Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden, #3)
The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa
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.

”add

Publishes in US: April 15th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA para
Source: Harlequin Teen via Netgalley
Series? Blood of Eden #3
my reviews:
#1  The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa 
#2 The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound  Book Depository

Author stalk away: site  series site   twitter   facebook  blog 

    I wanted to read The Forever Song because I loved the first book in the series, and can't wait to see the culmination of the work and world building in this final installment. Allie really got to me and with her loss and heart set on vengeance, I'm eager to see how this will ultimately transform her even further and what surprises Ms. Kagawa has up her sleeve for us readers. 
    While I enjoyed the first part, I feel like a lot of it was repetitive. Allie is giving in to the monster, rationalizing her way into becoming numb and shutting down every last bit of her humanity to forget the pain and don a devil may care attitude. Which, I know, is not going to last. This book has ultimately been about her overcoming, putting others and greater good ahead of what she desires. It has been a story of her feelings, of not letting the darkness win, and of light in the dark hopeless world that she was born into. And while I understand where she is coming from with trying to let the monster take over, and give it to the hunger and the chaos--she has seen a lot and been through a lot of pain including watching the boy she loved die. So, we get a lot of her internal monologue and some banter with her and Jackal to keep things entertaining. 
     Of course she has her breakthrough that she still has that spark in her and that she doesn't want to give her life to the darkness, and it really was the powerful and first turning point of the story. The scene could not have gotten to her on a deeper emotional level, and it made me cheer to see her turning around and back into the character that I so admired. 
     The Forever Song had a lot of travel, dialogue and in it, some action thrown in. It also held some surprises and twists. One of which I almost knew for certain, I just wasn't sure how it would happen and what would trigger it as well as Allie's response. But I think that one of the things that left me the most satisfied besides seeing Allie prevail and begin to change not only herself but the world one step at a time was Kanin's story arc. He has done so much that he regrets, but he always was trying to be about balance once he saw the way he'd messed up. He would feed from a human and then stack their wood and leave them meat for a day. He tried to mentor and teach Allie what he knew. He cared for Jackal no matter how far to the left of Kanin's views he went. But I love his ending--the balance, his peace and a way for redemption.
     I think that it wrapped up well and I can't really place many complaints on the story besides maybe repetition and my frame of mind. I cannot think of a better way for it to end and I am not sure why I didn't completely fall for it like I did the first book.   

Bottom Line: Content with the wrap-up, but felt repetitive at times.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you want to live as a vampire? 
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34 comments:

  1. I'm really glad you enjoyed this one, but I agree with you it was the weakest in the series for me. Great review, Brandi :)

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    1. I think I just hyped it up too much in my head, dunno.

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  2. Aw, I'm sorry that you didn't love it sweetie. I did, but I also understand why you didn't. <3 Thank you for sharing and being honest :)

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    1. At least I liked the ending, just wasn't so crazy about parts of it. Still LOVED the first in the series

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  3. I've never gotten into this series, though I know a lot of people enjoy it. Sorry it felt repetitive to you.

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    1. I guess it wasn't to some people, but it is a very dark and gritty world that I know is not for everyone

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  4. I was happy with the way this story wrapped up and I loved Kanin's arc. Great review

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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    1. Yes!! The theme carried itself through and was so touching to see it completed

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  5. I'm so glad that Allison has even more character growth in this novel :) SO happy to hear that you liked this, Brandi!

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    1. I did, and looking back at the arch of her growth was pretty sweet

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  6. I've seen quite the mix of reviews of this. Some say it's EPIC, others say it's only okay and some were completely disappointed. I guess we'll see what I think, I can't wait to read it!

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    1. It must depend on what expectations are going in

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  7. At least it was good, even if not as good

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  8. For the past few weeks I've been feeling like I'm the only person who hasn't read a Julie Kagawa book. She's everywhere! I might try one of her other series' first though. Great review!

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    1. She is a popular Ya, but not for everyone I understand.

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  9. Great review, and can see how you felt it was repetitive, but I was enjoying the ride!

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  10. Oh, man! I hope I like it more than this. I can't wait to see how it all ends. I'm not expecting any HEA's. I just want to know if the world is saved. And if the evil Saren gets what's coming to him!!

    No, I can't stand blood. I would never be a vampire unless I could live off real food.

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    1. If those are your requirements then you should be okay :)

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  11. Ah this book, I know some were more mixed up than others in their opinion. I confess I found this one a little behind but I still loved it too. But I also understand the problems you might have had.

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  12. I haven't read book two yet, so I have some catching up to do. Kanin was my favorite character in book one and I'm excited that you enjoyed his character arc. Thanks for sharing, and no, I don't think I can live as a vampire - pointy teeth is so not my thing. :)

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    1. Kanin is pretty awesome in this one.
      Heh, pointy teeth aren't for me either.

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  13. I dont remember it as much with 2nd, but hope that you like better

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  14. Awww, that sucks about the repetitive stuff. I am reading this one now.

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  15. Boo. I'm sorry this didn't end as well for you as it did for a LOT of others. I haven't started this series, but I'm told (even by the readers that weren't thrilled with the conclusion) that it's worth it just for book 2. Whatcha think? Yay or nay?

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  16. I'm sorry you didn't completely fall for this, but I'm glad you thought the ending was appropriate. Thank you for your honest, balanced review!

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  17. With so many glorious reviews of this, this is kind of a refreshing breath of air. Sorry it felt repetitive, but at least it wrapped up!

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  18. Heh, would I like to live as a vampire? I don't think I would - and that's both because I don't want to live forever, and because I don't want to accidentally eat my kids for breakfast!

    Too bad you didn't enjoy The Forever Song as much as the first books. I hate when that happens. Your review is very well done, and even if I loved this story, I can completely get why you didn't.

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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  19. I'm still looking forward to this one. I loved The Eternity Cure more than the first book. I'm glad you liked Kann's part. I'm curious to see how it all ends.

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  20. Nice review, Brandi. I'm glad that the story wrapped up well even if it wasn't as exciting as you'd hoped it would be.

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  22. I'm glad to hear that story wrapped up nicely, but I'm sorry to hear you thought it was repetitive. I'm reading it right now and I can see how you feel that way. Great review!

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  23. I love these questions you leave at the end of the blog posts... I think I might steal the same idea away for my reviews! I haven't read any in this trilogy but I will get round to it!

    I would love to be a vampire for a single day, see what it's like. But I doubt I could go around eating and murdering innocent people all the time!

    http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/04/a-whole-lot-of-questions-tag.html

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  24. Kind of disappointing to hear you didn't enjoy this more. I haven't read this one yet but I've seen quite a lot of mixed reviews. I still am eager to read it nonetheless.

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