copy, it's taking all my willpower not to forget about everything else and jump to it straight away. :D I will be starting it after my current read though! I'm glad to hear that it is different to The Iron Fey books but in the best possible way. I believe you that the writing is amazing - It's Julie Kagawa we're talking about after all! :)

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  15. You sure are enthousiastic about it! I already wanted to read it before your review, but now I'm so eager that I can't finish to read the novel I have to review. And it's a good book!
    The cover is gorgeous and I love vampires since I'm a little girl. Great review!

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  16. I so can't wait to read this one. I was so curious to learn more about this book and well now it's done I just want it lol. It must be nice to discover a new Julie Kagawa world. Awesome review Mimi!!!

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  17. I love Julie Kagawa's writing so I can't wait to read this one! It sounds so completely awesome and unique. I'm so excited for this one. Fantastic review :)

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  18. AAaaaah! YES. :DDD I'm so glad you loved it so much! I seriously cannot WAIT to pick it up myself. I want to read it nowwwww. *pauses world for more time* Great review, Mimi! No, awesome review!

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  19. I cannot wait to dig into this. I finally got my hands on it yesterday. I love Julie Kagawa's writing and her world building is astounding, I am excited that this is a departure from Iron Fey, but also I little sad. I know I can't make up my mind. Super excited now, especially after reading your enthusiastic post, Mimi!

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  20. I love it when authors manage to make their books different from each other! You know how sometime all of an author's books seem pretty formulaic? I hate that, because then it feels like you're never getting anything new. Glad to hear Immortal Rules isn't like that. I'm looking forward to reading it!

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  21. I just started The Iron King by this author last night and had trouble putting it down to go to sleep. So I can only imagine how hard the author brings it in this book. And I love to hear a new take on vampires since the book world is so saturated with vampire stories. It's nice to know that authors are still coming up with original ways to entertain us when it comes to nightwalkers.

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  22. Thank you so much! I will do my best to make my reviews better and better anyway! :D

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  23. Woow Mimi!! This is what you call enthusiasm!! You made it sound completely amazing!! I can't wait to read it! Amazing review darling!! Fell in love with it ;) :) <3 <3

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  24. Immortal Rules is phenomenal! And Julie is a genius and wonderment, I would read anything from her! But, when I heard she's writing about Vampires I was soo SOSOSOoooo excited!!!! And, she delivered! Immortal Rules was epic! :))

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  25. Uh, I think the appropriate reaction to this review is: SQUEEEEE!!! Oh man, I'm fangirling over Allie already. I like my protags injected with a healthy dosage of BADASS, while still feeling REAL. And damn, I KNOW I'm going to fall for Zeke... Julie knows how to write her men ;D AYHGDFdkFJDJ I want to read this book SO bad and now after reading your review, I'm 341 times more desperate. Incredibly happy to hear this lives up to expectatoins (and then some!)... not that I ever believed it wouldn't :D Amazing review, Mimi!!

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  26. Eeeeeep! Mimi, I just read this review with my eyes closed. LOL

    I'm sorry, but I had to. I normally don't mind spoilers at all, but I've been trying to avoid anything the slight bit spoilery for this book because I don't want to be swayed in any way! But I'm sure Kagawa won't let me down. I need to read it soon because I know more reviews are going to start popping up soon. I can't believe I haven't started it yet. It's just there, staring at me, waiting. Okay...this weekend. It's decided. Thank you for helping me get my butt in gear. :P

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  27. MIMIIIIIIIIIIII! OK, I've been excited about this one awhile... despite still not having read the Iron Fey books... excitement levels now? Up past the ozone layer... SO. EXCITED.

    I LOVE how you described it, and you said dark and gritty! I SWEAR, those are two magic words for me.

    SQUEEEE!
    Can't wait. I'm really hoping to get an ARC of this one, so *crosses fingers*

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  28. I'M ALREADY DYING HERE MIIIMI! How can you do this to us?!??

    I love Julie and everything, and I adore faeries, BUT VAMPIRES ARE MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE PARANORMALS. Gosh, I LOVE vamps and the fact that she's doing it in a unique way just gets me all giddy and happy and excited.

    You play dirty, Mimi. This review is going to be sitting in my head for days.

    Asher

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  29. I am taking a break from paranormal, but I will have to be sure to read this one when I get back to reading the genre. Thanks for your great review.
    -FABR Steph@FiveAlarmBookReviews

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  30. Cant wait to read this book! Flying chickens? lol Great review girl I love this woman's writing Ill read anything from her. xoxo

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

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  31. BUY!!! I've already pre-ordered a copy. :D

    Even more excited about the book after reading your review. Thanks for the great review. :)

    - Michelle

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  32. AHHHH! I am so excited to get my hands on this. I won The Iron Fey series from the Valentine's event so that should be coming soon...and I've preordered this one. :D I NEED TO GET MY A TASTE OF HER WRITING! ARGH. I've just heard so many AMAZING things about it. I'm really glad that it's totally different though...it's nice to be able to keep the same DELICIOUS writing but a totally different story from the same author. <3 <3

    SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED THIS. You're making me CRAZY to get my hands on this!

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  33. A KATANA? Seriously, Mimi, I thought there's no way I could be even more excited about this book, but you prove it wrong!! Gosh I'm dying to read this book! It's amazing that she uses katana (I LOOOVE Japanese martial arts!), but that's a proof that she is a kickass heroine too! I need to read this book SOON! <3

    LOL, if Julie Kagawa writes a book about chicken too, I'd still buy it for sure! x) Your review is worth every bit of awesomeness in the book, Mimi! <3 Looove your review!♥

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  34. This one sounds interesting. I've not read Kagawa's Fey series but I've heard AMAZING things about it. Can't wait to check this one out. Brilliant review, Mimi.

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  35. THEEE IMMORTALLL RULESS <33333 I'M SOO INCREDIBLY GLAD YOU LOVED THIS ONE, MIMI! IT'S DEFINITELY ONE OF MY MOST ANTICIPATED READS THIS YEAR <3 AHSDHASUIDHIUSADHUSAIDHSAUIHDSAIUDHASUI *SPAZZZZZZZZ*
    I'm reading this one RIGHT NOW and it's absolutely AMAZING <3 The world-building is definitely FANTASTIC <3 I'm so glad this is completely different to the Iron Fey Series! It shows that Julie Kagawa is a capable and talented author<3 NOW I CANNOT FREAKING WAIT TO MEET ZEKE <3 Oh gosh, I wonder if he can surpass Ash's place in my heart? YOUR REVIEW IS FREAKING PERFECT, MIMI<3 I NEED TO FINISH THIS NOW!

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  36. This is an amazing review! I am reading The Immortal Rules now and I am enjoying it a lot. I read this review a few days ago, and it is what made me read it next!

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  37. also readingthis/aaaaah i got approved
    it has me in his lure/the book that is

    i <3 this review mimi

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  38. Right?!?! OMG!!! I SUPER DUPER freaking LOVED The Immortal Rules!!!!

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  39. MIMI, I LOVE YOUR COMMENTERS <3 NETGALLEY? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

    I got auto-approved by Harlequin a while back so now The Immortal Rules is on my home page and I am literally bouncing with excitement! WHO NEEDS SLEEP WHEN YOU CAN HAVE JULIE KAGAWA IN YOUR BRAIN?!

    I love this review!! <3 Allie sounds like such an amazing character and I am already kind of in love with Zeke! Hehe, I was wondering if there would be a new Ash for me to fall in love with x) AND OOOOH. The world-building sounds fabulous... it's been a while since I read a freaking awesome vampire book!

    Great review! I can't wait to reeeeead! :D

    (By the way, did you ever get my e-mail? It's in my sent folder but the one you sent me doesn't have the symbol it should if I replied to it? :S)

    Sonia

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  40. Yay for more vampire books on the shelves! :) I've heard great things about "The Immortal Rules". I really must take a writing vacation ASAP to read some of these wonderful new releases. Although, that will mean that you won't get to see "ReAwakened" as soon. Hmm...:D

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Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts! I love hearing what you have to say, and I always try to comment on one of your blog posts in return! :)

It's really nice to meet you!