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. (Goodreads summary)
Julie Kagawa, you’ve done it again. I thought I was done with Vamps and you have proven me wrong. The Immortal Rules is a tribute to strong female leads with kickbutt skills. Incredibly enjoyable read. Kagawa has created a unique, dystopian, vampire world that is both complex and interesting. Just when I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to vampires, I was blown away.
I was hesitant to pick up this book from the start because I knew I’d compare it to The Iron Fey, Kagawa’s other series of which I am a huge fan, and I didn’t think that would be fair. I mean let’s face it, Prince Ash makes me list of top 5 book boyfriends…that has to tell you something. How do you top that? However, when I got a great deal on Audible for this book I figured I should give it a try.
I have to say, I was a little disappointed at the beginning. The narrator, Therese Plummer, is fantastic. LOVED her. Her boy voice sounds like a boy, not a constipated girl. That’s HUGE for me. The story just seemed so dark and the language was really heavy. Allie was angsty to a degree that it almost annoyed me and I didn’t know if I could get into the story.
It took me a month to get through the first half, then Zeke entered. Ah, Zeke, you sly dog. You intriqued me. You made me question my dislike of Allie because you made her think and question who she is and why. You were kind when you had no reason to be. You were loyal and a boy with extraordinary faith. You were vulnerable. I couldn’t help but like you.
Allie grew as a character and by the end she had won me over. She’s an Asian girl (ignore the cover) with a katana and she knows how to use it. This was my favorite part of her character. Allie becomes this witty, sarcastic and utterly fabulous vampire ninja. Truly perfect for the story.
My favorite part of Kagawa’s style in general is the banter. This was true of The Iron Fey and is true in The Immortal Rules. She’s a master of the one-liner, sarcasm, and wars with words. Love it. However, if you’re looking for more Iron Fey wait for The Lost Prince to be published this fall, you will be disappointed by this story because this is very different. Not bad, just different. I had to completely separate myself from the fact that Kagawa wrote both because they are two different worlds. She has done a great job making this it’s own series not just replacing Fairies with Vampires and for that I’m grateful. You can’t mess with a good thing! =)
Kagawa’s world building always takes a while. I felt the same way in the first Iron Fey book. Once she gets you there though, it’s beautiful. Her characters spring to life and you are desperate to know what happens next. The plot was interesting but lagged a bit in the middle but the second half was nonstop action.
Overall, it was a very fun read and I am thoroughly looking forward to the next in this series.
Disclaimer: Mature language was a bit gratuitous, in my opinion.
Author: Julie Kagawa
Title: The Immortal Rules
Series: Blood of Eden (Book #1)
Published: April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Format: Audiobook
Website: www.juliekagawa.com
Source: Purchased
My rating: 
Happy Reading!
I thought I wouldn’t be keen on reading another vampire book, but I also enjoyed this
Glad you enjoyed it, Rachel. =) Definitely and interesting twist on the traditional Vampire world. Thanks for reading.
A constipated girl?! Hah! I haven’t read any of her other books (I know, I know), so I didn’t have to worry about comparing her books, so that was good. Great review!
Glad you liked it! Yes, constipated girl…it’s the only way I can think to describe audiobook readers sometimes. lol Really? Do you think that sounds like a boy? I still know you’re a girl…not working. Just read. I’ll get it, I promise. But Therese Plummer is really good. =)
This was my first book of Julia Kagawa’s, and since it became one of my top favorite books this year, I tried the Iron Fey series. I found it okay but not overly fantastic like everyone seems to be saying, which is a little disappointing. Hopefully by the second Fey book, I’ll get more attached. And I’m looking forward to the second one of this series now more than ever!
Iron Fey is one that grows on you as you go along. The first 2 were good but the last two are GREAT! Especially The Iron Knight. <—one of my favorite books of all time!
Very much looking forward to The Eternal Cure as well!
Kagawa isn’t the best writer for me but her characterization is amazing. I can’t wait for the next book. This one was really good.
Yes, Julie’s characters rock for sure!
I LOVE Julie Kagawa!! I’d reading anything by her – all her plots and characters and worldbuilding are awesome. I’m glad her vamps are just as perfect and that there’s humor in this one too
Yes, Julie is definitely one of my favorite authors of all time. =)
She made me fall in love with vampires all over again! I loved the details she used to make her vampires more original and scary (like digging themselves in the ground) Allie is an amazing character. Great review.
Agreed! I thought I was over vampires before I read this!
I look forward to reading this because I’m intrigued at the idea of vampire dystopia. The characters and world building sound pretty good based on your review.
Thanks!
It’s so very good. Hope you love it!
I have yet to read a Julie Kagawa book~ but, Iron Fey is on my list and now I think this will be too. I’m pretty skeptical about what I’ll read when it comes to vampires since they are EVERYWHERE now (although, I do have a love for good vampire books). However~ I love strong female leads and great love interests <3 Plus, banter wins my heart! I definitely need to check out SOMETHING by Julie Kagawa since I know so many people who love her. Thank you for the great review.
Oh you must introduce yourself to the wonderful Julie Kagawa! She is amazing! Out of the two series, I love Iron Fey more but I don’t know if that’s fair since the whole Iron Fey series is done and I read them in 5 days but this series only has one book out. 😉
These vampires are pretty cool. I thought I was done with them until I read Julie’s…hehe.
Everyone seem thrilled by this book, but I also gave it 4 stars. Same thing happened to me..it took me a lot of time to read first part of the book, but as soon as she joined Zeke and the group I couldn’t stop reading it. I can’t wait for the next one!
Exactly. It just took some time on the front end to get into it. Julie’s other series The Iron Fey was the same way for me. I’ve got HUGE hopes for the rest of the series! =)
I haven’t read this book nor do I wanna to. But now I have a certain respect for the book after reading your review and also knowing the Main Character is Asian! I love it! Thanks Again!
Thank you for reading the review even though this isn’t a book that interests you! I really appreciate your comments! =)
I loved reading this book and I’m glad it was different from other vampire books. It was really interesting to read about vampires in a dystopian setting.
Totally agree! Thanks for commenting. =)
I have this one on my Kindle, just waiting to be read. I don’t know why I haven’t gotten to it already. I have heard so many great things about it, read some amazing reviews including yours. I usually am reading a book book and a Kindle book at the same time. Just so happens I just finished my last Kindle book. Immortal Rules, here I come! Thanks for the great review Heather!
Great! Lemme know what you think when you finish! =)
I absolutely loved the Iron Fey Series instantly making me a huge fan of Julie Kagawa so I’m really excited to read this book. I saw the book trailer and it’s amazing! I hope I can read this one sooner. Thank you for the review!
Yes, Julie is awesome! Hope you love it! Thanks for commenting!