Not mentioned in my reviews of the first two novels of the young adult Vampire Academy series is Lissa’s spirit affinity, or power. Well, I’ll mention it now because in Shadow Kiss, the third novel of the series, part of the consequences of this power is messing with Rose’s mind. But in truth, it’s destructive to Lissa as well. The two are bonded, which is something you learn about in the first book Vampire Academy, but Shadow Kiss is really where you start to learn more about what that means and how that will forever affect the lives of both girls. Because of the bond, you will find the Rose is Shadow Kissed, and will forever be bound to darkness as well as Lissa.
This addition to the Vampire Academy series is amazing. It’s where you fall in love with Dimitri, Rose, her mother, with Lissa and Christian, with Adrian… I’m sorry I should have said, this is where you fall in love. Period. The book is laden with horrific but amazing battle scenes, Moroi powers being used against Strigoi, Rose finding her strength and becoming an amazing warrior, and where you truly see the battle between the three vampire variations clash and come together in a huge explosion. The first two novels are creating specifically to prepare you for and build to the climax of this book, and even then you are not properly ready for what happens.
Shadow Kiss is the novel that stole me. From the very beginning I read through the third and fourth books within a couple of days and now I have been left high and dry without a continuation of the story as I wait longingly for the fifth book, Spirit Bound, to be released May 18th.
Richelle Mead does a fantastic job of keeping the story straight, of not involving too many characters or distractions from the plot. She condenses a huge amount of content within this one book and captivates the reader within the pages, traps them there is an even better description. I felt stuck to the book, both in pleasure and in pain as I tore through the action, love scenes, and drama. My only words of advice are to walk into this book prepared to regret having to put it down at all before you finish every page.
A+
Moderate Sexual Content: Kissing, Making Out, Sex, not graphically descriptive
Moderate Language: F word used on occasion
Explicit Violence: the violence is age appropriate for those 14 or older
Some Drinking, Some Smoking, No drug use
Age Recommendation: 14+
I read these books on your suggestion. I am almost finished with the third! Thank you, they are my favorite vampire books currently.
I love these books. I’m currently waiting for the 5th book to come out in December. I couldn’t ask for a better series, thanks. (:
how did you end up liking the final book?