Review: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa
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.
Publishes in US: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA paranormal
Source: Netgalley via Harlequin Teen
Series? Yes 2nd in Blood of Eden. 1st is Immortal Rules and you can read my review here. No info on the 3rd yet.
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It took me a bit to really get into this book, but once I did, I enjoyed it a lot. I couldn't remember a lot from the first besides I loved the world, Allie was a kick butt heroine that I really admired because she fought to keep her humanity and I swooned over Zeke and the forbidden love between the two. Luckily for me, all of these things are present in the 2nd book, but it isn't until about 1/3-1/2 way through that I really felt these things again.
There is plenty of action, some new characters as well as appearances from the first book. There are unlikely alliances, high stakes, and hard obstacles that Allie has to face in order to find her mentor and sire and try to figure out a way to cure the red lung that now can effect vampires.
There was a lot of action in this one, but I just felt like something was missing. And I think it was real and true development on Allie's part. We see her back and forth over decisions about Zeke, and I understand. This part I love because she doesn't want to hurt him and knows full well how easy it is to lose control. But in regards to another character who shows up. I just feel like there was jumping around in plot timing and it would have done well to at least develop some of the time in between. To go from hating to trusting to wondering if he really will stab you in the back, we have to see proof of that. And while I enjoyed their banter and thought it hinted at the realistic relationship the characters have, I think that much more could have been shown about both Allie's character and giving her room to grow and to get to know the other character. More about their motives, and the whys and whats.
And oh the ending, it had been wanting to cry, throw things, and beg Julie for the next book--now. Or tomorrow. But def not having to wait another year which is what I am guessing will really happen. I mean, I suppose the main plot of this book was tied up, but man, I just shouldn't have read the last chapter or something because it left me hanging. But it also gave me hope. Because without that last chapter I think I would have been as desperate and heart broken as Allie. But I suppose it is sometimes the advantage of being a reader, that you know something that the main character doesn't and it helps you hold on.
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you be transformed into a vamp or would you rather die a human?
I would rather die as a human-thanks for asking that as I've been thinking about it for a week since I finished reading this book. I have no hesitation when choosing that option.
ReplyDeleteI still can't decide
DeleteI am really looking forward to picking this one up. Sorry it didn't blow you away, but I am glad you enjoyed it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I just had problems with unresolved ending and the slower beginning
DeleteI enjoyed the first book much more than I thought -- I'm too wimpy to read scary vampire books. It's interesting that you didn't see as much character development in this book, because that's what really made me love the first one!
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
It just wasn't as much as I expected, Allie still struggles in the same ways.
DeleteWhile you didn't love this as much as I did I am happy you enjoyed it and yes the ending omg!!
ReplyDeleteyes, I have no idea where they are going with that
DeleteI have this one for review also, but haven't gotten to it yet. It sucks that you didn't enjoy it as much as the first. I would choose to be transformed :)
ReplyDeleteI have issues with the soul then, that is what made me waver with Twilight
DeleteI still have to finish the first book. I got halfway through, but then I had to get to a few books I had scheduled for blog tours. It seems like a good series though, Allie seemed pretty bad*ss from what I read.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good series, and she very much so is bada
DeleteAfter reading your review, I wonder if I'd need to postpone reading this until the third book comes out... I like that Allie still fights to keep her humanity!
ReplyDeleteIn relation to your question, I guess if my desire to live is strong, I'd choose not to die.
Sometimes I wish I would've waited
DeleteAmazing review sweetie. <3 I'm sorry you didn't fully love it :( but glad you enjoyed it, still :D Sigh. I just loved Zeke so much. <3 Favorite character :) The romance is so sweet. And omg. The ending! SOBS. I need the next book :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my blog. <3
Love, Carina @ Carina's Books
I liked Zeke too, and how he stepped up. I have seen several who don't like him for Allie though!
DeleteI totally agree with you, this was pretty slow and difficult to get into and the zeke allie thing we had before didn't kick in until half-way either. I thought the first one was pretty slow too though. Will be interesting to see what happens in the last book though after the ending of this one!
ReplyDeleteI know, I am scared almost to find out
DeleteHmm, I'll probably skip this one then. I didn't enjoy Allie and Zeke that much at all in the first one. There romance fell a little flat. Sad the sequel didn't top the first, but I adore Kagawa's Iron Fey series
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that series a bit more than this one, and if Allie and Zeke wasn't for you, this might not be for you
DeleteWhile I enjoyed this installment, I totally understand what you're saying about Allie's character development. I was hoping for more too. That ending nearly killed me! I want the next book now!!
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I think if I was in the world of New Covington and the Fringe, I'd say thanks but no thanks to becoming a vamp, and die a human. :-)
I know, such a cruel world
DeleteGood post. Its easy to say I'd rather die as a human than turn into a vampire and hurt people for their blood. but you never know, i might decide to become a vampire to live longer, but then again, aren't vampires dead basically :)
ReplyDeleteThey are basically dead, but there is the rub. It would be hard to have a lifestyle like that I agree
DeleteI knew in the last chapter that would happen! I was like "uh, uh, I know it's not ending like that!" It took me a couple of chapters for me to get into this as well :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchonized Reading
Yeah, I was like, I think they are missing about 50 pages.
DeleteIt took me a bit to get into this one as well, but when I did... I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteOh and I just loved Jackal! So loved that character and he made the book for me. Can't wait for the next either!
I know, he was a great relief and I can't see what happens with his character
DeleteI've been wanting to read this, but I haven't read the first one. I had not heard that the first one was better though.
ReplyDeleteImmortality is tempting but I'd rather die a human
The first is really good
DeleteThat ending. I died. I was so upset but I does make things interesting. I am review this tomorrow. I agree with you. There was some development missing. And the beginning was so slow. But I did enjoy it overall.
ReplyDeleteThe ending was killer!
DeleteI agree the last chapter tortures me. I mean the rest yes was tied up so nicely - then the cliff hanger? what really? now I must live in agony til the next one....why.
ReplyDeleteI know, I thought it would be all good
DeleteIt's always bothersome to feel like something is missing in a sequel. I haven't started these books yet but I look forward to! :)
ReplyDeleteI bet 3 will be the best
DeleteThat ending about killed me as well. I can't wait for the next in this series to find out what is going on. Also, I am a big fan of Zeke. Great review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI am a zekehead as well
DeleteI hate the year between books because like you, Brandi, I can't remember details that well. I'm a little afraid of this ending that people keep talking about! Great review. :)
ReplyDeletei know, it is easy to forget the details
DeleteGlad you liked this so much. I loved it. My review is going up in about an hour. I'm not a big Zeke fan but everything else was great. The ending killed me...
ReplyDeleteI know, so much omg
DeleteI have heard some say they loved this, and others felt it had sophomore slump. I'm reading it now, just a little at a time until I get a physical copy and I'm loving it so far. I'm only at 20% or so though. Hopefully I love it!
ReplyDeleteIf you are drawn in right away, then you probably will be for whole thing
DeleteThe ending and action both sound great! It's too bad that this isn't as good as the first. I'm still looking forward to reading it, though. Amazing review :)
ReplyDeleteThe ending was a killer cliffie!
DeleteYup, completely agree with you! This was good, but didn't quite live up to the first and it felt like something was missing. I also felt the beginning was slow and the second part of the book was much better. Very thoughtful review!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, can't wait for book 3
DeleteNope, kill me now. And before that Red Lung stuff gets me, too! I'll just make a blanket statement. If there is an apocalyptic catastrophe where I have to run from zombies, vampires, werewolves etc. Kill me and make sure I am completely dead. Stake me, silver bullet and cut off my head. I get sick just reading about them drinking blood. I could not bring myself to drink blood, even if it was the only thing that would keep my alive. The rest, I just don't want to walk around being scared all of the time!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Noted! I wouldnt either
DeleteWOW we both posted the review for this book on the same day! :) Coincidence! :) I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I really did :) Great review.
ReplyDeletea lot of people have been reviewing all together :)
DeleteHmm, I seem to have enjoyed this a lot more than many people! I agree with all your points, though: it took me a while to get into the momentum of the book as well, because the beginning was really quite slow. I enjoyed seeing Jackal being developed more, and the interactions he had with Allie! Those added a lightness the book needed. So glad you enjoyed this, Brandi. Here's to hoping the third instalment will be better!
ReplyDeleteI liked getting to know Jackal as well, I agree the lightness was much needed
Deleteyou're right for the end, I agree. I really liked this one, mainly Jackal in it, he was a great surprise!
ReplyDeleteHe really was, and the ending, oh the ending
DeleteI don't like the thought either. It was just the beginning for me
ReplyDeleteIt took me a little while to get into this one as well. I totally agree with you on the ending. It was mean!
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
Okay....I have not read The Immortal Rules nor this one, of course, but am interested in starting the series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being honest about not liking this one as much as the first one. I think this is definitely not the only series this has happened to. Especially when it comes to trilogies. The first is BOOM, the second EH, the third VA VA VOOM??
Ooo...maybe if I found a vamp soulmate/a true calling then I'd become a vamp? Maybe?
This one was actually a lot better for me than the first one, even though I still loved the first one. I agree though that the ending was heartbreaking!
ReplyDelete