Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy # 3 Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Copyright: November 2008 Pages: 444 Hidden away, St. Vlad's Academy isn't your typical boarding school: it is a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens are trained to protect them. However all isn't fun and games as the fierce and deadly vampires, the Strigoi, threaten to close in on the student body... courtesy of Penguin Razorbill's brand new Vampire Academy Website
When I discovered the Vampire Academy series earlier this year, and read the first book, I have to confess I wasn't sure I was going to continue with the series because I had an issue with spelling errors and typos. Months passed but Rose and Lissa's story kept popping into my mind so I picked up Frostbite which I loved and straight after, Shadow Kiss. What was I thinking ... not continuing with the series is no longer an option, I am completely hooked. I can't say much about the plot without giving away major spoilers for those of you who haven't started this series, so I'll just say ... get a move on ... you are so missing out. Once again Richelle Mead does a brilliant job with character development. Rose's growth, as a teenager on the cusp of adulthood with some very real physical and emotional challenges experienced, feels true and appealing. The love between Rose and Dimitri blossoms but once again 'the path of true love never runs smooth.' I enjoyed Lissa's involvement in the book and we get to know Christian and Adrian more, both of whom I really like. We were introduced to Adrian in Frostbite, as a rebellious and cocky, 'spirit-user' but we see a slightly more vulnerable side of him in Shadow Kiss.
Favourite Quote:
You will lose what you value most, so treasure it while you can
This book has a lot of heart and emotion, I was completely absorbed in Richelle Mead's writing and I'm definitely emotionally invested in the characters and the outcome. I take my hat off to Richelle Mead for maintaining the emotion, the suspense, and the pace throughout Shadow Kiss but most of all for the unpredictability that has me waiting for Blood Promise with bated breath!

So, just 3 more books in the Vampire Academy Series, Blood Promise (August 25th), then book 5 and 6 coming 2010.

The good news is Richelle Mead has been contracted to write 6 more books in a brand new series possibly with Vampire Academy characters. You can find out more on Richelle's blog Even Redheads Get the Blues (but watch out for spoilers) or visit her website for info on her YA and adult series. See my reviews for Vampire Academy and Frostbite

9 comments:

  1. I have the first one of these still to read, but I have just started Wicked Lovely, so really need to carry on with that series first.

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  2. I have been on a YA kick lately so I might need to try these. If you don't have an option to not continue, they must be good!!

    I just read Marked by PC Cast and was not impressed..have you read that?

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  3. Viv ~ when you finish Wicked Lovely you should go straight to Vampire Academy lol

    Mandi ~ I have seen very mixed reviews for Marked so I havent been able to make up my mind on whether to start the series, maybe not??

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  4. I don't know..I have not read a ton of YA so I am probably not one to ask but thought it was written to a very juvenile audience. I am posting a review of it next week ;)

    I did read Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz and really liked it!

    I did put Vampire Academy on my wish list at PBS :)

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  5. I haven't tried these, but you sure seem to like them. here is to hoping the library picks them up ;)

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  6. O.K. I'm getting a move on these right now..I'm off to request the first one from the library and it's all your fault!!! :)

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  7. Blodeuedd ~ hope you get lucky with the library.

    Staci ~ LOL Vampire Academy series and don't forget Christine Feehan, my persuasive skills are working hahaha *evil laugh*

    If you like a kick-ass YA series I'm sure you'll like these, well I hope you will!

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  8. Great series, can't wait for the next one!

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