Book Review: Spirit Bound

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Released: May 18, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 489
Series: Vampire Academy #5
Rating: 5 stars

Salvation has its price.

The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

This has been a favorite series of mine since page one of Vampire Academy! Fantastically written and completely enchanting! And each book only gets better and better.

Spirit Bound just blew me away. Mead sure does know how to keep a reader on the edge of their seat. I got an idea of what I thought might happen, but before I fully finished processing my thought, something else had already happened. The plot kept me guessing until everything was literally spelled out for me. I love books where I can’t figure anything out. Makes everything more exciting.

All the characters were well-developed. There is no other way to describe Rose Hathaway except that she’s one kick-ass heroine. She’s got a strong voice, loyal to those she cares for, but best of all she makes mistakes other teens can relate to and sympathize with. I just love Adrian. He’s as cocky as ever, but we also get to experience his sweet side. Go Team Adrian!!

This series has everything a paranormal reader would want…action, surprises around every corner, magic, and romance. This is one series that should not be missed! Even if you aren’t a big paranormal fan, I guarantee you will still enjoy it.

Book Review: Blood Promise

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Released: August 25, 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 503
Series: Vampire Academy #4
Rating: 5 stars

How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

Let me just say I've been a huge fan of this series since the beginning and each book just gets better and better! If you haven't read these books yet...what are you waiting for?! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Mead had done it once again. Blood Promise was an addicting read as we follow Rose on her journey to fulfill the promise she and Dimitri made to each other. Throughout her journey, Rose discovers things she never would have dreamed of, and of course, finding herself in some interesting situations.

Blood Promise is much different from the first three installments. There's still plenty of action and twists that will leave you mind-boggled but we get to see each character develop into something more. My favorite character is Adrian (which I'm totally rooting for!) and I was so excited we got to see more of him in this installment. Also, this is the first book that doesn't take place at that Academy, which I loved.

Mead has caught me off guard...like always, especially with the ending. I have no idea what is going to happen next for Rose and I can't wait to find out!

Book Review: Shadow Kiss

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Released: November 13, 2008

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 443

Series: Vampire Academy #3

Rating: 5 stars

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since Mason's death, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She has dark flashbacks in the middle of practice, can't concentrate in class, and has terrifying dreams about Lissa. But Rose has an even bigger secret...She's in love with Dimitri. And this time, it's way more than a crush.

Then Strigoi target the academy in the deadliest attack in Moroi history, and Dimitri is taken. Rose must protect Lissa at all costs, but keeping her best friend safe could mean losing Dimitri forever...

This book has got me tounge-tied. I don't know exactly what to say, without giving away any spoilers. WOW! is basically what comes to mind. I think this is the best book in the series, so far. (they get better with each additional book, it seems) There is so much more going on: drama, suspense, action, and surprises. I love reading it because well, it was amazing. Great writing, a gripping plot, and fantastic characters. But then again I'm not sure what think about the ending. I was SO not expecting that (if you have already read it then you know what I mean) Overall, it was incredible. And now I can not wait until the next book, Blood Promise, comes out so I can find out what happens next.

Book Review: Frostbite

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Released: April 10, 2008

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 327

Series: Vampire Academy #2

Rating: 5 stars

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 hand-to-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 rescure them. But heroism rearely comes without a price...

As the story continues, I keep getting more and more addicted to this series. I absoluetely love these books. One thing is for sure, Richelle Mead knows how to keep her reader's eyes glued to the pages, I know mine were. I was so entralled with the story and the characters that I didn't even notice how fast the pages with thinning. The plot is well-developed and written, with some very unexpected twists thrown in. I fully enjoyed every inch of this book and I can't wait to start reading the next book in the Vampire Academy series, Shadow Kiss.

Book Review: Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Released: August 16, 2007

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 332

Series: Vampire Academy #1

Rating: 5 stars

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's - the very place where they're most in danger. Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi - the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires - make Lissa one of the forever.

I have to admit that I passed this book up several times in the store. But I kept hearing great things about it, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did because I was hooked from the first page. There was so much excitement going on that I had a VERY hard time putting it down. The main plot and characters were well drawn out. And it contained the perfect amount of suspense and action and even romance. Overall, a great read!

If you haven't already read it, I definitely recommend it.