Review: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Kiss
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy, #3
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: November 13, 2008
Pages: 443
Rating:

Is Rose’s fate to kill the person she loves most? It’s springtime at St. Vladimir’s Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since Mason’s death, Rose hasn’t been feeling quite right. She has dark flashbacks in the middle of practice, can’t concentrate in class, and has terrifying dreams about Lissa. But Rose has an even bigger secret . . . .She’s in love with Dimitri. And this time, it’s way more than a crush.
Then Strigoi target the academy in the deadliest attack in Moroi history, and Dimitri is taken. Rose must protect Lissa at all costs, but keeping her best friend safe could mean losing Dimitri forever…

So, after finishing SHADOW KISS, I thought it would be really kind if there was a warning that came with it, ***WARNING: HAVE BOOK 4, BLOOD PROMISE WITHIN REACH UPON COMPLETING THIS BOOK!!! I guarantee you will go insane if you do not have the next book right next to you when you finish this book, what a ending that was.

In SHADOW KISS, Rose is recovering from the traumatic events in Frostbite. When Rose sees Mason's ghost she believes she might be going crazy. We truly learn what it means to be shadow kissed and at times you may think that being shadow kissed is not a good thing. We find out what being shadow kissed to Lissa can do to Rose.

Rose is still training to become a guardian and Rose is taking her guardian trials, where each dhampir in their final year get assigned a Moroi to watch over and makes sure no danger befalls upon them. The attraction between Dimirti and Rose grow more than ever in this installment, but it is getting really hard for them to draw the line between teacher and student. Things take a turn when Strigoi enter the school grounds and everyone is in danger and things will never be the same again for Rose.

"And I thought the whole point of my education was that violence IS the answer."

I am not sure which book I liked best. Frostbite or SHADOW KISS? They were both so good! I don't know how Richelle Mead does it, but she has not disappointed me yet. SHADOW KISS was the longest book of the three and kept the action going. There is just a lot we get to learn and I want to learn more and more. Rose and Dimirti's attraction takes a turning point and I think that this is another reason why I was so crazy for this book. They deeply care for each other and it is beautiful to read about.

I found out just how deadly being shadow kissed can be. I really wanted to know what being shadow kissed meant and I just got my answer. SHADOW KISS was way more action packed than the last two book which is why I like this one so much. We really get to see Rose in action. We get some more Adrian and really get to see another side to him throughout the series. I truly believe and think that he deeply cares for Rose and I would want them be together if there was no Dimirtri.

"What's up?" I asked.
You tell me," he (Christian) said. "You were the one about ready to start making out with Adrian."
It was an experiment," I said. "It was part of my therapy."
What the hell kind of therapy are you in?"

Towards the end of the book we get some devastating news and it breaks my heart. I swear I was crying and couldn't stop. We grown connected these characters that you feel for them. By the end of the book Rose stands up to Lissa and says things to her that she probably didn't want to hear. And Rose also makes a big decision that could cost her her life.

I enjoyed SHADOW KISS. It was amazing and makes you crave for more. I honestly do not think that any young adult author could beat the Vampire Academy Series. After the ending I am looking forward to Blood Promise which I have bought in advance to the warning to have it within reach after finishing SHADOW KISS.