The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Supernatual, Dystopian
Type: e-book
Times Read: 2
Series: #1 in the Blood of Eden series
Source: Own
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
First Published: April 24, 2012
First Line: "They hung the Unregistered in the old warehouse district; it was a public execution, so everyone went to see."

Book Description from GoodReads: To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in 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 dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend - a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

My Review:  I rarely re-read books.  Too many books, too little time but I'm also a little hesitant to re-read a book that I loved because I'm afraid that it won't have the same impact on me.  Or, the fear that I won't have the same love for the book or characters that I had the first time around.

I read The Immortal Rules for the first time almost 4 years ago and since then I've suggested it to countless friends (who have loved it!) and customers at the library where I work.  When I first describe it as 'a dystopian read about vampires' some people shut down the idea right away.  Perhaps they're tired of vampires in general but this series is different from other vamp tripe out there.  It's a smartly written story with great characters and a non-stop pace.  I'm not a big fan of Kagawa's other series (Iron Fey or Talon) but this The Blood of Eden series is amazing.

Just like my first read through, Kagawa took me into her world and didn't let go until the last sentence.  I read this book in a couple of days and even though I still remembered how things would pan out for Allie I was riveted.  I love the idea of this young girl suddenly having to embrace something that she's feared her whole life as she struggles with the monster within her.  She's a strong, self-sufficient girl who readers can relate to right from the beginning.  She makes mistakes but she's fiercely loyal and just trying to figure out how to deal with her new lot in 'life'.

After re-reading this book I'm more than eager to re-read the second book in the series, The Eternity Cure (which was also amazing!!!), followed by The Forever Song, the third book in the trilogy which I have yet to read but has been on my Kindle for years.  Shameful, I know.

Fast-paced with a new look at the popular vampire theme this book will have you on the edge of your seat with its twists as the reader follows Allie's journey to be more than the monster within her.

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars