The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
4.5/5 stars
HarlequinTeen, 2013
436 pages
YA Dystopia Vampire
Scheduled to release April 30
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Last year I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Immortal Rules since I did not like Kagawa's Iron Fey trilogy nor do I generally like vampire books. What struck me about the book was when main character Allie was turned from human to vampire, choosing existence over certain death and how her mentor Kanin instructed her that she had a choice over what kind of monster she'd be. These words guided her as she journeyed toward Eden, aiding humans on their quest to find a fully human city among the ruins.
Book two picks up with Allie trying to find Kanin who has been captured by a crazed vampire who is furious at how Kanin sold out his fellow species to help humans. Because of their blood tie, Allie can track Kanin but she also finds her blood brother Jackal along the way and must form an uneasy alliance with him as the book progresses. I was very impressed with how Kagawa reminded us of what happened in the previous book. Some authors just dive right into the story but she took the time to touch on the foundations and most important plot points to get us ready for what was to come.
Not sure how much of the plot I should reveal as I don't want to spoil anything but some highlights are the return of some of your favorite characters as well as a lot more insight into vampires and the history of this dystopian world. There are many action sequences and a lot of violence. I found the plot a bit less straightforward this time although it is ultimately a quest just like in the first. It is expanding wider to encompass every remaining living creature, setting us up for some epic battles in the conclusion. I kind of predicted something about the ending, which I will address at the very bottom of the review in the spoiler section.
Allie continues to battle her monstrous instincts in favor of her more human feelings. This is by challenged and supported by love interest Zeke. On the one hand, he really does love her; on the other hand, he would taste so dang good! Their relationship is not easy but it has some really good moments here. Kanin was a bit of a disappointment to me here-I loved him a lot in the first book but he was less compelling this go around. That is possibly because of the charisma of Jackal who overshadows most.
Overall: An excellent sequel to The Immortal Rules-you'll want to know what came next!
Other Opinions:
The Book Lantern
Katie's Book Blog
Realm of Fiction
Red House Books
Supernatural Snark
SPOILER DISCUSSION:
As we approached the end of the book, I thought book 3 would be opening with a description of Zeke as vampire because no way was he dead-dead. Then book 2 ends with us knowing he's alive-he has to be a vampire right? Kagawa made such a big deal about how he didn't want to be turned so that's what has to have happened. Do you think Zeke is a vampire?
END SPOILER
Like you, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed The Immortal Rules. I'm okay with vampires, but not the scary ones. Now all these great reviews of Eternity Cure are making me think that I must continue on in the series. I also read your spoiler -- I'm terrible that way -- and now I'm really intrigued.
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
Yes, I think you'll need to continue! This is more of the same and should be satisfying.
DeleteI started reading the Iron King and didn't like it. I do like her writing style, though. If I see this book at the library I'll remember to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThe Fey series was not my thing at all-I found Allie to be a much better character than Meghan and there is no love triangle!
DeleteI don't know about Zeke, but I def can't wait to find out. I love the world and characters
ReplyDeleteThat was just my reading-who knows? Excited to find out the truth!
DeleteI can't wait to read this. I loved The Immortal Rules... Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
This continues in the same vein so it should be very satisfying!
DeleteI wasn't exactly wowed by the Iron Fey books. I liked some and didn't like others and Meghan annoyed me at first. I also hated the love triangle. It looks like there isn't one in this series which is good. I've heard good things about it and I think I have an ARC of the first book somewhere. I'll have to give it a try sometime.
ReplyDeleteI found Meghan incredibly annoying! Allie does not bother me at all-I especially like that she's a very moral vampire-trying to avoid being a monster as much as she can.
DeleteI'm reading this one, just a little at a time. I do think Jackal is stealing the show so far though! I'm anxious to see where things go and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteJackal has been super popular-I liked him but he didn't spark with me quite as much as everyone else.
DeleteI enjoyed The Iron Fey series, but not as much as Blood of Eden which I just love. But I love vampire books, so that didn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteAs for your spoiler question - DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!!!
I don't know about Zeke. I knew he couldn't be dead, but I don't know if Kagawa is evil enough to turn him into a vampire. It WOULD be an awesome twist.
Stephanie
I just don't see what happened if that didn't happen-who could survive that torture?
DeleteI think Zeke is probably not a vampire, but I think his secret might be out.
ReplyDeleteSPOILER CONTINUED:
DeleteIf Zeke is turned to a vampire, does his blood still have those properties? Maybe that's an argument against him being turned.
Amazing review! I'm so glad you loved this one! I'm thrilled with how the series is turning out, and I really love this series even more than the Iron Fey books at this point. For your spoiler question, YES, I think he is a vampire. So evil, Kagawa...... :D
ReplyDeleteSo glad you agree with me about the spoiler!
Delete**SPOILERY COMMENT**
ReplyDeleteIs it possible Zeke is not a vampire? Maybe. But that "death" scene was excruciating and I don't see how he could have survived if Sarren was really torturing him the way Sarreen tortures people. I also called the "Zeke isn't dead-dead" twist, though I loved that it was at the end of this book instead of at the beginning of the next one.
I also totally agree that Jackal overshadowed Kanin, though I still love Kanin, and I still hope Jackal dies, preferably in a crazy battle with Allie.
I'm glad it was at the end of this book too instead of having to wait. He's a beloved character to me.
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ReplyDeleteFabulous review, I thought I was in the minority not being a fan of the Iron Fey series but I really liked the first book in the spin off, The Lost Prince. Looks like I'll be checking out this series :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking Meghan was my big problem for the series so maybe The Lost Prince would be more to my taste? But I don't tend to like fey books-I've had better luck with vampire and dystopia stories.
DeleteO i LOVE your spoiler discussion. I agree with you I think the chances of him being a vampire in book 3 are REALLY high - I mean come on right...she DID make a big deal about it...and that creepy vampire was also one of the master vamps to have survived all that so if he could turn someone successfully it would be him. I'm dying to read the next one.
ReplyDeleteYay-we agree! So excited to learn where Kagawa will take this one!
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