Helpful Score: 2
This is the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series. This is a series that has consistently blown me away; I just love it. This book was a good addition to the series; although I didn't think it was as good as previous ones.
This book finds Rose in Russia on her quest to track down, and kill, Dimitri. We still see glimpses of Lissa's day to day life through Rose's eyes, as Rose visits her thoughts quite often throughout the book. Rose struggles with what she will do if/when she finds Dimitri. Lissa struggles with Rose's absence and finds herself spiraling into erratic behavior with no Rose around to shoulder the darkness for her. You learn quite a bit more about what it means for Rose/Lissa to be bonded and what the effects of Rose being shadow-kissed are.
It was interesting to learn more about Dimitri. I also liked the plot that enveloped Lissa. It was refreshing to see Rose out acting on her own and having to make decisions with maturity; without Lissa constantly driving her decisions. Like Mead's previous Vampire Academy books this book was an emotional roller-coaster; will Rose kill the love of her life Dimitri, will she join him, will Lissa make it without Rose around. The strongest point of the novel was the wonderful characters and characterization. There were ample fight scenes and those were also very well done. It was also fascinating to meet the Alchemists; a new part of the vampire society that has previously been a mystery. Unfortunately unlike the previous novels, there were a couple things that bothered me about this one.
Rose spends an awful lot of the beginning of the book wandering around and not making much progress. Gone is the hot headed, rashly decisive Rose of the previous books. She is replaced with a indecisive Rose, who questions her every decision and at times makes no progress at all towards her goals. I know that in a way this shows Rose developing a bit of maturity. At the same time though I thought some of this could've been omitted and the book would have been better for it. For me the first half of the book was very slow at parts and didn't grab me with the intensity of the rest of the book. At times it seemed that this book was just working to get things set up for the next book. That bothered me a bit because usually the Vampire Academy books are flawless in there pacing.
Despite that complaint; this was a very good book. The ending was especially thrilling. The way that all the pieces came together was exquisite and makes me desperately want to read the next book. Even with the small complaint above; I read this book in a couple sittings and had trouble pulling myself away from it. Overall another good book in what has been a fabulous series.
This book finds Rose in Russia on her quest to track down, and kill, Dimitri. We still see glimpses of Lissa's day to day life through Rose's eyes, as Rose visits her thoughts quite often throughout the book. Rose struggles with what she will do if/when she finds Dimitri. Lissa struggles with Rose's absence and finds herself spiraling into erratic behavior with no Rose around to shoulder the darkness for her. You learn quite a bit more about what it means for Rose/Lissa to be bonded and what the effects of Rose being shadow-kissed are.
It was interesting to learn more about Dimitri. I also liked the plot that enveloped Lissa. It was refreshing to see Rose out acting on her own and having to make decisions with maturity; without Lissa constantly driving her decisions. Like Mead's previous Vampire Academy books this book was an emotional roller-coaster; will Rose kill the love of her life Dimitri, will she join him, will Lissa make it without Rose around. The strongest point of the novel was the wonderful characters and characterization. There were ample fight scenes and those were also very well done. It was also fascinating to meet the Alchemists; a new part of the vampire society that has previously been a mystery. Unfortunately unlike the previous novels, there were a couple things that bothered me about this one.
Rose spends an awful lot of the beginning of the book wandering around and not making much progress. Gone is the hot headed, rashly decisive Rose of the previous books. She is replaced with a indecisive Rose, who questions her every decision and at times makes no progress at all towards her goals. I know that in a way this shows Rose developing a bit of maturity. At the same time though I thought some of this could've been omitted and the book would have been better for it. For me the first half of the book was very slow at parts and didn't grab me with the intensity of the rest of the book. At times it seemed that this book was just working to get things set up for the next book. That bothered me a bit because usually the Vampire Academy books are flawless in there pacing.
Despite that complaint; this was a very good book. The ending was especially thrilling. The way that all the pieces came together was exquisite and makes me desperately want to read the next book. Even with the small complaint above; I read this book in a couple sittings and had trouble pulling myself away from it. Overall another good book in what has been a fabulous series.
Helpful Score: 2
This was definitely my favorite of the Vamp Academy series so far.
Though already a Richelle Mead fan, I was originally tentative to read this series. I can only read so many vampire stories. But as usual the characters won me over and I'm now fully enthralled in this series.
For those who haven't yet, I would suggest reading the first three books first. This book does a fine job of keeping you up with previous story lines but you will have a greater appreciation for this book if you've read what went before.
Though already a Richelle Mead fan, I was originally tentative to read this series. I can only read so many vampire stories. But as usual the characters won me over and I'm now fully enthralled in this series.
For those who haven't yet, I would suggest reading the first three books first. This book does a fine job of keeping you up with previous story lines but you will have a greater appreciation for this book if you've read what went before.
Helpful Score: 2
I was really looking forward to Blood Promise, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I'm not sure how I thought the book would resolve the issues from the last one, but this wasn't it. It was very slow going and boring throughout most of the book. There were some new elements to the story that were interesting, however. I admired Rose's resolve in Shadow Kissed, but she faltered somewhat in her search for Dimitri. I kind of understand why things went down the way they did, but it was disappointing nonetheless. I'll probably read the next one in the series, but I'm not anticipating it's release.
Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
Helpful Score: 1
The entire Vampire Academy storyline is excellent. The characters are very well developed. I read the entire book in one day and I can't wait for the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Rose made the choice to hunt down Dimitri in the Strigoi form and kill him, but she has no idea how hard her decision will make her life.
First of all, she has to leave Lissa. Then she has to find Dimitri.
In a roundabout way, she ends up at his family home in Russia, where she tells them her story. They mourn his death and welcome her into the family. Anyone can see how she feels for him. Rose wants nothing more to stay there, but she knows she's just at the beginning of her journey.
When she tracks down Dimitri, she can't help but fall under his spell as he keeps her prisoner. He wants her to turn to the dark side with him. Rose doesn't want to when she's herself, but then he comes in and confuses her. Is she strong enough to escape and do what she came to do?
I love this series. It's so full of twists and turns - surprising the daylights out of me. Plus, each book hangs on a massive cliffhanger that makes the wait time very hard. I love the cover. I love the relationship between Lissa and Rose - and how that's changing. I just love it all!
Rose made the choice to hunt down Dimitri in the Strigoi form and kill him, but she has no idea how hard her decision will make her life.
First of all, she has to leave Lissa. Then she has to find Dimitri.
In a roundabout way, she ends up at his family home in Russia, where she tells them her story. They mourn his death and welcome her into the family. Anyone can see how she feels for him. Rose wants nothing more to stay there, but she knows she's just at the beginning of her journey.
When she tracks down Dimitri, she can't help but fall under his spell as he keeps her prisoner. He wants her to turn to the dark side with him. Rose doesn't want to when she's herself, but then he comes in and confuses her. Is she strong enough to escape and do what she came to do?
I love this series. It's so full of twists and turns - surprising the daylights out of me. Plus, each book hangs on a massive cliffhanger that makes the wait time very hard. I love the cover. I love the relationship between Lissa and Rose - and how that's changing. I just love it all!
