Frostbite
by Richelle Mead
Book Synopsis (from Goodreads)
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.
Review
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.
