The Immortal Rules (Blood Of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa | Review

The Immortal Rules (Blood Of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa | ReviewThe Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Published by Harlequin Teen on April 24, 2012
Genres: Dystopian, Paranormal
Pages: 485
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
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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.

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The Immortal Rules is my new favorite book by Julie Kagawa and that is saying a lot since I adored the Iron Fey series. This new series from Julie Kagawa is so different from her previous series and from anything else that has been done in YA. Don’t let the fact that it’s a vampire story fool you!

The world Julie Kagawa has created in The Immortal Rules is a bleak and dismal one. Humans are blood cattle for vampires and the ones that refuse take their chances with being Taken or starving to death. Life is easy for no one and the world is not a friendly place. The world-building is fluidly interwoven with the story with fabulous attention to detail. Julie Kagawa does not shy away from anything and her descriptions manage to be both brutal and beautiful at times.

The main character, Allison, loathes vampires but when given the choice to die or become one, she Turns. She is terrified of what she might become but she never wants to die. When given the chance she will always choose to live even if it means being undead. Being a vampire doesn’t change a lot about her though. She is still scared, alone, lost, and confused. She still has feelings and a lot of the time those feelings are her downfall. She loves and hates with her whole heart and you don’t want to be on this girl’s bad side. She is brutal! She’s a fabulous heroine and she is matched with the wonderful Zeke. Zeke is the perfect blend of ruthless rabid killer and total sweetheart. He’s impossible not to like although sometimes you will want to hit him. Kanin, Jeb, Ruth, Caleb, Bethany, and the rest of the cast of characters are all brilliantly well-developed. I expected no less from Julie Kagawa.

The story takes time to really take off but that is okay because readers will want to savor the lush descriptions and world-building. These vampires have a very unique history and it’s fascinating to read about even if it’s not fast-paced. Believe me, the second half of the book will make up for that. It’s non-stop action and around every turn is someone threatening Allison’s and the gang’s survival. It seemed like the last 200 pages were fight scene after fight scene that had me on the edge of my seat.

My only warning about The Immortal Rules is that it is rather dark, violent, and at times, kind of scary. There are some rather brutal, gory scenes that not all younger readers will be able to handle. Go into this book warned if you don’t like gory fights and blood.

Overall, The Immortal Rules is a fantastic start to the Blood Of Eden series and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. It’s a dark and gritty world but it is one that readers will be drawn into and I guarantee you won’t be able to stop thinking about it long after the last page has been turned.

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111 comments

  1. Thanks for the heads up on the need to stick with the story since in starts off slowly. It does sound pretty dark but there are times when that’s exactly what I want to read. I’ll remember the book when the next period like that comes along! Zeke and Allison sound well matched. Thanks for the chance to win this book!

  2. Fantastic review! I usually read anything with the name “Eden” somewhere in the title or as a character name, but I am drawn to this one because of the new vampire spin. I can’t wait to read it! 🙂

  3. I am already planning to read this book since the plot is very appealing for me. Plus, I think the cover’s great.

    And now with your fantastic review of the book, I’m really excited to read it. I hope I get to read it soon.

    Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

  4. This book sounds really good and I love the cover! I haven’t read anything from Julie Kagawa but maybe after this one I will check out the Iron Fey series. Thank you for the heads up on the darkness and violence in this book. Can’t wait to read it! 🙂

  5. Glad to hear this is your new favorite Julie Kagawa book. I really liked her Iron Fey series too, so I’m definitely looking forward to this one. I’m actually excited that she’s writing something darker now. I think it will be a nice change. Thanks for the giveaway!

  6. It is so wonderful to find an author who is able to continue to write such awesome stories! I always wondered if she would be able to top off the Iron Fey series, and it really sounds like she did!
    Thanks for the ‘gore/scary’ warning, I will be sure to keep the nightlight on while reading it 🙂

  7. My only warning about The Immortal Rules is that it is rather dark, violent, and at times, kind of scary.

    That sounds FANTASTIC. I totally want dark, menacing vampires. Can’t wait to read this book!

  8. Wooo! So excited for this book! Great review, Katie!!! It sounds awwwwwweeeesome!

    I’m not big into gore, so hopefully I’ll be able to hold it together to get through those parts. 🙂

  9. I can’t wait to read this book! I don’t think I’ll mind the slow start if the world-building is really well done because I find a lot of YA dystopian sacrifice world-building for action which sucks. I’m so happy to read about vampires who’re back to being cruel and violent like they should be lol

  10. I’m really excited to read this book! What you said about not being fooled because they’re vampires is true. I’ve read the first chapter of the book and it’s not like Twilight, Vampire Diaries or any modern vampire novels out there. The vampires in The Immortal Rules are cold, heartless and brutal. And the fact that it’s from Julie Kagawa? Who would let it pass up?

  11. I can’t wait to read this book! And what you said about not being fooled just because it’s about vampire. I know it’s true because I’ve read the first chapter of this novel. Unlike the vamps in Twilight, Vampire Diaries and any other modern vampire novels out there, the vamps in The Immortal Rules are cold, heartless and brutal. Needless to say, it’s new. Plus, it’s from Julie Kagawa! Who would pass that up?

  12. I can’t wait to read this book! And what you said about not being fooled just because it’s about vampire. I know it’s true because I’ve read the first chapter of this novel. Unlike the vamps in Twilight, Vampire Diaries and any other modern vampire novels out there, the vamps in The Immortal Rules are cold, heartless and brutal. Needless to say, it’s new. Plus, it’s from Julie Kagawa! Who would pass that up?

  13. I am another human being excited about this book!
    Julie is great and this book will be amazing!
    Thanks for the giveaway and the review!

  14. I’m excited to see a darker turn with this new book! I really love when vampires are vicious as vampires should be. This sounds like it’s going to be an amzing mix of dystopia and supernatural and I can’t wait to read it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  15. “…The Immortal Rules is that it is rather dark, violent, and at times, kind of scary.” Really, now?! That makes me even more exxxcited…because I know Julie will pull that off excellently! 🙂

    Eep, your review makes me ten times more excited! And thanks so much for the giveaway!

  16. I just started the Iron Fey series a few days ago and I love Kagawa’s writing style. I am eating Iron King right up 🙂 I am, however, more of a vampire girl, myself. So I have a feeling I would LOVE this series!

  17. I usually try to steer clear of anything vampires, but Lauren read in excerpt in one of her videos and it actually sounded really good. I think I’ll be giving this one a chance.

  18. Great review! And Im excited about this book. Ash was just sooo wonderful. Cant wait to see what Julie came up with for a vampire book.

  19. I’m so excited for this one! I’ve heard so many awesome things about it. “Zeke is the perfect blend of ruthless rabid killer and total sweetheart.” That line made me laugh so hard. Allison sounds like my type of heroine. Glad you liked the book! It sounds like a refreshing[ly scary] vampire story. 🙂 Fabulous review, Katie!

  20. I’m so excited about this book! I love love love Julies books. I’m a big fan of her Iron Fey Series and I can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for the review!

  21. I love Julie Kagawa’s books. The Iron Fey series was amazing and I can’t wait to read this one when it comes out!! Thanks for the giveaway!

  22. Thanks for the warning about the dark, violent and scary parts! I don’t mind them, but I definitely like to know beforehand what I’m getting myself in for! I’m really glad you liked this book because it’s at the top of my TBR list and I can’t WAIT to read it for myself! Thanks so much for the giveaway:)

  23. This one has got to be one of my most anticipated books this year! I think I’m finally ready to give up on my no-vampire rule now because it really sounds SO good!

  24. I haven’t read the Iron Fey series, although it has been on my to-read for a loooooooong time!

    I’M glad you liked it. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the book!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    -Cathee

  25. Hi Katie! *waves*
    Thanks for a great, enthusiastic and detailed review 🙂 Just the fact that you loved The Immortal Rules better than Julies Iron Fey series says a lot about this book to me. I am a huge fan of Julie’s work and when I heard about this new book she’s publishing I practically jumped around the house in happiness and excitement 🙂 Can’t wait to read it! Thank you for hosting this fabulous contest! I definitely like how this book sounds – bleak world and evil vamps = yes please! No to sparkle!!! 😀

    <3 Evie Bookish

  26. This one sounds awesome!

    You said “These vampires have a very unique history and it’s fascinating to read about even if it’s not fast-paced.” which makes me think Julie Kagawa’s vampire lore is wholly unique!

    Thanks for the great review!

  27. I’m reading this one off NG right now but I’m barely into Part 2. I can’t wait to meet Zeke and the others! The vampire world is definitely a lot different from Julie’s fae one but I’m loving it already. Great review! 🙂

    Sonia

  28. wow thats shocking!! To say its better than the Iron fey! I cant wait to read it! especially since i LOVE dark and scary books! Thanks alot for the great review!!

    Farah

  29. I seriously thought i was “done with vampire” books… boy was i wrong! your review makes me want to reach in and steal THE IMMORTAL RULES from you NOW!

    great flippin’ review 😀

    Diana

  30. I am really really excited for this book. I seriously haven’t even read that many vampire books (read: besides Anne Rice, none unless they were side characters) and I’m *sick* of them. But, everything I’ve heard about this I just keep thinking that this is going to be AMAZING. I’ve only read the first of the Iron Fey (I’ll be reading the rest soon!! I just purchased them) but I really enjoyed her writing so I feel like this one will have to be even better. It just *has* to. She can only get better, right? 🙂

    Thanks for the review and giveaway.

  31. There are so many vampire books out there, but Julie Kagawa can still make them sound so interesting. I’m about to read her Iron Fey series, but now I’m thinking of reading this first. That was a great review! I can’t wait to read it. 🙂

  32. I too loved this one! The vampires were scary but I love how they could battle their inner badness.

    She was such an awesome main character! Loved Kanin!

    Lovely review 🙂