The Eternity CureAuthor: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #2
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood
She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence.
There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.
Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.
My reaction when I started reading The Eternity Cure was “finally!” The funny thing is, I had the same reaction when I finished it. I loved The Immortal Rules, so I was excited to read this. The Eternity Cure was really good, but it felt like it went on forever. So while I enjoyed it, I also wanted it to end. Which is different from when I read The Immortal Rules, because it felt like I flew through it, even though it was 500 pages.
The Eternity Cure picks up with Allie four months after she left Eden, and she’s on a mission. Allie is determined to find her sire, Kanin, who is being tortured at the hands of Sarren. Sarren is seriously a lunatic. I enjoy crazy, but he’s completely off the rails. He has big plans, but no one wants those plans carried out. Allie doesn’t know if she’ll reach Kanin in time to save him, because she can feel him slipping away. Not to mention the probability of fighting Sarren and winning isn’t too good. Her journey leads right back to where it started – New Covington, the place she thought she’d never see again.
Allie was a character I loved in The Immortal Rules; she had that survivor toughness I love so much. She definitely still has that, but I wasn’t feeling her as much in The Eternity Cure. I’m not sure why, but something seemed to be missing. The struggle she has with her humanity and the monster she’s become was done really well, though.
Maybe the reason I felt like something was missing with Allie was because Jackal outshined her. Oh yeah, Jackal is back, and very much present in the story. In fact, he stole the show, in my opinion. What can I say? I love a dark sense of humor. The sadistic jerk had me laughing out loud on a number of occasions. I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t have like this book as much if it wasn’t for him. He is what kept me reading.
Not only is Jackal back, so are a couple of other men from her past. Zeke fans should be happy, because he’s back, and he’s packin’! I really like the role he plays in Allie’s struggle with what kind of monster she is. Kanin was a character I was especially looking forward to seeing more of, but I had similar feelings, or lack thereof, for him as I did Allie. I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s just that I was expecting more of a presence from him. I do like how he handles Allie, though.
As I mentioned earlier, The Eternity Cure felt like it took forever to get through. I think part of it was that there were situations put in the story that were obviously added for dramatic effects, but it took too long to set them up. The story just dragged on a bit for me at points and I got impatient with it. I definitely had more issues with this book, than I did with the first one.
Even with the issues I had, I really did like The Eternity Cure, overall. And with an ending like that, I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.
I loved this book, but like you not as much as the first. I gave this 4 stars but gave the first 5. I think it was a great follow up but it just didn’t grab me like the first one did.
It seems that most people have the same issues with this one. I still want to read it because I enjoyed The Immortal Rules so much. Atleast I have some warning. Glad you did still enjoy it. Great review.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
I have heard a lot about this Jackal character lately with all the reviews for this one going around. I am sad you didn’t like this one as much as the first, or at least wanted to rush through it more than you did the first. That seems to sometimes be the case with second books in a series though.
Great review and I am glad that overall you enjoyed this.
Aww, I loved this book from start to finish and am sorry you struggled with it..I adore Jackal too and yes at times he stole the show..what about the ending though…omg!
I can barely remember The Immortal Rules, other than I didn’t like most of it, then I really liked it because of Kanin. I wonder if I’m mis-remembering though. 🙂 I passed on this and now don’t know if I should have, because your review makes me want to pick it up and I definitely want to know about that end. I do love Kagawa, so maybe…
I have to to start this soon. I was not the biggest fan of Zeke in book one and was disappointed that Kanin had such a small role. Sounds like you found a new book boyfriend in Jackal.
Hahahaha…. no. Not my book boyfriend. Have a few drink and cause mayhem with … sure. lol
I was actually wondering how Allie would be in this sequel. I loved her in The Immortal Rules, but I did wonder if she might become a little… static(?) in Eternity Cure? Like, still be struggling with the whole human/vampire good/evil thing, but lacking an extra spark to keep her character growing. Hmm.
I am SO excited about seeing Jackal again, though. It totally surprised me when I heard he was coming back as Allie’s sidekick, but from everything you said about his dark humor and snark, I’m pretty sure I’m going to adore him in this book. Can’t wait to read it!
Well I am a little behind the times and just bought the “Immortal Rules” to be read very soon. So I just skimmed through your review but every review just makes me want to start this series more…can’t wait!!! =)
I’m reading this now (kind of) and I’m really liking it a lot but I haven’t got very far. I do agree that Jackal is stealing the show so far but I’ve heard good things about Zeke too, he just hasn’t shown up yet. I hope that it’s not a chore to read the book. I have set it aside due to headaches and reading on my kindle fire. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back to it though!
Love this series! So happy Zeke was back! And Jackal was an amazing addition to the team. I hated and loved him! He had me guessing. Still not sure whether to really trust him. But that ending! OMG! I saw it coming! LOL Because I think that had to happen for there to be a HEA in the very end. But oh many things will be crazy for awhile! Then hopefully HEA!
Everyone keeps saying that Jackal completely stole the show and I can’t wait to see it for myself. I’m sorry Kanin wasn’t what you’d hoped, he is my favorite and the reason why I’ll be reading this one despite feeling lukewarm about the first book.
Great review, Christy!
Jackal is awesome! Definitely the best part of The Eternity Cure. I totally feel you on the length. I was enjoying it, but I was definitely relieved when I hit the final stretch of the book. Amazing review!
What would you rate this book?
Well, I hate rating books for a number of reasons, but I would give it a B-. Compared to the first one, which I’d give a B+.
You are preaching to the choir, sister!:) I too felt that something was missing and didn’t feel that Allie continued developing as a character at all. However, Jackal made up for it. He was wonderful!