The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1) in The Wide Web of Friends in YA Books

May 26, 2013 Tamara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia, bad-ass-heroine, vampires, 2014-reads

3.5 stars

“Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. Accidentally or as a conscious, deliberate act. It is unavoidable. The question is not if it will happen, but when”

Oh boy, and I told myself I gave up on vampire genre. That there were already so many books about there about them (and since they are all same) I thought it'd be impossible to find a fresh book that added new things to the mass but this book suprised me a lot.

What I liked

*Meet Allison

--Allison is actu ...more

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Mar 16, 2014 Angela Blount rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: goddaughter-approved-picks, ya, post-apocalyptic-dystopian

A solid 3 ½

(Rating rounded up to emphasize that I did like it notably more so than the first in the Iron Fey series. And that's not just because I'd tend to pick vampires over fairies. ;) )

This YA dystopian vampire/near-horror tale blends many familiar elements that fans of Blade and Blood The Last Vampire will appreciate, casting them in a post bio-apocalyptic setting. Violent and bleak, but without being -completely- devoid of hope. (But yeah...still -mostly- devoid. So try not to get too att
A solid 3 ½

(Rating rounded up to emphasize that I did like it notably more so than the first in the Iron Fey series. And that's not just because I'd tend to pick vampires over fairies. ;) )

This YA dystopian vampire/near-horror tale blends many familiar elements that fans of Blade and Blood The Last Vampire will appreciate, casting them in a post bio-apocalyptic setting. Violent and bleak, but without being -completely- devoid of hope. (But yeah...still -mostly- devoid. So try not to get too attached. >.> Just sayin'.)

Allison Sekemoto presents as a strong, survivalist heroine—simple in motivation, relatable, and beautifully flawed. It is entirely through her perspective (first-person) that the story unfolds. The questions-of-humanity theme runs deep throughout. As one could easily derive from the back cover blurb, Allison is turned into the thing she hated most early on and spends much of the story deciding 'what kind of monster' she is going to be. Abandoned by the vampire who created her, she finds unexpected purpose with a roving band of humans who don't realize what she is. Their quest for a vampire-free city is one that obviously can't end well for her--but she is none the less tempted by the prospect of choosing to be a protector rather than a mere predator.

There is definitely a romantic element, but the development is admirably natural and gradual. Zeke isn't the kind of hero you'd expect from this kind of world—he's a genuinely nice, generous, all-around good guy, in spite of his surroundings. Outside of his leadership role, he's something of a laid-back Beta-male, making him a solid and logical complement to Allison's vampiric (and personality-based) aggressiveness. While not a raging ball of adolescent testosterone and bad-boy angst, Zeke is exceptionally capable of slaughter when slaughter is called for. I'm calling this one a win for nice guys.

The prose is engaging and skilled—morbidly amusing at some points, and emotionally resonant at others. The pacing is rapid once you get through the first 50-page setup, and the fight scenes are numerous and well depicted. Most secondary characters have a bit of believable depth to them, but there were a few that felt pretty flat, in this reviewer's opinion. *coughcough Stick coughcough Ruth coughcough*

One thing did drive me crazy at regular intervals—and fans, please correct me if I missed something: Early on in Allison's Vampire training, it's shown that vampires in this particular world have the ability to seal/heal the puncture wounds they've made using their tongues. Yet, after that initial lesson, Allison is never again shown using this handy trick or testing to see if it works on other kinds of wounds. Even when it would be -glaringly- advantageous to those she cares about. It's as if that detail and all it's fascinating potential is simply forgotten.

All in all, a satisfying plot for those who aren't burned out on the darker take on vampires. To this reader the writing shows Kagawa is not only prolific, but still honing her abilities as a storyteller. Always encouraging to watch an author grow along with their work. :) ...more

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Feb 22, 2014 Magic Shop rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, library-books, supernatural-paranormal, really-loved, favorite-series

This book was so amazing. I'm so glad I have the second book, because I can not have enough of the plot and the characters. I'm serious everything was just right and great. My sister read this books few months ago and loved it, so when I went to the the library and saw it, I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad did!!!! The plot was so good and I loved every bit of it. The drama, the love, the suspense, and the rest. I could not get enough. I was so happy that I desperately want the two other bo ...more

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May 25, 2012 Chester rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-to-2015-pub

"You will always be a monster — there is no turning back from it. But what type of monster you become is entirely up to you."

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of The Iron Fey series. So when I first heard of Blood of Eden, I was like, "Oh no. Must you do this Julie? And here you're one of my queens." I was so scared I'd be disappointed that I put off reading the book for months. I guess I should have trusted Julie more. The Immortal Rules had me captivated from the beginning.

If ...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Jessica Gomez rated it it was amazing

HOLLY UNDEAD SNICKIES JULIE(BATMAN)!

This book surpassed all of my expectations! I enjoyed the Fey series, but felt that it was almost of repeat in some parts, same obstacles, different characters, and on and on.

But here!!! Fireworks. I was pumped every moment reading. I couldnt get it absorbed fast enough. Starting out as human, then turning to Vampire. The emotions she goes through, trying to understand that becasue she is a Vampire everyone sees her as souless. A demon to walk the earth. When HOLLY UNDEAD SNICKIES JULIE(BATMAN)!

This book surpassed all of my expectations! I enjoyed the Fey series, but felt that it was almost of repeat in some parts, same obstacles, different characters, and on and on.

But here!!! Fireworks. I was pumped every moment reading. I couldnt get it absorbed fast enough. Starting out as human, then turning to Vampire. The emotions she goes through, trying to understand that becasue she is a Vampire everyone sees her as souless. A demon to walk the earth. When in reality, she is as much the same person as she was. Well... besides the desperate urge to drink someone dead. That doesnt really count though because its the Vampire desease inside her compelling. But whether you let it consume you is a different story.

Kanin teaches her how to be a Vampire, how to live. That out of everything she needs to let go of her humanity. But why? she cant seem to understand why you cannot be a Vampire and still CARE and LOVE like a human.

Then she meets Zeke. Someone who turns her impulses upside down and inside out. She proves to herself that her humanity, even though technically she is no longer human, is still full intact.

She proves to humans over and over, that she would go out of her way to save everyone. But Caleb seems to be the only other person to trust her, and even he is leary.

All the positives said, what would a review be without the thornes.

The book was told from Allison's point of view, which was great! But you never really got a good look into the other charaters. I mean you do know a little about them, enough to understand the Characters purpose in the story like Ruth was in love with Zeke and the one "out to get Allison" for Zeke being interested in her, then there was Jeb, the preacher. THe on with the faith, the drive to get them there. But you never really understand them, or why they are the way they are and WHAT drives them.

The one that intrigued me the most was the crazy lady in their group, (her name is eluding me at the moment). what was she talkign about seeing a red aura around the demons, meaning rabids and vamps. but she never mentions anything about a red ring arouns Allison...

Something to ponder.......

good book. Cant wait for the next installment. ...more

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Jul 01, 2013 Tracy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: dark-and-creepy, whoa, unexpected, fast-paced, vampire-zombie, physical-books-i-own

This book is CRAZY good! Man, I thought I was "done" with vampire books, (been there, done that) but The Immortal Rules was so different and just blew me away. Well done Julie Kagawa! I'm diving into The Eternity Cure next! (Which I've heard is excellent as well... Guess that means more sleepless nights ahead of me!)

The author does a great job of making you FEEL everything that Allison is going through. There were many cringe-worthy moments, as well as times I wanted to jump in there and kick s ...more

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May 26, 2013 Andrea Evans rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, i-own

A really good book. There are a lot of dystopian novels coming out, and a million vampire novels, but this is the first novel I have seen that combines the two. There is romance, but only a little.

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