Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa [Joint Review!]

4 out of 5 Robots!

   

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #2

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian/Paranormal

Release:  April 30, 2013

Hardcover: 446 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

My Copy: Netgalley

Reviewer: Shannon and Rex

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
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. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Our Thoughts:

We had so much fun with our last joint review, we decided to do another one! This time we read the second book in the Blood of Eden series which is due to be published at the end of April.  We both loved the first book, The Immortal Rules, so we were anxious to get our hands on the sequel.  So, how did the sequel hold up?

1. What was your favorite part?  What was your least favorite part?

REX: My favorite part was everything Jackal. I thought his character was the only one that always made sense. Well, Kanin too, kind of, but he isn't around that much in this story. (Sad face) But I loved Jackal's reactions, dialogue, everything. I KNEW it was going to turn out the way it did with him at the ending.
My least favorite part of this novel was probably the writing itself. This story is amazing, but the author has trouble telling it. I just felt like it wasn't written to its full potential. I mean, really, lets come up with some new things instead of reiterating what the reader already knows! I was bored up until about 75% of the book was left.
 
Shannon had this awesome idea for a drinking game while reading this book. HAHA. Every time someone calls Sarren psycho- drink. Every time Allie thinks about biting Zeke. Every time she tells Zeke she's too dangerous to be with him. Drink every time Jackal (my love) is called sadistic.

SHANNON:  I liked Jackal too.  I liked the tension between Allie and Jackal.  Sibling rivalry!  Jackal totally reminded me Klaus from The Vampire Diaries TV show.  His moral ambiguity really made the story more fun and interesting.  I was happy Kanin was back...but I felt his awesomeness was underutilized. 

I think the writing was my least favorite too. I felt the the book was a little long...some parts seem to drag on forever!  I felt like the same things were being said over and over again.  And we were being told things, instead of shown things.  A big pet peeve of mine.  I don't need the characters to fill in all the holes for me.  There were a lot of convenient plot twists that I saw a mile away.  


2.  What did you want MORE of?  What did you want LESS of?
 

REX: I wanted more of Kanin being badass and more action in the novel, instead of having to constantly hear Allie's thoughts about what we just saw happen. I really wanted less of Zeke being a sad puppy dog following Allie around. I mean, I really loved his character in the first book. I was rooting for these two. But this book kind of killed it for me. Zeke is a hunky survivalist that can kick ass. Why wasn't he acting like that!? I guess I just like my men mysterious, none of that wear my emotions on my sleeve business.

 

SHANNON: YES!  More Kanin!  I was so disappointed when he disappeared 1/2 through the first book.  I was excited when he came back.  Buuuttt, he was missing his...je ne sais quoi.  He started to get it back to the end, so I'm excited to see him in the third book. 

I, personally, wanted less Sarren.  It just got old after awhile - his machinations and his brand of moustache twirling evil.  It was just a little too over the top.  All he was missing was a maniacal laugh.  Also (and I think this is just because I've read several books that end like this) I wish there was less focus on finding a cure. 

 

 

3. We both agree there was a lot of repetition.  Let's making a drinking game!  Drink every time:

REX:  Zeke tells Allie he is madly in love with her, Allie says she is too dangerous for him.... THEN she kisses him. Every time Sarren is called psychopath

 

SHANNON: Every time Jackal is called sadistic.  Every time Allie thinks about biting Zeke.  Every time Allie calls herself a monster.  Every time Jackal calls Zeke a Bloodbag.  We're going to be really really drunk by the end.

 

 

4. The ending.  Go.

 
REX: One word. Predictable. Also- the only thing that makes me want to read the next book. I knew the ending was going to be the ending waaaaaaay too early in the book. Regardless, the ending also sort of made me want to read the next book. So I guess that is a good thing, buttt uhhh... I don't know. Like, wow, how convenient.

 

SHANNON: Ugh!  Yes.  Predictable and convenient.  That said, it wasn't a BAD ending.  Some of it didn't really make sense, but it does set up some potentially  interesting things.  I agree that it makes me want to read the next book.

 

5. How did it compare to the first novel?  What are your thoughts on the series so far?

REX: This book doesn't compare to the first novel. The first book was SO MUCH BETTER. I don't have much else to say other than that. I was so let down by this book. Funny I'm only complaining, I mean, I'm still giving it like... 3.5 stars. Haha. But I think this series has so much potential. Here is to praying that the third book is exactly like the first! This would make a much better movie than Twilight ;)

 

SHANNON: I agree.  The first book was surprising and unexpected.  I liked the characters, the setting, the premises.  But this book almost felt like Kagawa didn't really know what do with all the plot points, so it got a little overarching and a little too cliche.  But I also agree that this series still has a lot of potential.  I want more dystopic vampire stuff and less running around in the sewers, trying to find a cure.   

 

 

6.  If you were dying and given the choice to be Turned....would you?

 

REX: I want to say no, because I like to think that I'm a good Catholic and you know, my soul and all..... but that is just too tempting. I'd probably buckle at the last minute and say TURN ME! PLEEAAASSSEEE! I'm a survivalist. I couldn't just let myself die if I could live...and live....and live.

 

SHANNON: I want to say that I would accept my death and be ok with it, but really I would probably want to be Turned too.  Especially if I got a katana out of the deal.