40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Series keeps getting better and better, May 15, 2008
Life is rough in high school--even for dhamphirs. Rose Hathaway is in her Senior year at St. Vladimir's. In six months, she'll be a full fledged guardian, protecting her lifelong best friend, Lissa, a Moroi Royal.
Rose is on her way to take her Qualifier. She's going to be tested by one of the guardian greats, Arthur Schoenberg. Since he cannot leave the Moroi royal house he is guarding, Rose and her teacher, Dimitri, are coming to them.
What they find instead is slaughter. All Moroi and Dhamphir members of the household are dead--apparently a plot by the Stigoi vampires and humans in conjunction.
St. Vladimir's reacts with alarm. The school won't be allowing the students to leave on Christmas break. Instead, a ski resort will host all the students together and attendance is mandatory.
Then--another Royal house is attacked and it becomes obvious the Stigoi are set to attack all the Moroi royalty and end the lines. While the Moroi are arguing defense, some of the factions are considering a more offensive approach--which, to this point, has been forbidden.
Did I mention that Rose is having man trouble? She's in love with Dimitri, her teacher, but she can have Mason, a fellow guardian-in-training.
And--since the guardians in training need even more defensive training, guess who's come to teach special classes? Janine Hathaway, Rose's mother, who'd given up raising her child for her career...
What impresses me most about "Frostbite" is Rose's character growth in one short novel. You really read how events shape Rose's thought processes and can see how this young heroine is being shaped for her future in service to the Moroi.
The intro to this book is one of the best I've ever read. In author parlance, it's a 'tell', but it's a great introduction to Rose's world and the three types of vampires inhabiting it.
"Frostbite" is the second book in Richelle Mead's 'Vampire Academy' series. It's written for young adults, but I promise you adult readers are going to enjoy every minute of the story. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There aren't enough stars for this novel!, April 13, 2008
For the fourth time, Richelle Mead has shown just what a brilliant, talented writer she is. "Frostbite" is part 2 of an ongoing teen series that began with "Vampire Academy," and it is clearly the best so far.
"Vampire Academy" introduced us to our narrator--Rose--and about a dozen other important characters; namely her best friend, Lissa, and her mentor and love, Dimitri. Mead's new vampiric world was slowly revealed throughout the course of the story, outlining the importance of the academy, as well as the roles of Moroi (like Lissa), dhampir (Rose and Dimitri), and Strigoi. In the simplest of explanations: Moroi are akin to royalty who must be protected; dhampir are the guardians of the Moroi; Strigoi are vampires gone bad (yes, you read that right).
"Frostbite" is an astounding follow-up. The prologue has Rose re-introduce the basics of this developing series, as well as a couple key roles. It's a good refresher on the events of the previous novel, and brings long-awaiting readers back up to speed.
This time, Rose's life becomes even more exciting. For starters, Strigoi are attacking in coherent, organized groups, slaughtering royalty and their guardians with frightening ease. Then, Rose's previously-absent mother appears--unwantingly for Rose--at the academy while the Moroi in the northwest gather to strategize defense. As if that weren't enough, her feelings for Dimitri, while returned, are constantly being rejected and turned down, as they have a duty to protect Lissa, and the risk of emotion cannot get in the way of that.
But does it end there? Not for Rose. Her friend, Mason, begins to show interest in her just as an old friend of Dimitri's shows feelings for him, causing even more chaos in Rose's heart. And all the while, she's lacking the company she sorely misses from Lissa, AND she's unwittingly witnessing Lissa and her new boyfriend take their relationship to the next level!
It sounds like a lot of drama, and it is. But Mead narrates to us flawlessly in the voice of Rose, who is clearly growing up, albeit struggling. Older teenage girls and even young adult females are likely to find themselves empathizing with our heroine. Mead's style is fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down the book even for a moment. Some of the action gets a little hot and heavy, but Rose is 17, something parents should keep in mind when considering this for younger girls.
But for older teens, this series is exceedingly brilliant. Richelle Mead creates an exciting, brand new world of vampires with all the familiar modern notes of strong female leads, friendships, enemies, relationships, and drama. Interspersed is Rose's wit and sarcasm, often landing her in trouble with others, but keeping the spice of the story and holding the readers' mental palate.
"Frostbite," put simply, has surpassed its predecessor. I wish I could give it more stars, and I simply cannot recommend this series enough. It will be agonizing to wait 'til next fall for the sequel, "Shadow Kiss."
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mead Never Fails to Deliver, September 3, 2008
From the first page of
Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1) I was hooked. By inventing a fresh, original take on vampires with a believable biology and a detailed world layout explained by more than simply "magic" I saw the start of a great series. By weaving in the beginnings of a forbidden romance and a intensely interesting conflict I knew that I'd devour the book within a day. And I did. I ordered Frostbite from three different places right away: Borders, amazon and the library. Then I paced around for a week and jumped whenever the phone rang. When I walked to the end of the driveway and found it sitting innocently in the mailbox I ripped it open right there - talk about papercuts, but I didn't feel them, because I was hyped up on adrenaline! - I actually sat down right on the lawn and read. Mmmm. Richelle can do a sequel! Quite possibly the best vampire inspired novel I have ever read.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.
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