Giveaway and Review: "The Immortal Rules"

"The Immortal Rules"
by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 24, 2012

Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
 

Summary from goodreads.com:
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.

My Review:

After having really enjoyed the author's Iron Fey books, I couldn't help but be disappointed in "The Immortal Rules." I felt like the Iron Fey books were truly original, with a story like nothing I had read before. With "The Immortal Rules", I felt like I had read this story many times before. Yes, the combination of dystopian with vampire novel is something new, but the dystopian aspects (especially at the beginning) were identical to dystopians that I have read or seen in movie/television form. The same with the vampire facets, nothing felt new here to me.

I know that many, many other readers truly loved this novel, so I know that I'm in the minority. The book just felt reminiscent of other stories, and was also a bit too dark for me personally. I didn't really connect with the heroine, she was a little too hardened and world-weary for me, even in the beginning before she turns into a monster.

I did enjoy the romance in this story because it was one thing that felt a little new, and I really liked Zeke's character. Some people had mentioned that there is not very much romance, but I felt differently. Yes, it does take half the book before we even meet Zeke, which is a little disappointing, but after Zeke and Allison meet, they are together for much of the rest of the book. Just because there aren't a lot of kissing scenes, didn't mean that their story wasn't romantic, in my opinion. I thought the things they did for each other were very romantic, even if not in the traditional lovey-dovey way.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 3/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5



Bottom Line:  I'm partial to the author's Iron Fey series, because it's so original. But the writing here is still great, even if I felt like I had read this story before.



GIVEAWAY RULES:
The publisher and publicist have generously provided a finished hardback copy for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
Extra Entries:
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Rules:



  • US and Canada only
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  • Books will be mailed out by the publicist, it is the publicist's responsibility to mail out the prizes. Please allow up to 8 weeks for delivery.
  • Must be 18 or over 

  • Ends Tues May 1
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!  



If you think this book sounds good, here are some reviews of other books that I've read by this author:


41 comments

  1. I think I liked this one more then the Iron Fey series because it's a bit darker. And I loved Allison. I do see some similarities to other dystopians, but it didn't bother me because I felt like there was so much more that was original. I like seeing a review that isn't gushing though - it's always nice to see differing opinions!

    Kelly (kellypethick@gmail.com)
    Radiant Shadows
    GFC Follower!

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    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been wanting to read this book, it sounds so good.
    I am a gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm reading The Iron King now, and have learned what a great writer she is!
    I am a GFC follower.

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  4. I'm starting this one today, and I'm so excited to read it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I didn't realize it was part dystopian. I'm kind of burned out on that right now so I might wait a little longer before I give this series a try but it does sound interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. great giveaway
    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  7. Aw I rather like that their romance wasn't the usual YA romance that you get to see right from the bat. I'm not a fan of instant love so this does sound unique and different!

    I'm sorry you didn't like this one as much as the Iron Fey series but I do hope you continue with it and enjoy the second book in the series.

    I would love to read this one so thank you very much for the great giveaway.
    GFC name- apk1princess or Alexa
    +1 for following @Jkagawa as @pageoflovealexa

    thanks for the chance :)

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  8. I'm a gfc follower. I really should start the Iron Fey series; I've heard all good things.
    follow Julie on twitter bcardoo79
    gfc follow her blog Bethany C.

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  9. I appreciate your review, and it's too bad you didn't like The Immortal Rules as much as the Iron Fey books. I think I'll like it from everything I've heard, including your review.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  10. It was interesting to read your review after reading so many positive ones. I appreciate the honesty and hearing all different opinions.

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    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

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  11. I've actually heard mixed reviews on this one so you aren't the only one. I still want to read it but I'm also hearing that there is a cliffhanger so I'll likely wait.

    reflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com

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  12. I really want to win this. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. I am seeing this everywhere at the moment. Though I do not like the sound of it not being that original

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aw I'm sorry that you didn't love this one! I can understand how it'd be a bit too dark for a lot of people. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

    I follow via GFC: Doodle

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  16. Forgot my email...oops!

    doodlesbookblog at gmail dot com

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  17. Following via GFC: usagi the golden witch
    email: usagiko at gmail dot com

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  18. Most of the reviews I've read have been glowing, but I appreciate your honest take on the novel. I'm kinda burned out on vampire stories, and while I want to give The Immortal Rules a chance, I'm a little leery.

    whatinabox at gmail dot com

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  19. This book is all over the place. I love the cover, it's super creepy.

    I follow on GFC: Kat C

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  20. GFC: Kali Skittles


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    Thanks!

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  21. thanks for the giveaway!!
    gfc-marian

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  22. This book was so amazing and I'd love a finished copy! :)

    +1 I follow Julie on twitter: @thebookbasement
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  23. I'm not sure what to expect from this book but I do want to read it because I'm curious about the author. I like that there is some romance and that it's a bit different. Since some of the big things won't happen into well into the story I hope the characters will keep me interested.

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  24. GFC: Veronica W.
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  25. OOh niice! I read this but still need a keeper copy!

    +1 Follow Julie's blog--Jessica@a GREAT read

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  26. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!
    GFC: Bridget Howard
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  27. Thank you for the awesum giveaway!
    I never win but they are gr8 fun to enter :)

    GFC: Books and Beyond
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  28. Truthfully, I'm glad to see a "negative" review (not that this is negative, it's just not a BILLION STARS EVER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!!! review) for this -- almost every other blog I've seen is praising this like it's the book to read of the year, and my twitter absolutely blew UP during her live discussion last week. So, I'm happy to see the other side of it!

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway! I do follow via GFC under "Ashley" - ashleylovesbooksblog [at] gmail [dot] com
    +follow Julie on Twitter (@italylove19)
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  29. Thanks for the giveaway. I am a follower via GFC: Jennifer Bielman
    autumnflower6ATaolDOTcom

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  30. i follow via GFC

    catherine c

    catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

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  31. i like Julie on Facebook

    cathy c

    catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

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  32. i follow Julie on her blog

    catherine c

    catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

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  33. Thanks for the giveaway!
    + 1 Tweet
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    my email- rsblueviolet@gmail.com

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  34. Awesome review! I really cannot wait to read this as I've heard so many awesome things! Thank you so much for sharing and for the amazing opportunity!

    GFC Follower - Moonlight Gleam

    Extra Entries:

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  35. maurapedia@gmail.com

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    Thanks for the chance to twin!

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  36. Thanks for the review and the great giveaway! :)
    linnymilliron(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  37. OMG What a great giveaway! Thanks so much! I LOVE all of Julie's books SO MUCH...it's not even funny how obsessed I am!! I can't wait to read The Immortal Rules!!! :)

    Following you via GFC -The Teen Book Guru

    +1 - Follow Julie on her blog (GFC) The Teen Book Guru

    Thanks!!

    teenbookguru@gmail.com

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  38. I've heard such great things about this book! Thanks for your review and giveaway.

    GFC: BookcaseLaura
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    Thanks again!

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  39. WHOOT! Thank you so much for the giveaway and the review.

    GFC: Lilian Cheng
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  40. thanks for the giveaway!
    GFC: Lacey Thach
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  41. I enjoyed this one a little more than you. You can see more of my thoughts here. I agree it was dark but I liked that. I love the romantic vampire stories that have been the trend but it is kind of refreshing to be stepping back to the times when vampires are scary and cruel and not romanticized. I did like the fact that the romance did take so long to play out. It makes it seem so much more real than the instant head over heels relationship. Great review! No need to enter me into the giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!