On Wednesdays this summer, Steph at TheFakeSteph, Jenn at OwlReadIt and I are 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've missed prior posts, you can catch up on my post on Vampire Academy book one here and my post on Frostbite here, my post on Shadow Kiss here, and my post on Blood Promise here.
New kid alert! Lauren from the Headless Owl joined our class last week! So Steph forgot to mention this to me and maybe you remember what I wrote in last week's post about the new kids at St. Vladimir's. Awkward! Sorry, Lauren! But if Steph starts acting weird all of a sudden (weirder than usual, that is) you're my top suspect.
Week Five assigned reading: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead. Since it's summer school, I'm not doing formal reviews, just giving you my thoughts like we're passing notes in class.
Very brief plot summary:
It's graduation time at St. Vlad's, which is bittersweet for Rose. She hasn't given up on Dimitri, but if she wants to have any hope of saving him, she'll have to face her worst enemy -- Victor Dashkov. And in order to help, Lissa will have to step up and learn to rely on her own strength.
First off, I have to get these two things off my chest with a little game of Love That/Hate That:
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| wwwneatoshop.com |
Yeah, if you stare at it enough, it's like one of those trick-your-eyes things.
You can't see it? Never mind, let's move on...
Evil Dimitri?
LOVE! I'm kind of loving Bad Dimitri. He's so entertaining! Is that terrible?
Adrian as Rose's boyfriend?
More things I love about this book:
Vegas, baby!
The idea of vampires hiding out in Vegas is genius! Everyone's inside all the time and Vegas has that glittery outside with a sinister underbelly. Love!
Prison Break!
They pretty much did the whole thing with compulsion, but I was still very amused. Great job, guys!
Lissa finally gets to do something besides healing and compulsion. Yay, Lissa!
Then.... angst. Rose can't let Dimitri go and she's back to her whole hardheaded, me-against-the-world thing. But just as I'm rolling my eyes ... WHOA! I did not see that ending coming!
Tell me what you think -- do you agree with Jen M that this is the best VA book? I'm not sure yet...
It's the best because of Adrian in silky boxers and then naked!!! He was fully naked!!! Any book where Adrian is naked is the best book ever. You have no idea how upset I am that Adrian didn't have a condom. Since when does he not have one on him at all times?! Beyond me. Anyway badass Dimitri was kind of entertaining but also very scary. Sorry but Rose really should have a staked him. Do you know how many people he probably killed all that time she was trying to find a cure?! Probably like hundreds!!! And then he was such a jerk for all she did! Love fades mine has?!?! WTF!!! I would have beat the crap out of him for saying that to me. Can't blame a girl for running to Adrian's hot sexy body. Totally awesome that they were in Vegas. Was so cute how Adrian was like you ran off to Vegas without ME?! Then he was like like ummm did you know Victor Dashkov is sitting on your bed?! LOL You want me to help bring your boyfriend back?! Well I need two drinks now. See best book! So entertaining!
ReplyDeleteWait -- THAT'S why you think this book is the best one? Because of the black boxers? I thought it was the plot, the mix of emotions Rose feels at graduation, the jaw-dropping ending...
DeleteOf course Dimitri didn't mean "love fades" when he said it. And of course she shouldn't have staked him. That would have meant giving up on him, and Rose doesn't give up.
And Rose and Adrian are wrong for each other ... completely. Adrian will be happier with someone else.
Rose and Adrian were hot together and I liked them. Honestly if Dimitri never came back I think they would have been happy together. I still don't know that Sydney can fully make him happy. She has yet to prove her worthiness to me. And yes the silky boxers and greatest not-sex ever was a big part of why this was my favorite but I also did love graduation and her test. Loved that Adrian and Abe were all buddy buddy. Adrian was a great boyfriend. Loved the action and how hard Lissa worked to get Dimitri back for Rose. Was really upset that Dimitri was such a jerk when he came back. I can understand feeling guilt and shame for what he did why he was evil but it was just ridic.
DeleteSee, I think Rose would make Adrian miserable. She's too stubborn and impulsive and he's more sensitive. Dimitri is calm and patient and way better for Rose.
DeleteGive Sydney a chance -- I think she and A can be great together.
I'm agreeing with the naked Adrian making this book awesome..lol I was so happy for it!!
DeleteBahaha...you guys are hilarious! I'm still trying to separate the books and remember which one was my favorite. Was this the one where Dimitri kind of has Rose under his spell and then she escapes and wants to kill him but can't bring herself to do it? I did love evil Dimitri. He was tons of fun. TONS! I actually think I prefer him evil.
ReplyDeleteAnd *sigh*...Adrian. I do love him so. Boxers or no boxers. But please...no boxers. ;0) I'm a little over 1/2 way thru The Golden Lily right now...and despite all his faults, I still love him. :D
That sounds like Blood Promise. In this book Rose is moving on. Loved Golden Lily and am SO excited for book three!!
DeleteI STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE BOXER scene. But I love evil Dmitri and hate that she's using Adrian. And seriously, he's all tortured now. Did she NOT see that coming? Did she never watch Buffy? Angel/Angelus.... come on now Rose. And I totally loved Lissa in this one.
ReplyDelete#TeamSpike
Delete(the boxerrs come off.. :O)
DeleteThis was a hilarious post-it's definitely doing a good job of interesting me in this series!
ReplyDeleteIt's just SO MUCH FUN!!!
DeleteThis is not my fave. My favourite was third! I cried for days after that book! I love this book to, because bad Dimka is hot! :D
ReplyDeleteOkay, don't tell anyone, but I think that book is my favorite too! I will give my reasons next week...
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DeleteDon't worry! Your secret is safe with me! ;)
DeleteThe ending in this book totally killed me. I almost didn't finish the series. No that's a lie, I was way to invested. I do not think this is my Fav tho, at all. The last book was the best for me ;)
ReplyDeleteOoh, see, everyone has a different opinion, which I love!!
DeleteI loved this book :D and I think I might agree that this is the best. it's been a while since I read it... Freaking love Dimitri :D
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'm appreciating him more and more...
DeleteDimitri or Adrian? Lol..
DeleteI love your reviews on these books so so much! There so hilarious and funny! Ahhh need them books! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I only looked at the pics and tried to read as little as possible so I don't spoil myself. I totally saw the mind trick eye thingy btw lol!!
ReplyDeleteI stopped reading vamp books after Twilight; actually, I don't think I've read any other vamp books besides Twilight.
ReplyDeleteI am so enjoying your recaps! I totally agree with your comments above about Rose and Dimitri and Adrian. I agree that she just couldn't stake him and I'm glad she didn't. The plot is good. That ending is quite stressful and it leads so well into the next book. I need to re-read these to see what I think about it being the best. It might be. :)
ReplyDeleteI lost your posts on this, I'm so not at all imaginative.. lol I just stick with my plain jane vanilla reviews ...
ReplyDeleteI soooo can't wait to read the next one!!
What's even more awkward? The fact that I only just put my post up! :/ Very hectic week, sorry!! But love your recap as much as I did the last one. So hilarious, you have such great review style. I completely agree about Lissa (and totally forgot to mention that in my post). Was great to see her in action! And yes, NO to Rose and Adrian, though I love Adrian by himself. :)
ReplyDelete