Book Review: The Forever Song

The Forever Song
(Blood of Eden #3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published By: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date:  April 15th, 2014
Page Count:  416 pages
Source: Arc Kindly Provided by Publisher Through Netgalley
Audience:  Mature Young Adult Paranormal


My Review for The Immortal Rules (Book 1)
My Review for The Eternity Cure (Book 2)

**NO Spoilers!**

I cannot believe this is over.  I’m in a literal mess of emotions now that the Blood of Eden trilogy is over.  But did I love it?  You betcha!

This just might be my most favourite book of all time.  And since this is the final book in the Blood of Eden trilogy, and it is yet to be read by the masses, I, begrudgingly, will not talk specifically about this book in particular so as not to spoil it for anyone beyond the blurb that has been released.  My review will be general and (surprisingly relatively) on the shorter side.

I didn’t think any book series could crown my love for Julie’s other (and very different) world she created in The Iron Fey but her Blood of Eden books have done just that.  Now...a lot of that could be attributed to the fact that I just finished The Forever Song...and I’m quite emotional about it...but this trilogy—this final instalment—hit every expectation I was looking for in any concluding book.  That is not to say, too, that The Iron Fey is all but a forgotten memory now...not so...but Julie’s books about a post-apocalyptic world where vampires vulnerably rule a very fragile and sick world...just, for lack of better words, blew me away.

The author indeed brought something new to the table in an already crowded genre.  Vampires, I would guess, is arguably the most written about paranormal creature to date, and Julie once vowed to not enter herself in this already saturated market.  But she came up with an idea that was very different from what has already been written about and carved her own niche in this very full market.  She created a world so visceral and bleak but with an underlying tone of hope, that she did, in fact, bring something new, and interesting, and imaginative to the table.  I just couldn’t get enough.

I did have some theories and I was on the right track with many of them...but Julie’s delivery was no less intoxicating and compelling.  THAT makes me happy...that I was so invested in this world that I cared enough to be excited about all of that.

Aside from her world-building, one of the things that Julie is known for is her characterization.  She creates characters that are complex—they are not black and white—they are strong but have weaknesses.  They have core values that are tested time and time again.  They are not solely good but they are not solely evil either...well...perhaps there was one exception.

One character I DO have to go on and on about is Allison Sekemoto.  Julie has created another strong heroine that has strength in her roots and builds on those strengths throughout the journey that she puts her protagonist on.  I liked Allie’s street-wise strength at the beginning of the story, but came to be her biggest cheerleader by the end of it.  She had to constantly fight her inner demon and it tested her at every turn.  It would have been so easy for her to just.give.in.  And there were times when you could not blame her for succumbing to that monster when all seemed lost to her.  She faced so much, I literally wanted to reach into the pages and prop her up when she was at her lowest points.  And I never wanted to jump into a book and high-five the heroine so much when she accomplished what she set out to do. I’ve never felt so empathetic for a fictional character.

The other characters in this world were equally compelling.  But to discuss them individually would spoil some things...so I will have to reluctantly refrain.  But I will enthusiastically discuss them and all the other finer points of this incredible story with anyone once they have read it.  And the relationships between these characters...perfectly executed and eloquent.

I WILL also add that Jackal had some of the best lines...and the banter back and forth between Allie and Jackal was priceless!

I once said that Julie could write about mud puddles and make them sound compelling.  She can take an idea that has been written about and spin her magic and create something new and completely her own.  The dialogue is always poignant and perfectly timed...so real in a fictional world. As always, I see it like a movie in my head. I get lost in her books...I don’t have to think...I just get enveloped and sit back and go along for the ride...all the ups and downs and emotions that go with it...and in the end...I feel totally satisfied but still want more...more...more...more!  But I can also live with it should Julie decide to end it here...forever.  Then there is the fact that I can still read it again and again—reliving this world as often as I want...and you can bet I will!

So this review wasn’t as short as I initially intended.  I lied.  It’s hard to stop once I get started on my reflection of any Julie Kagawa book...and this one in particular.  So there is no question that this is getting 5 birdies from me!

Thank you to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this awesome, magnificent, compelling book before its release.  I cannot wait to have the actual novel in my hands to place on my favourites shelf!


Synopsis from Goodreads:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.
MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.


Comments

  1. I thought the dialogue was so spot on. Such a pleasure to read. Great review, I'm very sad that it's all over.

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    1. Thanks Nic! Let's hope that Julie maybe decides to do with this trilogy what she did with The Iron Fey books, maybe?

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  2. This is the last one I need to get to finish the series. Looks amazeballs but I expect nothing less.
    Fab review!

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  3. I LOVE It when we root for a character throughout the series, how we love watching her grow and love and fight and believe in others and herself!

    I hope the romance had a HEA!

    Agree with you about Julie Kagawa being able to reinvent and reimagine the most beautiful stories!

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  4. It's awesome when, like you said, characters are complex and flawed but completely likable and you have to root for them.

    I agree with you, it's a sign of a wonderful author when you predict plot events but the delivery makes you love them anyway, and the writing makes it all come alive!

    Lovely review :)

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    1. Thank you! Julie is one of the best in character development, IMO!

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  5. I've heard so many wonderful things about this author. What is the first book in this series called?

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    1. The first book in this series is The Immortal Rules! Awesome, awesome, awesome!

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