Review: “The Immortal Rules” by Julie Kagawa

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.

 

New Julie Kagawa series?  Vampires?  Dystopian?  Yes, please!!!!  I totally loved Kagawa’s Iron Fey series, so when I heard she had a new book out, I jumped at it. 

Allie is a fabulous YA heroine - tough, smart, brave.  This girl is a true fighter.  The world she lives in is bleak and desperate, but Allie is a true survivor.  It is a testament to her character that she makes the ultimate decision to chose life as a vampire over death.  That said, Allie hates the vamps and will do all she can to maintain her tenuous hold on her humanity. 

The world that Kagawa builds is rich and scary.  It was like I was in it, feeling the hunger, the darkness, the pain.  These are not sexy, brooding vamps who want to be human.  These vampires are true predators who view humans as food.  The rabids--a cross between vampires and zombies--are even more terrifying.

Zeke is a true good guy.  He’s noble, a formidable leader, kind.  He’s on a mission to lead a small group of humans to the city of Eden, a city he’s not even sure exists.  Zeke’s faith is the perfect foil for Allie’s skepticism.  Together, they make a strong team with undeniable chemistry. 

The entire last chapter of this book held me on the edge of my seat.  I am so in love with this book and can’t wait for the next installment in the series. My only complaint is that the Allie is Asian in the book, but the cover shows a more Caucasian looking girl.  I always get sad when publishers “white wash” their covers. 

Overall, I give The Immortal Rules...

Plot - 5 bookmarks

Character Development - 5 bookmarks

World Building - 5 bookmarks

Love Story - 4 bookmarks (Was not the main focus of this book, but I expect it to grow in importance over the series.)

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Brenda Song (Allie), Armie Hammer (Zeke), Juno Temple (Ruth), Kit Harington (Kanin)