7
Dec102010
Vampire Academy week – BOOK REVIEW: ‘Last Sacrifice’ by Richelle Mead
by Carolyn • Posted in 5 Star Reviews, Authors M-P, Book Reviews, Paranormal, Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy Week, Young Adult
Title: Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: December 2010
Paperback: 584 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Young Adult
RATING: 10/10
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.
Now the law has finally caught up with Rose–for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.
But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back . . . and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?
REVIEW:
Well, what can I say…sensational! ‘Last Sacrifice‘ is the last book in an amazing series, which has, to be honest, left me feeling a little depressed that it’s all over. However, Ms Mead gave the ending I had dreamed of. It was emotional, moving, exciting, happy, sad…I loved every word.
‘Last Sacrifice‘ began where ‘Spirit Bound‘ ended with Rose behind bars. She can’t quite believe she’s in prison and being accused of assassinating the Moroi Queen. Fortunately, Rose gets to see the outside world through her link with Lissa but one day she can’t get through – why is Lissa blocking her?
Rose doesn’t know that her friends are plotting a plan to break her out of jail, which they do and that’s when the fun ride begins. As I found with all the books in the VA series they are emotionally intense, action packed, rollar-coaster reads. ‘Last Sacrifice‘ has it all and it sends you on an adventure with Rose and Dimitri, meeting past characters such as Sonya, Jill and even the evil Victor.
Dimitri tells Rose his only reason for protecting her and leaving Court behind is because Lissa requested it and as he owes Lissa his life, he is indebted to repay her. This hurts Rose, she wants him to want to do it because he loves her, but after his declaration that he doesn’t love her any more she makes the decision to bury her feelings for Dimitri and move on, with Adrian.
I didn’t know who Rose would choose, Dimitri or Adrian, but of course my heart was saying Dimitri. He’s been my favourite since the very beginning and belongs with Rose in my eyes. But sometimes authors surprise you and take you down a different path. I won’t give away any details but let’s just say Ms Mead weaves a wonderful path that twists and turns and leaves you breathless.
There’s a bit of a mystery to solve in this last instalment, as well as the usual wonderfully combined romance and action. Who really killed Queen Tatiana and who is Lissa’s half-brother or sister? Rose and Dimitri set off to find out the latter while Rose’s friends Lissa, Christian and others stay behind in Court to find out as much as they can about the former and clear Rose’s name.
Lissa also has her own path to walk and it’s a daunting one. She’s nominated herself to be the next Queen and at first it was just to help clear Rose’s name. But when she has to go through numerous tests she begins to realise that this is her destiny. The ending to Lissa’s story is a beautiful one, with Christian still by her side.
There’s also a shock in store when they find out the identity of Queen Tatiana’s murderer and there’s a moment when that person fire’s a gun at Lissa and Rose jumps in front of the bullet…my heart was in my throat as at that point I really didn’t know how ‘Last Sacrifice‘ was going to end – was Ms Mead playing with me? Of course she was!!
‘Last Sacrifice‘ has you going back and forth, round and round, never fully knowing how the lives of Rose and Dimitri, Lissa, Christian or Adrian and all the other well loved characters would end. But let me tell you it was a great ending, one definitely worth the wait…
VERDICT:
‘Last Sacrifice‘ is the perfect end to a wonderful series. I’m happy with the way things were concluded. This series is one I won’t forget and will probably read again in the future. If you haven’t read this series yet then all I can say is you are missing out on something very special!
SOURCE: Thank you to Penguin for sending me this book for review.
Look out the announcement later today of my two VA giveaways! 
Read my review of Book #1: Vampire Academy
Read my review of Book #2: Frostbite
Read my review of Book #3: Shadow Kiss
Read my review of Book #4: Blood Promise
Read my review of Book #5: Spirit Bound
7 Comments
Thanks for all the reviews! I'll definitely get the series & probably soon
Reply
I really enjoyed reading ur reviews:)
don't forget that she is preparing a spin off series:)
Reply
This review sums up the book perfectly… I loved it so much (I had to reread it)…
Reply
Almost done! I am loving it—want to know what happens but don't want it to end LOL
Reply
Aleksandra – You're welcome, glad you enjoyed the reviews! Yes, definitely get this series, well worth reading – it's fab!
olgitsa – Thanks – yes, I've heard that there is a spin off series in the works. I'm glad but it won't be the same
Avery – I loved it too, all of the books really, it's such a wonderful series!
Felicia – I didn't want it to end either!!! Glad you're loving it too
Reply
omg i loved it last night i stayed up untill 3:00am reading it.
Reply
Thanks so much for the review! I just started reading this series and have obsessively read the first four books…in about 3 days (I'm a little OCD). Glad to know VA has a satisfying conclusion!
Reply