The Forever Song

April 15, 2014
Vampire Allie, one of the genre's toughest heroines, returns with one last chance to save both vampire- and humankind in this conclusion to the Blood of Eden series. The monstrous side of Allie's vampire nature threatens to overwhelm her, numbing the pain she feels over losing Zeke to the mad vampire Sarren at the end of The Eternity Cure (2013). This disappoints her human sire, Kanin, although it delights Kanin's other vampire spawn (and Allie's blood brother), vicious, snarky Jackal. Bad-and-proud former villain Jackal brings needed laughs. The mismatched vampire family is in hot pursuit of Sarren, who created a mutated plague he calls Requiem to kill humans, vampires and the monstrous rabids alike. They must stop him before he reaches and destroys the human-only city of Eden, whose scientists have made the most progress toward a cure. While following Sarren is easy, finding food isn't: Sarren's slaughtering his way across the countryside, leaving no humans for them to feed from. Worse, he's come up with a way to use Zeke to hurt Allie. But if the heroes allow Sarren's diversions to slow them down, Eden could pay the price. And if Sarren's virus escapes, all life (and unlife) is doomed. Stomach-churning gore and heart-pounding action balance the (occasionally repetitive) romantic angst and moral inquiries into the nature of monsters. A bloody good way to end a trilogy. (discussion questions) (Horror. 14 & up)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 10 Up-Fans of The Immortal Rules (2012) and The Eternity Cure (2013, both Harlequin Teen) will enjoy the final installment of Kagawa's "Blood of Eden" trilogy. Allie, Kanin, and Jackal return to Old Chicago in pursuit of Sarren, the evil vampire leader who nearly destroyed them in New Covington. It is a bleak and dangerous journey; the land is full of rabids (former humans who have been infected with a deadly virus), as well as dangerous gangs of humans who work for Sarren. Food-blood from humans, that is-remains scarce, and Allie still struggles in her new role as a vampire while trying not to lose all of her human qualities. The wise-cracking Jackal provides some comic relief along the way, while Kanin offers guidance to his proteges. The plot offers constant surprises, with each chapter ending on a cliff-hanger that propels readers forward. The author describes this dystopian society in dark and bleak tones, with graphic details of fierce battles awash in blood. The language is meant for mature teens. Fans of Kagawa and paranormal-infused stories in general will enjoy the tough, unapologetic, yet sympathetic characters as they fight to save what is the last of the human race.-Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State University, NH

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