Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: April 24th 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Read synopsis: Goodreads

Rating: 4.5 stars

If there is one thing I wanted in a book to remain traditional, it’s the concept about vampires. To be honest my impression about vampires where somewhat destroyed after the Twilight hype. So you see, I've only read very very few. But since this is Julie Kagawa we're talking here, I know I have to read this even though I was feeling some doubts since it's a vampire book. But after being devoured by her Iron Fey series, I trust she could give justice about our vampires and well, I was absolutely glad she did! She even stuck on its original and traditional concept of vampires - no fancy, sparkly stuffs but also added a very original and modern plot about it. It was an awesome work and I was definitely astounded. Julie Kagawa never disappoints! Finally found a very good vampire series that I'd surely be looking forward for more.

What this book has to offer: original concepts about vampires, original and engaging plot, Asian heroine, katana (yeah, this one absolutely), kick-ass fighting skills, gruesome scenes (that too!) and bad-ass heroes (Zeke and Kanin! Yay!). Wouldn't you just loved a book if it can offer you all those? Hell yeah! Although I would say that I wasn't instantly devoured, slowly and surely it did as it showed what awesome things it has to offer as the story progressed.

I'd be honest, I wasn't instantly attached to the book when I started reading it and I wasn't also to Allison. Until during the latter parts of the Part I, I wasn't that sure if I loved her character. Although I had enjoyed the turn of events, Allison grew just a bit slowly on me. But still I wouldn't deny that she was a kick-ass heroine! With that katana and awesome fighting skills to kill chiropterans - oh I mean, rabids and nasty vampires, of course, I still end up liking her. 

I love how Kagawa showed Allison's struggles after becoming a vampire and what a vampire really is, monsters that will always crave for human blood - no alternatives. So one way or another Allison has to drink on someone. Which made it very conflicting though I was glad she did it that way, she showed that that just how vampire had always been and Allison even though has a lot of very good intentions and had still clung on some of her humanity after being turned was not a goody goody prefect sparkly vampire. She's a monster and eventually would kill someone but could choose what type of monster she could become. I love it that Kagawa didn't gloss the bads about vampires but still was able to gave us something that we could hold on, that there's something we could still really like about them despite what the really were. And for that Kagawa made a very admirable heroine and also a wonderful story. 

It was pretty long though but everything went smoothly, gripping, exciting and thrilling. I definitely enjoyed the fighting scenes and yeah, those times with Kanin! As for the romance, well, what more can you expect from Julie Kagawa? Of course it was a really good one. I adore Zeke! He's an admirable character, he's a genuinely kind and takes very good care of everything. The romantic development was really good, not rush and definitely not an insta-love. I love how Allison and Zeke slowly learned and knew one another and saw the best and worst about them and eventually learning to care and trust each other. Although it was a bit sad it was really satisfying but of course I'd be expecting more in the next book. And yeah, more of Kanin too! 

Julie Kagawa never really fail to impress me. And I am once again stunned by one of her awesome masterpiece. Yes, I can say there were some parts I din't like but I am willing to overlook those because the overall of the story was absolutely great and the character are well, fantastic especially Kanin. LOL! It seems like I'm squeezing Kanin's name in every paragraph of this review, but well, I love him! I love Zeke too but it was Kanin who had me! Haha! Oh well, anyway, I would definitely recommend this. A stunning and wonderful read, absolutely! XD \

*Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for providing an advance copy!  :))