The Eternity Cure
Blood of Eden Series, #2
by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (April 30th, 2013)
Genre: Paranormal, Dystopia, Young Adult
Format: eBook (446 pages)
Source: Netgalley and Publisher
Purchase: Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 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.
At A Glance
Slow to start, but boy did it end with a bang! This book could have been so much better in the beginning. It’s lucky it had such an amazing second half.
The Good
After we got into the thick of the story, I was blown away by The Eternity Cure. When the action got going, it rarely stopped. And the emotion. Jeeze. I felt worn out by the end. Kagawa knows how to hit you where it hurts, the heart. She doesn’t hold anything back.
Allison struggles a lot in this book. Her hunger makes her feel like a monster. She has to stamp down her vampire instincts at every turn. But her determination to save Kanin, her creator, was inspiring. Even when Jackal, her vampire “brother” who tried to kill her, joins the crusade, Allison takes it in stride. She really will do anything to save Kanin. Allison held strong as best she could despite the many obstacles she faced. I loved watching her kick more butt this time around. Her skills have grown tremendously. I can only imagine how much more kickassness Allison will have in the next book.
But it was Jackal that stole the show. He was enticingly evil. I didn’t think Kagawa could show Jackel as redeemable in any way, but she succeeded. Don’t get me wrong, he is bad to the bone. He’s a killer. But once you read this book, you can’t help but love his honesty and determination. Jackal added the right amount of spice to this book with his cruel humor and snarky attitude.
Zeke is the one who has really grown since the first book, The Immortal Rules. His view of the world has changed. He no longer sees only black and white. Not every vampire is a vicious killer. He finally sees the beauty and kindness that is Allison the Vampire. He’s also an all round badass. If he has fear, you never see it. He would faceoff a room full of vampires without breaking a sweat. And he has pretty mad skills to back him up. Allison and him make a great force to be reckoned with.
The writing was fluid. The action was exciting. And the world was just as cruel and scary as I remembered. The characters blew me away. We had a great variety of meanies, goodies, and funnies. The gang faced so many obstacles it seemed impossible that they would make it out of all it alive. And that ending. I DIE! I was pissed at first. Sometimes I need to step away from a book to get over the parts that make me sad or frustrated. Once I did that with The Eternity Cure, I had to admit, that was an awesome ending. I can’t believe I have to wait so long to see what happens next. You’re mean, Kagawa, just mean.
The Bad
I have to say over 1/2 of this book left me yawning. It just dragged, especially the narration. Nothing much happened for a long time except Allison whining about trying not to be a vampire monster. Over and over again.
Allison was also too trusting in this book. I am still surprised she isn’t dead with the kind of people she relies on.
A lot of bad decisions were made (by most of the characters) that were obviously going to end badly. Jackal is right, some people just need killing.
The Snuggly
I really liked Allison and Zeke’s relationship. It was complicated and angsty. I actually had hope that they could be together this time around. Zeke has grown to accept a lot more than before. And even though Allison feels like a monster, she let’s her love for Zeke shine through. There is more kissing in this book. Still YA-ish but hot nonetheless.
Final Thoughts
After the initial slowness in the first half, I was happy to find an intense explosion of awesomeness the rest of the way. Just the ending was worth the read. I can’t wait for the next book. Highly recommended.
“I don’t believe in fate,” he said carefully, “but… I do believe everything happens for a reason. That there is some plan, some meaning to this darkness we live in.”
“You’re still beautiful and dangerous and incredible, and I’ll keep telling you that for as long as it takes you to believe it. But right now, all I want to do is kiss you, except I’m terrified that if I try you might throw me off this balcony.”
“There are no good choices, Allison,” Kanin offered in a quiet voice. “There are only those you can live with, and those you can work to change.”
Some awesomeness from Jackal:
“Next time you two decide to go on a bloody killing spree, at least send me an invitation so I know that you care.”
“Oh, don’t mind me,” came an extremely sarcastic voice near the wall. “You two go ahead and make out–I’ll just sit here and bleed quietly.”
“I have good news and bad news The good news is that the jeep is still where we left it, and I got the damned thing working again.”
“What’s the bad news?”
“Something took my fuzzy dice.”
Blood of Eden Series:
Book #1: The Immortal Rules
Book #2: The Eternity Cure
Alicia Batista
Great review! I started reading this last night and I’m about a quarter of the way through and it feels like it DRAGGING ON! Errr. It’s driving me crazy! I really LOVED the first book Immortal rules and that book was nothing but action-packed thrill ride! I mean this book is NOT terrible at all but I keep waiting for it to speed up and it’s not YET! But I’m barely even 25% done so I’m SURE it will pick up! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I know how you feel. I almost gave it 3.5 stars but really, the second half was worth the wait for me.
Ashley
Okay I feel really good about your review. I’ve been reading nothing but glowing things about this book, but I started it and kind of got bored so I dropped it. I didn’t hate it, it just wasn’t exciting me. So it’s kind of nice to see that you weren’t pleased with the first half either! THANK GOD I’M NOT ALONE!! But also I’m happy that the second half totally picks up and rocks. I loved the first book so much so I really need to get my ass in gear and power through this one!
Jennifer Bielman
I know it sucks having to wait half the book for things to start happening. But I really loved the second half enough to give the whole book 4 stars. That’s saying something.
Jaclyn Canada
What a great review! The first half was boring in my opinion too. I repeatedly set it down to read others. The only reason I didn’t take off for it was because it had me really deeply questioning what makes a person a monster, and I love it when books take me out to really question things. Love everything you mentioned about Jackal and Zeke here. The ending ticked me off as well. I had the same reaction…hating it, then thinking it was brilliant. Great review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jaclyn Canada
Oh, also love those quotes you picked 😀
Jennifer Bielman
I think Zeke and Jackal really shined in this book. And your right, the whole idea of what makes a person a monster. But taking the whole book to figure it out was too much. Happy you liked the book too.
Sarah Elizabeth
The first half of this dragged so bad! You’re totally right! That ending was great though!
Jennifer Bielman
I almost gave it 3.5 stars. But the second part shined enough for me to had a half a star.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Sorry to hear it was slower moving in this one.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, it’s okay though. I still enjoyed it.