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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This was so much fun and a lot better than I expected. I can tell why this was a staple for a lot of people in middle school and high school. I am really looking forward to continuing this series and I cannot wait to see where this plot goes. Also I really liked how there were tons of characters introduced.
i loved bloodlines and decided to run it back. then I stopped after the first one.
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This book is SO GOOD. Like my whole life makes sense now (I finished the Bloodlines series before Vampire Academy). So many references to Bloodlines and now the history makes sense. The movie didn't do this book justice like it didn't explain ANYTHING. Richelle Mead is a fantastic writer and this book was amazing and depressed I'm just know starting the series.
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This book is SO GOOD. Like my whole life makes sense now (I finished the Bloodlines series before Vampire Academy). So many references to Bloodlines and now the history makes sense. The movie didn't do this book justice like it didn't explain ANYTHING. Richelle Mead is a fantastic writer and this book was amazing and depressed I'm just know starting the series.
adventurous
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
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Re-reading a book I liked in high school is always a bit of a risk. It usually goes poorly, but this one stood up...pretty well. I’m no longer a teenage, so I rolled my eyes at more things, but Mead did a good job including more than just high school drama (though there is an abundance of gossip and Mean Girl level cliques). We have hints at mental health issues, power structures, and vampire politics, all of which I somewhat recall being mentioned and expanded upon in the rest of the series. For that reason, I’m not going to change my rating from 2013 (even though I definitely had a few more problems with it when reading it as a 20-something in 2020).
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There was just way too much girl on girl hate in this and things that made me feel uncomfortable.
Trigger warnings for depression, self-harm, girl on girl hate, slut shamming, and something that may be sexual assault?
I vlogged my entire time reading this and all my spoiler-free and spoiler filled thoughts.
https://youtu.be/Qd4nkc2iSDM
Trigger warnings for depression, self-harm, girl on girl hate, slut shamming, and something that may be sexual assault?
I vlogged my entire time reading this and all my spoiler-free and spoiler filled thoughts.
https://youtu.be/Qd4nkc2iSDM
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“My name is Dimitri Belikov,” he said. I could hear a faint Russian accent. “I’ve come to take you back to St. Vladimir’s Academy, Princess.”
I haven't read this series since I was in highschool. I forgot how much I loved it and especially the girlhood that is front and center in this book. I rarely read YA anymore but sometimes nostalgia gets the best of me.
“If I became Strigoi . . . I’d want someone to kill me.” “So would I,” he said quietly. I could tell that he’d had the same flash of realization I’d just had, that same sense of connection between us.”
Honestly the writing in this book is just okay and while only being in Rose's perspective was a tad annoying at times, overall I just adored her relationship and commitment to Lissa. It's best not to take this too seriously. It's fun, witty, and lots of teenage dramatics. Tied in with a dose of darker realities it's just a fun read without feeling too heavy.
“If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you.”
Personal Notes (spoilers ahead)
- Prince Victor Dashov: Lissa's uncle that was slated to become King until he got sick with an incurable disease. He manipulated his daughter Natalie to try to expose Lissa's healing gift. When he was captured she turned Strigoi to rescue him. Dimitri killed her to save Rose and the Royal Guard recaptured Victor who since Lissa did one healing session on him, was back to full strength.
- “All Moroi wielded elemental magic. It was one of the things that differentiated living vampires from Strigoi, the dead vampires. Moroi viewed magic as a gift. It was part of their souls and connected them to the world.”
- Lissa has wielded the Spirit element.
“In some ways, Lissa and Christian were perfect for each other. Maybe they were outcasts, but the Dragomirs and Ozeras had once been among the most powerful Moroi leaders.”
-Rose is shadow-kissed but we don't know what that truly means yet. “You’ve been kissed by shadows. You’ve crossed into Death, into the other side, and returned. Do you think something like that doesn’t leave a mark on the soul?”
- There were two ways to make a Strigoi. Strigoi could forcibly turn humans, dhampirs, or Moroi with a single bite. Moroi tempted by the promise of immortality could become Strigoi by choice if they purposely killed another person while feeding. This is what Christian's parents did and they were murdered.
I haven't read this series since I was in highschool. I forgot how much I loved it and especially the girlhood that is front and center in this book. I rarely read YA anymore but sometimes nostalgia gets the best of me.
“If I became Strigoi . . . I’d want someone to kill me.” “So would I,” he said quietly. I could tell that he’d had the same flash of realization I’d just had, that same sense of connection between us.”
Honestly the writing in this book is just okay and while only being in Rose's perspective was a tad annoying at times, overall I just adored her relationship and commitment to Lissa. It's best not to take this too seriously. It's fun, witty, and lots of teenage dramatics. Tied in with a dose of darker realities it's just a fun read without feeling too heavy.
“If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you.”
Personal Notes (spoilers ahead)
- Prince Victor Dashov: Lissa's uncle that was slated to become King until he got sick with an incurable disease. He manipulated his daughter Natalie to try to expose Lissa's healing gift. When he was captured she turned Strigoi to rescue him. Dimitri killed her to save Rose and the Royal Guard recaptured Victor who since Lissa did one healing session on him, was back to full strength.
- “All Moroi wielded elemental magic. It was one of the things that differentiated living vampires from Strigoi, the dead vampires. Moroi viewed magic as a gift. It was part of their souls and connected them to the world.”
- Lissa has wielded the Spirit element.
“In some ways, Lissa and Christian were perfect for each other. Maybe they were outcasts, but the Dragomirs and Ozeras had once been among the most powerful Moroi leaders.”
-Rose is shadow-kissed but we don't know what that truly means yet. “You’ve been kissed by shadows. You’ve crossed into Death, into the other side, and returned. Do you think something like that doesn’t leave a mark on the soul?”
- There were two ways to make a Strigoi. Strigoi could forcibly turn humans, dhampirs, or Moroi with a single bite. Moroi tempted by the promise of immortality could become Strigoi by choice if they purposely killed another person while feeding. This is what Christian's parents did and they were murdered.