Scan barcode
jsc55's review against another edition
4.0
holy crud... i had to drown my sorrows in cookies and brownies...
maddyblenk's review against another edition
5.0
LOVELOVELOVELOVEDDD THIS BOOK I NEED THE NEXT ONE!!!
beaktastic's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say, I LOVED this book! And I can't imagine many fans of the series would disagree! After two enjoyable-enough books, this one really grabbed me. It started off fairly slowly and innocuously, but before long it hit its stride and wouldn't let go. The entire book seemed to fit together really well.
Following the tragic events of the Frostbite, in Shadow Kiss Rose and the others must return to the Academy to move on with their lives. Graduation is fast approaching, and as is the senior novice's much-anticipated field practice. Despite her increasing short-temperedness, everything is looking up for Rose who, with two Strigoi kills under her belt already, reckons field practice should be a breeze and before long she'll be Lissa's guardian officially. But then she starts to see the ghost of Mason, who's death she still feels guilty over. She doesn't know what to make of it, or if she can even share this surprise visit with her friends, including secret love-of-her-life and mentor, Dimitri. But that's not all the graduating class will have to deal with before they reach the end of their senior year...
I thought this book was a vast improvement in the series, which was already pretty good to begin with. It started off quite quietly and normally for the series, but then it threw in all these new elements, such as Rose seeing the ghost of Mason, but also some elements that seemed to be hinted at in the previous book, relating to the bond between Rose and Lissa,.
I loved the slow build up to the dramatic conclusion of the novel. It was unexpected, and yet it was sort of expected at the same time, if that makes sense? I felt it was obvious that something was going to happen to one of the main characters and there would be a Strigoi attack, yet what the final outcome of it was totally took me by surprise. I kind of blame the Goodreads description for the Kindle edition of this book for me fore-seeing something happening, as it kind of spoils something that happens at the end of the book, but not totally,.
I don't want to go on for too long, but this was amazing. I loved this and I cannot wait to start book 4!
Following the tragic events of the Frostbite, in Shadow Kiss Rose and the others must return to the Academy to move on with their lives. Graduation is fast approaching, and as is the senior novice's much-anticipated field practice. Despite her increasing short-temperedness, everything is looking up for Rose who, with two Strigoi kills under her belt already, reckons field practice should be a breeze and before long she'll be Lissa's guardian officially. But then she starts to see the ghost of Mason, who's death she still feels guilty over. She doesn't know what to make of it, or if she can even share this surprise visit with her friends, including secret love-of-her-life and mentor, Dimitri. But that's not all the graduating class will have to deal with before they reach the end of their senior year...
I thought this book was a vast improvement in the series, which was already pretty good to begin with. It started off quite quietly and normally for the series, but then it threw in all these new elements, such as Rose seeing the ghost of Mason, but also some elements that seemed to be hinted at in the previous book, relating to the bond between Rose and Lissa,
Spoiler
I can't remember how explicitly it was mentioned in the previous book, but in my review for it I foresaw the revelation that Rose was taking Lissa's negative effects of spirit and it was nice to see that pay off finally confirmedI loved the slow build up to the dramatic conclusion of the novel. It was unexpected, and yet it was sort of expected at the same time, if that makes sense? I felt it was obvious that something was going to happen to one of the main characters and there would be a Strigoi attack, yet what the final outcome of it was totally took me by surprise. I kind of blame the Goodreads description for the Kindle edition of this book for me fore-seeing something happening, as it kind of spoils something that happens at the end of the book, but not totally,
Spoiler
It mentions that Dimitri is taken by Strigoi and Rose has to choose between him and Lissa, which sort of spoils the ending of the book in my opinion, but it doesn't mention Dimitri's final fate (or supposed fate? I'm not 100% sure Mead will leave it at that to be honest), but yeah, that was kind of annoyingI don't want to go on for too long, but this was amazing. I loved this and I cannot wait to start book 4!
maraels's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
ladymiya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so this one I actually did read in a day. It was GOOD!! Ahh why didn’t I think ahead and put the next few books on hold before I’d finished this?!?!they have to come from another library so now I have to wait :(
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
This is the last book I will be reading of this series.
I was patient. Like very very patient when it came to this series. I mean, I basicaally hated the first book and thought the second one was dull and barely had a plot. But still I kept going because people said that the series gets better. It hasn't so far and I doubt it will later on.
This book was going okay. The writing has improved from book 1 and I don't hate Rose nearly as much as I did in VA. This one also had a lot of Christian so that worked in its favour. In fact, if the end had been good and exciting, I would have given it a four-star rating despite a large part of it not being very eventful.
But then something happened. That something is a spoiler so...
I mean, WTF?!
Rose is a minor! And Dimitri is 25! That's so wrong on so many levels. And I know some people would say that age is just a number, but even their mental ages don't match! Thay never made sense since Rose has always been stupid and childish. I, at least, thought Dimitri was smart. Turns out he isn't considering he slept with a 17-year-old who's mentally 12. That will never be okay.
Moreover, Lissa and Rose's "bond" thoroughly annoyed. We would know absolutely nothing about Lissa if it wasn't for that bond, which, by the way, makes he seem weak, pathetic and incompetent, exactly the way Rose treats her. That plot point is just an extra annoyance and every time it was mentioned (meaning, a few times in ever chapter), it pissed me off.
Last but not least, the ending wasn't very exciting. It was good at some parts but what happened at the very end didn't really fit. It seemed out of place.
So yeah, goodbye Vampire Academy, we are done. Though I might give Bloodlines a chance if I hear it's better.
I was patient. Like very very patient when it came to this series. I mean, I basicaally hated the first book and thought the second one was dull and barely had a plot. But still I kept going because people said that the series gets better. It hasn't so far and I doubt it will later on.
This book was going okay. The writing has improved from book 1 and I don't hate Rose nearly as much as I did in VA. This one also had a lot of Christian so that worked in its favour. In fact, if the end had been good and exciting, I would have given it a four-star rating despite a large part of it not being very eventful.
But then something happened. That something is a spoiler so...
Spoiler
I never saw any chemistry between Rose and Dimitri. Their relationship always seemed forced to me and never made sense. At about the 60% point, they were making a little hedgeway with not being practically-strangers and I though that by the end of the next book, I might actually be okay with them. But then they had sex.I mean, WTF?!
Rose is a minor! And Dimitri is 25! That's so wrong on so many levels. And I know some people would say that age is just a number, but even their mental ages don't match! Thay never made sense since Rose has always been stupid and childish. I, at least, thought Dimitri was smart. Turns out he isn't considering he slept with a 17-year-old who's mentally 12. That will never be okay.
Moreover, Lissa and Rose's "bond" thoroughly annoyed. We would know absolutely nothing about Lissa if it wasn't for that bond, which, by the way, makes he seem weak, pathetic and incompetent, exactly the way Rose treats her. That plot point is just an extra annoyance and every time it was mentioned (meaning, a few times in ever chapter), it pissed me off.
Last but not least, the ending wasn't very exciting. It was good at some parts but what happened at the very end didn't really fit. It seemed out of place.
So yeah, goodbye Vampire Academy, we are done. Though I might give Bloodlines a chance if I hear it's better.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third in the Vampire Academy young adult, urban fantasy series revolving around Rose Hathaway, a dhampir student at a vampire boarding school in Montana.
Naturally, there must be new problems constantly cropping up. The queen is anti-Rose and who knows what her real plans are for Lissa. Someone is passing on gossip without facts. Rose is at least consistent in that she still doesn't think things through sending her reputation up and down like a yo-yo. And, naturally, the plot can't allow her the happiness for which she hopes even as Mead does advance the general plotline of gaining acceptance for Moroi fighting alongside Guardians.
I don't understand why Rose didn't warn Lissa what the queen was threatening. She would have been better off with that bit of foreknowledge. She also should have spoken with someone about Mason appearing. At the very least, for all the whining she did about "what does it mean" and "how will it affect her", she should done some damned research! Idiot.
Rose learns from Dimitri that Victor Dashkov is going on trial and while Dimitri is going to testify, the court does not want Rose, Lissa, or Christian to testify. Infuriating since Victor did a whammy on Rose and Christian and kidnapped Lissa for her healing powers! But it's not all roses when they arrive at court. Victor makes his own veiled threats and the Queen has her demands to make of Rose and of Lissa. Demands that, on the face of it, are utterly ridiculous.
In the meantime, Rose is seeing ghosts during their six-week Guardian examination. Well, one ghost. Mason. He keeps appearing at the oddest times and its terrifying. Father Andrew believes that ghosts remain because they want revenge and Rose is feeling guilty enough about not being able to prevent his death. For even telling him where the Strigoi were holed up.
The fear is enough to wake Rose up to possibilities. On the one hand, how Lissa's power and their shadow connection affects their bond. On the other hand, Mason is able to provide an early warning before Strigoi attack the school, killing and taking hostages. Hostages they have a chance to take back.
Rose Hathaway is a dhampir and destined to work as a Guardian. Ever since the shadow bond created between her and Lissa Dragomir, she will be Lissa's Guardian. The last Dragomir. But a hiccup occurs in Rose's plans when she falls in love with Dimitri Belikov, another Guardian. One of the best. Adrian Ivashkov is the only other Spirit user whom Rose and Lissa know. He is at the Academy now so that he and Lissa may learn from each other and he is very interested in Rose.
Christian Ozera loves Lissa but when his parents chose to become Strigoi he was viewed with suspicion by many. Although not by Lissa nor Rose. His talent is fire and he and Rose work well as a team. Eddie is one of the dhampir survivors from the attack he, Rose, Mason, and Mia led on the Strigoi in Frostbite (Mason died in the attack while Mia used Air to help Rose). Mia now lives at the Royal Court. Queen Tatiana requests Lissa come and live at court and attend LeHigh University nearby. The queen also threatens Rose with not allowing her to guard Lissa if she does not give up her "evil plans" to snare Adrian into marriage.
Fellow students, Jesse and Ralf, are among the royals who have formed a club at school. A club only for royals which threatens the students and the Academy. Alice is one of the oldest feeders at the Academy and she has some interesting comments which I think Rose should be taking a lot more seriously. Victor Dashkov was a prince before he kidnapped Lissa and tortured her.
St. Vladimir's Academy, located in Montana, is one of the boarding schools which young vampires and dhampirs attend for their education.
Actually, the cover is a bit scary. I can understand why Dimitri was trying to keep his distance from Rose. Petulant jailbait. I suspect the title may be more appropriate for the next story in the series. We'll see.
My Take
Naturally, there must be new problems constantly cropping up. The queen is anti-Rose and who knows what her real plans are for Lissa. Someone is passing on gossip without facts. Rose is at least consistent in that she still doesn't think things through sending her reputation up and down like a yo-yo. And, naturally, the plot can't allow her the happiness for which she hopes even as Mead does advance the general plotline of gaining acceptance for Moroi fighting alongside Guardians.
I don't understand why Rose didn't warn Lissa what the queen was threatening. She would have been better off with that bit of foreknowledge. She also should have spoken with someone about Mason appearing. At the very least, for all the whining she did about "what does it mean" and "how will it affect her", she should done some damned research! Idiot.
The Story
Rose learns from Dimitri that Victor Dashkov is going on trial and while Dimitri is going to testify, the court does not want Rose, Lissa, or Christian to testify. Infuriating since Victor did a whammy on Rose and Christian and kidnapped Lissa for her healing powers! But it's not all roses when they arrive at court. Victor makes his own veiled threats and the Queen has her demands to make of Rose and of Lissa. Demands that, on the face of it, are utterly ridiculous.
In the meantime, Rose is seeing ghosts during their six-week Guardian examination. Well, one ghost. Mason. He keeps appearing at the oddest times and its terrifying. Father Andrew believes that ghosts remain because they want revenge and Rose is feeling guilty enough about not being able to prevent his death. For even telling him where the Strigoi were holed up.
The fear is enough to wake Rose up to possibilities. On the one hand, how Lissa's power and their shadow connection affects their bond. On the other hand, Mason is able to provide an early warning before Strigoi attack the school, killing and taking hostages. Hostages they have a chance to take back.
The Characters
Rose Hathaway is a dhampir and destined to work as a Guardian. Ever since the shadow bond created between her and Lissa Dragomir, she will be Lissa's Guardian. The last Dragomir. But a hiccup occurs in Rose's plans when she falls in love with Dimitri Belikov, another Guardian. One of the best. Adrian Ivashkov is the only other Spirit user whom Rose and Lissa know. He is at the Academy now so that he and Lissa may learn from each other and he is very interested in Rose.
Christian Ozera loves Lissa but when his parents chose to become Strigoi he was viewed with suspicion by many. Although not by Lissa nor Rose. His talent is fire and he and Rose work well as a team. Eddie is one of the dhampir survivors from the attack he, Rose, Mason, and Mia led on the Strigoi in Frostbite (Mason died in the attack while Mia used Air to help Rose). Mia now lives at the Royal Court. Queen Tatiana requests Lissa come and live at court and attend LeHigh University nearby. The queen also threatens Rose with not allowing her to guard Lissa if she does not give up her "evil plans" to snare Adrian into marriage.
Fellow students, Jesse and Ralf, are among the royals who have formed a club at school. A club only for royals which threatens the students and the Academy. Alice is one of the oldest feeders at the Academy and she has some interesting comments which I think Rose should be taking a lot more seriously. Victor Dashkov was a prince before he kidnapped Lissa and tortured her.
St. Vladimir's Academy, located in Montana, is one of the boarding schools which young vampires and dhampirs attend for their education.
The Cover
Actually, the cover is a bit scary. I can understand why Dimitri was trying to keep his distance from Rose. Petulant jailbait. I suspect the title may be more appropriate for the next story in the series. We'll see.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
Started October 18th, 2013.
Wow!
Like the first two books in the series great YA.
This time with more than romance, but regrettably not detailed.
Rose gets troubled with darkness and the ability to see ghosts.
And the story gets darker, people die or worse.
Politics come in to play from the queen, but what will come of it remains to be seen.
Page-turner, highly recommended.
(Update): just realized, this is my 400th book I marked read on Goodreads. Yaih!
Wow!
Like the first two books in the series great YA.
This time with more than romance, but regrettably not detailed.
Rose gets troubled with darkness and the ability to see ghosts.
And the story gets darker, people die or worse.
Politics come in to play from the queen, but what will come of it remains to be seen.
Page-turner, highly recommended.
(Update): just realized, this is my 400th book I marked read on Goodreads. Yaih!
michelle_chloe's review against another edition
4.0
4,5☆
I love books where I'm sucked into the world and you really connect with the characters. This book gave me that experience, I haven't had that for so long.
The ending almost killed me and I can't wait to start the next one.
I love books where I'm sucked into the world and you really connect with the characters. This book gave me that experience, I haven't had that for so long.
The ending almost killed me and I can't wait to start the next one.