Review - Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss
Vampire Academy, Book 3
Richelle Mead
Razorbill
November 13, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-59514-197-2

Book Blurb:
WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS ROSE COULD LOSE HER BEST FRIEND FOREVER?

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken . . .

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but now there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are prowling, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most . . . but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

My thoughts:
Classes at the academy are back in full swing and graduation is quickly approaching. As a future Guardian to Lissa, part of Rose’s training is to learn to protect any Moroi. Though she’s less than thrilled with her charge during this exercise, Rose makes the best of the situation. Still, something strange is going on and as much as her life has changed since the day she made her first Strigoi kills, this is something more. Rose may be seeing ghosts.

While Lissa works on her magical skills and shares her ups and downs, Rose finds that keeping her feelings for Dimitri from Lissa is becoming increasingly difficult. When the Academy is threatened, Rose will have to make a difficult decision that may lead to her best friend discovering the truth. Serving as a protector to Lissa has always been Rose’s future, but her relationship with Dimitri has become nearly as important to her. The decisions she makes now could change everything she believed in.

This is the third book in the Vampire Academy series. As the battle against the Strigoi continues, some Moroi stand up for using their skills to fight alongside the Guardians, and Rose finds herself forced to make a life altering choice that could cost her someone she holds dear. Ms. Mead balances the battle of good and evil with an emotionally intense romance that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. Shadow Kiss moves the series into new territory with the character’s growth in power, and captivates its audience to the shocking end. This is a young adult title best suited for more mature teens, and can easily be enjoyed by adults as well.

To learn more about Shadow Kiss, please visit Ms. Mead’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Frostbite
Vampire Academy, Book 2
Richelle Mead
Razorbill
April 10, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-59514-175-0

From the back cover:
Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

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Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians - including the legendary Janine Hathaway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

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But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose - and her heart - are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...

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My thoughts:
Going on a road trip to test with a legendary Strigoi slayer was reason enough for Rose to be nervous, but what they found when they arrived was far more than she bargained for. The Strigoi have stepped up their attacks and the academy fears the worst. The safest place they can take everyone is to an isolated ski resort where there’s less chance of the Strigoi finding them.

Once settled in with little care by most of what’s going on in the outside world, a few students get it into their heads to make a stand. With information on Strigoi whereabouts, and guessing where her friends have gone, Rose sets out with Christian’s help to track them down and stop what could be a senseless battle.

In this second installment of the Vampire Academy, Rose, the guardian dhampir in training, and Lissa, the Moroi princess she protects, will face life altering challenges long before either is ready. Ms. Mead advances her storyline with high tension, deadly conflict and the lure of forbidden attraction. Engaging characters and the creative plot in Frostbite add just the right touch of realism, keeping the reader’s attention throughout the story. Shadow Kiss, the third book in the series, is scheduled to release on November 13, 2008.

To read an excerpt from Frostbite, visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy
Vampire Academy, Book 1
Richelle Mead
Razorbill
August 16, 2007
ISBN# 978-1-59514-174-3

From the back cover:
Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.

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The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

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After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking Academy hearts.

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Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's - inside the Academy's iron gates, their world is even more fraught with danger. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals, and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...

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My thoughts:
Two years ago Rose Hathaway thought that the best way to protect Lissa Dragomir was to run from St. Vladimir’s Academy and hide where no Strigoi could find them. Lissa is a vampire, a Moroi princess, and Rose is a Dhampir who has sworn to protect her. Their freedom comes to an end when the guardians finally track them down and return them to the school.

Now Lissa must reestablish her social standing among their classmates, which isn’t too difficult a task with such a fickle lot. Rose on the other hand will be doing double duty to make up for the time she’s missed him her training, and the academy has just the man for the job. She could learn a lot from the guardian, if she could just keep her mind on practice.

This is the first in the Vampire Academy series, and is a great read for teens or adults. Lissa would be lost without protection, and Rose is dedicated to insuring Lissa’s safety, regardless of any personal cost. Ms. Mead introduces readers to her vampire world with a fascinating and fun crash course in her brand of vampires that makes for an adventurous ride. Vampire Academy has a steady pace, the characters are intriguing and the action will have you coming back for more.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews