What if following her heart means losing her best friend - forever?
Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa, must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to the gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken.
Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but suddenly there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal dead are on the prowl and in a heart-stopping battle, Rose will have to choose between life, love and the two people who matter most.
But will her choice mean that only one survives?
Vampire Academy Series:
Frostbite
Shadow Kiss
Blood PromiseSpirit Bound
Last Sacrifice
Bloodlines Series: (This is a spin off from the Vampire Academy Series)
Adrian's Lost Chapter (Free Short Story can be read here)
Bloodlines
The Golden Lily
The Indigo Spell
The Fiery Heart (Release date to be confirmed)
Visit Richelle Mead's website for more information
Review:
Although I don't give spoilers for Shadow Kiss in this book I wouldn't recommend reading further if you are new to this series. I strongly recommend reading the series in order starting with Vampire Academy and then Frostbite. If you're a fan of the series already then read Shadow Kiss now - but make sure you have Blood Promise to hand so you can read it straight afterwards! If you haven't discovered the series yet what are you waiting for? This is seriously a must read for urban fantasy fans both young and old.
Rose is still trying to deal with her forbidden love for Dimitri - for her whole life she has been taught that protecting the Moroi is more important than anything and that, as a Dhampir, her needs should come last. She is starting to feel resentment towards Lissa after watching her being so happy and in love with Christian while knowing that she and Dimitri will never be able to be together. But that isn't the only thing going on with Rose, she is getting increasingly angry over the smallest things and can't understand why her temper is so out of control. When she starts seeing ghosts she really does start to think that she is loosing her mind.
Meanwhile the novice guardians are in the middle of their practical assignment where they must guard one of the Moroi from surprise attacks made my the teachers on campus. Of course Rose knows she will be guarding Lissa - just like she will be after graduation - so it comes as quite a shock when she finds she has been assigned to someone else. Avoiding Adrian's advances, juggling her temper and trying to ignore the ghostly figures she keeps seeing isn't going to make it easy to protect the Moroi she has been assigned to. Much worse is to come though when she figures out that the ghosts are trying to warn her of great danger and she finds herself in the middle of a war fighting for survival.
If you're a fan of the last 2 books in the series then you're going to love Shadow Kiss. It is by far my favorite in the series and I am desperate to get my hands on the next book, Blood Promise. I love Rose in this book, she is dealing with so many things and her emotions are all over the place but she has grown an incredible amount since book 1. Her feelings towards Lissa and her duty clash with her love of Dimitri and watching her try to work through everything really pulls at your heartstrings. We also get to see more of Lissa and Christian who I love as a couple, spend time with the swoon worthy Dimitri who I adore, learn more about Adrian who I have to say is growing on me and spend time with Eddie who is such a sweetheart.
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride like no other you've been on before. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'm just going to say that this book will leave you spinning - the twist Richelle put in at the end was utterly heartbreaking and I have no idea how she is going to be able to fix things to my satisfaction. Having gone through similar things in her adult succubus series I have confidence that she'll be able to work things out eventually but I just can't see how at the moment. Shadow Kiss was truly an addictive read & I was unable to put it down, reading the entire book in just 1 sitting. It left me wanting to scream with frustration & I have to admit to shedding a few tears. Richelle is a queen of cliffhangers and has left me itching to start the next book, I'm just relieved to know that it's already in print so I can go out and get a copy immediately!
Rose is still trying to deal with her forbidden love for Dimitri - for her whole life she has been taught that protecting the Moroi is more important than anything and that, as a Dhampir, her needs should come last. She is starting to feel resentment towards Lissa after watching her being so happy and in love with Christian while knowing that she and Dimitri will never be able to be together. But that isn't the only thing going on with Rose, she is getting increasingly angry over the smallest things and can't understand why her temper is so out of control. When she starts seeing ghosts she really does start to think that she is loosing her mind.
Meanwhile the novice guardians are in the middle of their practical assignment where they must guard one of the Moroi from surprise attacks made my the teachers on campus. Of course Rose knows she will be guarding Lissa - just like she will be after graduation - so it comes as quite a shock when she finds she has been assigned to someone else. Avoiding Adrian's advances, juggling her temper and trying to ignore the ghostly figures she keeps seeing isn't going to make it easy to protect the Moroi she has been assigned to. Much worse is to come though when she figures out that the ghosts are trying to warn her of great danger and she finds herself in the middle of a war fighting for survival.
If you're a fan of the last 2 books in the series then you're going to love Shadow Kiss. It is by far my favorite in the series and I am desperate to get my hands on the next book, Blood Promise. I love Rose in this book, she is dealing with so many things and her emotions are all over the place but she has grown an incredible amount since book 1. Her feelings towards Lissa and her duty clash with her love of Dimitri and watching her try to work through everything really pulls at your heartstrings. We also get to see more of Lissa and Christian who I love as a couple, spend time with the swoon worthy Dimitri who I adore, learn more about Adrian who I have to say is growing on me and spend time with Eddie who is such a sweetheart.
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride like no other you've been on before. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'm just going to say that this book will leave you spinning - the twist Richelle put in at the end was utterly heartbreaking and I have no idea how she is going to be able to fix things to my satisfaction. Having gone through similar things in her adult succubus series I have confidence that she'll be able to work things out eventually but I just can't see how at the moment. Shadow Kiss was truly an addictive read & I was unable to put it down, reading the entire book in just 1 sitting. It left me wanting to scream with frustration & I have to admit to shedding a few tears. Richelle is a queen of cliffhangers and has left me itching to start the next book, I'm just relieved to know that it's already in print so I can go out and get a copy immediately!
Source: Library
Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
So Many Books, So Little Time
Chrissie's Corner
I'd So Rather Be Reading
Darlyn & Books
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
So Many Books, So Little Time
Chrissie's Corner
I'd So Rather Be Reading
Darlyn & Books
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
yay!! glad your loving it! and rose is my fav also its hard not to root for her whilst there is little sympathy left for Lissa, cant wait for your next review!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites in the series too. I am glad you enjoyed it. Blood Promise is bittersweet but I think you'll love it. I hope you get to read that one and Spirit Bound soon. Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteWaiting for Blood Promise after this was torture. You're so lucky you don't have to wait! Here's my link:
ReplyDeletehttp://solittletimeforbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/shadow-kiss-vampire-academy-novel.html
read slowly my friend...or it will be a long wait until december, for the final installment of the vampire academy series: last sacrifice.
ReplyDeletetotally agree with everything you're saying here - richelle mead is brilliant, and this series is by far the most moving of any YA paranormal series being published these days (at least that i've come across).
@ Blueicegal - I love Rose - she is such a kick ass character & I feel so sorry for all of the guardians who seem to be treated like second class citizens really. Lissa is an OK character, I really liked her to start with but I've been having less sympathy for her in the last 2 books - it seems like Rose is always there for her but she rarely returns the favor. Hopefully this will change in the last few books though :o)
ReplyDelete@ Christina - I'm dying to get my hands on Blood Promise!!! This book just about killed me with the ending & I NEED to know what happens next :o) Good to know you recommend it!
@ So Many Books - I'm so glad I didn't have to wait months for Blood Promise (fingers crossed I'll have it tomorrow!). I'll add your link now Sophie :o)
@ Jane - LOL that is great advice! I'm not sure how I'm going to stretch 2 books out between now & December, perhaps I'll have to try reading a page a day LOL. I know I'd never be able to stick to that though :o) I agree with you - it's the most moving paranormal YA series that I've come across too!
I love this series! I can't wait for Last Sacrifice!! Great review.
ReplyDelete@ Kelli - This has to be one of my favorite YA urban fantasy series! I'm excited to read Last Sacrifice but I don't want the series to end lol. I'm glad that Richelle is planning to write more books in this world even if they will focus different characters :o) I've added a link to your review
ReplyDelete