REVIEW - The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release date: April 24th 2012
Genres: YA Paranormal
Links: Goodreads / Book Depository
Source: NetGalley

Summary:

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.

5/5

This book was so unlike Kagawa's other books. Not in a bad way mind you. I loved it! It was dark and edgy and had me hooked from the very first page. I am not the biggest vampire lover but I absolutely loved this book! It was a unique take on a genre that has been over done and it was such a refreshing change from all the other vampire books out there.

Our main character is one kick ass chick. Allie is independent and does whatever she can to survive in a world ruled by vampires. One night while out scavenging for food, she is attacked by rabids (basically zombie vampires) and is left for dead. She is found by Kanin, a vampire, who offers her the chance to live, but as a vampire. Dying, Allie struggles to decide what to do. She hates vampires but she doesn't want to die. So she becomes that which she despises. We follow Allie as she struggles to come to terms with what she is and as she fights to hold on to whatever bit of humanity she can. The book is divided in to three parts. The first part focuses on the human Allie and we learn about what has happened to society. The second part we see Allie learning how to be a vampire. This part I found really interesting. We learn about how the vampires are they way they are, how they survive and how they're made. We learn along side Allie, and we feel her despair as she fears turning into the monster that vampires are seen as. My heart broke for her. She has gone through so much in her life that you wonder how she can on the way she is. But she is a born survivalist and when it comes down to it, she will do all that she can to live. She is so strong and I admired that so much about her. The third part I can't really talk about without giving stuff away but all I can say is is that is was action-packed and exciting.

The story itself is engaging, fast-paced and there is never a dull moment. Kagawa does a fantastic job at capturing this almost post-apocalyptic world. The opening scene leaves you with no doubt about what you can expect to find further on. The romance I thought was very well done. The fact that we don't come across Zeke until about half way through I thought was a great idea. The main focus was not on the romance but it was still a key element of the story. I really liked Zeke. He was the opposite of Allie in the sense that he tries to see the good in everyone and so I felt he was a perfect match for her. Also, no love triangle or insta-love in sight! :D

I don't know what else I can tell you without ruining the story. The only thing I can say is that if like me you loved The Iron Fey series then I am sure you will love this just as much. The ending left me dying for more so I am so excited to see where the story will go from here. 

*I received an eARC copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*