Review: The Immortal Rules – Julie Kagawa

“Vampirism was described perfectly without any sugarcoating (definitely no sparkles) but still, there was a sympathy there…” – Miss Remmers

Release Date: April 24th, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin,
Challenges: 75+, eBook, NetGalley

“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.”

“The Immortal Rules” appeared daunting at first – well over 400 pages. I figured it would be impossible for me to start on Friday and have it finished by it’s review date. Well, the 24 Hour Readathon definitely came in handy and I completed this book by 10am on Saturday morning. The pages somehow metaphorically (I read on my Nook) melted away. Before I knew it I was on page 50, then 200, 400, and then it was done.

This book was written fantastically well in a way that captivated me from the start (even though I was a bit confused as to what was going on). I was immersed in a land where humans were animals, vampires were royalty, and rabids ran free … and I bought it. Everything about Allie breathed life into this character. I loved how she struggled with the Hunger but held onto her humanity. Vampirism was described perfectly without any sugarcoating (definitely no sparkles) but still, there was a sympathy there even knowing what they were and what they did. It was fascinating as a reader to be shocked with the harsh reality but still want to save them. It reminded me of Buffy and Spike a bit – oh how I loved them. Er…tangent.

Anyway, this book was absolutely fantastic. Allie and Zeke were developed flawlessly as characters and the plot was woven so intricately, as I said, before I knew it – it was over. There were moments when I would gasp out loud, think “Oh no!,” and even had to stop reading because it was too painful to go on (you know, until my curiosity won me over).

Speaking of over. Julie Kagawa is probably the only author whose acknowledgements I actually look forward to. If you loved the Iron Fey series, there is also a bit of a surprise at the end of the book as well! I know it got my fire going!

Also, can I just say how a refreshing it is to read a supernatural, dystopia, YA novel WITHOUT a love triangle? Thank you Julie!
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To the FTC, with love: eGalley from NetGalley