Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Series: The Vampire Academy
Publisher: Razorbill
Category: Young Adult
512 Pages

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Oh. My. God. This book was just...wow. It blew my mind away. You know how some series's have a book that is just a filler book? Blood Promise is nothing like that. It does have it's down moments but everything comes together in the end.

The novel starts shortly after Shadow Kiss ended. Rose is in Russia hunting down the newly "enlightened" Demetri. She's really toned down in this book. Since she's on her own now you can see the more sensitive side of her. She's lost a lot of her spark since she lost Demetri and left Lissa. Lissa fans - don't worry. She shows up plenty of times during the book. She seems to have been channeling Rose since most of the times you see her she's pissed off or depressed.

The pace was perfect! The ending was brilliant. I don't want to ruin it, but it makes the next book seem like it's going to be even better. Spirit Bound is set to hit the shelves on May 18th, 2010!

A+

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Series: Evernight
Publisher: Harper Teen
Category: Young Adult
336 Pages

Stargazer (March 2009) returns to Bianca's story a few months later. Both she and Lucas will stop at nothing to see each other again—even if it means living a life of secrets and lies. But even as Bianca finds herself torn between two worlds, she soon discovers they aren't the only ones keeping secrets. Will powerful forces within Evernight Academy keep her from deciding her own fate, or claim her forever?

I loved Evernight. Stargazer didn't quiet live up to Evernight for me. The story line just didn't pull me in as much. Also I have some issues with the cover.

The plot is fantastic. In this book Evernight Academy gets new 'guests' - wraiths (ghosts). These ghosts hold the key of Bianca's existence. Also in Stargazer Bianca begins to decide her own fate. More people need to take charge like Bianca does.

Bianca is still a real likable. I can't say much about her this time since it'd spoil the plot. Lucas is a real jerk this time. He seems to be letting other people make his choices for him. Balthazar was awesome this time around. He's such a complex character (and I love me some complex characters!).

While this book was only decent it lets me believe that Hourglass will be amazing. I'm real excited for Hourglass. Look at that cover - gorgeous! If you liked Evernight, make sure you pick up Stargazer.

B-

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Series: The Vampire Academy
Publisher: Razor Bill
Category: Young Adult
448 Pages

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all...might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line--and choose between the two people she loves most.

It's only a little over a month until Blood Promise. Shadow Kiss may be the most impressive book in this series so far - and that says something. This book has the perfect pace and plot.

Rose is still growing up in this book. She's grown from hot-headed girl into a woman with a -normally- controlled temper. Dimitri becomes more-developed character in this book. Lissa... Lissa is either really selfish or really stupid.
"It had to be one of the weirdest things in the universe that Lissa had never come close to suspecting my feelings for Dimitri but that Adrian had figured it out." page 36
Keep in mind that by know it'd almost been an entire school year since Rose got a crush on Dimitri. -.-

The plot has several different twists and turns. Everything ties together in the end- something Mead excels at. I plan on picking up other books by her while waiting for Blood Promise.

A+

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Series: The Vampire Adademy
Publisher: Razor Bill
Category: Young Adult
327 Pages

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…
It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks….This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

So it takes a book months to be written, months to be published, and it takes me all of two hours to read. Am I the only person who sees the injustice of this? Eh, I’m just kidding. Kinda.

This is an amazing sequal to the Vampire Academy. In this book, Rose struggles to put her love for Dimitri on hold while trying to become a grade-A strigoi killer – which may or may not be all she thinks it is.

The original characters are still awesome in the book. They’re growing and evolving as time progresses, which is what every character in a story should do. There’s three new solid additions this time around: Christian’s aunt Tasha, Adrian, and Rose’s mom Janine (dun dun dun!) Tasha is an awesomely sweet character that wants to add progress into moroi ways. Adrian is awesome. I love his character and how he always goes “Hey little dhampir”. Janine is a piece of work – as well she should be. Rose and her’s relationship both made me happy and sad all at once by making me think of my father…

Anyway, this book lives up to its expectations. It’s got a sad ending that will break your heart, but it will leave you hungry for more. The plot is deeper then before since every answer Vampire Academy came up with just leads to more questions. This books has more action, more romance, and more heartbreak. So do yourself a favor and pick up this book.

A

Jessica's Guide for Dating on the Dark Side

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey



354 pages
Publisher: Harcourt
Category: Young Adult

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiance. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.


When I first finished this book I was not impressed - at first. This was a book I had to think back on. After a few days, I found I really did like the book. Fantaskey created an original vampire story. Every single character in this story was amazingly developed.

Jessica is a unique character for me. Normally you don't find girls in vampire stories like her. Which is something I love. Yet again, she's such a detailed character that you feel like she's a real person by the end of the book. Her parents are hilarious.

This book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. Thanks to Lucius, I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't my book so I wouldn't throw it across my room. This book will make you mad. So if you just like the books that are simply read for enjoyment with almost no emotional involvement... don't pick this up. You will get tied up into it.

Four out of five stars.