The final part of my reading catchup series in which I discuss Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Winter by Marissa Meyer and Soundless by Richelle Mead. [book-info]Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a new series set in the same world as her Grisha Trilogy, which I loved. One of Bardugo’s strengths as a writer is her worldbuilding – and that continues in this new outing. Instead of a Russianesque setting, the action moves to a place reminiscent of Amsterdam in its Golden Age. The characters were interesting, but in an ensemble book like this, they aren’t always given the time to be as fully developed as a single protagonist novel. I look forward to seeing where the series goes and will certainly keep up with it. I gave Six of Crows four stars out of five. [book-info number=1]Winter by Marissa Meyer is the fourth and final book in the Lunar Chronicles series and was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. This final book was loosely based on the Snow White fairytale and tells the story of Princess Winter of Luna as well as continuing the stories of Cinder, Scarlet and Cress and their attempt to…
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead is the first in the Bloodlines series, the spinoff from Vampire Academy. It follows the story of young Alchemist Sydney Sage whom we met in the Vampire Academy series. In it, Sydney is tasked with protecting Jill Mastrano in Palm Springs and in order to do so attends an elite boarding school with her. We learn more about the Alchemists and also some secrets about Vampire Academy characters are revealed. To be honest, Bloodlines didn’t grab me nearly as much as Vampire Academy did. With VA we were introduced to interesting characters and they drew us into their fascinating world. While reading VA I had been interested to learn more about the Alchemists, but other than Sydney the Alchemists we meet in Bloodlines are very unsympathetic characters which killed any interest I had in learning about their organisation. What I liked Sydney. I did like Sydney in Bloodlines, and I feel her character has great scope for development. I would love to see her develop from a competent if anxious and insecure operative to the kick ass Alchemist we know she can be. I would also enjoy seeing her deal with the prejudices she’s carrying around…
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead is the sixth and final book in the Vampire Academy series. It is an excellent end to the series, and ties up a lot of loose ends. In it Rose must go on the run to avoid execution on false charges. Meanwhile Lissa must navigate the murky waters of Moroi politics. What I liked Culmination of foreshadowing. As the final chapter of the story unfolds, it’s clear Mead had everything well planned out from the beginning. Throwaway lines from earlier books take on major significance. We also get to meet characters who have only been mentioned in passing. Lissa’s character development. By this book Rose’s character has already matured significantly, and in terms of character the spotlight is more on Lissa in this book as she navigates Moroi politics. She learns a good deal about herself and her future role in society. Of course it doesn’t quite mitigate my personal gripe of teenage characters being given real power despite their limited life experience. The Alchemists. I loved what we learned about the Alchemists and I look forward to reading the spinoff series, Bloodlines. What I didn’t like The Rose/Lissa bond development. I really didn’t…
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead is the fifth and penultimate book in the Vampire Academy series. It concludes the story arc of Rose in Siberia and what she is trying to do for Dimitri and sets up the final arc of the series. For me this was the weakest of the Vampire Academy novels. My biggest issue was that the pacing was off. It seemed there was a large gap between the climax of the Rose/Dimitri/Siberia storyline and the kickoff of the final vampire politics act. Clearly, this section is intended to explore Dimitri’s emotional state after all that’s happened to him, but as we don’t really get his point of view, only Rose’s and through the bond, Lissa’s, the whole impact of that is drastically lessened and loses immediacy. It becomes about how his attitude affects Rose, not what Dimitri himself is going through. What I liked Moroi finally getting off their arses and taking action. I really loved Lissa’s and Christian’s part in the resolution of the Dimitri storyline. It was great to see that some Moroi at least are not willing to allow dhampirs to take the full brunt of protection from Strigoi. I would have liked…
Blood Promise is the fourth in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. In it our protagonist, Rose Hathaway, travels to Dimitri’s hometown in Siberia to try to keep a promise she made to him. Meanwhile back at St Vladimir’s, Lissa faces a hidden threat. This novel is very much a journey novel both physically and emotionally as Rose struggles to deal with the events of Frostbite and Shadow Kiss. During this journey she meets various people who help or hinder her, and who, interestingly, could have been her if she’d made different life choices. What i liked The Alchemists. Rose his helped by young Alchemist, Sydney, which is our first introduction to this secretive organisation. Sydney is also the protagonist of the spinoff series Bloodlines. I was intrigued by what I read about them and look forward to reading more in Bloodlines. Handy tip: don’t read the preview of the new series at the end of the ebook if you don’t want to be spoiled about the rest of the VA series. I hate it when publishers do that! Anyway… I enjoyed how Sydney’s friendship with and understanding of Rose grew as they worked together. What-ifs. I really enjoyed…
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead is the third of six books in the Vampire Academy series. In it Rose Hathaway must deal with the consequences of the events of Frostbite and learns more about the bond between Lissa Dragomir and her and the effects of being shadow kissed. Her relationship with instructor Dimitri develops, but then tragedy strikes. Having read the entire Vampire Academy series now I consider Shadow Kiss as kind of a transition book in the way that Goblet of Fire is a major turning point for Harry in the Harry Potter series. Up to and including Shadow Kiss Rose’s main preoccupations other than protecting Lissa are more normal teen concerns; her crush on Dimitri, getting enough good grades to pass class, not getting into trouble with the teachers, future career options, dealing with class bullies. After the events of Shadow Kiss, she takes responsibility for herself and goes off into the adult world, with more adult cares and preoccupations. The scope also expands to include the whole of Moroi society including the Court. What I liked Character development. Both Rose and Lissa continue to develop in interesting ways. I liked how their knowledge of spirit increased, even though…
Frostbite by Richelle Mead is the second in the Vampire Academy series of books and continues the story of Rose and Lissa. We learn more about their bond and about the spirit magic that Lissa wields. We also get to meet Rose’s mother, legendary dhampir guardian Janine Hathaway and we see the less than warm relationship the two share. The attitude of Moroi towards their dhampir protectors and their lack of responsibility for their own safety is started to be explored through the character of Tasha Ozera. What I liked Character and relationship development. I liked how the bond between Rose and Lissa continued to be explored. it was interesting that Mead presented the developments in such a way that Rose’s absorbing Lissa’s spirit darkness was obvious to the reader long before the characters themselves worked it out. That is a technique used rather a lot by Mead. Another example would be Adrian’s use of alcohol and drugs to counter spirit magic’s unwelcome side effects. For me that worked well, although some readers may be rather irritated by the characters’ blindness to these developments. I also liked Rose’s realisation that killing Strigoi is not as glorious as it sounds in…
In Mead’s world there are two kinds of vampires – the “good” mortal vampires known as Moroi and the evil undead bloodsucking amoral Strigoi. Vampire Academy tells the story of Vasilisa Dragomir, a Moroi princess, and her half vampire half human guardian Rose Hathaway and the bond they share. This is actually the second time I have read Vampire Academy. The first time I read it was a few years ago, I remember thinking it was a fun read and that I would perhaps get round to reading the rest of the series some day. The second time I read it though, maybe in contrast to some of the books I’ve read recently, the characters just leapt off the page at me. I became so hooked on the series that I have been marathoning it. I’m currently on book four of six, with spinoff series Bloodlines in prospect. Expect more Vampire Academy reviews to follow. What I liked Three dimensional characters. I loved how Mead wrote both Lissa and Rose. I felt it was a very realistic depiction of young women on the cusp of adulthood, learning to deal with issues of love and life. Setting aside all the vampire…