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adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book wrecked me in the best, most devastating way. I was absolutely unwell by the end of Shadow Kiss, and even though I had a hunch about where the story might be heading, that didn't soften the emotional blow one bit.
Rose's character arc continues to shine. She's pushed to the edge mentally, emotionally, and physically in this installment, and watching her navigate that pressure was both heartbreaking and empowering. I love seeing how strong and layered she's become, and how deeply I care about her journey.
The pacing was just as fast and addictive as the first two books, and I flew through it in record time. Every chapter raised the stakes higher, and just when I thought I could breathe--nope. It hit me hard.
There are a few characters whose actions in this book genuinely frustrated me *cough*Lissa*cough,* and it made me all the more protective of Rose. The dynamic between her and Lissa really highlighted how isolated she is becoming and it hurts.
That said, the tone shift is effective. This book is darker, heavier, and more intense than the previous two, but still balanced enough to keep you turning pages without feeling bogged down.
I closed this one and immediately went out to buy the last three. I have no chill anymore. This series has me in a chokehold.
Highly recommend Shadow Kiss to anyone enjoying the series so far. Just be emotionally prepared.
Rose's character arc continues to shine. She's pushed to the edge mentally, emotionally, and physically in this installment, and watching her navigate that pressure was both heartbreaking and empowering. I love seeing how strong and layered she's become, and how deeply I care about her journey.
The pacing was just as fast and addictive as the first two books, and I flew through it in record time. Every chapter raised the stakes higher, and just when I thought I could breathe--nope. It hit me hard.
There are a few characters whose actions in this book genuinely frustrated me *cough*Lissa*cough,* and it made me all the more protective of Rose. The dynamic between her and Lissa really highlighted how isolated she is becoming and it hurts.
That said, the tone shift is effective. This book is darker, heavier, and more intense than the previous two, but still balanced enough to keep you turning pages without feeling bogged down.
I closed this one and immediately went out to buy the last three. I have no chill anymore. This series has me in a chokehold.
Highly recommend Shadow Kiss to anyone enjoying the series so far. Just be emotionally prepared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Toxic friendship, War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders
One "sex" scene that is very vague with no details
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War
Minor: Child death, Car accident, Classism
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Blood
Minor: Bullying
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think the best part of rereading them as an adult especially with these editions is all the author notes written in the margins. I just have to laugh sometimes at her commentary about her own books.
On to reviewing the book: This book is the one that tears me apart the most I think. We have the aftermath of Rose loosing Masen. On top of all the other loses that we experience in this book.
I love that we sort of get more one on one time between Christian and Rose with him being her trial Moroi for her field experience. You get to see how much what they experienced in the previous book has brought them closer together. They still banter and throw insults at each other but it has a different vibe to it.
I also kind of hat how everyone reacts to her seeing ghosts. They live in a world with magic and vampires, you would think that maybe someone would think of an explanation other that Rose being crazy and having PTSD for why she sees ghosts. I get that it's a plot point but it still makes me irrationally angry.
I also love the growth that we see between Dimitri and Roses relationship. They finally get a bit of happiness before everything goes down and I hate that that's how everything works out. Even though I knew it was coming I still didn't like it.
Also Rose and Christian fight Strogoi together, so bad ass. I love that the others seeing that made it to where they took Moroi with them to go rescue those that were taken. Rose never would have been able to just let Eddie go or the others but especially him, since he was also there when Masen died. I don't think she would have been able to let it go.
Just like she wasn't able to let Dimitri go and why she left to go track him down and kill him. Cause if it had been her. She would want him to do the same for her. I just wish that it didn't mean her having to hurt others in a way to be able to do that. Though I know that Lissa will forgive her once their emotions aren't so high.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The last book had a fair bit of action at the very end but it was nothing compared to this. We learn more about spirit, see Victor again, see ghosts, and kill more Strigoi. Hold onto your hats folks. I was not a fan of this narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Kidnapping
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
At the end of the audiobook:
Audible hopes you have enjoyed this programme.
Me: crying
What an asshole of a book. @Richelle I have bones to pick.
Audible hopes you have enjoyed this programme.
Me: crying
What an asshole of a book. @Richelle I have bones to pick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this one better than book two… all the way up until the end. I did not like the end. Taking off a quarter star for the end.
Was it probably the right narrative move? Ok maybe. But I don’t like it.
Was it probably the right narrative move? Ok maybe. But I don’t like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Fire/Fire injury