The Immortal Rules Review

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.

When I first heard that Julie Kagawa was writing a book about vampires, many eons ago now, to be quite honest I think I groaned out loud.  Does the world really need another book about vampires?  The answer my friend is a very resolute YES.  This book was OUTSTANDING and that’s not a term I throw about lightly.  The Immortal Rules is centred on one girl’s survival in a terrible dystopian future where vampires outnumber humans but both are threatened by rabids, mutated creatures who are not easy to fight.  Is it possible that a cure exists to turn the rabids back into humans?  Can Allison save the human race from both vampires AND rabids?

Allison Sekemoto is one strong willed, tough cookie and what she lacks in stature and muscle, she makes up for in spirit.  She’s the kind of girl that you might be a little scared of at first but you definitely want her on your side.  One of the best parts of the book was watching how Allison coped when she was turned into a vampire, the very thing she despises with every fibre of her being.  How do you live with yourself knowing that you’re a monster?  Allison will tell you everything you need to know.  And more.

The Immortal Rules is brutal and intense with nonstop action and a tidal wave of tension.  Just be warned, Julie is NOT afraid to kill off her characters and this really upped the ante as I never knew what was going to happen next (or who was going to die). 

The Immortal Rules is not a quick read but it is by no means laborious and you’ll savour every moment.  I really liked how the book was cut into sections entitled Human, Vampire, Wanderer and Monster and I’m glad Julie did this.  It was very appropriate for the book.  Overall, The Immortal Rules was a really clever book with a well thought out and flawless plot and believable characters that are truly worth rooting for.  My personal feeling is that it is a shining example of outstanding writing and how other YA novels should be.  I wasn't when I heard that Hollywood had come knocking and I can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series!  I might only have read one other Julie Kagawa book before now but by God, she’s made a fan girl out of me. 

The Immortal Rules was published on 24th April, 2012 in both the US and the UK.  To find out more about Julie Kagawa and her books, please click here to visit her website.