Friday 12 April 2013

Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: April 30th 2013
My rating: 5 stars


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.

“This is what I am, I thought, walking forward to join them. This is where I belong, in the darkness. We’re vampires. That’s all we’ll ever be” 

Once again when I’ve found myself stumbling through books and in a reading slump, Kagawa is the one to pull me out of it. I had high hopes for The Eternity Cure after adoring The Immortal Rules last year but The Eternity Cure exceeded all my expectations. I have so much love for this book right now that I think my review will just be full of incoherent babbling and gushing, so I’m doing my review for this book a little bit differently. 

The Characters. 
With The Immortal Rules we were introduced to a range of characters which quite easily found a place in my heart. I thought I knew what these characters were really like then, and once again Kagawa was easy to remind me why I became so fond of them in the first place; especially of Kanin, Allie and Zeke. These three were an unlikely trio, but the way everything had been left ravaged they had come together with the same end goal. What I admired about all three was despite their clear differences, they were willing to work together, put their life on their line, for each other no question asked. Their time together was laced with humorous scenes, but also scenes which had me choking up with tears. Those who were disappointed with the amount of Kanin in The Immortal Rules will be pleased with this latest instalment. I had high hopes for his character in this book and that we would get to know his character more and I will say the wait was definitely worth it. Allie couldn’t have asked for a better sire. His resilience, determination and always attempting to do what was right despite time being against him I truly admired. These characteristics were clearly strong in Allie’s character too. Then we had our “secondary characters” I guess I can’t really call them that because of how much of a direct impact they had on this book. With these characters Kagawa was the monster of toying with your feelings; there were no clear cut answers with them, you never knew what they would do next, if you could trust them, but they triggered so many emotions within me of; confusion, laughter, hatred and rage. You know when you’re a kid and you’re watching a cartoon, and a villain is brought in to mess with the good guys like Mufasa in The Lion King, some of these characters especially with Sarren and Stick evoked all those feelings that I used to have as I had as a kid, where you’re just furious, and nothing can be the same until you’ve throttled them to death. Kagawa definitely took it up a whole another notch with these brilliant set of characters. If you thought your heart had been pushed to the limits with The Immortal Rules, just wait. 

World building. 
The Eternity Cure did take me a while to get into, but after a few pages, this crazy world Kagawa created completely pulled me in. I was completely taken in by the chaos and destruction and every new mission that Allie had to complete. Kagawa was able to make this crazy world appear so real, that everything Allie was going through I felt I was experiencing it alongside with her. Despite New Covington being dangerous and infested, I felt myself invested in this story until the very end, until we had the answers we needed. So to sum the world building was pure brilliance! 

Surprise Factors. 
Just like in The Immortal Rules, my heart was in my throat the entire time with The Eternity Cure. I was on high alert all the time, never letting my guard down, as you never knew what was lurking around the corner. With The Eternity Cure you just have to be prepared for the unexpected; there’s endless surprises which will cause heartache; as if you have a knife slicing through your heart, and just will have you reeling with aftershocks. And then there are others which will cause you great amount of rage. I think these were the two strongest emotions that this book evoked within me; heartache and rage. My poor heart and blood pressure barely survived with every single blow. 

The Ending. 
I have no words...how could you do this to me Ms. Kagawa? 

This year I have been struggling to find books which have completely blown me away, thus the reason why The Eternity Cure is only my second 5 star rated book of the year so far. But honestly if I could give this book 100 stars I would as it was that damn good. Bring on 2014, for the next instalment, I’m pretty sure by that time my heart will have been taped back together and I will be raring to go for whatever Kagawa has to offer. *cowers in corner and cries to self*





21 comments:

Tanja - Tanychy said...

This book is next on my to-read list as I have the arc and the pub date is getting closer. I'm so happy to see that you enjoyed this one. It'll make me read the book faster :) I can't wait. Great review Jasprit :)

Unknown said...

Oh wow, what a glowing review! I'm the rare reader who just didn't get into The Immortal Rules, which made me sad b/c I loved Kagawa's Iron Fey series. Maybe it was my mood, or just the fact I am extremely picky about the genre. Maybe I'll give it another shot. Lovely review, Jasprit!

The Cover Contessa said...

I really like this series. I actually prefer the first book to this one, but I still loved this one! I can't wait until the next one!

Teresa Mary Rose said...

I actually did not really love The Immortal Rules, but I found this one to be so much better! I LOVED Jackal and Kanin! Like you, this book took me a bit to get into, but once i did I was addicted. Great review!

Jenny said...

JASPRIT!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSS! I loved this book so much too! Don't even get me started on that ending though, I just stared at the words unblinking and then died a little inside. *sobs uncontrollably* Julie is a cruel, cruel woman, but I love her. *joins you in the corner crying until 2014*

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful review, Jasprit! I have this book for review, but my copy might be expiring soon and I have so much studying to do. :/
You're praising review makes me want to read this book right away! Julie Kagawa is a truly great author. She makes something as overused as vampires something refreshing and bubbling with originality.
I'm a little worried about the ending though. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers so I wonder what I'll feel like.
Anyways, fab review, Jasprit! :)

Kris @Imaginary Reads said...

I really enjoyed this book in well. The world building is amazing, and the characters really jump out of the page. That cliffhanger at the end was nasty as well. Great Review!

Kris @Imaginary Reads

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I hear you about reading slumps and lack of enthusiasm. I am very excited to tear into this one. I am so happy to hear that Kanin has a much bigger role because I was one of those disappointed that he had such a short role in the first book. I also know exactly what you mean about reading with your heart in your throat. I felt the exact same way with Immortal Rules!

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I'm excited that you loved this installment, Jasprit! So happy to learn that Kanin and Zeke are still prominent roles here :)

brandileigh2003 said...

It actually took me a few chapters to get into Eternity Cure, but once I did, I was drawn into the characters and plot immensely and enjoyed.

Keertana said...

I seem to be in a bit of a reading slump myself, Jasprit, so in thrilled this pulled you out!(: I wasn't a fan of The Immortal Rules, but all these positive reviews have me second-guessing my decision to not read this sequel. I am particularly drawn to the idea of more world-building, but we shall see... Lovely review, dear!

Unknown said...

This made me more excited to read it :D Thanks for another lovely review :D

-Dannielle

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Yaay! This book sounds like a total Kanin love fest and I'm definitely up for that! I adore Kanin, he's my favorite character (to tell you the truth, I could do without Zeke altogether), and I'm glad he takes center stage in this one.
I was hesitant to read this, for some reason. The first book wasn't as good as I'd hoped worldbuilding-wise, but the prequel pretty much took care of that.
Great review, Jasprit!

Wendy Darling said...

One of my other friends just posted her initial reaction to this and said it was a bloodbath. o_O I have to admit, I had only middling feelings about the first book (and actually, about Iron Fey too), so I don't think Julie Kagawa and I are a good match. But I so appreciate reading your review, and I'm glad that this installment was just as exciting to you as the first one!

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

Brilliant review Jaspirit. I agree, this series has an awesome set of characters. I also wanted to kill Stick and Sarren, but especially Stick. And the ending...... I'm so looking forward to the next one :)

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you loved this too! Can you believe that ending? Fantastic review!!

Vegan YA Nerds said...

Ooh! I never got around to reading TIR, though I did buy the ebook, and I have received this for review. Your 5 star review has convinced me to give this series a go, Jas!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

I love when sequels exceed expectations! I desperately need to read the first book and catch up! :)

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

Points for a Lion King reference. ;) I love your review, Jasprit! I'm so glad you were impressed with this one. It took me awhile to get into it, but I loved the ending and can't wait to see what happens next. One thing's for certain, Julie Kagawa's writing will always work for me. :)

Celine said...

EEEE Jasprit! You're making me incredibly excited to read the sequel now! I loved The Immortal Rules so hopefully I will end up loving the sequel too ;)

Awesome review, Jasprit ♥ So glad you enjoyed it!

Jess said...

I'm so happy you loved this one and that we get more Kanin in this book! Also I'm very intrigued about this ending. I'll be reading it soon! :)

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