Book Review: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: April 30th 2013
Length: 434 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, vampire, virus, rabids, romance
Source: Netgalley 

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Summary by Goodreads

THE ETERNITY CURE was a sequel I wasn't sure I would read too soon after the first book. I saw the book on Netgalley and like any other book addict couldn't resist to request it. It took me some time to finish THE IMMORTAL RULES and the second book was just as thick. As I had predicted the story was more on the slow side in the beginning. Allison Sekemoto is wandering around, searching for her sire Kanin. I felt like I was looking for something as well during that first third of the story and Allison's restlessness and her desire to make progress were passed on to me. When things finally started to get under way I noticed fast that THE ETERNITY CURE was a sequel that for once would bring the story forward and not just step on the same spot most of the time.

Allison is joined by a familiar face known from THE IMMORTAL RULES, who appears as an unknown ally. Their constant quarreling adds a new zappiness and snark to our dismal journey through deserted planes and crumbling cities. But Allison isn't the only one searching for someone. Guess who else joins their group? A certain fair-haired boy with the warmest and kindest heart. Yes, Zeke! His and Allison's romantic feelings for each other are another puzzle they're trying to figure out on their way to finding a cure. I think I liked their moments and love story in THE ETERNITY CURE even better than in the first book, because a greater development becomes apparent.

This books' title is its subject, too. Allison and her new ally - one that will certainly surprise and amuse you - are hunting psycho vampire Sarren who is holding Kanin hostage. They are also searching for a cure to the disastrous virus that's threating to destroy both humans and vampires. Theories and possible solutions are discussed and old abandoned labs explored. Julie's BLOOD OF EDEN series is the first series centering around a deadly virus that I actually felt drawn to.

THE ETERNITY CURE promised hope, but is an even darker read than THE IMMORTAL RULES, full of atmosphere. It's a mix between dystopian and horror, vampires and zombies (just thinking about the manic rabids makes me shudder). This is probably no book for a queasy stomach and there will be a lot of fighting. It contains various descriptive scenes of macabre, violent and pretty bloody nature.

1) of a new chance at love

2) of fighting till the very last second

3) of a crazily torturous ending

4) of one entertaining bickerung duo

5) of knowing there'll be a paradise at the end of your journey

4/5 **** THE ETERNITY CURE – A vampire world with the most chilling and delicious post-apocalyptic feel about it!

Allison isn't new to the vamp business anymore. As she gains more experience and strength, she as a character very much grew on me, too. With an honorable goal in mind Allison is embarking on a gripping and, most important, life-saving quest that will lead readers through many states of emotions, varying from bright hope to deepest despair. Be warned, this book ends with a mean cliffhanger! 

* Want to learn more about the world Allison Sekemoto lives in? Then you should read the prequel to THE IMMORTAL RULES, TIL THE WORLD ENDS!

* Read an excerpt of THE ETERNITY CURE.

* Click here to watch the book trailer.

* For further information about Julie Kagawa and her books visit www.juliekagawa.com

* Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for the chance to review THE ETERNITY CURE!

Book Review: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publishing Date: April 24^th 2012

Length: 485 pages

Keywords: YA, fiction, vampires, dystopian, romance

Source: Publisher

"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 by Goodreads  

Julie Kagawa is famous for her best-selling THE IRON FEY series and she has already shown us that she has a vivid imagination and a fantastic sense for world building and story-telling. With THE IMMORTAL RULES, the first book in another series, she attempted something darker and different than her fey series. Immortality is a major hint at the main characters in her new book. You might have guessed it, they’re vampires!

THE IMMORTAL RULES is set in a future world ruled by vampires. And the vampires’ independence is the strength of this story. This time, they aren’t the ones who have to hide from humans and try their best to exist without being recognized. Julie Kagawa gave them the power, to rule over humans. A terrific scenario, allowing a gloomy and nightmarish atmosphere to underlay the story.

Allison Sekemoto is a teenager and human. But not for long. She’s living in one of these  vamp cities, not afraid, but always hungry and desperate to survive. Inside the city, there are vampires to worry about. Outside the wall, that’s surrounding the city, there are far worse creatures. Rabids. Highly infecting and…deadly. It only takes one unfortunate moment to end Allison’s life as a human. An attack. A choice. And a new life as a vampire.

Julie gave us the chance to meet Allison as a human and accompany her on her journey to a strong and blood-thirsty vampire. So THE IMMORTAL RULES mainly focuses on this important transformation and its impact on Allison's beliefs and further actions. Sadly that human/vampire confrontation results in a big part of the story feeling like a prologue, set at a rather leisurely pace, before the actual action sets in.

Most of the characters originally belong in a horror movie cast, so it seems. The ruling vampires are cruel masters without any trace of sympathy in their bodies. The rabids are mindless and dangerous creatures that tear you apart in a matter of seconds.

Beside these indicators of doom, there is still hope represented by a bunch of nomads. Allison joins up with them on their journey to find a cure to save humanity.

The ironic thing is that she leaves a place, in that she would have been recognized for her new vampire self, only to side with the humans who would want to see her dead if they knew what she is. An inner battle ensues and it will be difficult to supress her thirst for blood.

The group spends wide spans of time on the run, always fearing to be attacked by the dangers that lurk in the darkness and desert. That wandering can be understood as a way to find meaning, even though it gave the story a certain monotony that slowed things down a lot.  

Among the desolateness, a bright appearance promises to make life and the travels bearable for Allison and the reader. His name is Ezekiel, also Zeke or Zee. He is brave and selfless and exactly what we need. You see the danger in Allison developing romantic feelings for him. A vampire and a human in love. Not a conflict I haven’t encountered before, but yet one I wanted to be solved so badly. Allison and Zeke definitely belong together! 

Due to its extend, there are many many details that can't easily be discussed in a few sentences only. THE IMMORTAL RULES is a must-read for readers devoted to vampire stories. You've got some action, surprises of the better and worse kind and a really good plot to look forward to.

 

1) we cherish challenging romances without instant love

2) we can always hope for Eden

3) of its scary end time feel

4) of one of the best mentors

5) it's a new take on the vampire world 

4/5 **** THE IMMORTAL RULES – Existential and scary! A whole new stage of doom and thirst for blood are awaiting readers of this dark vampire saga.

I slowly fell in love with the  new vampire world Julie Kagawa invented.The story is divided into four parts, equaling particular chapters in Allison’s life. Reading THE IMMORTAL RULES felt like following the script for a video game. A lone hero on a conquest, against abominations of nature and fighting her way to freedom and victory.

* Enjoyed THE IMMORTAL RULES? Don’t miss the second book in the series, THE ETERNITY CURE, coming April 2013! 

* Read an excerpt of THE IMMORTAL RULES! 

* Click here to watch the book trailer. 

* For further information about Julie and her books, visit www.juliekagawa.com

* Thanks to Harlequin Teen for sending me a copy of THE IMMORTAL RULES for review!

Book Review: The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: October 23rd 2012
Length: 379 pages
Keywords: YA, fey, romance, action, paranormal creatures, Kali, magic
Source: Netgalley

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

Summary by Goodreads

Almost every avid YA reader probably knows Julie Kagawa's THE IRON FEY series around Meghan Case, Robin Goodfellow and Prince Ash and their adventures in the fey world. When I turned the last page of THE IRON KNIGHT, I feared that my chance to visit the Nevernever was used up. I can't thank Julie enough for writing another book set in her miraculous fey world.

THE LOST PRINCE  is the first book of this THE IRON FEY spinn-off series called THE CALL OF THE FORGOTTEN. Sounds dangerous and creepy, huh? It is! The creatures who are disturbing the peace in both worlds, fey and human, are another calibre of fey. 

The Forgotten are these scary fey that have long been forgotten, merely an apparition of mist. Now they're coming to reclaim their forms back and threaten the peaceful life of Ethan Chase.

Remember Ethan, baby brother of Meghan's? He's in the leading role of Julie Kagawa's THE LOST PRINCE and I promise you that he's not so babyish anymore. Now, more than ten years have passed and the defenseless kid who was once kidnapped by the fey, has grown strong and handsome. 
The way Ethan tells his story is different from the voice Meghan gave THE IRON FEY series. His language is characterised by rather short sentences and simplicity. 

Expect to see many familiar faces.Yes, I think you know who I mean. It was a great surprise to read more about our friends from THE IRON FEY series and see what's been going on in their lives. 
But the new characters Julie Kagawa introduces to us are fun too meet, too There's the half-breed Todd who drives Ethan crazy in an attempt to be friends with him, Kenzie, the beautiful and clever girl who'll accompany Ethan on his travels and then Ethan's mentor Guro does also play an important supportive role. His relationship to Kenzie provides an opportunity for a subtle and sweet romance between the two leading characters in THE LOST PRINCE that was really to my like.

My only - tiny -  point of criticism is that Ethan's constantly having interior monologues about doing the right thing and how he brought that up every time he as much as looked at Kenzie - very often.

Ethan might be human, always wanting to get rid of the Sight, to never see another feary in his life again. Time and circumstances - the Iron Queen being his sister being one of them- leave him no choice to ignore the fey world though and he's forced the enter it at some point. 

I'm glad he doesn't have to leave unprepared. Ethan has taken lessons in Kali for quite a while and masteres various fighting techniques with swords, sticks and his fists. Such a skillful fighter practically needs to be involved in various life-threatening fights during his travels through the fey world. And the fights never get boring, Julie's storytelling never lacks of action. You'll get detailed descriptions of fighting scenes and info on Kali. 

Bonus material: Questions for discussions and an exclusive excerpt of THE ETERNITY CURE, the second book in her BLOOD OF EDEN series.  

1) of another consuming love story

2) of enjoying Kali lessons

3) of a highly amusing Razor

4) of reestablishing severed family ties

5) of being friends with the tough guy

5/5 *****THE LOST PRINCE - Magically attractive, a world I want to get lost in!

I think I'm as dependent of Julie's Iron Fey world as a fey of the promise they gave. Her books make my day, whole year round! I would've never imagined that I would fell in love with a tiny gremlin. Thank you Julie for so much "bad kitty" fun!

* Don't miss Julie's next book! THE ETERNITY CURE is the second book in the BLOOD OF EDEN series, coming out in April 2013!

* Read an excerpt of THE LOST PRINCE here.

* THE LOST PRINCE book trailer.

* For further information about Julie and her books visit www.juliekagawa.com

* Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for the opportunity to read THE LOST PRINCE!