Book Review - The Immortal Rules, Julie Kagawa

"And sometimes, hope is the only thing that gets us through the day."
Here's my review of, The Immortal Rules, by Julie Kagawa . . .    



Insight into the book from Goodreads:
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.
Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

  Need I say, that Kagawa has done it again?  Another fabulously complex, and highly addictive story.

 I'm naturally wary of vampire books, being that I've never read a satisfying one, until now.  

 The Immortals begins with introducing us to a human, Allison.  She's been living on the fringe of the vampire city, fending for her life and others from vampires and rabids.  Loyalties are tested within the first few chapters, as is the fight for humanity.  When Alli finds herself in a fight with rabids that she can't win, a vampire comes to her and offers a choice.  Become a vampire, or die.  She chooses to become the one thing she fears the most, knowing that given the option, she'll never choose death.

 I instantly connected with Alli.  She's a leader and a fighter, two things that are quite substantial in YA characters.  Also, she didn’t overshadow any of the secondary characters, allowing me to connect and become engaged with basically everyone introduced.  Besides Allie, of course, I found myself really intrigued by Jeb, Zeke, Jackal, Kanin, and Ruth.  Each of them had something distinctly different about them, making them remarkable.  I was always in awe by how fierce Jeb, Ruth, and Zeke were.  Being humans, they’ve always feared and hated vampires, never straying to the possibility they have any humanity in them.  Zeke soon learned, however, that not all vampires are evil, but Jeb and Ruth remained indifferent.  Somehow, their belief for one thing was frantically annoying at times, but also interesting.  Kanin - ohh my gosh he’s amazing.  I enjoyed his attitude, never sugar-coating anything.  It made the book more frightening, but also more believable.  I’ve got many mixed feelings for Jackal, on the other hand.  He’s part badass, part jerk.  Interested to see what kind of havoc he’ll bring in book two.  Zeke and Allie’s forbidden romance is one of my favorite things about this book, and I can’t wait to see what happens to them in The Eternity Cure.    

 The Immortal Rules is a high-paced vampire read that will leave you wanting more.  I’m incredibly pleased with how this series has started out, and can’t wait to finish The Eternity Cure.  Big s/o to my best friend for buying my Forever Song!  Marathoning series is one of the great pleasures of reading.  :)

 If you haven’t read anything by Kagawa, go to the bookstore now and pick up one of her books!     

Book Review - City of Heavenly Fire, Cassandra Clare

  My review of the breathtaking, City of Heavenly Fire . . . 

                                                       

 Insight into the book from Goodreads:

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.
Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.
The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?  When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

  Talk about starting the New Year right!  I'm thrilled to have spent the last few hours on this cold Arizona night, finishing the final installment of The Mortal Instruments.  City of Heavenly Fire couldn't have possibly been executed any more excellently.  To be quite honest, I'm coming to a loss of words of how to review this stunning book.

  City of Heavenly Fire features some of the bravest, and strongest characters in the YA genre.  Clary, Izzy, Jace, Alec, Simon, and Magnus.  Not to mention, two lovely characters from The Infernal Devices, Tessa and Jem, who are also featured in this story.  

  The Shadowhunter world is under attack, from Sebastian Morgenstern.  A smart, and cunning boy that has found a way to turn Shadowhunter's into thoughtless monsters.  He uses this advantage, causing Downworlder's to question their alliance with the Shadowhunters, and begins one of the greatest battles in Nephilim history. 

  It was quite enjoyable to connect with some of the old characters.  Especially because I read City of Lost Souls two years ago, and to my surprise, it wasn't difficult to get back into the series.  Many new characters were also introduced, and they were very easy to connect with.  I off the charts love the romance in this series.  Even though there's been a love-triangle, it's never bothered me the way most love triangles do.  Clary and Jace's relationship is so strong, and their love for each other is simply infinite.  Simon and Izzy - I've been wanting them to get together for so long.  Their conflicting attitudes, and their differences didn't matter, because they loved each other and it was seriously the cutest book relationship.  As for Alec and Magnus, I think both of them need each other, and they're sincerely great for one another.

  This gif was me an hour ago, as I thought back on all of the heart-wrenching twists, the romance, and the suspense City of Heavenly Fire had.  

As you can see, I've had a difficult time coming up with words to summarize the fantastic, final installment in The Mortal Instruments.  All you need to know, is that this series will leave you with your jaw-dropped, and a smile on your face.  Because The Mortal Instruments, and The Infernal Devices, is an overpoweringly, satisfying series.

2015 Releases I'm Excited for!

Happy New Year!
It's officially the first day of 2015, a new year with an endless amount of chances, opportunities, and memories!

Shutter - Courtney Alameda Shutter is a fast-paced, horror / teen paranormal story, coming out on February 3rd.  Many people have gotten ARC's of this, and the reviews are fantastic.  As of now, it's my most highly anticipated book of 2015!
Ghosts of Heaven - Marcus Sedgwick  Ghosts of Heaven is a chronicle featured in the Paleolithic era, with witch-hunts and futuristic twists.  I'm honestly intrigued to get my hands on this, especially because it comes out in 5 days (January 6th).  
Rogue - Julie Kagawa  I LOVE JULIE KAGAWA!  Her writing is absolutely stunning, and she's one of my reading idols.  Rogue is the second book in the Talon series, which I'm dying to get my hands on!  It comes out on April 28th.
The Wicked Will Rise - Danielle Paige  The Wicked Will Rise is book two in the Dorothy Must Die series.  I thoroughly enjoyed Dorothy Must Die, with only a few minor complaints.  Really excited to see how the series unfolds, on March 31st.

What are you looking forward to in 2015?