Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure
by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #2
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: April 30th, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Dystopian
Read my review of Immortal Rules
Read my review of novella Dawn of Eden 
ARC received in exchange for my unbiased review
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Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally. Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa was on my top ten list for young-adult reads in 2012. Earlier this year I read the novella Dawn of Eden a prequel to book one that was dark and gritty. As you can imagine I was excited to begin Eternity Cure. Kagawa once again immersed me into this plague ridden world, holding me captive and ripping my heart out only to leave me gasping at the end!

Allison Sekemoto hunts for her sire through her blood bond traveling by night and holding up by day. While she sleeps she can hear Karin’s cries of agony as he suffers at the hands of a psychotic vampire named Sarren. Along the way she picks up unlikely allies and finds herself journeying back to where it all began. The tale that unfolds is action packed filled with twists and turns. The characters and story had me laughing one moment and screaming the next.

Allie is evolving and we see growth in this kick-ass vampire girl. She learns to trust her enemy and keep her anger in check. She has hardened but she still embraces her humanity, and loves fiercely. Jackal is back and oh my does the vamp know how to take center stage! He is snarky, witty, totally untrustworthy and I absolutely love the snake! He made me laugh, scream, feel pity, have violent thoughts and then want to hug him. Karin carries so much guilty and despite what he has done there is goodness in him. If ever there was a character to fear its Sarren. He embodies all that is evil in a vampire and his plans gave me the shivers. We learn what broke this vampire and I did feel a twinge of pity for him but it was short lived. Zeke is back and you cannot help but love this preacher’s son. He was looking all badass with his weapons and he is fearless and noble. He helps Allie stay in touch with her humanity. The banter between Zeke, Allie and Jackal was fantastic and brought them all to life. We visit the inner chambers of New Covington and the Fringe it is here that Alli encounters those from her past, and it was quite intense.

The tale progressed slowly in the beginning but once the characters reached New Covington I was completely ensnared. Kagawa provided us with back history regard the characters and the outbreak of the Red Lung disease. I enjoyed all of the details and felt a closer connection to the characters both human and vampire. Kagawa held nothing back and this tale was dark, gritty and at times very violent. It was realistic, detailed and brutal and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hey, I am not a sicko but we are talking vampires, power plays, and a deranged sociopath! The tale called for darkness, blood and gore and it was brilliantly done. The relationship between Zeke and Alli heats up, despite her attempts to remain friends. I feared a triangle in the first book with Karin, Alli and Zeke. Karin is portrayed more as a father figure and I have come to respect him. The romance takes a backseat but it directly impacts Alli and the events that unfolded. They have nicknames for each other and it helped offset some rather dark moments. Let’s talk about the ending it was epic, gut wrenching and totally did a number on me. It is not a cliffhanger but it did leave me screaming and OMGing all over the place. The last chapter had me singing, sobbing and then Kagawa friggin blew my mind! We are left knowing what direction the third book will take and who its key players will be.

Fans of Immortal Rules do not want to miss Eternity Cure.  Is the Blood of Eden series new to you?  I recommend the series to fans of dark paranormal stories and dystopian settings. This is young-adult but it pushes the envelope and I would recommend it to older teens and adults.

Four and half cups of dark roasted coffee out of five