Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Title: Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2011

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 608

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: Library Loan

Last Sacrifice is the sixth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. It is the last book in the original storyline, but Mead will continue writing more Vampire Academy books in a spinoff series. Lead character and dhampir, Rosemarie Hathaway, is locked in Moroi jail after being framed in the cold-blooded murder of the Moroi Queen. The punishment for this crime is immediate execution. At the same time, she is faced with the challenge of somehow locating Princess Vasilisa Dragomir’s lone remaining relative, her secretly existing illegitimate sibling. Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

The last volume in this series did not fail to keep me attached.  The previous five books left a ton of loose threads out there.  Thankfully we get some conclusions.  But not everything is wrapped up in a little bow.  And I must say I prefer this type of ending.  I can’t stand the “happily-ever-after” bullshit endings.  This seems more real.  Beyond the ending, I do say that I really loved the characters in this book.  Lissa, not my favorite at all, became bearable in this volume.  Adrian and Christian are amazing as usual.  And while Rose become a bit annoying in the fifth book, she cleaned back up for this one.  Plus we got to see more of Eddie (under used character) and Janine and Abe and Mikhail.  I finished the series, but have no desire to leave the world.  That is a sign that I really did enjoy the series.  Thankfully, Mead has written a spin-off series.  I must check it out.

Vampire Academy
1. Vampire Academy 
2. Frostbite 
3. Shadow Kiss 
4. Blood Promise 
5. Spirit Bound 
6. Last Sacrifice

  

 

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Title: Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2010

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 490

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: Library Loan

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives beyond the Academy’s iron gates to begin. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he’s out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won’t rest until Rose joins him… forever.

Such twists and turns.  I really really really like this series.  And I don’t care what anyone says, this isn’t like Twilight at all.  Rose is a strong character.  Bella was just weak willed.  Comparisons aside, I was on the edge of my seat the entire book.  Just when I thought everything was fixed, another incident blew up Rose’s world.  At this point, I am really concerned for Rose and her future (especially with the last few chapters).  I am excited about her future with Adrian, even if I loved Dmitri.  This is a love triangle I can get behind.  With all the loose ends, I hope the last book gives us some answers.

Vampire Academy
1. Vampire Academy 
2. Frostbite 
3. Shadow Kiss 
4. Blood Promise 
5. Spirit Bound 
6. Last Sacrifice

  

 

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Title: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2010

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 512

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: Library Loan

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them . . . including Dimitri.He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

This volume was a nice change a pace.  We got out of St. Vladmir’s and into new foreign territory.  We also got to meet some new people (good and bad).  This book has renewed my interest in the series.  For the first 1/3 of the book, I was wavering about my commitment to reading the series.  But things quickly become interest and I reinvested.  I’ve decided that Lissa is growing on me, Adrian is really growing on me, and we need to see more of Christian.  On to book five…

Vampire Academy
1. Vampire Academy 
2. Frostbite 
3. Shadow Kiss 
4. Blood Promise 
5. Spirit Bound 
6. Last Sacrifice

  

 

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2008

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 443

Rating:  4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

Shadow Kiss continues the story of the main character, Rose Hathaway and her education in becoming a Guardian. Rose knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend Lissa- the last Dragomir princess- must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous tutor Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken… Including school rules and the law when she takes her romance with Dimitri to the next step… love. Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose’s mind and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy’s iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen

Another solid volume in this young adult paranormal series.  This isn’t the best series I’ve ever read, but it’s definitely enjoyable and a quick read.  I find myself getting more and more wrapped up in Rose’s life.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.  What will she do about the whole Dmitri situation?  What about her future as Lissa’s guardian?  Will she follow duty or her heart?  Twists and turns…

Vampire Academy
1. Vampire Academy 
2. Frostbite 
3. Shadow Kiss 
4. Blood Promise 
5. Spirit Bound 
6. Last Sacrifice

  

 

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2008

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 327

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library; A to Z — F

How I Got It: Library Loan

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 handto- 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…

I still really like Rose and Christian is amazing.  But I am getting more and more ambivalent towards Lissa.  She’s just a wet blanket of a character.  Thankfully this volume focused more on Rose and her relationships with others (Dimitri, her mother!, Tasha, Christian, and Mason).  I loved seeing her interact with those other people.  I even loved the inclusion of Mia to that list.  She was an absolute bitch in the first book, but now we see where she’s coming from.  I think she’s a great counterpart to Rose.  And Adrian was an interesting addition.  To me this series is really about the characters.  The supernatural elements some second.  And I love that!  Even Rose’s occasional immature behavior is okay.  She’s growing like real people should.  I don’t expect her to be perfect; her flaws are what make her interesting.  This is one young adult series that has me hooked.  And all those comparisons to Twilight are just ugh!  It’s not the same at all.  I can’t wait to see what happens next…

Vampire Academy
1. Vampire Academy 
2. Frostbite 
3. Shadow Kiss 
4. Blood Promise 
5. Spirit Bound 
6. Last Sacrifice

  

 

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2007

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 332

Rating:  4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

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’ve been meaning to start this series for awhile.  I had heard good things and it didn’t disappoint.  I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book once I started, but I finally got through it.

I love the main character, Rose.  She’s tough, outspoken, loyal, and intelligent.  I loved her comebacks and each time she stood up to some bully at the academy.  On the other hand, I wasn’t a huge fan of Lissa, at least until the end.  Throughout most of the book she is the fragile Moroi princess and I just couldn’t get why she was so wonderful.  When she grew a backbone I started to come around to her.  I think my favorite character in the book was Christian.  Very interesting side character that obviously knows more than Rose or Lissa thinks. I can’t wait to see what happens between him and Lissa.  And Dmitri is obviously some awesome eye candy.

The story is interesting.  Not really new or different, but a good solid story.  The first book ends on a cliffhanger, but not a “I want to rip my hair out” cliffhanger.  I’m okay with the ending, but I can’t wait to pick up the next series.  I hope it stays strong throughout.

Vampire Academy
1. Vampire Academy 
2. Frostbite 
3. Shadow Kiss 
4. Blood Promise 
5. Spirit Bound 
6. Last Sacrifice

  

 

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Title: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 2011

Genre: Paranormal; Alternative history?

Pages: 336

Rating:  5 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampire; Support Your Library loan; Book2Movie

How I Got It: Library Loan

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

I love these mixes of history and fantasy.  I think I’ve found my second favorite genre (after zombies, of course).  This book reads like a historical biography.  Except in this case, Smith added the elements of vampires throughout the history of Lincoln’s life.  If I didn’t know any better, I would think this was nonfiction.  Every addition feels unnatural.  I loved the pacing, breaking his life into “boy, vampire hunter, and president.”  Through it we get a sense of Lincoln (even if half of it is make believe).  I’ve never been a huge fan of Lincoln’s; I prefer the Roosevelts and Jefferson.  But this book made me a fan.  I heartedly recommend!

Movie Review: 

I finally got around to seeing the movie.  A was pretty disappointed.  While the book has a gravity, the movie makes it too cheesy, too modern.  That ridiculous fight scene among the horses was almost too much to watch.  But I will admit that I loved the scene in the plantation.  It was a very modern fight scene done well.  The character of Will was a great role.  I loved the inclusion.  I was very upset that the movie excluded so much from the book.  We only got to see Abraham’s struggle at the end, after the Civil War started.  Random note: How amazing was Alan Tudyk as Stephen Douglas!  An uncredited role, but so great.

 

The Radleys by Matt Haig

Title: The Radleys

Author: Matt Haig

Publisher: Free Press 2011

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 400

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Mount TBR

Just about everyone knows a family like the Radleys. Many of us grew up next door to one. They are a modern family, averagely content, averagely dysfunctional, living in a staid and quiet suburban English town. Peter is an overworked doctor whose wife, Helen, has become increasingly remote and uncommunicative. Rowan, their teenage son, is being bullied at school, and their anemic daughter, Clara, has recently become a vegan. They are typical, that is, save for one devastating exception: Peter and Helen are vampires and have—for seventeen years—been abstaining by choice from a life of chasing blood in the hope that their children could live normal lives.

Such a moody vampire story.  In many ways, it is a coming of age story.  It just happens that the people involved are vampires.  I loved seeing the story from the vampire perspective.  What would happen if you were a vampire, but didn’t know it?  What happened when you found out?  How would you react?  I especially loved Rowan.  In many ways, he’s the traditional romantic style vampire, but doesn’t know it.  This book is a refreshing change form the Twilight style vampire story.  BTW the author questions at the back reveal that Matt Haig sees Robert Downey Jr. as Matt Radley.  Delicious choice!  I would love to see this book turned into a movie.

 

 

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Title: Sunshine

Author: Robin McKinley

Publisher: Speak 2010

Genre: Vampire

Pages: 416

Rating:  5  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampire; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

There hadn’t been any trouble out at the lake in years. Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts for a minute. But then the vampires found her . . . Now, chained and imprisoned in a once-beautiful decaying mansion, alone but for the vampire, Constantine, shackled next to her, Sunshine realizes that she must call on her own hidden strength if she is to survive. But Constantine is not what she expected of a vampire, and soon Sunshine discovers that it is he who needs her, more than either of them know.  Originally published as an adult novel, but now in YA for the first time, Sunshine is an alluring and captivating vampire story – one that will ensnare fans of paranormals everywhere.

This novel….  um wow!  The one word that kept popping into my head throughout: Atmosphere.  I haven’t read any book lately that evoked such atmosphere.  I loved it!  McKinley puts us right inside of Sunshine’s head.  We connect with her right away.  We remember past events, but always at the right time.  We feel every emotion she’s feeling.  I especially loved the times when she was confused.  We were confused right there with her.  The writing was confused, but yet still readable.  We see the world through Sunshine’s eyes.  Overall the effect is quite brilliant.

It took me awhile to get through this book; not because I was struggling to stay interested, but quite the opposite.  I was so connected with the story and characters that I didn’t want it to end.  I was scared at what we might find out.  Don’t worry everything worked out in the end…  well in a way.  This book has made me add McKinley to my authors to explore.  I have a feeling this might end up on my Top 10 Books of 2012 list.

  

 

American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout

Title: American Vampire

Author: Jennifer Armintrout

Publisher: Mira 2011

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 336

Rating:  4  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; A to Z — A; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

Buried in the Heartland is a town that no one enters or leaves. Graf McDonald somehow becomes its first visitor in more than five years…and he was only looking for a good party. Unfortunately, Penance, Ohio, is not that place. And after having been isolated for so long, they do not like strangers at all.

Jessa’s the only one to even remotely trust him, and she’s desperate for the kind of protection that only a vampire like Graf can provide. Supplies are low, the locals are ornery for a sacrifice and there’s a monster more powerful than Graf lurking in the woods. New men are hard to come by in this lonesome town, and this handsome stranger might be Jessa’s only hope for salvation.

Every once in a while I enjoy a good book of romance fluff.  It’s a great change of pace from deeper, more complex books.  I am now going to add a variation to the romance fluff–the paranormal fluff. This book was a fun, fast-paced, slightly scary, paranormal fluff book.  And that’s okay.  It’s not anything I would rave about and force others to read, but it was an entertaining book. 

Graf was great as a more traditional (*not sparkly*) vampire.  He was tough in all the right places.  It took him a really long time to stop looking at Jessa as food, although he never thought of the others as anything else.  He was a vampire…  and I really adored him.  Jessa was much harder to like, but that was kind of the point.  She wasn’t an angel.  She wasn’t a damsel.  She was just a young woman with a past.  I appreciated that Armintrout didn’t have her fall in love with Graf on the spot.  Those stories to be a bit boring.  This took some time. 

The story was fun, a bit scary, and definitely high-paced.  I saw most of the twists and turns coming, but that didn’t make them any less fun.  It was a quick, but satisfying read.  I’m adding Armintrout to my list of authors to check out.