noacfshanley's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
senscoe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is a spin off of my very favorite series! The characters the world are so well told. It is all a very compelling story!
alexandramillard's review against another edition
5.0
This series is truely growing with each book. This was wonderfully heartbreaking, so intense and I hope the next book lives up the promise in this one!
liv99x's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
asma_aj's review against another edition
4.0
After killing her first Strigoi, Rose figures that the guardian field experience will be an easy task. But recently, she's been undergoing dark and dangerous moods that's affecting her judgement. In an effort to keep Lissa from worrying and maintain her mentor-student relationship with Dimitri, she decides to keep this to herself- especially when she sees something that is both unbelievable, and a possible sign that she's going insane.
I love this series. Every book delivers so much action and moves the story forward in such a rush, I want to grab the next book right now. One thing I was looking forward to in this book was Rose's mature transformation. Mead keeps that realistic- Rose is not completely mature, but she tries, and that's normal for a young teen. The rest of the characters are great, the banter is awesome, as usual. I was a bit miffed at Lissa's character in this book, but I'm glad to see her more, and I think this book marks a turning point for her as well (and lord knows, this girl needs a turning point!).
Anyway, awesome and addictive, this book had me on edge, and set up the events for the next book perfectly. I can't wait to read it.
I love this series. Every book delivers so much action and moves the story forward in such a rush, I want to grab the next book right now. One thing I was looking forward to in this book was Rose's mature transformation. Mead keeps that realistic- Rose is not completely mature, but she tries, and that's normal for a young teen. The rest of the characters are great, the banter is awesome, as usual. I was a bit miffed at Lissa's character in this book, but I'm glad to see her more, and I think this book marks a turning point for her as well (and lord knows, this girl needs a turning point!).
Anyway, awesome and addictive, this book had me on edge, and set up the events for the next book perfectly. I can't wait to read it.
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars, I think. This one has been my favorite so far
carteremma's review against another edition
5.0
If I could marry a series of books it would be this one!! I love them so much!! OK, so I will roll back on the loving and the exclamation marks but Richelle Mead is able to keep all of her story lines away from the obvious, but without seeming too crazy or off-the-wall. If that was not enough we have the smoking hot Dimitri, who makes you want to crawl into the book just to touch him... hmmm... Dimitri... OK, sorry I'm back!
We left off at the end of book 2 with the death of Mason after they had spent a good portion of the book in a ski lodge. This death has an impact on everyone involved, but for Rose Mason's death triggers something in her which means she can now see Mason and other ghosts. Now, I can't remember if this was covered, but why was she not seeing ghosts the last time she left protected grounds? Like when her and Lissa ran away, or when they were stuck in the Strigoi house at the end of the last book. I have the feeling the reason is that it was triggered with the trauma of losing Mason, but I'm not sure. I remember she was seeing them on the plane on the way to the ski lodge before mason was killed and they gave her a killer headache, why was this the first time?
Oh, how can I be 2 paragraphs in and not have mentioned Adrian. I am firmly in the camp of Team Dimitri and it is clear that Dimitri and Rose are supposed to be together, but I love an underdog. This means that secretly I am also rooting for Adrian. I mean it is clear that he is a damaged soul who just needs some love. Argh it makes me feel so torn! Also in this novel I think I lost a little bit of love for Lissa. I mean come on woman can't you see your BFF needs you?!?
I liked that this book was based back at the school on familiar turf we already knew about. In this book Rose also has training which puts her as Lissa's Guardian withing school where the trainers will jump out and attack like real Strigoli. What does this mean? It means some awesome fights!! This book takes you from highs to lows to a real attack on the school. One that is so bad, it leaves you shaking the book to try and change the outcome, then moving straight on to book 4 without stopping to even look at another book. Well done Richelle!
We left off at the end of book 2 with the death of Mason after they had spent a good portion of the book in a ski lodge. This death has an impact on everyone involved, but for Rose Mason's death triggers something in her which means she can now see Mason and other ghosts. Now, I can't remember if this was covered, but why was she not seeing ghosts the last time she left protected grounds? Like when her and Lissa ran away, or when they were stuck in the Strigoi house at the end of the last book. I have the feeling the reason is that it was triggered with the trauma of losing Mason, but I'm not sure. I remember she was seeing them on the plane on the way to the ski lodge before mason was killed and they gave her a killer headache, why was this the first time?
Oh, how can I be 2 paragraphs in and not have mentioned Adrian. I am firmly in the camp of Team Dimitri and it is clear that Dimitri and Rose are supposed to be together, but I love an underdog. This means that secretly I am also rooting for Adrian. I mean it is clear that he is a damaged soul who just needs some love. Argh it makes me feel so torn! Also in this novel I think I lost a little bit of love for Lissa. I mean come on woman can't you see your BFF needs you?!?
I liked that this book was based back at the school on familiar turf we already knew about. In this book Rose also has training which puts her as Lissa's Guardian withing school where the trainers will jump out and attack like real Strigoli. What does this mean? It means some awesome fights!! This book takes you from highs to lows to a real attack on the school. One that is so bad, it leaves you shaking the book to try and change the outcome, then moving straight on to book 4 without stopping to even look at another book. Well done Richelle!
fictionalkate's review against another edition
5.0
Life is slowly getting back to normal after the Strigoi Spokane skirmish at the end of Frostbite. Lissa’s learning more about her abilities and Rose is just about to start the Field Experiment – the most important part of her guardian training. But things don’t go according to her plan and she’s less than happy with her assigned Moroi.
But as all dhampire guardians have been told since they were old enough to begin training, “Moroi come first Guardians [are] shadows.”
Combined with the stress of a trainer staged attack at any moment, Rose has to cope with her ever-changing bond to Lissa and the emotional fallout from the Strigoi attack as well as her strained secret forbidden romantic relationship and the criminal trial of a former Moroi royal.
I love these books. I love the characters and the adventure that each instalment of the Vampire Academy series takes me on. There’s so much that happens. Vampire politics makes more of an appearance in this book with the Queen trying to get Lissa under her wing and away from bad influences like Rose. More is revealed regarding the bond Rose and Lissa share as well as more ‘benefits’ from Rose shadow-kissed nature.
We got to see more of what everyday life is like for a Guardian – it seems a lot more boring than life at St Vladamir’s…. things there seem to be an adventure every day!
I felt like character wise Rose has both matured and slightly regressed since the end of the last novel. I don’t want to go into any spoilers but despite that I adore Rose. She’s strong and flawed but entertaining to read.
I’m so glad that I had the fourth book in the series, Blood Promise, because the end of this book just about killed me – I wouldn’t have been able to wait before finding out what happened next.
Shadow Kiss is my favourite book of this series so far. It’s exciting and romantic and frightening but fantastic all at the same time.
But as all dhampire guardians have been told since they were old enough to begin training, “Moroi come first Guardians [are] shadows.”
Combined with the stress of a trainer staged attack at any moment, Rose has to cope with her ever-changing bond to Lissa and the emotional fallout from the Strigoi attack as well as her strained secret forbidden romantic relationship and the criminal trial of a former Moroi royal.
I love these books. I love the characters and the adventure that each instalment of the Vampire Academy series takes me on. There’s so much that happens. Vampire politics makes more of an appearance in this book with the Queen trying to get Lissa under her wing and away from bad influences like Rose. More is revealed regarding the bond Rose and Lissa share as well as more ‘benefits’ from Rose shadow-kissed nature.
We got to see more of what everyday life is like for a Guardian – it seems a lot more boring than life at St Vladamir’s…. things there seem to be an adventure every day!
I felt like character wise Rose has both matured and slightly regressed since the end of the last novel. I don’t want to go into any spoilers but despite that I adore Rose. She’s strong and flawed but entertaining to read.
I’m so glad that I had the fourth book in the series, Blood Promise, because the end of this book just about killed me – I wouldn’t have been able to wait before finding out what happened next.
Shadow Kiss is my favourite book of this series so far. It’s exciting and romantic and frightening but fantastic all at the same time.