Summary:
In the dark days since
the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires
have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes
hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange
for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are
registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.
Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.
Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Age Group: Young Adult
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Review copy from publisher
Review:
This book was so, so good! From the very first pages, I knew I was going to love it. Of course, I am a big fan of Julie Kagawa already: I loved her Iron Fey series and felt sure that I would like anything else she wrote. What I didn't know, though, was just how much I would enjoy The Immortal Rules. At first glance, I thought, "oh, here's another vampire book," and didn't expect anything fresh on this much-exhausted subject. But, Kagawa proved me wrong, and delivers a fresh take on vampires.
The Immortal Rules felt part dystopia, part paranormal to me. At first, Allison is your typical post-apocalyptic survivor type human. Every day is a struggle just to get enough food to eat and to avoid being taken by the vampires in the city. Allison is an unemotional girl who is always thinking about how to get through another day. That's not to say she doesn't have feelings, she's just good at pushing them down in order to survive.
Things change when Allie and her friends are attacked by a pack of rabids. She is left for dead, but saved by a vampire. And that is when the story really gets interesting. Allie is torn between two worlds: her old life as a human and her new life as a vampire. (I promise that telling you this is not a spoiler, as these events occur early in the book and are in fact, described in the summary).
I loved the first person narrative, as it allows the reader to really know Allie. It would be hard to know her from a third-person point-of-view, as she keeps her emotions so hidden and closed off to everyone around her. Kagawa's writing style is a little different from the Iron Fey series: The Immortal Rules is written more starkly, which goes well with the theme of the book.
I loved the slow build of the romance, as well as the forbidden aspect of it (forbidden love gets me every time). I thought the ending was fitting, and it provided enough closure but left me eagerly anticipating book two. There were some surprises towards the end of the book, which I loved. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, Kagawa surprised me, which made me love the book all the more.
There was a surprise at the end of my ARC: a sneak peek of an Iron Fey spin-off featuring Ethan Chase. I usually don't like a male narrator, but I will definitely make an exception to read more from Kagawa. I would recommend The Immortal Rules to just about anyone----and I just can't wait for the next book in the series!
This book was so, so good! From the very first pages, I knew I was going to love it. Of course, I am a big fan of Julie Kagawa already: I loved her Iron Fey series and felt sure that I would like anything else she wrote. What I didn't know, though, was just how much I would enjoy The Immortal Rules. At first glance, I thought, "oh, here's another vampire book," and didn't expect anything fresh on this much-exhausted subject. But, Kagawa proved me wrong, and delivers a fresh take on vampires.
The Immortal Rules felt part dystopia, part paranormal to me. At first, Allison is your typical post-apocalyptic survivor type human. Every day is a struggle just to get enough food to eat and to avoid being taken by the vampires in the city. Allison is an unemotional girl who is always thinking about how to get through another day. That's not to say she doesn't have feelings, she's just good at pushing them down in order to survive.
Things change when Allie and her friends are attacked by a pack of rabids. She is left for dead, but saved by a vampire. And that is when the story really gets interesting. Allie is torn between two worlds: her old life as a human and her new life as a vampire. (I promise that telling you this is not a spoiler, as these events occur early in the book and are in fact, described in the summary).
I loved the first person narrative, as it allows the reader to really know Allie. It would be hard to know her from a third-person point-of-view, as she keeps her emotions so hidden and closed off to everyone around her. Kagawa's writing style is a little different from the Iron Fey series: The Immortal Rules is written more starkly, which goes well with the theme of the book.
I loved the slow build of the romance, as well as the forbidden aspect of it (forbidden love gets me every time). I thought the ending was fitting, and it provided enough closure but left me eagerly anticipating book two. There were some surprises towards the end of the book, which I loved. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, Kagawa surprised me, which made me love the book all the more.
There was a surprise at the end of my ARC: a sneak peek of an Iron Fey spin-off featuring Ethan Chase. I usually don't like a male narrator, but I will definitely make an exception to read more from Kagawa. I would recommend The Immortal Rules to just about anyone----and I just can't wait for the next book in the series!
Looking forward to read this one. So glad you enjoyed it. :) I've yet to read the Iron Fey series and I really need to play catch-up!
ReplyDeleteGreat review and I need to add this book to the reading pile, since I have heard such great things about it.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing this from everyone! I can't wait to read it ... I will have to say 'no!' to the next book that pops into my vision and just read this one next. :)
ReplyDeleteOkay...the front of the book looks freaky and if I saw it in the book store I would never pick it up. However, this review looks great, you have such a beautiful way with words...so I might just read an excerpt on something and see what I think. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePS: You WON'T believe this...I did a review on Luanne Rice's book The Geometry of Sisters and I posted it to twitter. Luanne Rice actually read it and said it was an awesome review. Ohhhhh...I was on cloud nine. I posted her message in the comments. LOL
http://www.thethingswefindinside.com/2012/04/book-review-geometry-of-sisters-by.html
I agree that this would not be as good in 3rd person. Allie's head is necessary to understand to appreciate the story. I adored this book. Great review!
ReplyDelete