The Immortal Rules is single-handedly the best vampire book I’ve ever read. Allison, or Allie, the main character, is a kick-ass heroine who has more spark and courage than Lara Croft and who actually reminded me of a human (and then vampire) Buffy. Allie’s life was tough from the get-go as she lived in the Fringe as one of the Unregistereds. She had to scavenge for food, but in return didn’t have to serve as a bloodbag for the vampires. However, with food growing increasingly scarce, Allie and her gang venture outside the wall to the ruins of the old world to find food. They’re attacked by Rabids, filthy monsters that were once humans or vampires but now act on instinct alone. Trying to save her friend Stick, Allie gets attacked and nearly dies.

But in the nick of time she’s saved by a vampire named Kanin. He gives her a choice: become a vampire or die forever. She chooses to become a vampire, and Kanin trains her in the ways of vampires. But when their home gets attacked and Kanin gets kidnapped by a psycho vamp named Sarren, Allie is on her own again. She ventures through the world, lost and confused, until she comes upon a small group of humans looking for a human-only town called Eden. Despite her mind telling her it’s not a good idea, she joins the group and travels with them. But pretending to be a human is tough, especially when she starts falling for Zeke, the son of the group’s leader, Jeb. Whenever she’s around Zeke, she doesn’t know for sure if she wants to kiss him, or bite him…

Allie is amazing. Like I said before, she reminded me of Buffy. She has wit and humour and incredible strength – and I’m not talking vampire strength here. She’s also intelligent and brave, and she struggles so hard to stay human that I couldn’t help but admire her for it. She’s the favourite female main character I’ve read about all year, and that’s saying something. I loved how, despite everything, she was willing to risk her life for Zeke and his little group, and how she wanted to be the good kind of monster at all costs.

Then there’s Zeke. Oh God, Zeke. He is every girls dream guy! Just like Allie mentions at some point in the book, that boy is simply too good for this world, definitely if this world tumbles into a state of decay with half the population dead and the other half struggling to survive between vampires and rabids. Zeke is willing to risk his own life to save others, a rare trait in this dystopian world. It’s also what makes Allie fall for him. Zeke is definitely not a ‘bad boy’, he’s as good and pure as they can get, a stark contrast to Allie who’s supposedly a monster. And I’m glad that for once, the good guy gets the girl.

The world Julie Kagawa introduces us to is filled with lurking dangers around every corner, dead traps everywhere and a society as messed up as can be. And it’s positively awesome. At least to read about. So much imagination and world-building went into creating this, and the results are simply stunning. I loved the Iron Fey series and I thought it couldn’t get any better. Well, The Immortal Rules completely and utterly blows the Iron Fey series away.

This book is a long read (over 450 pages) but it doesn’t feel that way. I finished it in about three hours I’d say. The story is fast, the adventure non-stop, the characters downright amazing. I’ve already downloaded The Eternity Cure, and I’m going to get started on it like, right now. I NEED to know what happens next – it’s almost as vital as breathing.

The Immortal Rules has it all: impressive cast of characters, excellent writing, extraordinary world-building and a heart-breaking romance.