Book Review: Blood Promise

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, book 4) by Richelle Mead.

Now Rose must journey to the ends of the earth to find--and kill--her one true love... Or has the time come to join him?


Rose Hathaway must risk losing everything, even her best friend, in order to fulfill the wish of the man she loves.  Blood Promise is another fabulous addition to the Vampire Academy series.  I am always surprised at how each of the books in this series is even more suspenseful and heartrending than the last.  Mead's characters continue to mature and the tension and suspense builds to near unbearable levels.  You'll be amazed at what happens within these pages.  The Vampire Academy series is a true paranormal romance treasure.

I recommend Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, book 4) to readers of paranormal romance, young adult, urban fantasy, action packed vampire fiction and especially to fans of the Vampire Academy series.

Visit my review of Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, book 1) here, Frostbite (Vampire Academy, book 2) here, and Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, book 3) here.

Source: This book was purchased by me for review.


Blood Promise on Amazon.
Blood Promise on Goodreads.

Book Review: Shadow Kiss

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, book 3) by Richelle Mead.

WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS ROSE COULD LOSE HER BEST FRIEND FOREVER?

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken.  But since making her first Strigoi kills, ROse hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible ecil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever. Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing but suddenly there's way more than friendship at stake The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmare, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most..but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

Dhampir Rose Hathaway is learning that being a Guardian doesn't always mean she can protect them all.  Shadow Kiss is the most emotional Vampire Academy book yet.  This book was amazing and yet heartbreaking.  There is so much growth amidst the main characters and yet this maturity and sense of purpose comes with a price.  The end of Shadow Kiss leaves you on a precipice longing to take the plunge into Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, book 4). 

I recommend Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, book 3) to readers of paranormal, paranormal romance, young adult, thrillers, urban fantasy, action packed vampire fiction and especially to fans of the Vampire Academy series.

Visit my review of Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, book 1) here and Frostbite (Vampire Academy, book 2) here.

Source: This book was purchased by me for review.

Shadow Kiss on Amazon.
Shadow Kiss on Goodreads.

Book Review: Frostbite

Frostbite (Vampire Academy, book 2) by Richelle Mead.

WHEN LOVE AND JEALOUSY COLLIDE ON THE SLOPES, WINTER BREAK TURNS DEADLY...

Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians-including the legendary Janine Hathaway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad's holiday ski trip is mandatory.  But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose-and her heat-are in more danger than she ever could have imagined.

Dhampir Rose Hathaway's life just became more complicated.  In Frostbite things are getting interesting.  The Strigoi are stepping up the offensive against the Moroi, Lissa and Christian are taking their relationship to the next level and Rose is frustrated by the Bond, her relationship problems, an increasing temper, and a penchant for trouble.  Rose continues to throw herself into her guardian training at St. Vladimir Academy, though what she'd really like to throw herself into, or rather at, is the one person she can't have.  This second installment in the Vampire Academy series is a thrill ride of suspense and emotion that will have you turning pages well into the night.

I recommend Frostbite to readers of paranormal, paranormal romance, young adult, thrillers, and urban fantasy, action packed vampire fiction and especially to fans of the Vampire Academy series.

Click here to read my review of Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, book 1).

Source: This book was purchased by me for review.

Frostbite on Amazon.
Frostbite on Goodreads.

Giveaway Winners!

Drum roll please!  The winner of my 300 Follower Giveaway is:

Jeremy West!

The winner of my Last Track Swag Giveaway is:

Bill!

Congratulations to the winners!

* I use Random.org to determine the winners for each From the Shadows giveaway.

300 Follower Giveaway!

From the Shadows is now at 300 Followers.  Wow! Thank you all so much. You're the best! 

**Giveaway**

I'm going to keep this giveaway simple.  Since it is a follower giveaway you must be a follower of this blog to enter.  Please leave a comment on this post, including your email address, to enter.  Links, Twitters, and reposts are appreciated but I won't be adding extra points to this giveaway.  Now on to the prizes!

I recently read and reviewed Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, book 1) by Melissa de la Cruz (review here) and Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, book 1) by Richelle Mead (review here).  I enjoyed both of these books so much that I decided to order new copies for this giveaway.  I am also including a signed copy of my new collection of dark paranormal poetry Shadows of Myth and Legend by E.J. Stevens.  One lucky follower will win all three books!

Contest is to US mailing addresses only (sorry!).  Contest ends at Midnight EST June 16th, 2010.  Winner will be notified by email and posted here at From the Shadows.

Book Review: Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, book 1) by Richelle Mead.

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic.  She must be protected at all times from the Strigoi; the fiercest vampires--the ones who never die.  The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir.  Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

Selfless.  Rose and Lissa share a special bond that transcends their friendship, and Rose's role as Lissa's guardian.  What immediately struck me was that, though not a flawless young woman, Rose was so incredibly selfless when it came to protecting Lissa.  The connection between Rose and Lissa was compelling and the events that play out in this first book of the Vampire Academy series were a constant thrill ride.  While the action and intrigue were enough to sell me on this series I have to admit that it was the strength and depth of these characters, and their devotion to one another, that made this book truly amazing.  Add to that a fascinating world of vampire and dhampir heirarchy, the ominous threat of the Strigoi, and the sizzling hot love interest and this book has the ingredients to satisfy all readers of the paranormal genre.

I recommend Vampire Academy to readers of paranormal, paranormal romance, young adult, thrillers, and urban fantasy and especially to fans of action packed vampire fiction.
Source: This book was purchased by me for review.

Vampire Academy on Amazon.
Vampire Academy on Goodreads.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I am currently reading Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, book 1) by Richelle Mead and The Hunted of 2060 by Amy Blackwelder.  Reviews soon to come!  Visit the teaser for The Hunted of 2060.


This past week I finished reading Ballad: Gathering of Faerie (Books of Faerie, book 2) by Maggie Stiefvater and Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely, book 2) by Melissa Marr.  For a discussion of these books check out my post Changing Voices.  I also read Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, book 1) by Melissa de la Cruz.  Visit my review here.


I have also been working on the guest author line up for June.  So far, we have seven confirmed authors visiting for guest blogs and interviews!  Check the right side-bar for the upcoming guest author schedule.  


This past week has also seen a continued increase in followers.  Thank you!  As From the Shadows nears 300 followers I am ordering books for my upcoming 300 Follower Giveaway.  I have copies of Blue Bloods, Vampire Academy, and Shadows of Myth and Legend (my newly released collection of dark paranormal poetry) en route!

Tomorrow I hope to begin reading Poison Study (Study, book 1) by Maria V. Snyder.  I also plan to begin reading Spirit by Andrew Feder and Beyond the Map's Boundary by Nibi Soto as soon as they arrive later this week.

What Are You Reading, a meme hosted by One Person's Journey through a World of Books, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.