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Book Review: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, #4) by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise

by Richelle Mead

Book Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Bound by love, but sworn to kill…
The world thought Dimitri was dead. And to a certain extent, he was. But I hadn’t been able to forget a conversation he and I had once had. We’d both agreed that we’d rather be dead – truly dead – than walk the world as Strigoi. It was time to honor our words.

Guardian 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?

Review

For this review, I’ve decided to make is FULL of spoilers. Sorry if you have not read Blood Promise, but I need to review this and, reviewing without spoilers at this is point is just silly because it’s the 4th 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 blown AGAIN! Can’t wait until I get my hands on Spirit Bound. Which should be ASAP.

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