Helpful Score: 2
This was definitely my favorite of the Vamp Academy series so far.
Though already a Richelle Mead fan, I was originally tentative to read this series. I can only read so many vampire stories. But as usual the characters won me over and I'm now fully enthralled in this series.
For those who haven't yet, I would suggest reading the first three books first. This book does a fine job of keeping you up with previous story lines but you will have a greater appreciation for this book if you've read what went before.
Though already a Richelle Mead fan, I was originally tentative to read this series. I can only read so many vampire stories. But as usual the characters won me over and I'm now fully enthralled in this series.
For those who haven't yet, I would suggest reading the first three books first. This book does a fine job of keeping you up with previous story lines but you will have a greater appreciation for this book if you've read what went before.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series. This is a series that has consistently blown me away; I just love it. This book was a good addition to the series; although I didn't think it was as good as previous ones.
This book finds Rose in Russia on her quest to track down, and kill, Dimitri. We still see glimpses of Lissa's day to day life through Rose's eyes, as Rose visits her thoughts quite often throughout the book. Rose struggles with what she will do if/when she finds Dimitri. Lissa struggles with Rose's absence and finds herself spiraling into erratic behavior with no Rose around to shoulder the darkness for her. You learn quite a bit more about what it means for Rose/Lissa to be bonded and what the effects of Rose being shadow-kissed are.
It was interesting to learn more about Dimitri. I also liked the plot that enveloped Lissa. It was refreshing to see Rose out acting on her own and having to make decisions with maturity; without Lissa constantly driving her decisions. Like Mead's previous Vampire Academy books this book was an emotional roller-coaster; will Rose kill the love of her life Dimitri, will she join him, will Lissa make it without Rose around. The strongest point of the novel was the wonderful characters and characterization. There were ample fight scenes and those were also very well done. It was also fascinating to meet the Alchemists; a new part of the vampire society that has previously been a mystery. Unfortunately unlike the previous novels, there were a couple things that bothered me about this one.
Rose spends an awful lot of the beginning of the book wandering around and not making much progress. Gone is the hot headed, rashly decisive Rose of the previous books. She is replaced with a indecisive Rose, who questions her every decision and at times makes no progress at all towards her goals. I know that in a way this shows Rose developing a bit of maturity. At the same time though I thought some of this could've been omitted and the book would have been better for it. For me the first half of the book was very slow at parts and didn't grab me with the intensity of the rest of the book. At times it seemed that this book was just working to get things set up for the next book. That bothered me a bit because usually the Vampire Academy books are flawless in there pacing.
Despite that complaint; this was a very good book. The ending was especially thrilling. The way that all the pieces came together was exquisite and makes me desperately want to read the next book. Even with the small complaint above; I read this book in a couple sittings and had trouble pulling myself away from it. Overall another good book in what has been a fabulous series.
This book finds Rose in Russia on her quest to track down, and kill, Dimitri. We still see glimpses of Lissa's day to day life through Rose's eyes, as Rose visits her thoughts quite often throughout the book. Rose struggles with what she will do if/when she finds Dimitri. Lissa struggles with Rose's absence and finds herself spiraling into erratic behavior with no Rose around to shoulder the darkness for her. You learn quite a bit more about what it means for Rose/Lissa to be bonded and what the effects of Rose being shadow-kissed are.
It was interesting to learn more about Dimitri. I also liked the plot that enveloped Lissa. It was refreshing to see Rose out acting on her own and having to make decisions with maturity; without Lissa constantly driving her decisions. Like Mead's previous Vampire Academy books this book was an emotional roller-coaster; will Rose kill the love of her life Dimitri, will she join him, will Lissa make it without Rose around. The strongest point of the novel was the wonderful characters and characterization. There were ample fight scenes and those were also very well done. It was also fascinating to meet the Alchemists; a new part of the vampire society that has previously been a mystery. Unfortunately unlike the previous novels, there were a couple things that bothered me about this one.
Rose spends an awful lot of the beginning of the book wandering around and not making much progress. Gone is the hot headed, rashly decisive Rose of the previous books. She is replaced with a indecisive Rose, who questions her every decision and at times makes no progress at all towards her goals. I know that in a way this shows Rose developing a bit of maturity. At the same time though I thought some of this could've been omitted and the book would have been better for it. For me the first half of the book was very slow at parts and didn't grab me with the intensity of the rest of the book. At times it seemed that this book was just working to get things set up for the next book. That bothered me a bit because usually the Vampire Academy books are flawless in there pacing.
Despite that complaint; this was a very good book. The ending was especially thrilling. The way that all the pieces came together was exquisite and makes me desperately want to read the next book. Even with the small complaint above; I read this book in a couple sittings and had trouble pulling myself away from it. Overall another good book in what has been a fabulous series.
Helpful Score: 2
I was really looking forward to Blood Promise, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I'm not sure how I thought the book would resolve the issues from the last one, but this wasn't it. It was very slow going and boring throughout most of the book. There were some new elements to the story that were interesting, however. I admired Rose's resolve in Shadow Kissed, but she faltered somewhat in her search for Dimitri. I kind of understand why things went down the way they did, but it was disappointing nonetheless. I'll probably read the next one in the series, but I'm not anticipating it's release.
Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
Helpful Score: 1
The entire Vampire Academy storyline is excellent. The characters are very well developed. I read the entire book in one day and I can't wait for the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Rose made the choice to hunt down Dimitri in the Strigoi form and kill him, but she has no idea how hard her decision will make her life.
First of all, she has to leave Lissa. Then she has to find Dimitri.
In a roundabout way, she ends up at his family home in Russia, where she tells them her story. They mourn his death and welcome her into the family. Anyone can see how she feels for him. Rose wants nothing more to stay there, but she knows she's just at the beginning of her journey.
When she tracks down Dimitri, she can't help but fall under his spell as he keeps her prisoner. He wants her to turn to the dark side with him. Rose doesn't want to when she's herself, but then he comes in and confuses her. Is she strong enough to escape and do what she came to do?
I love this series. It's so full of twists and turns - surprising the daylights out of me. Plus, each book hangs on a massive cliffhanger that makes the wait time very hard. I love the cover. I love the relationship between Lissa and Rose - and how that's changing. I just love it all!
Rose made the choice to hunt down Dimitri in the Strigoi form and kill him, but she has no idea how hard her decision will make her life.
First of all, she has to leave Lissa. Then she has to find Dimitri.
In a roundabout way, she ends up at his family home in Russia, where she tells them her story. They mourn his death and welcome her into the family. Anyone can see how she feels for him. Rose wants nothing more to stay there, but she knows she's just at the beginning of her journey.
When she tracks down Dimitri, she can't help but fall under his spell as he keeps her prisoner. He wants her to turn to the dark side with him. Rose doesn't want to when she's herself, but then he comes in and confuses her. Is she strong enough to escape and do what she came to do?
I love this series. It's so full of twists and turns - surprising the daylights out of me. Plus, each book hangs on a massive cliffhanger that makes the wait time very hard. I love the cover. I love the relationship between Lissa and Rose - and how that's changing. I just love it all!
Always good. Rose is a great lead and Dimitri and Adrian are worthy companions. The secondary characters are well written.
omg. great.
if u like twilight u would like to read this series all the books in this series is excellent to read. I'm just waiting to get bk 6 in this series to read I have all of them up to bk 5
I love this series. Very suspensful and makes you want to read more.
I particularly liked the prologue which gave highlights of the story so far to refresh your memory. I usually forget the specifics once I've finished a book so this was very helpful in jumping right back into the story.
Rose is off in Siberia hunting for Dimitri so I thought the other characters would be left in the dark. But thanks to Rose's psychic link with Lissa, she is able to hone in and "see" what is happening back at the academy. When Rose sets off to Siberia in search of Dimitri, she has absolutely no idea where to look except his hometown. Dimitri is now an evil strigoi, would he really head home and put his beloved family in danger? Do you know how huge Siberia is? With no place to start, how in the world did Rose think she was going to find someone who didn't want to be found? It seems to me to be a fruitless search and Rose just ambles along with no idea what to do or where to go. I found Rose's quest to be very aimless and irritating.
Well it's no surprise when she Dimitri. At this point, I was very disappointed in Rose and almost gave up finishing the book. It became way too predictable. Rose redeems herself at the end and of course, saves the day. I think I'm going to give this series one more book to see if it continues to ramble aimlessly or finds a new direction to travel.
Rose is off in Siberia hunting for Dimitri so I thought the other characters would be left in the dark. But thanks to Rose's psychic link with Lissa, she is able to hone in and "see" what is happening back at the academy. When Rose sets off to Siberia in search of Dimitri, she has absolutely no idea where to look except his hometown. Dimitri is now an evil strigoi, would he really head home and put his beloved family in danger? Do you know how huge Siberia is? With no place to start, how in the world did Rose think she was going to find someone who didn't want to be found? It seems to me to be a fruitless search and Rose just ambles along with no idea what to do or where to go. I found Rose's quest to be very aimless and irritating.
Well it's no surprise when she Dimitri. At this point, I was very disappointed in Rose and almost gave up finishing the book. It became way too predictable. Rose redeems herself at the end and of course, saves the day. I think I'm going to give this series one more book to see if it continues to ramble aimlessly or finds a new direction to travel.
Melissa A. (melymermaid) -
I DO BELIEVE IN FAIRYTALES!
I just finished reading this book. In fact, I read books 1 through 4 in less than a week. I laughed out loud. I fell in love. I fought for those I love. I raced for my own life. I cried for all that was lost. And I was left wanting more. A lot more. I want to go through it all over again.
I can't wait until May 2010 for book 5 and can't help but wish Mead would release book 6 two days after that. I'd heard these books were great and was sooooo NOT disappointed. If you love vampires, adventures, mysteries and paranormal romances, but haven't read this series, get the books RIGHT NOW. You'll fall in love with all of them too.
Happy reading!
I just finished reading this book. In fact, I read books 1 through 4 in less than a week. I laughed out loud. I fell in love. I fought for those I love. I raced for my own life. I cried for all that was lost. And I was left wanting more. A lot more. I want to go through it all over again.
I can't wait until May 2010 for book 5 and can't help but wish Mead would release book 6 two days after that. I'd heard these books were great and was sooooo NOT disappointed. If you love vampires, adventures, mysteries and paranormal romances, but haven't read this series, get the books RIGHT NOW. You'll fall in love with all of them too.
Happy reading!
Every time I think that Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series couldn't get any better, she pulls the rug out from under my feet and I'm left shaking my head at its awesomeness.
In Blood Promise, readers get a change of venue as we follow guardian-in-training Rose to Siberia as she hunts the love of her life and former mentor, Dimitri. Since he was forcibly turned into a Strigoi -- an evil, murderous vampire -- Rose can't forget her promise to never let him live that way, and is searching Russia to find and destroy him, no matter how much it hurts. To complete her quest, she has left her best friend Lissa behind to battle her own demons of spirit without her, despite the strain it puts on their bond.
Rose meets a lot of interesting and unexpected characters along her journey to find Dimitri, and eventually does track down her lost love. Mead does a wonderful job of showing Rose's conflict between her sense of duty and her confused emotions about Strigoi Dimitri. Readers also learn more about the Strigoi, the phenomena of being shadow kissed and the element of spirit in this information-packed novel. But the centerpiece of the book is love and loss.
I have really enjoyed watching Mead's characters evolve throughout the course of the series - I'm pretty heavily invested at this point. I'm so glad I looked past the YA label and somewhat-silly title, because it would have been a shame to miss this awesome series.
In Blood Promise, readers get a change of venue as we follow guardian-in-training Rose to Siberia as she hunts the love of her life and former mentor, Dimitri. Since he was forcibly turned into a Strigoi -- an evil, murderous vampire -- Rose can't forget her promise to never let him live that way, and is searching Russia to find and destroy him, no matter how much it hurts. To complete her quest, she has left her best friend Lissa behind to battle her own demons of spirit without her, despite the strain it puts on their bond.
Rose meets a lot of interesting and unexpected characters along her journey to find Dimitri, and eventually does track down her lost love. Mead does a wonderful job of showing Rose's conflict between her sense of duty and her confused emotions about Strigoi Dimitri. Readers also learn more about the Strigoi, the phenomena of being shadow kissed and the element of spirit in this information-packed novel. But the centerpiece of the book is love and loss.
I have really enjoyed watching Mead's characters evolve throughout the course of the series - I'm pretty heavily invested at this point. I'm so glad I looked past the YA label and somewhat-silly title, because it would have been a shame to miss this awesome series.
I thought that this book went nowhere with the story line. Although it was nice to get a history on Dmitri's live before he was "turned". It wasn't my favorite, but am waiting to read the next one to see where the story's going.
I'm not a fan of author Richelle Mead at all. Her writing is passive, she "tells", doesn't "show." I'm only following this series for the relationship between Rose and Dimitri, but I'll wait and borrow the remaining books. Dimitri is the main draw (to me) for this book but doesn't show up until around page 289ish. Everything else is boring filler.
Her other series, Dark Swann, is even worse.
Her other series, Dark Swann, is even worse.
Excellent book. I really enjoyed the continuing story of Rose and Dmitry. The other characters back at the academy are secondary story in this novel. Surprising twists and turns in the storyline. I stayed up very late one night to finish. Good cliff hanger at the end. Series keeps getting better.
Great book! Different side..
Well written. I love how this author is able to write a closing/ending to each book, but still leave the plot open for the next one. I don't feel like I am left hanging after each book in the series. This series has grown on me and I am enjoying it. Be ready for some gore and violence in this one as Rose leaves for Russia to hunt Strigoi!! Pretty intense in spots!
As stated in my previous reviews of the first 3 books, this (in my opinion) should not be a YA series.
On a side note, I think I only caught 1 grammatical error so either this author changed editors or the ones she had got better! :o)
As stated in my previous reviews of the first 3 books, this (in my opinion) should not be a YA series.
On a side note, I think I only caught 1 grammatical error so either this author changed editors or the ones she had got better! :o)
Was overall a great book. However,there were parts in the book that made me wonder what the author was thinking. The ending though was predictable.
Have been enjoying this series quite a bit, can't wait to read the next book.
I love this series! Richelle Mead is such an amazing story teller! Vampire Academy sucked me from the first book and I've been in love ever since. (I read this series about 4 years ago, and I STILL rave about it.) I think it's the YA series out there.
I love this series!
