Week Four of St. Vladimir's Summer School is here and, like usual, I am working to deadlines when everyone else is working ahead. I have my excuses (book didn't come until Friday, same day as my brother arrived home on leave), but I am only 2/3 of the way through book four and I am now in DETENTION. Suggestions on how I should serve it in the comments.
This week we have lost the wonderful Ashelynn in our read through of the Vampire Academy series, but she's read through the series already so no detention for her. Jen Ryland, Jen from Owl Read It, and Lauren from The Headless Owl are participating this week and I bet they all read the book, too.
Total Progress: 3.67/6
Vocab - (Confused? Check out my previous posts.)
Dream Walk - A Spirit magic skill that allows the spirit user to meet other people in dreams. Adrian uses this to communicate with Rose.
Alchemists - Humans with tattoos charmed by the Moroi who run interference between the vampire world and humans. They think all vampires are evil, not just strigoi, and work to keep the vampire world hidden in order to protect the human race.
Blood-whores - Dhampirs who reject being guardians and let Moroi drink their blood during sex (totally taboo). Usually these are single-mothers who live in communes, raising their children together.
Dream Walk - A Spirit magic skill that allows the spirit user to meet other people in dreams. Adrian uses this to communicate with Rose.
Alchemists - Humans with tattoos charmed by the Moroi who run interference between the vampire world and humans. They think all vampires are evil, not just strigoi, and work to keep the vampire world hidden in order to protect the human race.
Blood-whores - Dhampirs who reject being guardians and let Moroi drink their blood during sex (totally taboo). Usually these are single-mothers who live in communes, raising their children together.
Summary: Rose has left St. Vladimir's and travelled to Russia to hunt down and kill the man she loves who is now a Strigoi (evil vampire).
Brief thoughts: So far, this is my favorite book of the series. It is definitely the most character driven of the books so far and I am loving every minute of it. Rose is seeing the world for the first time instead of accepting what she has always been told. We get to see how someone could become a blood-whore and I especially love Rose meeting other reckless dhampirs. We get a view of life outside of being a guardian and I think it is forcing Rose to grow up. For the first time in the series, she's actually not whining.
I like Dmitri way better as a Strigoi (sorry, Ashelynn), but it rips my heart out to watch Rose mourn for him. I wanted so badly for Rose to stay with his family and find peace, but I knew that would never actually happen. I love Adrian and as much as I wanted Rose to be jealous that he was showing interest in Avery, that isn't why she lashes out at him. She does it because she is alone and hurting and hates the idea of losing someone else who cares about her (she doesn't have many). Her entire life is up in the air and she is resistant to change. But I loved this, because if she had actually been interested in Adrian (who I LOVE) while she was grieving for Dmitri (who I don't), I would have been pissed.
Rose's dark brooding is lightened by the arrival of Sydney, the alchemist who is the main character in the spin-off series, Bloodlines. I LOVED her and can't wait to get to her books. Lissa's storyline is incredibly frustrating to read, because, while I love knowing what's going on with her, I want Rose to be able to do something to help her friend. Watching it through the bond makes me feel completely helpless and it freaks me out. As always, the book could use more Adrian.
I like Dmitri way better as a Strigoi (sorry, Ashelynn), but it rips my heart out to watch Rose mourn for him. I wanted so badly for Rose to stay with his family and find peace, but I knew that would never actually happen. I love Adrian and as much as I wanted Rose to be jealous that he was showing interest in Avery, that isn't why she lashes out at him. She does it because she is alone and hurting and hates the idea of losing someone else who cares about her (she doesn't have many). Her entire life is up in the air and she is resistant to change. But I loved this, because if she had actually been interested in Adrian (who I LOVE) while she was grieving for Dmitri (who I don't), I would have been pissed.
Rose's dark brooding is lightened by the arrival of Sydney, the alchemist who is the main character in the spin-off series, Bloodlines. I LOVED her and can't wait to get to her books. Lissa's storyline is incredibly frustrating to read, because, while I love knowing what's going on with her, I want Rose to be able to do something to help her friend. Watching it through the bond makes me feel completely helpless and it freaks me out. As always, the book could use more Adrian.
What I learned about Romance (after all, we are in summer school):
First love feels the same whether it is real or not. This one may be kind of depressing, but there are some dark things going on in these books. When Rose fell for Dmitri, her love blinded her and she ignored all the warning signs and kept it a secret and basically did all kinds of things I didn't approve of. In Blood Promise, Dmitri's sister does something similar. Except, where Rose and Dmitri truly loved and cared about each other, Dmitri's sister is being used by an asshole and she has no idea. She truly believes he loves her and that she loves him.
Distance does not make the heart grow fonder. Which is why most high school couples break up when they get to college (besides the fact that you become a different person in college). Adrian adores Rose, but when she's gone it's easier to let her go. It doesn't mean that he doesn't care about her, but it's hard to keep a burning love for someone when you can't act on it regularly.
Distance does not make the heart grow fonder. Which is why most high school couples break up when they get to college (besides the fact that you become a different person in college). Adrian adores Rose, but when she's gone it's easier to let her go. It doesn't mean that he doesn't care about her, but it's hard to keep a burning love for someone when you can't act on it regularly.
Shadow Kiss gets a Fake Steph Rating of...
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Don't forget that I'm in detention. Leave your suggestions on how I should serve it in the comments.
Posts
Okay now my phone is being nice but in a hurry so I'll get back to you with detention ideas!
ReplyDeleteOh, I absolutely love your thoughts on distance not making the heart grow fonder, because it is SO true.
ReplyDeleteAnd lol boo Adrian fan. Actually, I liked Adrian a LOT more in Bloodlines and The Golden Lily.
You are in for SUCH A TREAT AHHHH.
My mouth gaped open when I saw you like Dmitri better as Strigoi!! Hmm... alright... I haven't read Bloodlines yet either but I can't wait to start! I need to get on that ASAP.
ReplyDelete~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte
okay that's it.........I think I need to read the Vampire Diaires since you talk about it so much!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the vocab and those comments about Romance were actually really insightful! Great post, Steph! Excited to read along with you guys.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I preferred Dimitri as a Strigoi but he was definitely a lot more interesting. Dhampir Dimitri was a tad too perfect. Going off to read the 5th book now!
I'm way behind in blog reading, so I've missed the other summer school posts, but what a GREAT idea! VA is one series that I've been really lax about reading (though Lindsey from A Storm of Words and Steph from Poetry to Prose have been adamant that I need to).
ReplyDeleteI love the structure of these posts too... And gosh. I really DO need to read this series, I guess!
I think the idea behind these post and the whole "summer school" aspect is so cute that if you ever do this again you better let me know in advance so I can join in! Even though these books don't seem like my kind of books, I would still read them just to take part in all the fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with both of the lessons you learned! ESPECIALLY the first one!
Good job Steph!
Hmmm, I don't have any suggestions for you on detention ideas. And I'm afraid I have to skim these reviews because I don't want to ruin anything for me on this series...so, yeah. Pretty useless. Just wanted to say something. ;)
ReplyDeleteNow that you are further into the series I wish I would have read them with you because this is so much fun, but I just have so much I want to read, it's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be super nice here and say that you should get a pass on detention since it's your first time.
Wonderful post Steph!!! I love Adrian and Sydney too ( there my favorite characters I. This series) Im glad you enjoyed this story!
ReplyDeleteI agree, needs more Adrian..lol It was neat meeting Sydney, although I'm still confused as to what an Alchemist really does..lol I agree with you on the love stuff. First love is always the hardest to lose, it happened to me, but only the once..lol.. funnily enough, it was because of long distance.. And I was totally being used :(
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what your detention should be though..hmmm
Ahhh, this book. I remember WAITING AND WAITING for this one. And then...it BROKE my heart into a million pieces. I agree though, Steph, it DID force Rose to grow up in a big way! And Dimitri. OH. Dimitri. I both loved and hated him when he went darkside!
ReplyDelete