Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4) [Hardcover]

Richelle Mead (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009

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How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—This latest installment is a wonderful mix of love, loss, loyalty, and betrayal. Half vampire and half human, Rose Hathaway's world is torn apart when the love of her life, Dimitri, is turned into a Strigoi, one of a group of evil, undead vampires out to destroy the Moroi, who are living vampires. She drops out of St. Vladimir's Academy and journeys to Russia to save Dimitri from himself. In St. Petersburg, she befriends Sydney, a member of a secret group of alchemists who aids in her quest. Together they track down Dimitri's family in Omsk; her stay there gives her time to heal as well as to make an important discovery about her relationship to her friend Lissa, a Moroi princess with healing abilities. When Rose confronts Dimitri, he takes her hostage and puts her to the ultimate test. The story features strong character development and an action-packed plot full of many twists and turns. A well-written and satisfying story that will leave older teens wanting more.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY
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About the Author

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths. She received a liberal arts degree from the University of Michigan, an MA in Comparative Religion from Western Michigan University, and a Master in Teaching (Middle & High School English) degree from the University of Washington. In the end, she decided writing was the way for her but believes all of her education prepared her for it.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses that she then hardly ever wears. She is a self-professed coffee addict, runs on a nocturnal schedule, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595141987
• ISBN-13: 978-1595141989
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (251 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richelle Mead is an international bestselling author of fantasy books for both adults and teens. Her Georgina Kincaid series follows a reluctant succubus, while her Dark Swan series features a shamanic mercenary caught up in fairy affairs. Over on the young adult side, Richelle writes the much-acclaimed Vampire Academy series and its spin-off, Bloodlines, about a secret society keeping the vampire world hidden from humans.

Richelle's books have been on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and received honors from the American Library Association. Her books have been translated into over two dozen languages, as well as transformed into graphic novels. A lifelong reader, Richelle loves mythology and wacky humor. When not writing, she can be found spending time with her family, buying dresses, and watching bad reality TV. More at: www.richellemead.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mind-blowing experience, August 25, 2009

By 

Vespi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4) (Hardcover)

Many series have one book which readers recognize as being a mere filler--that is, not much substance plot-wise and the writing is mediocre at best. BLOOD PROMISE stamps out that myth and shines like a beacon on its own and is a testament to Mead's growth as a writer and storyteller. The fourth novel in the six-part series outdoes itself with incredible fight scenes, mysterious characters, and fascinating plot-twists and revelations that bring more questions than answers.

The heart of the story focuses on the hero Rose Hathaway's journey to fulfill the promise she made to herself and Dimitri. During this journey, Rose finds herself in situations she would never have imagined--mob-like characters whose intentions are ambiguous, other aspects of Moroi life she was not privvy to, along with her first encounter with a dhampir commune, meeting other dhampirs with a vendetta like her, and finally, her heart stopping confrontation with Dimitri. No spoilers will be given, for that would take away at the amazing story Mead has created, but rest assured, you have seen absolutely nothing yet.

The novel was a mind-blowing experience full of amazing adventures and action that showed no signs of letting up at any point during the reading. Richelle Mead's writing has grown more sophisticated and despite the dark setting is full of humor and will make you race through the pages, leaving yourself blinking at the last page wondering where all the time went.

47 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, August 26, 2009

By 

Fiction Freak (Lakeland, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4) (Hardcover)

My 19 year old son gave me this set of books to read. After I read the third one, I was heartbroken about Dimitri. Knowing I had to wait several months for the fourth one to be released was hard for me. I just knew something would happen to make what Mason told Rose not be true. No way was it true. It would be author suicide to have this happen to Dimitri. I pined over this for months. Me, an almost 40 year old hopeless romantic. I couldn't wait for the book to come out. I picked it up the day of its release. I started it as soon as I got home and finished it in 24 hours.

All you people who want to micro-analyze the plot twists and the technicalities can go on being bitter about what you find doesn't make sense or fit into your little box of rightness. I want to take this for what it was - an emotional roller coaster and a great read AS PART OF A SERIES OF BOOKS. Trying to make the books what you want them to be makes you the author and not Richelle Mead.I wanted to hate the book at times and I wanted to believe so many things were going to turn out to be true. Somehow Richelle Mead would make it all turn out all right in the end. I had to rationalize it somehow because my heart was breaking. The further I got in the book, the more my heart ached and somewhere down inside I knew how it would turn out. Just when you think you know and you've cried and cried, you find the author has let you have a glimpse of salvation. Just a morsel to hold on to.

Perfection in any author is not possible. Said author will never be able to please all of the people all of the time. At one point in the book I was so heart broken that I realized I could never read another of her books. After the final words were read, I knew it would be a tough nine months for me to wait, but wait I would, because I will be grabbing her next book as soon as the release date comes along. It is rare to have so much emotion in a book, and maybe some of that is of my own making. Sometimes I am a sappy romantic. I guess that could have clouded my judgement a bit, but if you are looking for a good read and aren't expecting "War and Peace" you won't be disappointed in this book. Just keep a Kleenex handy after you get about half done. When she starts sharing with the family about Dimitri, it can be gut-wrenching at times.

Do I recommend it? Yes, but only if you've read the other three first. Don't over analyze it either. Just read it and enjoy it. It is worth it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blood Promise, August 25, 2009

By 

Kilee Hayes (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4) (Hardcover)

After I read the third installment in the Vampire Academy Series, Shadow Kissed, I was exited to learn that Blood Promise was coming out soon. Once at the store, I actually saw it and freaked out only due to the fact that I had gotten it a week before it was actually supposed to be released and I also felt a little scare because I actually had it and I would have to wait until next year for the next book.

The book itself is nice and thick compared to the other three which is a good thing. Through out, we explore Rose's emotions and flashbacks to times with Dmitri. So much happens once Rose finds her way to Dimitri's hometown; things from some guy following her to her emotions getting the best of her to Dimitri's crazy grandmother. She meets new people who play a big part in her life after what she learns.

Once she finds Dimitri, a whole lot more happens that made me want to slap Rose but her emotions and feelings and such had gotten in her way from Shadow Kissed. I can't reveal to much but just be prepared for some major Rose-motions.

Blood Promise is an excellent installment of the Vampire Academy series. Sure it leaves you at a cliff hanger BUT not at a horrible one like some books but like in the other Vampire Academy books.

When reading this book, you think you know what will happen through out or what will happen next but in truth, you have know idea. There are twists through out especially towards the ending. I've spoken about Rose's emotions and how she has them through out the book but in the middle and somewhat towards the end, they finally take a toll on her but you'll understand.

I'm sure fans of the first three books, Vampire Academy, Frost Bite and Shadow Kissed, will love the fourth installment, Blood Promise. It will keep you satisfied until early next year when the fifth book comes out, Spirit Bound.