Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Title: Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2011

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 608

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: Library Loan

Last Sacrifice is the sixth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. It is the last book in the original storyline, but Mead will continue writing more Vampire Academy books in a spinoff series. Lead character and dhampir, Rosemarie Hathaway, is locked in Moroi jail after being framed in the cold-blooded murder of the Moroi Queen. The punishment for this crime is immediate execution. At the same time, she is faced with the challenge of somehow locating Princess Vasilisa Dragomir's lone remaining relative, her secretly existing illegitimate sibling. Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

The last volume in this series did not fail to keep me attached. The previous five books left a ton of loose threads out there. Thankfully we get some conclusions. But not everything is wrapped up in a little bow. And I must say I prefer this type of ending. I can't stand the "happily-ever-after" bullshit endings. This seems more real. Beyond the ending, I do say that I really loved the characters in this book. Lissa, not my favorite at all, became bearable in this volume. Adrian and Christian are amazing as usual. And while Rose become a bit annoying in the fifth book, she cleaned back up for this one. Plus we got to see more of Eddie (under used character) and Janine and Abe and Mikhail. I finished the series, but have no desire to leave the world. That is a sign that I really did enjoy the series. Thankfully, Mead has written a spin-off series. I must check it out.

Vampire Academy

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Title: Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2010

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 490

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: Library Loan

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. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows 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 now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

Such twists and turns. I really really really like this series. And I don't care what anyone says, this isn't like Twilight at all. Rose is a strong character. Bella was just weak willed. Comparisons aside, I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. Just when I thought everything was fixed, another incident blew up Rose's world. At this point, I am really concerned for Rose and her future (especially with the last few chapters). I am excited about her future with Adrian, even if I loved Dmitri. This is a love triangle I can get behind. With all the loose ends, I hope the last book gives us some answers.

Vampire Academy

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Title: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2010

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 512

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: Library Loan

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?

This volume was a nice change a pace. We got out of St. Vladmir's and into new foreign territory. We also got to meet some new people (good and bad). This book has renewed my interest in the series. For the first 1/3 of the book, I was wavering about my commitment to reading the series. But things quickly become interest and I reinvested. I've decided that Lissa is growing on me, Adrian is really growing on me, and we need to see more of Christian. On to book five...

Vampire Academy

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2008

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 443

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

Shadow Kiss continues the story of the main character, Rose Hathaway and her education in becoming a Guardian. Rose 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 tutor Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken... Including school rules and the law when she takes her romance with Dimitri to the next step... love. Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose's mind and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen

Another solid volume in this young adult paranormal series. This isn't the best series I've ever read, but it's definitely enjoyable and a quick read. I find myself getting more and more wrapped up in Rose's life. I can't wait to see what happens next. What will she do about the whole Dmitri situation? What about her future as Lissa's guardian? Will she follow duty or her heart? Twists and turns...

Vampire Academy

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2008

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 327

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library; A to Z -- F

How I Got It: Library Loan

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…

I still really like Rose and Christian is amazing. But I am getting more and more ambivalent towards Lissa. She's just a wet blanket of a character. Thankfully this volume focused more on Rose and her relationships with others (Dimitri, her mother!, Tasha, Christian, and Mason). I loved seeing her interact with those other people. I even loved the inclusion of Mia to that list. She was an absolute bitch in the first book, but now we see where she's coming from. I think she's a great counterpart to Rose. And Adrian was an interesting addition. To me this series is really about the characters. The supernatural elements some second. And I love that! Even Rose's occasional immature behavior is okay. She's growing like real people should. I don't expect her to be perfect; her flaws are what make her interesting. This is one young adult series that has me hooked. And all those comparisons to Twilight are just ugh! It's not the same at all. I can't wait to see what happens next...

Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2007

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 332

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

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 them forever.

I've been meaning to start this series for awhile. I had heard good things and it didn't disappoint. I don't know why it took me so long to read this book once I started, but I finally got through it.

I love the main character, Rose. She's tough, outspoken, loyal, and intelligent. I loved her comebacks and each time she stood up to some bully at the academy. On the other hand, I wasn't a huge fan of Lissa, at least until the end. Throughout most of the book she is the fragile Moroi princess and I just couldn't get why she was so wonderful. When she grew a backbone I started to come around to her. I think my favorite character in the book was Christian. Very interesting side character that obviously knows more than Rose or Lissa thinks. I can't wait to see what happens between him and Lissa. And Dmitri is obviously some awesome eye candy.

The story is interesting. Not really new or different, but a good solid story. The first book ends on a cliffhanger, but not a "I want to rip my hair out" cliffhanger. I'm okay with the ending, but I can't wait to pick up the next series. I hope it stays strong throughout.

Vampire Academy