Published: August 2007
Genre: Young Adult, Supernatural, Vampires, Fantasy, Romance
Setting: Montana (United States)
Plot: 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. (Goodreads.com)
Personal Thoughts: I have to admit, I saw the movie before ever even knowing that this was a book series! I caught it on HBO one day last year, got the first book & then read all 6 of them in a month! It was kind of ridiculous, but I love this series so much!
“Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.”
Rose and Lissa are what the author deemed as "shadow-kissed" and during this book you find out what happens to make that so. (I won't spoil that for you, it's too good). But Lissa's powers become more of a commodity and people want her for them. You never really know who's behind it all until you get to the end of the book, Mead does a great job telling this story and keeping all the good parts a secret until it's just time for you to know! It does start out kind of slow, world and character building, but once it picks up towards the end - the pace doesn't slow down until the end of book six!
I think my favorite part of the book is Rose and her wit. She has got a mouth on her and she's not afraid to say what's on her mind, especially about Dimitri. I tended to get a little tired of the jumping into Lissa's head parts... but I get that this was the author's way of helping us see the "full picture" and in later books, it's a lot less annoying and becomes way more cool!
Its also one of the better YA books I've read lately that depicts the female "best friends" in the right way. Rose and Lissa are close, like sisters and I love how their friendship was written. They are both such strong personalities, but they compliment each other so well.
There is some language and violence in the book, but it's not so bad that it makes it hard to read. Just typical Mead.
Recommended Age Level: 15+
Rating: 4
No comments:
Post a Comment