As part of the Vampire Book Club’s Vampire Academy Re-Read Challenge, my next mini review is for book 3 in the series, Richelle Mead’s Shadow Kiss
. For those interested in my original review, click here.
In my original review, I gave this book a 5. I recall loving this story for the suspense, passion and creative twists. And now since I’ve participated in this reread challenge, I can appreciate it so much more. As for new discoveries with Shadow Kiss…first and foremost is the tone of this book. For me, Shadow Kiss transformed the series. In the beginning, the books went from suspenseful, imaginative YA tales and then in this book, something bewitching happened…it morphed into a soul searing, spellbinding epic tale. Richelle Mead is a master storyteller. My emotions were completely out of whack when I finished this book. And the story still haunts me.
The second thing I discovered was Adrian and Ambrose. In lieu of the cliff hanger of Spirit Bound, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at characters like Adrian and Ambrose. And finally, Rose. Her entire notion of being shadow-kissed put me in awe all over again. It really is creepy as hell and from the looks of it; Rose doesn’t seem to have much of a future with that curse lurking around her.
Those are my thoughts and once again, I give it a 5. A special thanks for Vampire Book Club for having this challenge. It was such a pleasure to re-read Shadow Kiss and discovering its brilliance all over again. Last Sacrifice comes out December 7th
Until next time…hurry and read the Vampire Academy series. It will blow you away.
Mina B.
As I continue reviewing Richelle Mead’s, Vampire Academy series, today I have the pleasure of reviewing book 3, Shadow Kiss.
After the end of book 2, Frostbite, Rose is dealt the worst blow when she loses her treasured friend, Mason, while trying to protect the Moroi and some of her other dhampir friends.
Shadow Kiss opens with Rose adjusting to life after her tragic ordeal. Now adapting to life as a celebrated guardian in-training, Rose is biding her time until graduation, hoping to take on her official role as her best friend’s (Lissa) guardian. Mason's death scarred Rose so much so that after returning to St. Vladimir’s, Rose starts seeing Mason's ghost. Poor girl feels as if she’s losing her mind. Over the course of Mason’s haunting, she discovers she’s shadow-kissed.
Being shadow-kissed takes a toll on Rose, as she strives to understand why she can see ghosts and what some of them, like Mason, want with her.
Her training life with Dimitri trudges on, until finally Dimitri and Rose succumb to their desire for one another. Not too long after their afternoon of bliss, the school is under siege. Strigoi have managed to break the school’s wards and change the life course of both Rose and Dimitri forever.
The ending of this book was heartwrenching to read. No sooner did Richelle Mead finally join Rose and Dimitri, did she then break them apart. All I kept thinking was poor Rose.
This book was thrilling, exciting, and filled with delicious twist and turns. I enjoyed it immensely up until the point where Dimitri’s character was compromised. I won’t say how but….I will say it was unbearable to read at times. Nevertheless, I do believe you will truly enjoy reading book as the rest of the series - as did I. On the Mina Burrow’s KilloMeter…Shadow Kiss is a 5. Richelle Mead slashed it off the pages and made me cry in the process.
Stay tuned as I review the next book in the Vampire Academy series, Blood Promise.
Until then…happy reading.
Mina
In my original review, I gave this book a 5. I recall loving this story for the suspense, passion and creative twists. And now since I’ve participated in this reread challenge, I can appreciate it so much more. As for new discoveries with Shadow Kiss…first and foremost is the tone of this book. For me, Shadow Kiss transformed the series. In the beginning, the books went from suspenseful, imaginative YA tales and then in this book, something bewitching happened…it morphed into a soul searing, spellbinding epic tale. Richelle Mead is a master storyteller. My emotions were completely out of whack when I finished this book. And the story still haunts me. 
