The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden) [Hardcover]

Julie Kagawa (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 24, 2012 | Series: Blood of Eden

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-In Kagawa's postapocalyptic dystopia, vampires reign. Allison Sekemoto, 17, and her unregistered gang live in the shabby Fringe of New Covington while vampires rule the Inner City with their human pets, drinking blood donated by their Registered subjects. Unregistered humans roam without meal tickets or the Prince's protection, prone to arbitrary violence and starvation. In an act of desperation, Allie and her friends venture into the rabid-infested ruins surrounding the city in search of ancient, abandoned food hoards. As clouds roll in heavy with rain, the troupe is ambushed by rabids (Red Lung-infected vampires) and all are brutally murdered. Lying ravaged with death fast approaching, Allie accepts an unexpected offer of immortality from Kanin, joining the blood-sucking race that destroyed her family. His guidance and Allie's defiance clash with the vampire's ugly past, leaving her to wander a land swarming with rabids in search of a cure for Rabidism and her own Vampirism. The zealous heroine's characterization as an anarchist and independent thinker resonates along with classic YA themes of identity and belonging. Her ironic romance with a young man named Ezekiel adds a softer tone to a dynamic and perilous quest. Kagawa devotees can expect lots of bloody carnage in the upcoming movie, as "The Blood of Eden" series has already been optioned by Palomar Pictures.-Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York Cityα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

Allie is a terrific heroine-tough, pragmatic, yet sympathetic-and readers will be hungry to see where her story goes. Kagawa wraps excellent writing and skillful plotting around a well-developed concept and engaging characters, resulting in a fresh and imaginative thrill-ride that deserves a wide audience.

-- *Starred* Publishers Weekly review

"Action packed, rife with drama and moral

quandaries, and laced with an impossible romance, this first in the Blood of Eden series will hit the mark

with readers who like some supernatural in their dystopias and don't mind a bloody sword fight." -- Booklist

"Allie's a smart, strong and compelling heroine, and readers will gladly join her for this adrenaline-rich ride."

-- Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Teen (April 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373210510
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210510
• ASIN: 0373210515
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (355 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More like IMMORTAL ROCKS! April 24, 2012

By Kristi L. Stern

Format:Hardcover

THE FAERYS VIEW

Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa is nothing short of how spectacular I thought it would be. The anticipation that had built up knowing that Julie was going to the fang side was well worth it. When I got the ARC in my greedy little hands, I was tearing into it before the envelop hit the garbage can. Yes, I did stop to admire the cover but what I really wanted to get to was inside that gorgeous cover!

The true gem of Immortal Rules likes in Julies titillating plot: just when you think you've seen every possible vampire scenario, Julie goes and changes the genre much like she did for the Fae world. Told as only Julie can do, the action is non-stop and the creepy dystopian world she paints for the reader is all too realistic-which I found deliciously frightening!

Imagine yourself living in the worse ghetto possible with no lawful system in place, no food, no shelter, nothing... it's a survivors dystopia but then add in cannibals, gangs that rape you and worse but that still isn't the worse! Add in Vamps that often roam the streets at dark plucking juicy morsels out of the best hiding spots they can find. This is the world that Allie lives in. Allie lives in a world that is ruled by the vampires, sure she could get more food if she'd let the vamps stamp her like the rest of the herd but she refuses to let them take any more from her then they already have. She has her `gang' that sort of look out for each other but in this world, people don't live long. Allie is hard as nails, kick-ass and take names later and extremely world wise. Allie does have a softer side and she takes pity on the weaker kid in their group, making sure he has enough to eat but at the same time she resents him for not pulling his weight.

On a trip out of the `safe area' looking for food, Allie becomes what she detests the most but she's give a choice: die or live as a vamp. She chooses to live as a vamp but she has a mentor who sets her out on her own when he's taught her all he can. It's then that Allie runs into a traveling human pack and falls in love with Zeke and Zeke in love with her.

The way Julie portrayed this beautiful love affair was perfect; it was earned, it was earnest and it was the love we all wish for. I hate to bring in The Iron Fey because Immortal Rules deserves its own review but I saw this with her characters in that series. No insta-love but a love that is based on getting to know that person. Of course there's an initial physical attraction but that's so for all romance, it's the deep romance that Julie does so beautifully.

World building-WOW! I was right there the whole time; Immortal Rules is one of those books where I found myself in another world-literally. I could imagine every scene as if I were there-sights, smells and audio. It's a rare gift when an author can drag me in that deep into a book that when the phone rings, I don't hear it until it's on its third ring or I don't use the bathroom until I have to pretzel dance all the way to the bathroom! I'd say maybe 15, maybe 20 novels out of a couple of thousand that I've read have done that to me, two (2) of them by Julie herself!

There is so much more I'd love to say but I refuse to ruin this book for anybody. All I can do is sing the praises of this magnificent book and its magnificent author and give the best advice to you all: READ IMMORTAL RULES!

THE FAERY SAYS THAT IMMORTAL RULES BY JULIE KAGAWA ROCKED MY WINGS!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin-Teen for allowing me to view this galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing (and bloody!) take on vampires! May 14, 2012

By Literary Meanderings

Format:Hardcover

The Immortal Rules is set in a future post-apocalyptic world where vampires run the show.

Allison Sekemoto - Allie for short - is an Unregistered orphan in the vampire city of New Covington. Unregistered humans are people who do not agree with or participate in the monthly bloodletting that Registered humans must, as they serve the vampires. Being Unregistered is risky for multiple reasons, but it's a matter of principle. Allie and her small group of Unregistered friends live in the outermost area of the city in a place known as the Fringe. They spend nearly all of their time scavenging for food just to survive.

During one such scavenging, Allie and her friends are attacked by Rabids; the nastiest form of vampire, you could pretty much say they're equated with zombies. After watching her friends get torn to pieces, Allie makes a run for it only to end up being taken down by a pack of Rabids herself. Allie knows she is about to die when, all of a sudden, the Rabids tearing at her body are pulled off of her. She's been saved, sort of... Her savior offers her a choice: Die, or become a vampire like him.

Allie chooses life in any form she can get it, and that means becoming the thing she hates most.

- - -

This is my very first read by Julie Kagawa. I've been meaning to get to the Iron Fey series, but it keeps getting the bump on my TBR list. I can say, now, that I'll probably be moving it up. Julie is a wonderful writer and I was so very impressed with this novel. With all the vampire books floating around out there, it gets old. Right before reading this book I told my husband it'd been awhile since I'd read a vampire book. I believe the last one I read was over 6 months ago (not counting The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda, which - off topic - was a great read, but very different from this one). Anyway, I said to him that I was betting it'd be just like all the rest of 'em. I mean, how many times can the story be told before there's nothing unique left? I was wrong, totally and utterly wrong. I am so glad I read this book when I originally hadn't planned to. Truthfully, I only read it because it popped up on NetGalley. It was sort of a whim, you know? Impulse read, or whatever... The point is that I almost missed out! I'm very glad I did not.

The plot is unique. I like that Julie combined dystopia and vampire fiction together. I like that she didn't turn her vampires into something friendly and non-threatening. They were monsters, for the most part, and even our protagonist murdered people and had to fight very hard to keep even the tiniest bit of her humanity. It's somewhat of a horror novel. There's gore and spook. I appreciate that it wasn't all about the romance. It's there, sure, but it isn't the main focus of the novel. This book is not of the Twilight variety (I like Twilight, but let's face it: it's all about the L-O-V-E).

Allie was a truly inspiring character. She was human (at first, anyway) and flawed. She hated vampires and during the short time we did see her as a human, I'd of never imagined someone such as her would choose the route that she did. When faced with ultimate death or a second chance of sorts, as a vampire, she took the way that I'd imagine 90% of people would - whether they hate vamps or not. Her journey through learning what it is to be a vampire was interesting and what I would call realistic. She had the proper amount of denial in the beginning; the proper amount of horror at what she'd become. Through the entire book, every single day was a struggle against the demon inside of her. She made mistakes, she fell, but she also got right back up and ultimately kept her humanity intact as much as she could. Allie was an easy protag to like and I enjoyed reading from her perspective.

Julie's world-building is remarkable. The entire setting is very atmospheric and her attention to details is impeccable. The world and it's characters are very well developed and full of life (and death, in some cases!). It's not just the world that's impressive, either. This author really knows how to back up her story; to fill in all the blanks you may have. How did the world come to be as it is? Why hasn't it gotten any better? Who? What? When? Where? It's all there. The whole shebang!

This book is really fantastic.. so fantastic, in fact, that I almost forgot to mention why I didn't give it a 5-star review. Well, here is my reason: too much. What do I mean by that? Too much going on. Just when I would get used to something, she'd change it up on me. I was getting used to Kanin being around and she takes him away (I was loving him!). I was used to Allie traveling on her own and she throws the human group into the mix. I was used to that group and then she took them away. It's like she didn't give Allie enough time to get used to anyone or to get close to them. I appreciate that the book was never boring, but I was a little disappointed, mostly that Kanin was taken out so early. I definitely can't wait for book 2 so I can have more!

Overall, The Immortal Rules is excellent. Kagawa has an original take on vampire fiction. This is a story about right and wrong, and that small grey area in between. It's about loyalty. It's about choices. It's about doing what needs to be done even when it's not easy. It's thought provoking and emotional. It's full of multidimensional characters with a whole lot of personality and color. It's set in a ruthless world packed with dangers - and Kagawa brings it all into perfect focus with her wonderful storytelling. If you think vampires are old, stale, totally yesterday - you need to read this. It's a huge refresher and a compelling read. I'd recommend it for any paranormal fan out there. I'll definitely be reading some more from Ms. Kagawa in the near future!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my Fave of 2012! April 24, 2012

By Nikki Wang

Format:Hardcover

Originally on Fiction Freak

Allie's used to protecting her group, her family, until the night they're killed. The night they're killed and she gets two options: Die a human or die and rise as a vampire. She picks option 2 and thus starts our story. When her teacher, the one who turned her, is captured by enemies, Allie is left to her own resources to survive in the apocalyptic world full of rabids, twisted creatures that were once human, or once vampire. From there our heroine meets a group of Unregistered humans who somehow survived in a world where vampires rule the cities and food is rationed only among registered. She joins their gathering, but day by day her secret is getting harder to hide, her bloodlust harder to control. "Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being.The question is not if it will happen, but when."

Julie Kagawa amazed me with her Iron Fey series, and she blew me away with Immortal Rules. And for someone who never wanted to do a vampire story from the beginning, Kagawa definitely aced the test with flying colors. If I didn't know better, I'd say that she'd been lying to us and wrote vampire stories her whole life! That's how amazing Immortal Rules was. The plot was original, the characters each having their own unique personalities, and the setting fit the story perfectly.

I couldn't help but compare this to the Iron Fey sometimes, especially when I read similar things such as the tree growing out of the car. Caleb reminded me so much of Ethan, especially with the family bond between Allie and Caleb that reminded me of Meghan and Ethan at the beginning of Iron King! But Immortal Rules definitely has its own unique plot. Vampires have never been so new. Julie has twisted the myth of vampires into something entirely new, adding her own splash of imagination in the form of rabids. Next to clowns, rabids are now the scariest thing I've read about.

Usually I can tell what's going to happen, can't most of us? But I had absolutely no idea how the Immortal Rules would end. One moment I'd think she'd die, the next she wasn't. I thought the love story would survive, I'm still not sure if it will or won't. Nothing is predictable, and remember the phrase "Predict the unpredictable" while reading this.

Allie was way different than Meghan. She was more headstrong, stubborn, cruel, cold, and just...hard-core. Half of those we love in a protagonist. Meghan was sweet, strong, stubborn, a tad naďve, sacrificing, and underwent serious changes, emerging stronger than before. But so did Allie. I guess all in all, they're both amazing characters. Zeke was a great love interest, broken but fixed, a leader yet still needing his family. Still remembering things that hurt. And that made me like him even more. I had a love/hate relationship with Ruth. I admired her for her strong personality, and her concern for her family, albeit a bit twisted. On the other hand, Ruth was being a real bitch, excuse my language, to Allie, spreading poison. Though I do think she really did care for her family and was just looking out for them.
I have to admit, as much as my heart races for other books as well, this single story definitely made me hold my breath and definitely made my heart stutter in fear. I did cry, but why, I can't say. But there is a heartbreaking moment in this book of horrors, and it will send you to the tissue box. And I did scream. Or tried to. My heart was in my throat at one part and I swore I could see Allie fighting desperately.
Summary:
Enchanting. Enticing. Beautiful. Dark. Edgy. Creepy. All wonderful words to describe the dangerous world of Immortal Rules. This is easily one of my favorite vampire/dystopian books of all time. It had the perfect dose of romance, danger, secrets, sacrifice, and the hard-core will of one girl struggling to survive...even when the world stands against her.