The Eternity Cure

Original author: Julie Kagawa

THE LOWDOWN:

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.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

I smelled blood as soon as I walked into the room.

A blast of snow-laced air accompanied me, swirling around my black coat, clinging to my hair and clothes as I shoved back the door. The space beyond was small and dirty, with rotting tables scattered about the floor and steel drums set at every corner, thick smoke pouring from the mouths to hover near the roof.

—ARC paperback edition

SNAPSHOT:

Everyone’s favorite katana-wielding vampiress is back in the second installment of this cinematic and fiercely enticing series. The stakes are higher, the action bloodier, and the humor darker. The tension builds to one shock after another and doesn’t quit until the final line of the last page.

Allison’s voice draws the reader in from the start, as she hunts for her missing sire, the wise Kanin. It’s quickly revealed that he is in the hands of the truly disturbing Sarren, who is intent on torturing Kanin in every way imaginable. The action picks up once Allison reluctantly joins forces with Jackal. His wit and confidence shines as he and Allison banter and threaten each other throughout their quest to find not only their sire but also the cure for a new strain of the Red Lung virus that can infect vampires.

While the haunting atmosphere and stunning descriptions—especially of the urban decay and slyly recognizable locales—are a highlight, the dialogue is often stilted and unfortunately forced. Overall, the action speaks louder than any witty repartee.

Sure to delight fans who need more bite than bark from their vampires: these fanged demons are not afraid to inflict bloody violence and leave a body count. The romance is minimal, especially since Allison and Zeke lack real chemistry. This leaves Allison free to get down to business and plow ahead through plot, sword a-blazing.

Appropriate for ages 13+. Some strong language, graphic violence and torture, and intense fantasy situations.

Deals with loyalty, family, humanity, and what it means to be a monster.

GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:

If you…

– Enjoy kick-ass vampire heroines

– Are in love with supernatural dystopians

– Know that the only thing worse than a world run by vampires is when it’s also swarming with zombies

– Need some sci with your fi

– Want a fun action-adventure to curl up with at the pool… in the shade of course

THE ESSENTIALS:

Paranormal YA dystopian

Hardcover & Ebook, 446 pages