On Wednesdays this summer, Steph at TheFakeSteph, Ashelynn of Gypsy Book Reviews, Jenn at OwlReadIt and I are all blogging about our reading (or re-reading) of the Vampire Academy series. If you've read the books and want to chime in, or if you're curious about this much beloved series, we hope you enjoy following along.
If you missed the last two weeks, you can catch up on my post on Vampire Academy book one here and my post on Frostbite here. Since it's summer school, I'm not doing formal reviews, just giving you my thoughts like we're passing notes in class.
Week three assigned reading: Shadow Kiss, Vampire Academy, book three.
Very brief plot summary:
After the deadly battle in book two, Rose is being haunted -- literally -- and she's afraid to tell anyone for fear that they'll think she's insane. When Strigoi attack St. Vladimir's, Rose has to choose between her friendship and loyalty to Lissa, and her forbidden love for Dimitri.
What I loved about Shadow Kiss:
Meatloaf: Yes, meatloaf. A few days ago, Steph tweeted me saying she could see why I like Christian because he bakes meatloaf. Me: "Who? What? Meatloaf?"
Shhh. I'm a few books ahead. I did remember the part in Shadow Kiss where Rose tells Christian that he'll make a great housewife. Who doesn't love a guy who cooks?! I make a great meatloaf. Maybe Christian and I can trade recipes.
Ghosts. I also love ghosts. I don't want to tell you who is haunting poor Rose in case you haven't read the book yet. It's someone who died in book two. And this ghost haunting thing is going to come into play later on...
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| Ghosts from The Haunted Mansion at Disney World |
Silence of the Lambs Moment: You know that moment in the film when Clarice goes to visit Hannibel Lechter?
Well, Rose goes to meet with Victor Dashkov in prison. Just like the Clarice scene, Victor tells Rose something that really gets to her. Don't listen to him, Rose!
Girly-Girl Moment: Just when things are getting grim, Lissa and Rose get manicures. Rose's nails look just like this:
Tarot cards: There's nothing like an ominous prophecy to shake things up in a book. Dimitri gets a reading that bothers him. And not a lot bothers Dimitri...
Romantic moment: Rose and Dimitri get a lot closer in this book. That's all I'm saying! I like Rose and Dimitri together. Yes, I'm on #TeamForbiddenLove. Deal with it, Steph!
Then.... the mother of all Cliffhangers: Whoa. I should have seen that coming. Seriously, Richelle Mead? You left your readers hanging like that? This is why it's never a bad idea to wait for the whole series to be out...
Tell me what you think, but DON'T tell me what happens next!
You are making me really want to re-read these! I didn't feel like it was too bad of a cliffhanger but when I started the series luckily the last book has just come out so I was able to read through all six in a row. It was awesome! I dropped off the planet for a week. When I got my hands on Last Sacrifice I literally told my friends see you in a few days cause I will be reading! The bad part is I couldn't avoid some spoilers that I wished I could have avoided.
ReplyDeleteOMG That Hannibal Lector picture creeps me out but that is so Victor Dashkov! LOL I love when Rose and Christian bicker. Some of my favorite scenes.
You know you want to re-read these! Except I am getting to the part where Rose .... no, no spoilers. But I can see why you're a little ticked off at her.
DeleteDUDE. I LOVE Cliffhangers like that. They are exciting and wonderful and it's not just meatloaf it's BACON COVERED meatloaf. OMG. Christian.
ReplyDeleteThis book did a much better job of selling me on the Dmitri romance. I was only a little creeped out by it. AND I CRIED AT THE ENDING. AND OMG.... OMG, the ending.
I'm getting a little tired of YA cliffhangers but this one is a good one. A really good one.
DeleteI really like the sound of Rose being haunted. I am discovering how much I love stories with ghosts in YA so that plotline sounds right in my wheelhouse.
ReplyDeleteI don't love meatloaf but I love my dad's meatloaf which is bacon-covered (the main reason why I don't eat other meatloaf is that it frequently does not have bacon, which, why would anyone do that?) I love a guy who cooks!
I know -- if guys understood how much we love it when they cook, they'd all be in culinary school.
DeleteThis one was so amazing!!!!! The ending... OMG! It was so good! I'm honestly surprised I didn't pick up the next book right away, I would have if not for review books. I'm sure I'll be starting it later tonight after finishing the book I'm on now.
ReplyDeleteIs it weird that I've never had meatloaf? Yes, probably. Bacon covered meatloaf does sound good though! I'm also warming up to the romance between Roseand Dimitri, and then there was that ending.. gah
I know -- if I hadn't had that next book ready to go, I might have lost it!
DeleteI didn't love meatloaf growing up, but I make little mini turkey meatloaves with bacon and ketchup-chipotle sauce. I LOVE them!
I only skimmed over this post since I am still only like 5 chapters into book 1. I agree with a guy who can cook though. My hubs is the cook in the house. I may have to give up on reading VA for now, I just have too many other books to get to.
ReplyDeleteAwww ... book three is where things really get cooking, if you'll excuse the terrible pun. But I do understand...
DeleteI hate cliffhangers! If you're reading a good book then it ends on a cliffhanger you have to wait for the next book. If the next book comes out in say a year the waiting is just too awful:( I actually believe it or not have never read the Vampire Academy series...I think I will check out those books soon;)
ReplyDelete-JennyC
I think cliffhangers are WAY overdone but this one is just genius.
DeleteDefinitely try to get to the books -- they're SO addictive.
OMG. Now I want to re-read this entire series so bad and refresh my unwavering adoration for Richelle Mead and the world of Moroi.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm really happy you love Christian. He may not have won in the crush tourney, but I still think he deserves more attention than he receives.
Shadow Kiss is when things really begin to get epic and the rest of the series relies on. Fret not, you will get more cliffhangers. :D Be happy you waited until the entire series is out, rather than me who began reading it when only the first 4 were out. I went completely insane, especially waiting for Last Sacrifice.
But I am happy you like these. I always love when someone new jumps on the VA train.
I just love Christian. Everyone judges him based on what his parents did and he's just such a nice, low-drama guy.
DeleteI love your review! I really need to get on to Richelle Mead's VA books! They look so so good! And a big cliffhanger? Oooh I need these books! :)
ReplyDeleteYes!!!!! Read them when you have a chance!
DeleteCliff hanger? It was the mother of all cliff hangers! I hated the ending to this one :) but it's a great series and now that it's all out no one has a tortuous wait ahead of them.
ReplyDeleteThose last lines. Ugh...Off she goes, and you know the rest. Enjoy the 4th one!
I thought the ending was genius -- I mean, what an amazing plot twist. I have such admiration for Richelle Mead.
DeleteI loved Shadow Kiss and I was at the edge of my seat when I read it. Reminiscing now LITERALLY gives me goose bumps. It's like I could picture Dimitri in my mind right now... Not to mention that Strigoi attack. Oh my gosh. I can imagine the next book already..
ReplyDeleteDimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri!!!
I know. I love him more after what he goes through!
DeleteShadow Kiss is my favorite the series, with Blood Promise a close second:) I'd like to say it's the meatloaf or the manicure that made it so, but no. Totally the "sealing of the deal" that clenched it for me;)
ReplyDeleteI will have to post on why I think they make a great couple. To try to convince Steph and Jen M.
DeleteThe Cliffhanger is awesome in this one, I agree! Of course it helped that I also waited for the whole series to be out, so I just started reading the next book without having to wait. I think there has to be some cliffhangers because otherwise books can get a little unrealistic. In life not everyone is good all the time or has everything go their way all the time. I am also probably okay with it because I read the rest and know how things end - is that saying too much? :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, Jen, your recipe sounds fabulous! I love chipotle and I love meatloaf! Care to share your recipe?
I will email it to you :)
DeleteHurray!!! Can't wait! :)
DeleteOMG. You're making me want to re-read but I absolutely do not have time. Love this series, and I am team forbidden love too.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I know -- re-reading is such a huge luxury, which is why I'm so honored that Ashelynn has joined us. After book two, it's all new to me!
DeleteI'm really enjoying the VA reviews from you guys even thought I haven't read the books. Your all making them so fun!
ReplyDeletethanks -- I think you can see how much fun we're having :)
DeleteI despise cliffhangers. I am one to wait for the series to be complete.
ReplyDeleteI despise them, but I also despise having to wait for an entire series to be out before I start reading.
DeleteI love that your just reading these now! This may be the only time that! have read something before you have! These books are such a fabulous guilty pleasure of mine and my co-workers. We still talk about them and are so excited to read the new series.
ReplyDeleteAnd meatloaf. Lord. I didn't eat meat for years and won't delve into that saga but I do now and there is a sandwich shop near the library that makes a KILLER meatloaf sandwich that I get pretty much every 2 weeks. It's pathetic. They know when they see me, library meatloaf girl.
I was also a vegetarian for a while. I don't eat tons of meat, but I do like it! Library meatloaf girl -- LOL!!
DeleteI love your post about VA! That is one of my all time favourite series. I won't tell you what happens next but I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Cliffhangers are killing me if I have to wait a year or so for next sequel! :D
ReplyDeleteI know -- I'm really enjoying being able to read one book after the other!
DeleteLove the pics you've used!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, the cliffhanger at the end of this book was absolutely killer! I nearly died waiting for Blood Promise to come out. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I teared up a little bit when I read this book. Not full-on tears, but things definitely were a little bit blurry for awhile!
You were not the only one!!
Delete