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Dec072010
Vampire Academy Week – BOOK REVIEW: ‘Frostbite’ by Richelle Mead
by Carolyn • Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Authors M-P, Book Reviews, Paranormal, Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy Week, Young Adult
Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: Oct 2009 (UK) / April 2010 (US)
Paperback: 327 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Young Adult
RATING: 8/10 – brilliant, couldn’t put it down
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
Rose Hathaway’s got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian.
Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir’s on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians-including the legendary Janine Hathaway…Rose’s formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks. This year, St. Vladmir’s holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose-and her heat-are in more danger than she ever could have imagined.
REVIEW:
**warning – may contain spoilers**
‘Frostbite‘ is the second book in Richelle Meads’ Vampire Academy series and it is just as good as the first. Things begin roughly where the first book finishes.
I did find Rose a little bit whiney in this book, but she redeems herself at the end by discovering a few things about herself and those around her. She matures. She also loses a very close friend to the Strigio that affects her deeply and makes her grow up quicker than maybe she would have. Her relationship with Dimitri is still simmering and it’s still fun to read. Dimitri brings a mature edge to the book which I love and breaks up the bouts of teenage angst, which is a little more evident in this book.
However, Rose is still full of independence and determination and I love this about her. She also has to deal with her best friend Lissa dividing her attention and giving her boyfriend Christian half of it, which makes Rose jealous and the realisation she may not ever be able to have the same with Dimitri upsets her.
Rose also has to contend with the return of her mother. I understand Rose’s anger and resentment towards her mother. She hasn’t seen or heard from her in five years and Rose is mad, seething in fact, and I don’t blame her.
Dhampfir women either stay at home and raise their children (and sometimes succumb to becoming a ‘blood whore’) or become Guardians. In the case of Janine Hathaway, she became a world-renowned Guardian and one of the best. Because of this Janine had her own Moroi to protect and therefore couldn’t bring up her child.
Although, I understood Janine’s motives, I felt as though Rose’s feelings were pushed aside and even her friends couldn’t see it from her point of view. There was really no reason why contact had to end completely for so many years. There is email and mobile phones!
Rose finds it hard to articulate her feelings towards her mother and so becomes hostile and says things in a childish way. However, by the end of the book Rose has learnt a lot and she begins to see things from her mother’s point of view as well as her own.
The tension is high and the pace fast in ‘Frostbite‘. There’s quite a bit of action too which I really enjoyed. Lissa and her relationship with Christian is also heating up, much to Rose’s discomfort having found that she can dip in and out of Lissa’s mind without much control as to when and finds herself in a compromising position on occasion….The relationship between Rose and Dimitri is also deepening even though they still believe they can’t be together *sigh*
VERDICT:
‘Frostbite‘ is a great second instalment and I can’t wait to continue the series. I’m also falling for Dimitri big time…
Look out for my review of ‘Shadow Kiss‘ (book #3) later today!
Read my review of Book #1: Vampire Academy
SOURCE: Thank you to Penguin for sending me this book for review.
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5 Comments
I don't know if it's just me, but every time I see that book cover I think it's Buffy and Angel.
Great review!
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LOL I love that you are falling for Dimitri big time – at this point in the series I was bordering on obsession! And it only got worse!
Ace series and love your review:)
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I just finished the third book. This series is SO ADDICTING. And yes, Dimitri is one brooding lovable hunk. But I also love Adrian's laid back attitude. Anyway, great review!
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Ok, two cracking book reviews! I think I need to read this series (not sure when lol). Can't wait for the rest!
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Zosia – I see what you mean, although I didn't notice it before. However, the characters inside are nothing like Buffy and Angel (there can only be one B&A!) Rose and Dimitri (especially D) are great and I think there love story is a fantastic one. I would definitely rec it
I Want To Read That – Hehe, I totally am! He's delish! I love that he's the strong silent type with lots of fighting power *fans self*
Dazzling Mage – I agree, it is totally addictive! I like Adrian, he's very sweet and funny, but he just doesn't do it for me…not like my Dimitri
Laura – You *must* read it, I think you would love this series. It's at the more grown-up end of YA, which is why I think I love it so much as I can identify with the characters a bit more and there's not so much school girl/boy angst (except for Book #3) Read ASAP! LOL
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