5 of 5 stars!
I believe Kagawa is an outstanding author. I truly have enjoyed the Iron Fey books I have read thus far. When I heard she was writing a series about vampires...well, let's be honest, I almost squealed. (and I'm in my 30's) I couldn't wait until it came out on Netgalley so I could read and review it quickly.
Coming from the older tellings of Dracula, Twilight, and Sookie Stackhouse, I dived into this book with an open mind. There isn't any way to compare Vampire stories. Each one is unique and captures a different audience. I believe as a reader, that every author deserves their own take on a subject matter. No one story line is considered "correct" when it comes to fantasy and vamps.
Julie was able to totally recreate the story of Vampires by setting the story line in the future, unlike many books today. In The Immortal Rules, Vampires rule. Vampires even decide how, what, and when humans can eat. Some humans register with the vamps hoping that by giving themselves into the care of the Vampires, their lives will be spared, but some humans, such as Allie, choose not to register. These unregistered humans are constantly being hunted. I love the idea that it is up to Allie to try to save humanity. Most mortals don't know how to read or even know what a hospital is. Allie hides the fact that she can read, but tries to teach her closest friends. Vampires would not be hapoy with this in the least. If mortals can read and find books about the past, they would know that at one time Humans ruled the earth. Allie learns all she can and has a hatred for the Immortals like others in hiding. That all changes the night Allie is attacked. Everything she knows about Vampires must be reevaluated.
The Blood of Eden series is already powerful with the release of this first novel. Kagawa, once again, engages readers and transports them into another world, where nothing is predictable.
Synopsis
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.
