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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
"Love, D." And then I knew I was going to survive. u.u
fast-paced
I remember now why I originally dropped the series on this book.
As much as I enjoy this world and Rose's character arc, I had a hard time with the plot in this one. For one, it takes us away from the school setting, an element I actually enjoyed. It also banks hard on us believing Rose is some kind of super soldier; everyone is in awe of her skills and Molnija marks and she always ends up in leadership positions wherever she is going. Her bravado and perfection is at odds with what happened in the previous books, the previous trauma is brushed aside and her goal of killing Dimitri is so unattainable, it's frustrating we spend an entire book on it.
Rose's time in Baia is so awkward and I hate Strigoi Dimitri. (There is also that recurring theme about blood whores and the rhetoric surrounding sex work (and rape if I'm honest) and addiction due to vampire bites that's - not great, let's just say that. It's been an ongoing problem that I don't feel is explored in any interesting way from Rose's perspective.)
I also did not forget how fucking weird that Abe subplot is and the revelation in the end.
I do love how we are slowly piecing the puzzle together as to what being a spirit user and being shadow kissed means.
As much as I enjoy this world and Rose's character arc, I had a hard time with the plot in this one. For one, it takes us away from the school setting, an element I actually enjoyed. It also banks hard on us believing Rose is some kind of super soldier; everyone is in awe of her skills and Molnija marks and she always ends up in leadership positions wherever she is going. Her bravado and perfection is at odds with what happened in the previous books, the previous trauma is brushed aside and her goal of killing Dimitri is so unattainable, it's frustrating we spend an entire book on it.
Rose's time in Baia is so awkward and I hate Strigoi Dimitri. (There is also that recurring theme about blood whores and the rhetoric surrounding sex work (and rape if I'm honest) and addiction due to vampire bites that's - not great, let's just say that. It's been an ongoing problem that I don't feel is explored in any interesting way from Rose's perspective.)
I also did not forget how fucking weird that Abe subplot is and the revelation in the end.
I do love how we are slowly piecing the puzzle together as to what being a spirit user and being shadow kissed means.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
Wonderfully entertaining fluff. I read these books like my girls eat popcorn. I laughed out loud on occasions. Not demanding at all, not likely to win awards, but great reads.
j’ai clairement pleurer en pensant qu’elle avait enfin tuer Dimitri
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
Still my favourite book in the series. Reading it as an adult I have more of an appreciation for the dark romance elements of the relationship between Rose and Stigoi Dimitri.
Yeva is a queen and I will not hear other wise. I love getting to see the Belikova’s and seeing the culture clash of the way that Rose has been raised believing that women should become Guardians compared to Belikova’s choosing to stay home to raise their children. Also how it shifts Rose perception seeing that Karolina has children in a relationship born of mutual respect.
Yeva is a queen and I will not hear other wise. I love getting to see the Belikova’s and seeing the culture clash of the way that Rose has been raised believing that women should become Guardians compared to Belikova’s choosing to stay home to raise their children. Also how it shifts Rose perception seeing that Karolina has children in a relationship born of mutual respect.
My favorite one so far.
I think it’s safe to say this one had no idiot plot!!!! Literally every problem I had with this series is no longer an issue. The writing and story are nothing phenomenal. The plot twists are never really surprising, but other than that, we have a nice dramatic story.
I think it’s safe to say this one had no idiot plot!!!! Literally every problem I had with this series is no longer an issue. The writing and story are nothing phenomenal. The plot twists are never really surprising, but other than that, we have a nice dramatic story.
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4 ⭐s
Blood Promise takes our already shattered hearts from Shadow Kiss and grinds them into vampire dust. This one is slower, darker, and way more introspective—but it works, because it’s Rose at her rawest.
We follow her to Russia, and while some of the pacing drags, the new setting is vivid and atmospheric. Rose is grieving, stubborn, and completely determined, and watching her wrestle with love, loss, and duty makes this feel more personal than action-driven. The emotional weight hits hard, especially with her visions and her struggle to let go (or not let go 👀).
We also get to meet some colorful new characters—hello, Sydney and Abe—and Mead expands the world in really interesting ways. And Dimitri… let’s just say the ache is real. The tension, the heartbreak, the what-could-have-beens—it all lingers long after you turn the last page.
The only downside? It’s not as fast-paced or banter-heavy as the earlier books, so it feels a little heavier. But honestly, it needed to be.
Final Verdict: Blood Promise is slower but beautifully heartbreaking. A quieter, darker chapter that proves Richelle Mead isn’t afraid to twist the knife—and we keep thanking her for it.
Blood Promise takes our already shattered hearts from Shadow Kiss and grinds them into vampire dust. This one is slower, darker, and way more introspective—but it works, because it’s Rose at her rawest.
We follow her to Russia, and while some of the pacing drags, the new setting is vivid and atmospheric. Rose is grieving, stubborn, and completely determined, and watching her wrestle with love, loss, and duty makes this feel more personal than action-driven. The emotional weight hits hard, especially with her visions and her struggle to let go (or not let go 👀).
We also get to meet some colorful new characters—hello, Sydney and Abe—and Mead expands the world in really interesting ways. And Dimitri… let’s just say the ache is real. The tension, the heartbreak, the what-could-have-beens—it all lingers long after you turn the last page.
The only downside? It’s not as fast-paced or banter-heavy as the earlier books, so it feels a little heavier. But honestly, it needed to be.
Final Verdict: Blood Promise is slower but beautifully heartbreaking. A quieter, darker chapter that proves Richelle Mead isn’t afraid to twist the knife—and we keep thanking her for it.