Helpful Score: 7
I'm thoroughly impressed by this series. To say it's better than "Twilight" is an understatement.
The main character, Rose, has to deal with death and growing up fast in a society where, as a dhampir, she is more-or-less a second-class citizen. Her future is set from birth - to be a guardian of pure-blood, "royal" living vampires. She's never questioned it. It's a pretty sweet gig since she likes to fight, has a strong moral code, and well, she's pretty much guarenteed a spot guarding her best friend since childhood, Lissa.
But things change, and her values, wants and needs are thrown into flux.
There's a lot of character development - and none of it easy - in these books. That's why I like them. The only other YA Vampire series I see this quality in is the "Morganville" series, by Rachel Caine. Both have unique twists on the vampire mythos, well developed worlds, and realistic characters who think about their actions and don't just throw themselves on the alter of sacrifice or love *cough* Bella & Edward *cough* like two-dimensional archetypes.
Romance is part of these worlds, but not the main point. It's about growing up and facing hard choices, with consequences.
Eh, I may be a harsh critic, but being an 'elder goth' (and a future librarian) who cut teeth on heavier lit, my compliments for this series are genuine.
The main character, Rose, has to deal with death and growing up fast in a society where, as a dhampir, she is more-or-less a second-class citizen. Her future is set from birth - to be a guardian of pure-blood, "royal" living vampires. She's never questioned it. It's a pretty sweet gig since she likes to fight, has a strong moral code, and well, she's pretty much guarenteed a spot guarding her best friend since childhood, Lissa.
But things change, and her values, wants and needs are thrown into flux.
There's a lot of character development - and none of it easy - in these books. That's why I like them. The only other YA Vampire series I see this quality in is the "Morganville" series, by Rachel Caine. Both have unique twists on the vampire mythos, well developed worlds, and realistic characters who think about their actions and don't just throw themselves on the alter of sacrifice or love *cough* Bella & Edward *cough* like two-dimensional archetypes.
Romance is part of these worlds, but not the main point. It's about growing up and facing hard choices, with consequences.
Eh, I may be a harsh critic, but being an 'elder goth' (and a future librarian) who cut teeth on heavier lit, my compliments for this series are genuine.
This one is the best so far, I swear each book is better then the last! I can't wait to read the next one!
Helpful Score: 4
I loved this book, but cried at the end and now I have to wait to get the next book to see what happens to Rose and the others. If you liked the first 2 you will love this one.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book to read even though it is more for a teenager. I enjoy this book very much. I started reading this series after I read the Twilight series.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is the best so far in the series. The ending is so out of the blue it leaves you thinking about it days after you finish it. I immeadately went on a scavenger hunt for the next book because I was so dying to know what happens! You will love this book and want the fourth the minute you read the last sentence!
Helpful Score: 1
The psychic connection between Rose and Lissa is causing Rose to have a darkness about her. She is becoming overly violent even with her classmates. There are lots of things going on in this installment, Victor Dashkov is on trial, the dhampirs are doing a six week training exercise, Rose is seeing ghosts, Dimitri and Rose may finally do it, there are strigoi attacks, and there is a new guy on campus, Adrian but who is he interested in, Rose or Lissa?
This is a well put together story with many surprises and disappointments. The ending will truly leave you breathless.
This is a well put together story with many surprises and disappointments. The ending will truly leave you breathless.
Helpful Score: 1
Vampire Academy should probably be suffering from some kind of mid-series slump by its third book, Shadow Kiss. However, I guess someone failed to tell author Richelle Mead. Because there is nothing "filler" about this incredible, fast-paced continuation.
In Shadow Kiss, Mead does answer many of the questions readers have puzzled over throughout the series. She provides some satisfying progress in the central romantic relationships in the novel, and gives her characters lots of opportunities for (painful) growth. If anything, I think Vampire Academy is ramping up -- this is by far my favorite book in the series thus far.
Rose and her friends are still recovering from the loss they were dealt at the end of Frostbite, and Rose, especially is having a hard time recovering. She feels guilt and regret over her choices and their consequences, and some of those feelings seem to be playing out in hallucinations. Either that, or Rose really is seeing ghosts.
She doesn't have much time to ponder the issue, though, because Rose and her fellow senior dhampirs have just begun their in-field training exercise. For the next six weeks, they will shadow their assigned Moroi and gain a glimpse of what their lives will be like in the future, protecting and guarding the lives of others at all times. However, Rose is most looking forward to the excuse to hang out with her best friend, Dragomir princess, Lissa, in the name of the exercise.
However, nothings is as easy as it could be at Vampire Academy. Rose is assigned another Moroi to guard - not one of her favorite classmates. Royals on campus are showing up in classes with strange signs of violence that none will talk about. And Adrian, the older, royal Spirit-user that's set his sights on Rose, is making life complicated for both her and Lissa.
The book's plot covers a lot of territory, but Mead makes each section of the story significant and interesting to readers. Every time I thought, "Wow, this has to be the high point," Ms. Mead would take the story in a new (devastating) direction. To say the end was unexpected would be an understatement -- I absolutely didn't see it coming, and wouldn't dream of spoiling the twist here. However, it's a good thing I have Blood Promise sitting on my shelf waiting for me. I don't think I can stand the suspense much longer.
In Shadow Kiss, Mead does answer many of the questions readers have puzzled over throughout the series. She provides some satisfying progress in the central romantic relationships in the novel, and gives her characters lots of opportunities for (painful) growth. If anything, I think Vampire Academy is ramping up -- this is by far my favorite book in the series thus far.
Rose and her friends are still recovering from the loss they were dealt at the end of Frostbite, and Rose, especially is having a hard time recovering. She feels guilt and regret over her choices and their consequences, and some of those feelings seem to be playing out in hallucinations. Either that, or Rose really is seeing ghosts.
She doesn't have much time to ponder the issue, though, because Rose and her fellow senior dhampirs have just begun their in-field training exercise. For the next six weeks, they will shadow their assigned Moroi and gain a glimpse of what their lives will be like in the future, protecting and guarding the lives of others at all times. However, Rose is most looking forward to the excuse to hang out with her best friend, Dragomir princess, Lissa, in the name of the exercise.
However, nothings is as easy as it could be at Vampire Academy. Rose is assigned another Moroi to guard - not one of her favorite classmates. Royals on campus are showing up in classes with strange signs of violence that none will talk about. And Adrian, the older, royal Spirit-user that's set his sights on Rose, is making life complicated for both her and Lissa.
The book's plot covers a lot of territory, but Mead makes each section of the story significant and interesting to readers. Every time I thought, "Wow, this has to be the high point," Ms. Mead would take the story in a new (devastating) direction. To say the end was unexpected would be an understatement -- I absolutely didn't see it coming, and wouldn't dream of spoiling the twist here. However, it's a good thing I have Blood Promise sitting on my shelf waiting for me. I don't think I can stand the suspense much longer.
Fantastic, like all the others
Excellent. Started slow, but after the first few pages the characters came back with a roar. My heart is ripping for Rose.
This book was pretty good addition to the series. Every book is. But my favorite will still have to be the second one. (Frostbite)
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Richelle Mead is the J. K. Rowling of YA paranormal literature. The Vampire Academy books are rich, layered, sexy, and yet as addictive as a box of high-quality chocolates.
One of the things I like most about the Vampire Academy series, and which I found to be much more prominent in SHADOW KISS, is Mead's development of the interesting class dynamics between the dhampir, half-human half-vampires, and the Moroi, the full vampires whom the dhampir train their whole lives to protect. As a top-notch dhampir guardian-to-be, Rose has unquestioningly accepted the way her society works, but the tremendously well executed unfolding of these societal complexities promises an explosion in later books in this series that delves beyond straightforward paranormal romances or good vs. evil plots. And that kind of layered goodness rarely occurs in YA lit!
Moral and sociopolitical richness aside, SHADOW KISS has plenty to offer in terms of interpersonal development. Rose and Dimitri's impossible romance is written deliciously, with a good balance of suspense and satisfaction. While the plot may run slowly at some points, paused to attend to various subplots, Mead's strength of writing engrossing characters runs all throughout the book.
Upon finishing the book, you will scream in delightful anguish and immediately want to rush out to read the next Vampire Academy book, BLOOD PROMISE. This is one vampire series that I will not be giving up on anytime soon, and one that I will recommend to many, many readers for years to come!
One of the things I like most about the Vampire Academy series, and which I found to be much more prominent in SHADOW KISS, is Mead's development of the interesting class dynamics between the dhampir, half-human half-vampires, and the Moroi, the full vampires whom the dhampir train their whole lives to protect. As a top-notch dhampir guardian-to-be, Rose has unquestioningly accepted the way her society works, but the tremendously well executed unfolding of these societal complexities promises an explosion in later books in this series that delves beyond straightforward paranormal romances or good vs. evil plots. And that kind of layered goodness rarely occurs in YA lit!
Moral and sociopolitical richness aside, SHADOW KISS has plenty to offer in terms of interpersonal development. Rose and Dimitri's impossible romance is written deliciously, with a good balance of suspense and satisfaction. While the plot may run slowly at some points, paused to attend to various subplots, Mead's strength of writing engrossing characters runs all throughout the book.
Upon finishing the book, you will scream in delightful anguish and immediately want to rush out to read the next Vampire Academy book, BLOOD PROMISE. This is one vampire series that I will not be giving up on anytime soon, and one that I will recommend to many, many readers for years to come!
Another addicting read in the series. It's one of those books where the author herself must have gotten annoyed at the plot holes that other writers have had in their books, so she tries to do things differently, which is working out so far. Makes me kinda bummed I have to wait until my turn comes up on the PBS wishlist for the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Thank you, Richelle Mead! You have given fans of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series a wonderful third novel. SHADOW KISS is probably the best out of the three. Reading VAMPIRE ACADEMY and FROSTBITE first is a must in order to really understand what is going on in the series.
Rose Hathaway is training to be a Guardian. Once she graduates from St. Vladimir's Academy, she will be assigned to guard her best friend, Lissa, for the rest of her life. Even though everything is going along as planned, she feels waves of jealously and anger. A lot of these feelings come from the fact that she can never have what she truly wants - love.
Dimitri, her mentor and teacher, is set to be her partner after graduation. He and Rose will be the team that guards Lissa on a daily basis. The problem is, Rose and Dimitri are in love. Knowing their love isn't allowed, they make sure to keep their relationship professional - when they can.
Rose has started seeing ghosts and she feels sure they are trying to tell her something. Soon she begins to understand they are telling her that danger is on the way. Danger that will involve everyone at St. Vladimir's. Rose is no stranger to fighting, but this time it is going to be war.
Not everyone survives, and Rose ends up having to make the hardest decision of her life - one that will effect both her and Lissa.
SHADOW KISS left me breathless and in tears. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. The way the story ends leads me to believe that the next book will be even better. There are so many possibilities that it makes my head spin.
Thank you, Richelle Mead! You have given fans of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series a wonderful third novel. SHADOW KISS is probably the best out of the three. Reading VAMPIRE ACADEMY and FROSTBITE first is a must in order to really understand what is going on in the series.
Rose Hathaway is training to be a Guardian. Once she graduates from St. Vladimir's Academy, she will be assigned to guard her best friend, Lissa, for the rest of her life. Even though everything is going along as planned, she feels waves of jealously and anger. A lot of these feelings come from the fact that she can never have what she truly wants - love.
Dimitri, her mentor and teacher, is set to be her partner after graduation. He and Rose will be the team that guards Lissa on a daily basis. The problem is, Rose and Dimitri are in love. Knowing their love isn't allowed, they make sure to keep their relationship professional - when they can.
Rose has started seeing ghosts and she feels sure they are trying to tell her something. Soon she begins to understand they are telling her that danger is on the way. Danger that will involve everyone at St. Vladimir's. Rose is no stranger to fighting, but this time it is going to be war.
Not everyone survives, and Rose ends up having to make the hardest decision of her life - one that will effect both her and Lissa.
SHADOW KISS left me breathless and in tears. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. The way the story ends leads me to believe that the next book will be even better. There are so many possibilities that it makes my head spin.
I loved this book so much! It was by far the best of the series! I gave my copy to a friend and they passed it to others, everyone fell in love right away! The ending was so perfect, i was actually crying. One of the best series out there!
This was the best book of this series. I fell in love with Rose and Dimitri and actually cried at the end of this. Can't wait to find out what happens next.
I loved this book so much I ordered book 4 through Amazon. Well done!
I am now a fan of Richelle Mead! I have loved all three book so far and can't wait for more. This is a great book and the ending is a complete surprise! I love it!
Shadow Kiss started off slow, but ended up being great. I really like how Ms. Mead takes things to a level where not everything has a happy ending. It has realistic qualities for being a young adult paranormal book. I felt Rose's pain and confusion as she struggled with what she had to deal with being "shadow kissed". I enjoyed her interactions with Lissa, Dmitri and Adrian. Even though I inadvertently knew a big piece of the story, it didn't happen as I envisioned. This book has a lot of heart, emotion and I totally agree with what Rose was planning to do at the end. I really can't wait to read the next one.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
This is the best book in this series so far. And the longest. :) But you don't even notice because the plot moves along so fast, you want to just keep reading. I like the character developments in this book and started liking characters I hadn't really liked in previous books. I think as the characters all move towards graduation and "real life" they are maturing and coming into their own. The ending is a cliffhanger and I cannot wait until the next book. It left my mouth hanging open, like "What?!!?" If you liked the first 2 books in this series, or are looking for a new vampire series, I would totally recommend this one. It's not your typical vampire love story. I love the strong, capable female characters.
This is book three in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. This was a great book; I am so happy that this series has been consistently wonderful.
In this book Rose is dealing with a lot of stuff. The guardians are starting their field training, Rose is seeing things, and Rose has been out of control angry lately. On top of all that Lissa's personal life keeps leeking into Rose's head while Rose is trying to get some rest. Of course there is the deal with Dimitri; will they ever end up together? There is also a rumor that the Strigoi are on the move.
This book moved quickly. Rose's character had some very interesting developments. I liked that her and Christopher start spending more time getting to know each other, I also thought Eddie was a strong character in this book. Lissa using magic again was also a nice touch. The ending of the book caught me by surprise and made me really excited for the next book. Okay truth be told the ending sucked, but in a good way. I had to take a couple days to digest it before I could write the review without tearing up :-)
I love these books. The characters are very interesting and strong, the plot line moves along nicely, and Mead packs in some nice surprises. Sometimes there is a little too much teenage angst going on, but well it's set in a high school so what can you expect? I think that Rose is maturing nicely as a character, she is starting to become a true heroine and take her job as a guardian seriously. Oh, yeah and did I mention she really kicks butt in the fighting department?
Mead is a great writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
In this book Rose is dealing with a lot of stuff. The guardians are starting their field training, Rose is seeing things, and Rose has been out of control angry lately. On top of all that Lissa's personal life keeps leeking into Rose's head while Rose is trying to get some rest. Of course there is the deal with Dimitri; will they ever end up together? There is also a rumor that the Strigoi are on the move.
This book moved quickly. Rose's character had some very interesting developments. I liked that her and Christopher start spending more time getting to know each other, I also thought Eddie was a strong character in this book. Lissa using magic again was also a nice touch. The ending of the book caught me by surprise and made me really excited for the next book. Okay truth be told the ending sucked, but in a good way. I had to take a couple days to digest it before I could write the review without tearing up :-)
I love these books. The characters are very interesting and strong, the plot line moves along nicely, and Mead packs in some nice surprises. Sometimes there is a little too much teenage angst going on, but well it's set in a high school so what can you expect? I think that Rose is maturing nicely as a character, she is starting to become a true heroine and take her job as a guardian seriously. Oh, yeah and did I mention she really kicks butt in the fighting department?
Mead is a great writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
The best so far in the series. Rose has matured into her own person and makes some really hard decisions that will change every thing she has held sacred her whole life. It is fascinating, looking into the mind of this teenager as she wrestles with things that will forever change her life and that of those she loves. While a YA book, I'll bet that this series has been read by as many adults as teens. My daughter definitely had to wait on me to read it first. I can't wait to recommend it to friends who teach upper middle school and high school as a must to have in their homeroom libraries. The kids will fight over who gets to read it first.
Cute and fun. Rose is seeing ghosts and everyone thinks she nuts. She's also acting extra cray-cray getting nuclear angry all the time (wait, is that new?). She has some self-revelations about her relationship with Dmitri and they both realize it's lurrrrve. She also realizes maybe she's finding the constant sacrifice of her own wants/needs to conflict with her raison d'etre "take care of Moroi". The "true love he sees my soul" stuff seems a little weird since they've had like four conversations in three books but whatever, this is teen romance and it's sweet.
Best in the series so far! Totally a surprise ending. Less bad language, but still a lot of sexual content like the first 2 books. Once again, not a great book for Young Adults.
good book
