Book Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  They come first.

My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.

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?

Join Rose, Dimitri, Adrian, and Lissa in Last Sacrifice, the epic, unforgettable finale to Richelle Mead's international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series.

My Thoughts:  I have loved this series since I started it.  It was one of those series where I could relate to the characters and could really immerse myself in their world.  So, when this book became available for preorder, I ordered it and anxiously waited for it to be delivered to my Nook.  And it was delivered....and there it sat for TWO LONG YEARS!  Yep, it was one of those books.  I had to have it but then couldn't find the time to read it.  

I finally started it in February of this year.  I think it is pretty obvious it doesn't usually take me long to read books.  And this was one of those really good books.  I think I dragged it out because it was the end.  I hate endings!  Anyways, I finished it and I loved it!

Rose has been arrested for the murder of Queen Tatiana.  Dimitri, who has just been restored from being Strigoi, still isn't quite trusted by anyone and he has pushed Rose away because he doesn't feel worthy of her love.  When Dimitri and a couple other guardians show up during Queen Tatiana's funeral and break Rose out of prison, she is shocked and confused.  With the help of Rose's father, Abe, and Adrian and Lissa, Dimitri is able to get Rose out of Court and from there we head out on a quest to find out who really killed Tatiana and who Lissa's illegitimate sibling is.  

This book was full of twists and turns and filled with mystery and excitement.  There are lots of characters from the first few books that resurface (Sonya Karp, Mikhail, etc) and I enjoyed catching up on them. I think Sydney is one of my favorite characters from the last book so I was glad to see her again in this book. I loved how involved she was and am very happy Mead is writing a spin-off (of which I have already read book 1) with Sydney.   I enjoyed how Lissa proved that she could get along with Rose and I loved the little twist at the ending regarding their bond.  

Dimitri and Adrian and Rose...the ultimate love triangle!  I was very happy with how it ended.  I felt bad for the guy that was left behind but I was happy with who Rose ended up with.   

This is an amazing series!  I am glad I finally finished it but also sad that it is over.  If you haven't read the series, I strongly suggest you go get them and enjoy them!  I have no doubt that you WILL enjoy them!

 

Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

My Thought:  I LOVED this book!  I loved the Vampire Academy series and this one lived up to my expectations too!  A must read in my opinion!

Sydney takes a job hiding the Moroi princess Jill so her sister Zoe isn't made to live the life of an alchemist.  Well, and Sydney wants to gain the approval of both the Alchemists and her father after helping out Rose in the last Vampire Academy book.

Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian are sent to Palm Springs, CA.  It is pretty much safe as the Strigoi hate the sunshine.  They enroll in a prestigious private school and try to lay low.  Except when you are a vampire, a guardian and an Alchemist, laying low isn't really easy.

Sydney uncovers a crazy scheme with tattoos and knows it's her chance to prove herself to her father again.  She is working on getting all the evidence she needs as well as trying to keep Jill safe.  She's also trying to find out who is killing young girls, human and Moroi alike.  She's a busy girl. 

There were some great twists in the story but I was able to figure out who was behind the tattoo scheme and eventually who was behind the murders of the girls.  It wasn't hard to predict so I was wishing there was a little more mystery there. 

I did love how there were still characters from Vampire Academy.  Rose made an appearance as did Dimitri.  I loved Adrian in Vampire Academy so was so happy to see him in this series. Jill is obviously a major character but Lissa was mentioned numerous times as well.  It made the ending of Vampire Academy a little easier to take! 

Sydney is a great character.  She is strong but has her flaws and insecurities.  She really wants to please her father but almost too much.  I felt like she should take some risks and tell him what he could do with himself.  I love her interactions with Adrian.  I am hoping that eventually there will be a romance there as they seem to be made for each other.

Jill was a little too quiet and timid for my liking.  I felt like she shouldn't care so much about being different and try to make friends.  Sometimes she had a little too much "pity party" going on but towards the end I could see her confidence blooming.

I really did enjoy this book!  Mead has a way of writing that makes you feel that you are right there with the characters.  They are all so vivid and real you feel like they are your friends.  I cannot wait to read more from her!