The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

April 15th, 2014 Kimberly Review 85 Comments

15th Apr
The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa
The Forever Song
by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #3
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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.

The Blood of Eden series by Julie Kagawa is a favorite and I was delighted to get my hands on Forever Song. It is the final dance with these beloved characters. Their dark world was one that held me captive as the characters stole my heart. Mini-review: An action-packed, heartfelt, often hilarious ending to a fantastically brilliant series.


The Eternity Cure ended with one of those cliffhangers that makes your jaw drop as you scream to the book Gods and silently curse the author. I for one looked like this:

 

Forever Song picks up right where Eternity Cure left off and Allison Sekemoto, a.k.a. the kick-ass vampire is traveling with her vamp brother Jackal and their creator Kanin. They are headed to a final battle with Sarren to stop his evil plans to wipe out civilization. Along the way, they encounter hunger, destruction and mental torment from Sarran. While the action is low key, it served to build the relationship between the three and really exposed Sarran’s twisted psyche. For Allie, it is a brutal test of her emotions and she sees personal growth. Of course, there were family moments!  Allison and Jackal bicker like children in the back of a family station wagon. “Are we there yet?!?” Poor Kanin…

Allison is falling apart, struggling to keep her humanity and determined to destroy Sarran. It was tough seeing her struggle and she was sorely tested. To me, Allie is one of the most kick-ass paranormal creatures in paranormal YA. I love this feisty, take no prisoners protagonist.

 

but Jackal..the man loved to push buttons, and torture his sister..but I adored him. From his snark, to his gestures of kindness wrapped in a snarky-bite. I so picture him as Vex from Lost Girl, played by Paul Amos. I just wanted to smack and hug him. He is such a walking contradiction and Kagawa did an excellent job of revealing all of his many sides.

 

The journey is treacherous, dark, gritty and violent. The action is intense and the emotions I felt while reading this were all over the place. Kawaga about tore my heart out with a secret we all pretty much guessed at the end of Eternity Cure. Seeing Allie go through it and her emotions. Gads! Then, oh no she didn’t…Kawaga added a few twist that made me have…

 

While the bickering and “woe is me” got a little repetitive, it was also hilarious. Yes, there was angst both in the romance department and between the “family” but for me it all made them feel, well, Human. I love how these characters interact and despite all the bullshit they spout..they truly have each other’s backs. They have become this dysfunctional family of sorts.  I love how they interacted and protected each other. It was beautifully twisted and bittersweet…

 

The climactic scenes with Sarren, where intense and bloody. My fingers were sweating as Kagawa increased the intensity and added one diabolical twist after another. At this point, I could not set the book down, and ooh our poor characters..

 

Sarren is brutal, twisted and his emotional torture of the characters was twisted. He made me shiver and want to hide.

 

I had so many heartfelt moments with the characters. Between their exchanges, near deaths and a scene with Kagan …OMG!! I needed truffles!!

 

Forever Song wrapped up nicely. It was pretty closed-ended and Kagawa gave us sufficient time to our characters to allow us to cool down and reflect. I was delighted by this series and the author’s ability to tightly weave a dark tale while adding light and humor. Her characters all came to life for me and I heart them flaws and all.

 

Photo of kimbacaffeinate
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

85 Responses to “The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa”

  2. Tressa

    Ahyayaya! I know this was going to be crazy and intense! I meant to read this last week since I’ve got the ARC, but I have to read some other books first. Ugh! I’m really looking forward to it though. Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Tressa, I had such fun with this series and so many feels.

  3. Lily B

    Glad you enjoyed this one, flaws an all. Saw a lot of mixed reviews for the final book, but a lot of wonderful ones for the series in general.

  4. Lauren

    Haha, love this review! These gifs made me giggle. I told myself I wasn’t going to look at this because I’m still reading this one but the gifs sucked me in. I’m glad you enjoyed this, awesome review!

  5. kara-karina

    Fab review, Kimba! and I bet it took longer to find these gifs than to write the review! :)) At least it’s always like that with me. Can’t wait to read more of Jackal – his character was a great surprise in book #2.

  6. Melliane

    Oh I just love your review! I’m glad to see you loved this one because many persons were finally mixed up. I really enjoyed it, maybe a little less than the others but it was really good I agree. I thought that Kanin was a little behind the other characters though regarding the other books, and I think it was sad but well, as you said it’s a really great end!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Melliane I had a blast making it. I am glad you enjoyed this too 🙂

  7. Lindy

    What a fun review Kim!!! I love the Giffs! This looks like a great series. I read a short story set in this series and it was awesome! I’m glad that you enjoyed the ending. Jackal sounds like an interesting character! I need to read this series for sure. All the intensity, feels, hilarious moments, make this story sound great!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Love Jackal 🙂 I hope you read these and I loved the novella for this!

  8. Sharon - Obsession with Books

    I loved the gif’s in your review Kimba and I’m so pleased to see you enjoyed this! after the ending we were left with in the last book this one certainly left me content and satisfied. Jackal definitely needs his own spin-off 😉

    A fabulous review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ooo yes I would totally read a spin-off of Jackal!

  10. michelle A - Novels On The Run

    Love your gifs!! I don’t know how to get codes for gifs. I have tried, but I am an epic fail at them. I know they are easy..but..still… epic fail at getting them to work.

    Heheeee!! Loved your review. All so true. I was like GAHH! and sniffles and Gahhhh!! and chuckling…and….when I read this book. Julie did a most awesome job of it I thought 😀

    Mich

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think for blogger you need to upload them to flicker or photobucket like you do your button and then add them to blog.

  11. Michelle

    I just started this one and I’m already screaming on the inside. I’m so glad you enjoyed it kimba! Love the gifs (especially Tom Hiddleston, lol)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehehe..ooh Michelle I remember how I felt reading it…enjoy!

  12. Christy

    This one felt a lot less angsty to me than the 2nd book – that one drove me up the wall at times. Hehe – Jackal the Jackass, gotta love him.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Neither bothered me to be honest I was enjoying the ride to dang much 🙂

  13. Carmel

    It seems like every second blog I visit lately is reviewing a Julie Kagawa book. I think you guys are trying to tell me something! LOL I just read a 3.5 review before yours, so I’m glad I stopped by. Yours is WAY more convincing. Adding the trilogy to the pile…

  14. kimberlybuggie

    Great review! This made me a laugh a lot! Which is wonderful because I am at work and could use a good laugh! 😉
    But for real, I can’t wait to start reading this tonight. I was so taken with this series. I’m sad it’s over, but super excited to see how it ends!! 🙂

    Awesome!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehe..Well I am glad there weren’t any sounds and that I perked up your afternoon 🙂

  15. Heidi

    Fun review. I have this coming up very soon and I am interested to see how it all plays out. Even though you thought the bickering was repetitive at least it was entertaining. Not one review I have read mentions the romance and I am curious about that part.

  16. Ginny

    Ugh…one day I am going to visit your blog and be able to say…”oh yay babe I totally loved this book and series”…that day is not today. I’m once again hanging my head in shame that I have some how missed this series and will be adding to my TBR read soon list. P.S. Great gifs. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      We all feel that way sometimes, there are a lot of series I haven’t even started 🙁

  19. Siiri

    ALLISON IS SOOOOO KICK-A! Love her 🙂 Haha, I love Kanin so much. Oh man. I need to know why everyone loves Jackal. I just.. I don’t get it. I’ve only read TIR though and I kind of.. hate him haha. I’m so glad you enjoyed this and a TOM HIDDLESTON GIF. YES, PLEASE :’)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ooo I was not a fan in book one of Jackal but I truly enjoyed him in books two..and oh yes to Tom!

  20. Michelle

    wow, I can’t believe this series is already done! And I haven’t even read the first book. I’m glad this wrapped the series up nicely. I also appreciate it when an author gives us enough time yo digest what is happening with our characters.

    Great review. I love the gifs Kimba 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think my dystopian loving friend that you would really like these!

  21. Candace

    I NEED this book! I’m SO excited to find out how things play out! I had heard some mixed things but you and Christy both liked it a lot so I definitely need to read it!

    BTW, your post isn’t showing on triberr. I even went to your profile.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Awe thanks Melissa, it has really been fun doing it. Enjoy Forever Song!

  24. Stephanie

    What a pretty cover! Glad to hear that the series wrapped up nicely. I loved all the GIFs you had for each section. 😉 So much fun! Great review!

  25. Debbie Haupt

    Kimba, loved the review and the visuals. She’s been on my radar for a while looks like I’ll be giving her a try

  28. Jan

    I’ve been meaning to read this series. After seeing this review I’m kind of glad I waited since the second book ended in a cliffhanger…LOL. Anyway, I just bought the first one!

  30. Nick

    This is such an amazing review, Kim. I’m so glad to hear you loved it as much as I did. I’m with you on all the angst. It might have been overwhelming but at the same time it was realistic and human, like you said. Also, Jackal! <3 I love that guy so much!
    Great review, Kim!

  31. Jenny

    Hehe. Those little minions always make me happy! I can’t wait to pick this book up Kim, though I know it’s going to e a story that rips my heart out and stomps on it before hopefully leaving me smiling in the end. Glad to know you loved it so much, I’m such a big fan of this series and was hoping this last book would be epic!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy and yes those minions make me giggle every time I see them

  32. kindlemom1

    Your GIFs are cracking me up. Love the first one. 😉

    I am so glad you loved this Kim! This is a series I need to start soon I think. I love the whole dark vampire theme.

  33. Mary

    I had that squirrel’s look after the ending of the last book, too. NOOOOO!!! And, while I enjoyed this book, I didn’t love it. A solid three stars for me. Too much running and angst (though both were completely understandable). Love Julie Kagawa.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehe..I love that squirrel. I am glad you enjoyed it, and you are not alone a lot of peeps felt it dragged in areas and had too much angst.

  34. Sophia

    Loving those GIFs! Thank goodness we didn’t use the same ones, LOL! Although I honestly wouldn’t mind. 😉 Glad you enjoyed it! 😀

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh my that would have been freaky if we did Sophia!

  35. Jessica

    I keep seeing this trilogy all over the place. It looks pretty fantastic. I guess that’s another book on the pile … Great review!

    Also. The GIFs. Hilarious.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Glad you enjoyed this review Jessica.I had fun with it 🙂 I hope you pick up this series 🙂

  36. Jessica

    Every review I read of this book makes the series move higher and higher up my TBR list 😉 ALSO–awesome gifs!

  37. Jeann

    Great review Kimba, had to skim some of it because I haven’t read it yet but I’m glad to hear that it was a fantastic ending! Your gifs tell all lol!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      No worries Jeann, and yes the gifs give you the feels without spoilers..enjoy!

  38. Chene Sterckx

    I loved the gif’s in your review 🙂 This book and series sounds great. I want to try out a Julie Kagawa book, not sure whether to start with this series or the Iron Fey.

  40. Tanja

    LOL such an amazing review, Kim! 🙂 I totally agree that cliffhanger was so mean! I’m so happy you enjoyed this one and that Tom Hiddleston quote *sigh* 🙂

  41. Jennifer Bielman

    I am reading this right now and I am already excited. I love Jackal so much. Him and Allison are hilarious together. I am so nervous to get into the meat of the story though, with how the last book ended. EEEEK

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Jennifer! I cannot wait to see what you think 🙂