tiana_king's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Fatphobia, Murder, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Blood, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse
jolovestoread's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read these books mostly for the romance, but also the vampire magic is interesting. I'm not so much into the witch magic, but it was cool to see Sydney develop her talent in this area. It's wonderful that the lore of the world is continuously built upon, even in the 4th book of the spin off series.
I may even enjoy these books more than the VA books as you get the enjoy the romance a lot more in this series and particularly in this volume.
I am looking forward to the next volume as it very much ends on a cliffhanger.
I may even enjoy these books more than the VA books as you get the enjoy the romance a lot more in this series and particularly in this volume.
Spoiler
Instead of Rose pinning after Dimitri and him admitting his love, but never surrendering to it, I love that we get to see a couple who are together even if the world is against them. This book is my fantasy and I love the secret romance and being secretly special to someone. Obviously having your relationship be out in the world is end goal, but I used to fantasise about the popular boy being in love with me and us hiding our relationship for a while until we know it's for real. Sort of like A Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff but with the love interest knowing my truth identity.I am looking forward to the next volume as it very much ends on a cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Body shaming and Car accident
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
[fifth read, November 2022]
Robin Hood was right. Things did spiral out of control. I hate it here. 🥲🥲🥲
And in the words of jacksepticeye: I WILL DROPKICK A CHILD.
Make of that what you will. I’m off to read the next book and suffer more. Yay. 🥲
[fourth read, November 2021]
I think it only took me like… four hours? to read this, which I’m pretty sure is a personal record. Insomnia is a blessing and a curse.
It doesn’t matter how many times I read this book; I’m positive I’ll never get over it. I’ll never get over how adorable and passionate and perfect Sydney and Adrian are, or how much I love them and the Amberwood crew, or how absolutely devastating the ending is. Also, I’ll always hate Zoe and Jared with everything in me.
Honestly, being a fan of the VA universe is so weird. Sometimes it makes me so happy, I feel like I’m going to combust, and others it makes me wonder if I even have a soul because it’s been crushed more with every reread. Dramatic? Possibly. True? Absolutely.
*waiting impatiently for my sibling to be ready to continue our buddy read* *remembers they’re only on chapter three* *slowly dies inside* :)) (/j)
[third read, June 2020]
I’m sitting in my favorite chair, straight-faced* because my sister is next to me, unsure if I want to throw this book at the wall and scream or hug it to my chest and cry. I’m only being a little dramatic here. I love Sydney and Adrian so much and I hate this ending just as much.
I’ve also learned something from this book—if Richelle Mead gives us a scene that’s adorable or wholesome or sexy, it cannot be trusted.** Shadow Kiss gave us one (1) Romitri scene, immediately followed by the most painful twist in the series. The Fiery Heart gave us multiple Sydrian scenes, only to end with the most painful twist in this series. Vampire Academy fans are really out here suffering.
*And that’s the only part of me that’s straight
**Unless it’s the last ~30 pages of the series finale
[second read, October 2019]
I read the first 174 pages of The Fiery Heart yesterday, and sped through the remaining 246 in about five hours today. I haven’t read a book so quickly since Vampire Academy on the first day of Reading Rush back in July, and before that...I‘m not sure. It reminded me of what life was like before my reading slump and subsequent obsession with The Sims, and it was glorious.
My original review feels vague and inadequate, but it’s true nonetheless. I’m immeasurably, irreparably obsessed with all of these characters, with their friendships and romances, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
[first read, February 2017]
…
…
This book…
The feels…
…
Okay, I'm not going to write anything coherent. I just can't. The characters were amazing, the story was gripping, and the ending was absolutely soul-crushing. Also, the romance is FULL OF FEELS. Everything about this book is FULL OF FEELS. That is all. I'm going to wander aimlessly and also read #5 immediately. *all the heart eyes* *all the broken hearts*
Robin Hood was right. Things did spiral out of control. I hate it here. 🥲🥲🥲
And in the words of jacksepticeye: I WILL DROPKICK A CHILD.
Make of that what you will. I’m off to read the next book and suffer more. Yay. 🥲
[fourth read, November 2021]
I think it only took me like… four hours? to read this, which I’m pretty sure is a personal record. Insomnia is a blessing and a curse.
It doesn’t matter how many times I read this book; I’m positive I’ll never get over it. I’ll never get over how adorable and passionate and perfect Sydney and Adrian are, or how much I love them and the Amberwood crew, or how absolutely devastating the ending is. Also, I’ll always hate Zoe and Jared with everything in me.
Honestly, being a fan of the VA universe is so weird. Sometimes it makes me so happy, I feel like I’m going to combust, and others it makes me wonder if I even have a soul because it’s been crushed more with every reread. Dramatic? Possibly. True? Absolutely.
*waiting impatiently for my sibling to be ready to continue our buddy read* *remembers they’re only on chapter three* *slowly dies inside* :)) (/j)
[third read, June 2020]
I’m sitting in my favorite chair, straight-faced* because my sister is next to me, unsure if I want to throw this book at the wall and scream or hug it to my chest and cry. I’m only being a little dramatic here. I love Sydney and Adrian so much and I hate this ending just as much.
I’ve also learned something from this book—if Richelle Mead gives us a scene that’s adorable or wholesome or sexy, it cannot be trusted.** Shadow Kiss gave us one (1) Romitri scene, immediately followed by the most painful twist in the series. The Fiery Heart gave us multiple Sydrian scenes, only to end with the most painful twist in this series. Vampire Academy fans are really out here suffering.
*And that’s the only part of me that’s straight
**Unless it’s the last ~30 pages of the series finale
[second read, October 2019]
I read the first 174 pages of The Fiery Heart yesterday, and sped through the remaining 246 in about five hours today. I haven’t read a book so quickly since Vampire Academy on the first day of Reading Rush back in July, and before that...I‘m not sure. It reminded me of what life was like before my reading slump and subsequent obsession with The Sims, and it was glorious.
My original review feels vague and inadequate, but it’s true nonetheless. I’m immeasurably, irreparably obsessed with all of these characters, with their friendships and romances, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
[first read, February 2017]
…
…
This book…
The feels…
…
Okay, I'm not going to write anything coherent. I just can't. The characters were amazing, the story was gripping, and the ending was absolutely soul-crushing. Also, the romance is FULL OF FEELS. Everything about this book is FULL OF FEELS. That is all. I'm going to wander aimlessly and also read #5 immediately. *all the heart eyes* *all the broken hearts*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Both things tagged graphic are in regards to one of the protagonists; the latter specifically refers to his bipolar disorder, which is diagnosed shortly before the halfway point. There are a handful of mild, consensual sex scenes in the second half of the book.
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