Synopsis: 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.

Review: This is the very fist book of Julie Kagawa’s that I have read, but it most definitely will not be the last. The Immortal Rules has a lasting impression on me, and I am in love with her style of writing! (Side note: I do own her Iron Fey series so I am going to endeavour to get around to this very soon!)

The Immortal Rules tells the story of Allison (Allie) Sekemoto a human girl who lives her life as one of the “Unregistered” humans in a city ruled by vampires. She is a scavenger, along with the others she lives with, trying to do the best she can to survive, find food and most importantly, avoid the rabids and vampires that come out at night time.

Unfortunately for Allie, she does find herself in a situation where she’s attacked rather savagely by the rabids (mutant sorts of vampires), and dying on the ground, a vampire finds her and offers her either death, or immortality as a vampire. She choses immortality, becoming a vampire herself.

A situation erupts, which forces Allie to have to leave her maker and flee for her own safety. It’s then she meets a group of religious travellers trying to find the safe haven they call Eden. Mistaken as a human, Allie blends in with them, agreeing to try to find Eden with them. It’s there she meets Zeke (a human), and she becomes closer to him. Trying really hard to lie undetected as a vampire, Allie blends in as much as possible without being caught out. Unfortunately for her though, she has competition to deal with in the form of Ruth, who also likes Zeke and makes it quite clear that Allie is to keep her distance if she knows what is good for her.

From here something huge happens. Something so huge it’s probably not fair for me to spoil it for you, but honestly this is such a powerful book. Julie Kagawa’s ability to make you feel so connected to someone such as a vampire, who so often is portrayed to be this souless monster is amazing. I really cared about the characters and was genuinely wanting for them to pull through and just be okay. And Allie is SO kick ass… she’s such an amazing female character. I loved her strength and bravery.

There’s also some deeper messages in the book. No matter how strongly you believe in something, it’s okay to question that sometimes. It’s also about second chances and not judging people at face value. It’s actually a really strong message throughout the book.

Definitely a new perspective of a very popular YA theme (vampires). I honestly can’t say I’ve read a dystopian style vampire book, but it was refreshing to say the least, and where the books finishes off made me pine for the next one already.

This one is a must read!

Rating: 5 out of 5

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