Book Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa (ARC)

Title: The Forever Song
Series: Blood of Eden, #3
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

*I received this ARC for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Thoughts

The final installment of the Blood of Edent trilogy is packed with action that makes every page exciting to read. I was very excited to read this and when I finally did, Julie Kagawa didn't let my hopes and excitement down.

Plot

The start was really good and full of the trio (Allie, Kanin and Jackal) kicking butt and..drinking blood. The mysteries and thrilling parts were wonderfully executed that sometimes it made me surprised because I didn't see it coming. Until the end, the action didn't stop. Although there was a certain scene about the curing that had me a bit puzzled. Also the graphic images and bloodshed were kind of gruesome but ever since the first book, it had that already so I wasn't fazed a hundred percent. Even though this time around, it has lots of it compared to the first two books.

Characters

I could never be more proud of Allison, on how she grew up as a character and how she handled the 'monster' in her. I'd give this girl a standing ovation over and over. Kanin is still the stoic Master vampire but the moment he showed his soft side in this book makes you want to melt and love him..and cry for him. The book's all dark and angst-filled but thanks to Jackal because he brings out the humor in the air. He became the voice of reason lately and his sarcastic side just makes you laugh. These three make one badass, vampire family. Let me also put the fact that their teamwork was so good. Hands down. Zeke makes you want to hug him at first, punch him the next (you'll know why) and hug him again and keep him forever. What happened to him was devastating but I'm also proud of him that he's fighting and he has hope, and thanks to Allie for helping him. I agree with his given nickname, thanks to Jackal, 'puppy'.

Conclusion

I'm sad that this is the last book but Julie Kagawa did a good closure for the trilogy's finale. If you loved The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure, you'll love this one as much as the two. Precaution, it will bring you tears.

My Rating:

Read More

Book Review: The Immortal Rules

Title: The Immortal Rules
Series: Blood of Eden, #1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

In the decades since the Red Lung virus decimated the human population, cities have crumbled and a new order has risen to take over the world. Vampires. The immortals weren’t untouched by the epidemic. Now, decadent vampire princes rule fallen cities with velvet fists, jealously protecting their food supply—their blood cattle. The humans are Registered, tattooed and scheduled for regular bloodletting—the price of their food and shelter.

This is Allison Sekemoto’s reality. The vampires have taken Allie’s family and dreams—but they’ll never take her blood. Alone and defiantly Unregistered, she scavenges the Fringe to survive. She longs to escape the decomposing city, but no one can survive long outside the Wall. There are worse nightmares outside than within. But in the face of agonizing death, Allie chooses to become what she hates.

She’s Turned by the enigmatic vampire outlaw, Kanin, and taught some impressive and surprising new lessons: how to feed, how to fight, how to fine-tune her new senses. She’s a monster now. But deciding what kind of monster she becomes is up to her. The ultimate test comes when Allie meets a ragged group of humans searching for a legendary place called Eden. It’s their kind-hearted, blue-eyed second-in-command who undoes her. Brave, noble, foolish Zeke believes Allie is a good person. Person. How long can she hide her true self? It may all come down to which hunger is strongest…

My Thoughts

Allison 'Allie' Sekemoto, human protagonist, is one of the Unregistered people in a vampire city where she and the rest of the Unregistered ones struggle for survival even if it means scavenging or stealing food and other necessities. One night as she and her friends ran for safety after looking for food outside the Wall, they faced danger and death. And as for Allie, it was either die and be gone forever or immortality with the help of a vampire that didn't even bother killing her yet instead, tried to help and train her. 

Every day she's been reminded that she's a monster. A blood-sucking monster. But Allie kept telling herself that there's still some humanity left in her.

I should've picked up this book the moment I finished Julie Kagawa's The Iron Fey Series because this book was such a great read. There wasn't a dull moment and this has got to be my favorite vampire book because it's just so good and detailed. Like how humans turn to vampires, how the blood works, how they fed, the consequences of choosing immortality over death, and so much more. I loved it.

Allie is now added to my list of favorite badass characters. She might have this cold attitude at times but I get why she's being like that. It's clearly not easy when people treat you like you're a lethal threat and evil even though you helped and saved them. I even think that it was only Zeke who showed real gratitude towards her. 

I feel like ranting over some character deaths. There are some that I was glad that they're gone and other deaths, I felt truly devastated. This book was action-packed and the drama and tragedy isn't like any other vampire book I've read. I enjoyed this so much and I could still restrain myself from reading The Eternity Cure because I want the physical book in my hands. This is too good to be read via-ebook.



My Rating:

Read More

Novella Review: Iron's Prophecy

Title: Iron's Prophecy
Series: The Iron Fey Series, #4.5
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: September 01, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

My Thoughts

Quick read and I miss the characters. Specifically, Grimalkin. Love that cat.

This was like an opener of what's gonna happen in the trilogy, Call of the Forgotten. With The Lost Prince as the first book and is told by the point of view of Meghan's little brother, Ethan. I'm not sure if I really want to start The Lost Prince but seeing the "future" in this novella was really interesting.

Love the fluff with Ash and Meghan. Seriously they're so cute together and the fact that they'regonna be parents is another bonus point in the fluff category. And I'm glad that Puck is in this one too. I'm still eager to know what will happen in the next book/s.


My Rating:

Read More

Book Review: The Iron Queen

Title: The Iron Queen

Series: The Iron Fey Series, #3

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: January 25, 2011

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My Thoughts

“My name is Ashallyn’darkmyr Tallyn, third son of the Unseelie Court. Let it be known—from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on…I am yours.”

That line did it for me. It was sweet and I keep grinning the whole time while having watery eyes. Thanks a lot, Julie Kagawa.

This book frustrates me, in a good way. But sometimes, the bargaining is too much. Every time Meghan wants or needs something, there’s always something to exchange in return and sometimes, it’s really risky and dangerous. Though I’m glad that Meghan seemed to realize that she’s kind of helpless in the battlefield and tried to train in swordfighting and using her magic.

One moment I feel bad for Puck for what Meghan said, then the next I feel bad for Meghan for what Puck did. I think that was too much to handle. Having her “dad” back was a bit painful. I can see that Meghan loves and treasures him even though they’re not really related.

I’m not a big fan of Oberon. I don’t like it when he’d just acknowledge Meghan as his daughter when something is needed but all the while, he’s still there to not let anything bad happen to Meghan. Then there’s Titania and Mab. I’ve never liked them and they irritate and piss me off. I wonder how Oberon could stand Titania when she’s obviously a bitch and hates his daughter with a passion.

Meghan and Ash though. The cliche is there but somehow I liked it. It’s not too much and not too much of mushy lines. It’s seemed right for me. It’s the kind of love story I happen to enjoy reading despite the Queen/Knight thing.

Well this book is a good read. Four stars because the Meghan and “dad” Paul moments :)


My Rating:

Read More

Book Review: The Iron King

Title: The Iron King

Series: The Iron Fey, #1

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: February 01, 2010

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Thoughts:

Fifteen year-old Meghan Chase, started seeing unusual things ever since her four year-old stepbrother Ethan asked her to accompany him to his room because he was scared. On her sixteenth birthday, a shocking scene welcomed her home after a very embarrassing event in school. Her mother, lying on the floor with blood on her face, and Ethan who was watching the scene with a smile on her face. Apparently, it wasn’t her little brother. Before things could get worse, her best friend Robbie came to her rescue, who also happens to carry a secret with him that he’s finally revealing to her. Meghan and Robbie ventured off to Nevernever, a secret and enchanted place, in search for the real Ethan and bring him home. They face faeries, goblins, pixies, satyrs and other mythical creatures, even a talking cat named Grimalkin, along their way and Meghan found a rather bigger secret that would change her life. Add in Prince Ash, who seemed to have a wall of ice around him.
So far, I actually like it. Though I got a few rants at the start of the story. Most of it concerns Meghan since she’s this kind of girl who is just naive when it comes to love. Like during her tutoring with Scott. I so wished she should have just listen to Robbie/Puck that time but NO, she didn’t and continued to go with her long-time football player crush. And then, REGRETS and EMBARRASSMENT and the “I TOLD YOU SO" that didn’t seem to be necessarily said. A typical cliche type of moment. But I can’t blame her since she got all giddy because finally her crush ‘might’ notice her.

Their time in Nevernever too during the morning after she woke up and ran away because she saw ‘Ethan’ who wasn’t even Ethan and she was even unarmed. I feel like dragging her back because GIRL YOU’RE IN SOME PLACE WHICH HAPPENS TO HAVE CREATURES THAT MIGHT EAT YOU IN A HEARTBEAT. And thankfully, her best friend was there to save her before something really bad happens to her.

I wanna shake some sense in her, smack her and she absolutely makes me want to pull my hair out and scream, “WILL YOU JUST PLEASE LISTEN FOR A BIT AND QUIT BEING STUBBORN?". But throughout the book, she grew on me and after that I want to hug her and assure her that things will be okay and Ethan will go back home safely. I still want to read more character development for her.

I enjoyed the book, well honestly I enjoyed Grim a lot even if he’s bored most of the time but the cat’s smart, has more sense and helps (even if there’s some exchange). Puck, sometimes his sarcasm irritates me but he grew on me too and how he’ll do anything to protect Meg. I like his loyalty and his some of his smartass replies. Ash, quiet that has danger oozing from him. That’s what I sense about Ash. I still need to finish the next book to get to know this character even more if that’s possible. And there are tons, I mean tons, of characters in this book that I don’t like judging by their personality and because they’re this creature or because they’re in this position.

Just because I gave this 5 stars doesn’t mean that I find this book perfect. I would have given this three stars if not for Grim. I really like the cat so 1 star. And that scene between Ethan and Meghan during the morning of her birthday. It made my heart flip and how precious this four-year old is and his relationship with Meg, which also adds another star.


My Rating:

Read More