Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise-Book 4 in Vampire Academy Series

For this review, I’ve decided to make is FULL of spoilers. Sorry if you have not read Blood P

romise, but I need to review this and, reviewing without spoilers at this is point is just silly because it’s the 4^th book in the series.

But for those who haven’t read it, I will say:

It was a different setting, yes, but it was still a wonderful addition to the Vampire Academy Series. If you have any doubts about reading it, erase them.

Also, I would not attempt to read out of order. (I’m looking at you, Kim.)

Okay, now. Are you ready for my first thought when opening up this book?

Where in Rose’s giant mind does she think she’ll actually be able to kill Dimirtri, the boy-excuse me, man– she loves? Get real, Rose.

With that thought out of the way, I was very happy to read about her adventures in Nightingale. Reading about a main character in a different country, Russia, was fun! And a little exciting. I did miss the Academy life and gang…a lot, though.

When first meeting the Alchemist, Sydney, I was a little…freaked out by her. As Rose was, I guess.

I think the thing was that I didn’t like her personality…but she was a good character. Mead is able to write characters that are so unique and personal that you can actually form opinions on whether you like them or not! That’s good, in my opinion.

Okay, so Rose is traveling along and…won’t stop talking about Dimitri and Lissa. Which is totally reasonable and realistic and all but Jesus! Lissa, Lissa, Lissa. Dimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri.

After awhile, I got used to it, I guess. It was a bit annoying, and it seemed like a way for Mead to avoid boring trip details. Plus, come on. Rose just happened to be able drop in at all the right times with Lissa, eh?

That said, I was grateful for the Lissa Time. I was happy to be able to see what was going on with her, Adrian, Christian, and….Avery. Avery…I knew this girl was bad. Just sayin’. I bet a lot of people knew this, as well, but still. That girl didn’t set right with me from the moment I read her.

Ok so now Rose is in Baia. I. Loved. Meeting. Dimitri’s. Family.

And it also made me cry when she had to tell them that he was…dead. Or undead, rather.

I was so sad!

I loved how his family worked, though. Close, always got each other’s back and such. I thought it was kind of weird but kind of cool how they accepted her as…what? Their daughter in law widow? I don’t know, but it was interesting. I liked Yeva.

It was also cool to hear advice from Mark and Oksana, the other Shadow Kissed couple. Abe was…interesting, too. I’m giggling now since I know who is after reading it all. That was cool that he ended up being her father.

Then Rose ends up at Strigoi Estate…and wow.

I will say this: I’m proud of her trying to kill Dimitri.

I was a bit annoyed, though, that I was reading this wonderful, strong, character, Rose, become…a blood whore! It was shocking and saddening.

And Dimitri…it was like something that was too good to be true. I wanted to be happy he was there, but I knew he wasn’t the Old Dimitri.

So when she staked his ass, I wasn’t too sad over it. Okay, I teared up. It was a hard thing for her to do, but Rose is Rose. She did what she had to do. And the whole escape was pretty kick ass.

And the Bridge Scene…Dimitri was finally dead! After reading 30 pages of attacking Dimitri, he was finally dead. Rose could go home.

But, of course, she had to have an epic Mind Battle. That itched my mind, the concept. It was…mind niggling. But boy did I wish Rose could have met Avery to give her ass a good kick. Ugh.

But when Rose finally got back to St. Vladmir’s, I was relieved. It was like I had traveled with Rose, gone through her exhaustions, and now, finally, we could breath. I swear, it was like I went through Hell and back with Rose. I was practically mind blown at this point with all that happened. Slowly, my mind got back together. Lissa and the Gang were safe. They could begin…recovering.

And then Rose get’s Dimitri’s note.

“You forget another lesson: Never turn your back until you know your enemy is dead. Looks like we’ll have to go over the lesson again the next time I see you-which will be soon.

Love, D”

Hot damn, my mind is blow AGAIN! Can’t wait until I get my hands on Spirit Bound. Which should be ASAP.

Shadow Kiss by Mead

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 suddenly there’s way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmare, 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?- Taken from Goodreads.

Yes, another Vampire Academy book. That’s what I’m reading!

Okay, so the 3rd book in this series, Shadow Kiss, has a lot more to it than Frostbite did. I enjoyed that it went straight into what happens next. Even with grief surrounding the campus, things had to move on, so Rose did what she needed to do: Trudge through. Since Rose is Rose, she probably should I have spent time trying to get through her grief, but no, she jumped right back up.

I love reading new ideas, so Mead’s Vampire Academy ways was a delight. I loved reading about their classes, specifically that the Guardians had to go through 6 week training were they stood by those they were trained to protect, the Moroi Vampires, while their professors dressed up and randomly attacked them. Now that was fun to read.

Plus, I liked how more than one BIG event happened in this book. Rose and the gang went to a whole different city, had an adventure, and came back to the Academy. Mead could have dragged that out as a book, but she didn’t, thank the gods.

Another aspect I respect is that we don’t know what’s happening. We are as clueless as Rose at this point.

*Spoiler*

I didn’t if she was seeing ghost because she was crazy or because the ghost was real and trying to tell her something.

It’s always intense but fun to have that in a book.

I will say, there was one thing that I thought Rose and Adrian and Lissa should have figured out sooner than they did, but when they did, it was well written and understood.

One review of this book noted the fact that it was good to read Rose have some doubt about constantly protecting the Moroi, and I agree. The dhampirs are so selfless at times it’s almost unreal! I’m glad there was some doubt put in there.

The romance was…good. I loved the romantic tension but really there was not a lot of making out or anything. Which is okay with me. But when something DID happen, it did seem kind of rushed.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this, but when reading a book where the characters pull together and say: You know what? Let’s kick some ass., I feel adrenaline! It’s so much fun. And when they actually DO kick some ass? Totally freaking awesome. I was more than happy to read about CHRISTIAN and ROSE (Yes, I know, shocker if you haven’t read the book yet.) kicking some Strigoi.

The ending was very emotional. I’m wondering how Mead will take Rose to her goal and what will come out of it.

With a quick beginning, intense middle, and sobering end, Shadow Kiss was a lovely sequel to Frostbite.

I can’t wait to read Blood Promise.

Waiting on Wednesday

I am DYING, yes DYING, to read…

The Haunted by Jessica Verday. I cannot wait to get my hands on this!

After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with by the bridge where her best friend drowned – the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead – Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, determined to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into schoolwork, perfume-making and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be able to help her get over Caspian once and for all. But Abbey is never going to truly be able to move on from Caspian and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side: for Caspian is a Shade and Abbey is his destiny. The two are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow and the famous legend that binds their fates – a legend whose true ending and dark truths they are only just beginning to guess…Taken from Goodreads.

As sequel to the Hollow (Review HERE), The Haunted, I expect some good ol’ creepiness, hotness, and awesomeness to come!

What about you? Have you read the Hollow? Did you like?

YA Sisters- Episode 2

Episode 2 of YA SISTERS (Kim and I) has a new episode up! Check it out over on the YA Sisters tab.

Or go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rw3FL8g7lY

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

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, she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir’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. Vladmir’s holiday ski trip is mandatory.

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 heat-are in more danger than she ever could have imagined.-Taken from Goodreads.

If you only KNEW how reluctant I was to read this book. I had it planned out in my head as another New Moon incident where boy goes away, girl meets other boy, gets old boy back. Or maybe a House of Night incident where the main character falls in love with…four boys?! Bah!

I didn’t even consider the OTHER things that could have happened, things not involving romance. It was a stupid thought on my part. I had the same trouble with reading the first book in the Vampire Academy Series.

I don’t know why.
But with both books, I was able to *finally* pick it up and be immersed into a wonderful adventure.

I loved it, of course.

First off, I enjoyed reading Rose as a character. It’s refreshing to be able to pick up a book and read a character that’s snarky, strong, and kick-ass instead of a frightened girl who finally overcomes her fears. Rose might have fears, but she’ll be damned if she lets anyone know them!

That’s another thing: Rose knows she’s hot. She knows she has skills.

But it never was a bother to be in her head, she was never rude or obnoxious.

While reading the book, I also had the aspect of how worldly vampires are. We had guest in the academy from every country, and I liked reading something that had that to it.

Ok, can we say funny? Christian, Rose, Adrian: Funny. The snarky comments had me laughing out loud. Seriously, there’s some good humor and sarcasm in this book. It was a great way to break some tension.

Speaking of tension…there was some tension! Both because of danger and romance. I loved the relationship between Rose and Dimitri, who is now on my list of fictional crushes. Long hair, Russian, tall…*swoon*!

I think with today’s YA books one of the things that the author does purposely or not is create a barrier with a relationship. There’s always something keeping them apart. And I think a key aspect when writing a good YA novel (Keep in mind, I’m not talking about EVERY YA novel.) is to be creative with how they can’t be together. And Mead came up with another interesting and creative reasons as to why Rose and Dimitri can’t be together: 7 year age difference and duty. Romance would get in the way of their main job: keeping the Moroi safe.

My only complaint is that maybe Mead could have made the whole nocturnal schedule more apparent.

I recommend this book for those who have read Vampire Academy Book 1! And who like danger, hot guys, and vampires with a good twist.

I’m reading the sequel as of right now! I’m hooked.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

When I went to BEA, I stood in line for about an hour waiting for Lauren Oliver to appear. She was signing BEFORE I FALL and advanced copies of DELIRIUM.

I had no clue that the book I was picking up, Delirium, would have such an affect on me.

My review for Delirium:

A little spoilerish

The idea that love is a disease is mind boggling from the start. How can you live without love?!

But in Delirium they do. It’s rather depressing at times, the way parents have no love for their children only the responsibility of taking care of them.

The way married couples are looked down on when showing affection in public. But they’re not in love.

It’s a responsibility to work together, not love.

Lena understands that love, more commonly known as the deliria, is a disease. Without love, there is no hate. No war, fights, and life is measured and safe.

She cannot wait to turn 18 so she can finally be out of loves way. She’ll be evaluated, her husband will be chosen, as will her job and the amount of kids that seem fit for her. Hopefully they’ll let her go to college.

So when her best friend, Hana, starts breaking the rules, breaking curfew, listening to non-government-approved music, and even going out to parties where boys and girls are integrated, she fears Hana will soon catch the disease and be forced to have the cure early, a dangerous thing that can cause deadly side affects.

But then there’s Alex. Alex who makes her heart jump, a clear side affect of deliria, makes her mind go fuzzy, another side effect.

She knows she should ignore him just wait the few more months until the surgery will be given to her and she doesn’t have to worry about the disease. So it’s pretty bad when she says yes to meeting him…and even worse when he admits to being an Invalid, someone who disagrees with the cure and live in the Wild, pass the gates surrounding her city.

But then she realizes that maybe the government’s wrong, maybe they’re lying about love being bad. When she runs off to another party to warn Hana about a raid coming to take people who disobey any rules, she’s too late.

She sees the violence coming from the people who are supposed to ‘protect’ the citizens during the raid.

Alex saves her from the raid and from that night she’s soon plummeting further and further from her old life, the safe one. She might have deliria, but she’s doesn’t care.

She just wants to be with Alex.

But when the whole world is out to destroy something you love, how can you escape?

I truly loved this book.

It was magnificent and the ending was stunning and heart wrenching. Alex and Lena were marvelous, brave, characters who I enjoyed reading about. I loved reading each secret peeling off from Lena’s safe life even if some were hard to learn.

Lauren was able to show how love can never be erased and how far people will go to keep it with them.

The romance was sweet and true to heart.

I did cry, I laughed, and I screamed (In my head, at least!).

Lauren Oliver has created something fantastic and I encourage anyone to read it. It does come out in February, a long way away, but if you can get an ARC, do so!

I was inspired!

So what do I do when I’m inspired? Make things. So I made a trailer.

I think this trailer is my best yet, and I hope you enjoy it.

What do you think? Are you excited to read it?

~Meeting Maggie~

I had so much fun driving out to see Maggie Stiefvater, author of Shiver and Linger! I made a video that sums up the whole trip:

The video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxtgc_3Z27w

And here: Behind Yellow Eyes

Also!

JP, a new book blogger and graphic designer, was incredibly nice, and he made me a blog signature which I will be using for now on!

I encourage you to check is book blog : YA Urban!

And his graphic design site here: http://marchenastudio.com/

Also again!

Posted on Book Blogger Rebellion about...Things I Want. Check it out. 🙂

Thanks!

(See?! Pretty way to leave a post, eh?)

YA Sisters

More new things!!!

Kim from And Anything Bookish and I have teamed up in a new web series called….YA SISTERS!

Episode 1-

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Back 2 Books

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