With vampires hogging the pop-culture spotlight, in all forms of media and genre, it seems fitting that we share one of the hottest vampire-centered series out there right now: Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy, which consists of six action packed volumes that are sure to leave vampire lovers yearning for more. Here is a quick review of the series’ third novel “Shadow Kiss”.
Also issued: SPOILER ALERT – avoid this article if you have not read and are planning to read this novel in the future.
Rose Hathaway, the flirty, ass-kicking, gorgeous dhampir (half human, half vampire) is having trouble adjusting to life back at St. Vladimir’s Academy with Mason’s death behind her and her first Strigoi (the bad vampires) kills under her belt. This is where “Shadow Kiss”, the third installment of Ric
helle Mead’s New York Times bestselling novel series “Vampire Academy”, picks up. A much anticipated novel, “Shadow Kiss” definitely delivered satisfaction to its fans – or at least to this one.
To say that Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir are a normal Moroi (the good vampires)/Dhampir pair would be untrue. They are connected by a special bond: the Shadow Kiss, a phenomemon explained in Mead’s novel. If you’ve been following the story, you will know that Lissa used her affinity for Spirit to bring Rose back to life after a severe car accident killed her years earlier. Now Rose always knows where Lissa is and what she’s up to. She “falls” into Lissa’s mind at the most awkward moments – especially moments that involve Lissa’s boyfriend Christian Ozera.
Being back at St. Vladimir’s after having her first taste of life as a Moroi guardian proves more than strange for Rose, who is eager to graduate. With dhampir field experience starting – and being stuck with guarding Christian – she is more than willing to prove herself. In doing so, she must demonstrate that she is able to guard Lissa – the last Dragomir royal and her best friend – side by side with Dimitri (Rose’s mentor, love interest and therefore overall distraction). However, the complicated relationship between Dimitri and Rose continues to unfold – and even starts to heat up.
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Strange things are happening with Rose and Lissa’s bond as well. In an attempt to have her reader better understand the connection between them, Mead attempts to explain the consequences of such a bond – one which essentially binds the souls of the two individuals (no spoiler here, it’s revealed quite early on in the series). Lissa starts practicing her Spirit magic again and Rose can feel the dark thoughts creep into her mind – thoughts that this time Rose wills away from Lissa and onto herself which results in uncharacteristic behavior and even ghost sightings. The fun doesn’t stop there either: with an unexpected attack looming over the school, Rose is forced to risk her life and make a difficult choice between the two people she loves most.
This series has everything a good story needs: suspense, love, friendship, action. Throw in a little supernatural appearances, some vampires and their hybrid protectors, you’ve got yourself one damn good book. The first person narrative of Rose, and at times Lissa, is more effective than a third person narrative would be as it gives the reader a more personal standpoint with the character. Mead does an excellent job portraying her characters to the audience as well, with active description and in depth analysis of their specific traits.
Mead succeeds in relating to her reader, as she writes a story that deals with personal choice, sacrifice, forbidden love and so on. She adequately displays this in her character of Rose Hathaway – a dhampir struggling with a dangerous affliction, all the while battling her future: should she choose the path that has been set out for her since birth or should she go her own way and never look back? This internal struggle is one many young adult readers deal with on a daily basis; this is why Mead’s story is so successful – as well as the fact that her talent allows her to connect her books well as part of a series. The next book always picks up were the last one left off and there are no gaps in the time sequence for the reader to wonder what could’ve happened.
This book captures attention from the very first page. Richelle Mead successfully draws her reader in and keeps him/her entranced in the story, always hungry for more. With the surprise twists hidden behind every corner, it is hard to lose interest. It is exceedingly well written and filled with action – so prepare to get hooked!