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!
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