Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

Frostbite is the follow up to Vampire Academy, which I reviewed last week. This was a really addictive read which I read in around 7 hours straight because I could not put it down. It was great to see old characters and relationships develop and I loved the new plot line.

As I said, it was great to see the old characters develop from the first book. I felt that Rose really matured in this book. She was more aware of how her actions were going to impact her and the people around her. In saying that she still had the trademark Rose recklessness. I also liked getting to know Dimitri better, and I loved the way that Rose could see through him and notice things that no one else really noticed about him. We saw less of Lissa in this book, but it was great to see her open up more to Christian and to see her stand up and take control when it was required.

The new characters that were introduced in the story were interesting, particularly Janine, Adrian and Tasha. It was interesting to watch the Rose’s relationship with Janine overcome some roadblocks and for Rose to start seeing the similarities between her and Janine. I loved Tasha’s determination to change what she thought needed to be changed. I really liked her character, I liked her rebelliousness and her dedication. I loved Adrian. He was so charming and, basically, just swoon worthy. I really liked that you got to see some of the depth that his character has. I think that his ability was interesting and added something new to the story. I can’t wait to see more of him in the next books.

I really enjoyed the plot. There was plenty of danger and action, which I liked. I found all the political tensions and then the people trying to figure out how they were going to handle it interesting. I also found the increased role of the strigoi interesting, as well as the addition of their allies. I felt like the ending was what was required of the book, even if I didn’t necessary approve of the outcome.

This was a great read and I can’t wait to read the next book. I give it 5/5 stars!

Mel.

Up next: Seven on Saturdays - Books that I recommend. 

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

I am a little late on reading this series, and that is because I was hesitant. I thought that it would be like quite a few other YA vampire books I had read and focus mainly on the romance with the supernatural part being on the side. Let’s face it, I thought that it would be like Twilight, which I did enjoy but not something I want to read much of now. However, Vampire Academy was not what I expected it to be and I devoured it.

I liked that the main relationship that the story focused on was the friendship between Rose and Lissa. I loved how much they cared about each other and the focused so much on protecting each other. In a way, with these two, opposites attract. At the start of the book Lissa was the sensible one and Rose was the one who was reckless one and it was interesting to see the contrast. However, as the book went on you felt that each of their personalities rubbed off on each other. Lissa became more reckless, particularly when she wasn’t in control of her emotions and Rose became a little more responsible because of her need to protect Lissa. I will admit that I also enjoyed the romantic relationships. I loved the tension between Rose and Dimitri and I really loved the relationship between Lissa and Christian.

I really liked the different characters. I liked that Rose was so kick-ass and protective of Lissa and I liked Lissa’s kindness. I found that I could relate to both characters. I liked the mystery that surrounded Dimitri and also his dedication and sense of honour and duty and I loved Christian’s frankness and observation. I felt that Mia was a great character even if I wanted to strangle her. I also thought that Victor was a great character and that he and Natalie didn’t fit the moulds that people had given them

I loved the plot. The story just sucked me in and kept me engrossed the whole way through. At times I was able to predict what was happening but some events completely surprised me. I liked how things were revealed bit by bit, offering you clues here and there as to what might happened. I also liked that the story covered some darker themes like torture, self-harming and abduction. It certainly added some meat to the story and also had you questioning things.

It was a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the rest. I give it 5/5 stars!

I read Vampire Academy for the Take Control March 2013 and the 2013 TBR pile reading challenges.

Mel.

Up next: April Releases I am looking forward to!

Seven on Saturday - Books on top of my TBR pile

So Saturday has yet again come around, which means another addition of Seven on Saturday. (Where does all the time go?) In honour of doing the Take Control March challenge I decided that the topic for this weeks Seven on Saturday would be books that are on top of TBR pile at the moment!

So what books are on the top of my TBR pile?

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.
I am currently reading this book, but I thought I would put it on any way. I am a little late to this series, I just kept putting off reading them, but I have decided now to start.

2. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

3. Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

4. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

6. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

7. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Of course, this may not be the order that I read these in, or the next seven books that I might read, but they are currently the top on my TBR pile at the moment.

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview