Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa Series: Blood of Eden #3
Published by Harlequin Teen on 15 April 2014
Genres: Dystopian, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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.
*I received a free ARC of The Forever Song from Harlequin TEEN via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
The Forever Song is devastating, gripping, epic, strong and dark. The perfect ending to the Blood of Eden series, it made me cry (yes I love to feed Ms. Kagawa’s muse – I’m wondering where I should send my tears!) and cheer, it made my heart almost beat all the way out of my chest, and I believe my eyes almost fell out as well. Beware – tissues are needed in plenty, but my oh my, what a ride!
Some of the most amazing plot-twists I have ever had the pleasure to read appeared in The Forever Song, and I could not have guessed any of it! My review will probably be full of squeeing mostly, and I promise there won’t be any spoilers. Having said that – if you have ever read a Julie Kagawa book and enjoyed it, know that The Forever Song is even better!
There are, of course a few things I can say without spoiling a thing! Like the writing wonderful, the character development is amazing, and the title is chillingly accurate… Allie has to face a lot of demons in The Forever Song, both literal and emotional, and there is a point where she asks herself if it’s even worth it to try to fight her inner demon at all anymore. As she prepares for the ultimate fight, she knows she needs to have her head in the game.
The Forever Song is dealing with loss and grief, and I cried so hard at times it was difficult to read. However, I really wanted to know what would happen next, and Sarren is the one who worried me the most. He has to be one of the best (and by best, I mean worst!) fictional villains out there. It is impossible to guess what atrocity he’ll do next just to throw his enemies off his track, and out of their minds.
As always, Allie is a truly amazing heroine, even if she is devastated in The Forever Song, she still knows how to fight, and her one-liners to Jackal are just as hilarious as ever. Jackal has grown on me during this series, I couldn’t stand him in The Immortal Rules, then, I tolerated him quite well for parts of The Eternity Cure, and I got to appreciate him in The Forever Song. It takes strong writing to actually make me change my mind about a character, and whereas Jackal never really changes very much, he was able to show more facets of his personality as the story went on.
The intricate plot-lines and the awesome twists threw me more than once, and before I reached the middle of The Forever Song, I had no idea what to expect anymore! Should I cry or should I laugh? There is so much heartache and sacrifice going on, and it is impossible to not be moved by the characters and their story.
It made no difference to me if the humans found a cure for Rabidism, or ift they could stop Sarren’s new plague. Humans meant nothing to me, not anymore. They were food, and I was a vampire. I was done pretending that I was anything less than a monster. But I would kill Sarren.
As if in answer, a creature leaped to the roof of the car beside him. It was vaguely human-shaped, with matted hair and white skin stretched over an emaciated body, and it reeked of death. Mad white eyes, with no irises or pupils, blazed down at us as the rabid bared jagged fangs and flung itself at us with a howl.
I shrugged. “Maybe I realized it’s futile, and I don’t want to fight my nature for the rest of eternity. Maybe I realized Jackal was right all along.” “No.” Kanin’s voice was suddenly hard, terrifying. “You are simply using your demon to hide from what you really feel. Because you are afraid of what that means, that it might be painful. It is far easier to be a monster than to confront the truth.”
Put out all the traps you want, you psychopath, I thought as the shadow of the huge tower encompassed us, dark and threatening. Block the way, sic your army on us, do whatever you want. I’m still coming for you. And when I find you, on of us is going to die.
I just had to stand here and look dangerous – well, as dangerous as a thin, seventeen-year-old girl with a katana could look, I supposed. Hopefully the fact that I was a vampire made up for my height.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I love when I don’t know where a book is going and what emotions to expect! I’m happy that you enjoyed this one so much!
Me, too, Pamela. I think everything JKagawa toutches turns to gold!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
aaahhh it is the last book? I didn’t pay attention, now I’m sad but I’m glad it was a really good end and I can’t wait to read it to see it by myself!
Yes *cries* the last book in this series. Now I’m all sad again! I do enjoy it when series don’t go on for too long, but this one could have gone on longer and I thin I’d still enjoy it a lot, Melliane 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Great review Lexxie, I can’t wait to read The Forever Song myself! I can’t wait to see how it ends and from reading your review it was an emotional journey with a wonderful ending.
Yeah, I thought it was very emotional, and there were several WTF o.O moments. I hope you’ll enjoy it, too, Jeann!
I’ve heard SUCH good things about Julie Kagawa’s writing, but alas I have yet to actually read one of her books. After reading your review, I believe it is about time I correct that, although I do have a bit of catching up to do before I’ll be able to tackle this one. Great review!
Yeah, The Forever Song is the third in the series, but she has other series out, or maybe you’d enjoy starting with the three-story anthology ‘Til the World Ends? It has the prequel to the Blood of Eden series, and the two other stories are great as well.
I think I’ve read all of Kagawa’s books, and I have loved all of them.
Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, this sounds like such an amazing story Lexx! I can tell how much you loved, The Forever Song! I love stories that make me cry, have great writing, strong characters, and complex plot twists that I cannot guess. I love that the main character fights her inner demons, as well as literal demons! Great Review Lexx 🙂
Thank you Lindy! I have a HUGE reader/auhtor crush on Julie Kagawa! I love her stories so much, there is a mixture of tenderness, hardness, mystery, paranormal and usually, there is at least one strong female character 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
Twitter: talksupeblog
I’m planning to binge on this, your review is making me even more excited esp since it’s been ages since I’ve read a good YA fantasy
In my eyes, Kagawa can do no wrong *grins* I hope you’ll love it, too, Braine! Thanks for stopping by.
I must admit, I didn’t read your review, because I plan on reading it soon. I just wanted to see if you loved it, and you did!! Whoo hoo. Also, I love how emotionally atached you are to the characters, now I know I am going to need tissues!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
I know what you mean, Naomi, I usually don’t read actual reviews of books I know I’ll read, either… I hope you’ll love it as much as I did!
Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Lexxie! I love this glowing review! As if you hadn’t already convinced me to read Ms. Kagawa – reading this review makes me want to drop everything and start this series. And i still have to read her Iron Fey series too! I’m glad this was such an amazing ending for the series. I know I’m gonna love it every bit as much as you did. 🙂
I hope you had a great weekend, my dear! My mother-in-law was here to see the girls’ competitions and the weekend was quite busy. Thanks for the good luck wishes sent long distance…it worked! Berk’s winter guard placed 2nd in State! And Sky’s percussion ensemble placed 7th! We’re so proud of them both. I’m going to post a couple of pics on my fb page, so be looking for them. 🙂
Happy Monday!! I hope your week is off to a great start! And I hope we both have some time to chat for at least a few minutes one day soon! I’m in need of my Lexxie fix. 🙂 **BIG HUGS**
Yes, Ms. Kagawa is the crème de la crème, Brandee! I don’t even know which series I think you should start reading first 😀
My weekend was very busy, but I was able to finish my linguistic theory paper which is due tomorrow, and I’m really happy about that! Now, I just need to prepare for a presentation on Thursday, an in-class test next week and three other papers to hand in 😀
YAY congrats to the girls! That’s truly awesome, I look forward to seeing the pictures soon.
*BIG HUGS*