Review: Happy Birthday to Me Again by Brian Rowe

Title: Happy Birthday to Me Again (Birthday Trilogy, #2)
Author: Brian Rowe

Format: Kindle

Genre: Paranormal YA
Source:  Personal Copy

Published: September 22nd 2011 by CreateSpace
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day… again. And this time... he's going backward!

When Cameron proposes to his beloved witch of a girlfriend Liesel, he thinks life can’t get any better. But when he reluctantly breaks off the engagement just days before the wedding, Liesel angrily unleashes another curse on the unlucky guy, this time making him age backward, from eighteen, all the way to zero.

Making matters worse, Liesel mysteriously disappears, leaving Cameron with no options, except watching himself rapidly shrink into a helpless child. Will Liesel be able to save his life again? Or will Cameron ultimately fall prey to his girlfriend's wicked spell? 

I really enjoyed the first book in this trilogy, and was looking forward to Happy Birthday to Me Again. Unfortunately, I feel a bit let down. It was a fun book, but I felt it lacked a lot compared to the original. It was fairly predictable, and the biggest surprise to me came within the final two paragraphs. (well, the final bombshell was not a surprise. But the paragraph before lefty me anything to read the third book.)

In this book, Liesel really annoyed me. She was selfish and annoying and left me pleading with Cam to leave her. Her refusal to share anything about herself was irritating. And I am still confused bout her grandfather. 

Another thing that bugged me was that Cam aging in reverse was not near as intriguing as his "disease" in the previous book. His relationship with his family was cheesy and tense all at the same time. 

Despite these things, I enjoyed the story. I liked the addition of Hannah, despite her plot being predictable. I wish we had more of her and Cam interacting and i am anxious to see where the next book takes her.

I would recommend these books as quick reads to anyone looking for a mind candy read, something where you can read it quickly and not invest too much into the book or characters.

Check out my Review for book #1, Happy Birthday To Me!  
Book #3 Happy Birthday To You is FREE on Amazon right now!

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Contemporary YA
Source:  Personal Copy

Published: January 10th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

 I cried for the first time on page 124, and from there? The remainder of the book (which I could have easily read in one sitting - had my kid not needed fed, and bathed) you could hear the following from me: "Oh. My. Gosh. I Love Him!" (Or her.) **SWOON** "No! No! No! No! No!" and just as regularly? Laughter - typically through my tears. 

We could all tell a cancer story, it sucks. But it's true. I don't know anyone who doesn't have one. My best friends little sister. My Grandmother. A good friends father. It's everywhere. And, Hazel is pretty much right. For many of these people, life becomes a side effect of this evil disease. But John Green has made it relatable. Rather than just looking in on cancer from the outside, as I have often found myself, through Hazels eyes I was able to somewhat experience the effects in a more personal way. 

One thing that I had me absolutely floored was my ability to get lost in John Green's story lines. This was so much more than just a story about the evil monster that is Cancer. This was a love story, and a very sweet one at that. This was a story about a girl sharing her love for a book. 

Now, I know that anyone who read the synopsis - anyone who saw the blurb by Jodi Piccoult - can make an educated guess that this one will have some tears. But this book is about so much more than this. It's about Hazel Grace and her amazing ability to fight, about her learning to live. It is about Augustus Waters and his sweet and amazing personality. It is about their friend Issac and their cancer support group. It is about  the parents of "Cancer Kids". It is about a book. And a swingset. (Ok, maybe not a swingset - but the metaphor that John Green throws in at the mid 100's? The most amazing thing I have ever, EVER read.) 

In the end? This was my maiden voyage into the world of John Green, and I was most definitely not disappointed. In fact, this may be one of my top ten books of all time. I cannot say how much I loved it. It was sad, it was beautiful, it was romantic. (And best of all? It was real.)

Review: Ditched

Title: Ditched: A Love Story
Author: Robin Mellom

Format: Kindle

Genre: Contemporary YA
Source:  NetGalley

Published: January 10th 2012 by Disney-Hyperion
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

And then ditched her.

Ditched had me at dyed iridescent shoes! Justina is pretty much everything I was in high school (except she's cool and I was kind of a giant geek with my thrift store shopping at my "rich side of town" school.) And she gets to go to prom with her dream date!

I could tell you my prom story, but I won't. My Junior Prom kind of sucked. But after Justina's story? I'll quit complaining. This poor girl, she had me both shaking my head at her choices and wanting to pull her under my wing. 

 

In her debut book, Robin Mellom had me laughing out loud the entire time. I mean, Dog Swapping? Really? The troublesome teen in me is a bit jealous I didn't come up with the idea and/or convince my friends to partake! 

 

The characters are vivid, unique and full of life. The perfect mixture of teenage angst and middle aged meddling. Justina truly was the star of the show, but the Marks and the Ledbetter girls have a special place in my heart. I also have to note that I loved that the main love interest was not even present for much of the book.

 

If you are looking for a light hearted read that will have you laughing and cringing, I highly recommend Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom!

Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across the Universe (Across the Universe, #1)
Author: Beth Revis

Format: Kindle

Genre: Sci-Fi YA
Source:  Personal Copy

Published: January 11th 2011 by Razorbill
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

 

 

Before I started Across the Universe, if you had asked me? I would have said "No, I do not like Science Fiction." But now, I am not so sure. In fact? Beth Revis  may have turned me into a fan of the genre. 

The opening Chapter, with Amy and her family being frozen is one of the creepiest things I have ever read. (I have had an odd fear of being frozen, ever since I watched my one and only episode of Star Trek at a somber party in third grade.) And as Amy is freezing, she overhears the workers talking about an extra year - she was prepared for 300 years, but 301 is just too much. 

Once we fast forward and board the Godspeed 250 years later, I could not put this book down. The world that Beth created on the ship is both fascinating and frightening. The characters are real, and the plot moves quickly and has enough twists to keep you guessing. 

There's one plot point that I found predictable, but it didnt take anything away from the story, and the even bigger twist that followed had me floored.

I would recommend Across the Universe to anyone and everyone. Now, I have to run out and purchase A Million Suns! (It comes out today - January 10, 2012!)

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Dystopian, Paranormal, YA
Source:  Personal Copy (Giveaway win from Dog-Eared & Bookmarked)

Published: November 15th 2011 by Harper/HarperCollins
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
 

By now, I'm sure you've heard all the hype surrounding Tahereh Mafi's debut book, Shatter Me. If you haven't? Then welcome to the Book Blogging Community, you must be new here! Now, I have to say - it's a great book. An amazing book. I loved it. But? I'm not falling all over myself after it. (Maybe with the hype, I built it to epic proportions and it didn't quite live up. Close, but not quite.)

We start with Juliette alone in a cell, and quickly she is given a roommate. From there? This journey jumps into action and doesn't slow down until you're finished. Although, even at the finish? You're left with questions, and an unfinished ending that leaves you wanting the sequel ASAP.

Mafi's writing is beautiful, it's magical. Her characters are fantastic. The world she's created leaves me with many questions, and may be the one weak point in this book - although the lack of knowledge works just as well for the suspense factor.  Her suspense? Very well done. And the Sexytimes? Steamy Scenes? **SWOON**

I have to say that while I liked Juliette, I loved Adam. I loved every last detail about him. Both as a book boyfriend, and as an action movie star. (Although I say this now realizing that people are comparing this book to the XMen, which I have not seen, nor have any interest in seeing - so I don't know if this has any validity.) Mafi wrote him so well I could picture him moving in my mind.

Shatter Me is one of those books you can truly get lost in. A little bit Dystopian, a little bit paranormal, a lot suspense. 

Review: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

Title: The Gathering Storm
Author: Robin Bridges

Format: Kindle

Genre: YA, Historical, Paranormal

Source:  Netgalley

Published: January 10th 2012 by Delacorte Books
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ 1/2

From Goodreads.com

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

I'm not normally a fan of Historical books, but the cover of this one was so beautiful and the synopsis was fascinating, so I wanted to give this debut novel by Robin Bridges a try. The Gathering Storm marries together a wonderful mix of Russian History and Paranormal. With a bit of romance thrown in, although for me the romantic aspect was little more than a side story. 

I loved the historical aspect, so much so that I'm ready to give the whole genre another try! (I'd love suggestions from anyone who has some!) I'm of Russian decent, and yet I've never known much about Russia so the glimpse at late 19th Century Russian society was fun. 

But more than the historical aspect? I loved the paranormal aspect - from an early scene involving a moth - I was hooked. I loved Katerina and her development as she delved deeper into her abilities (Necromancy). I was a bit intrigued ad the idea of all the paranormals in high society - which led to an internal debate about what supernatural abilities Prince William and Harry might have! In fact, it made me wonder if someone in some royal family at one point had the same "ability" of Juliette in Shatter Me and that's why Royals wear gloves? (Yes - I'm aware it's a stretch... but I had just finished "Shatter Me" when I started this one, and it was late at night...)

I really liked Katerina's character, I think she was a bit lacking in some aspects. But for the most part, she was a great protagonist. Her affection for learning medicine was a great addition to the storyline, although I have to wonder - it was mentioned very early on that her young brother had died of meningitis, and it nagged at me the entire story as to why she didn't save him. 

In the end? The Gathering Storm was a fascinating read that I would probably recommend to fans of historical (and paranormal) YA.

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Contemporary YA Romance
Source:  personal copy

Published: January 2nd 2012 by Poppy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

From Goodreads.com

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

 

BEWARE :: Gushing Ahead!

The first time I heard of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight all I'd seen was the cover (which is amazingly beautiful) and the tag line: Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything? Like everyone else in the bookish community, I added it to my wishlist and assumed that when it finally came out it would be a fun read.

Now, I wouldn't say it was "fun", there were a lot of deep moments in it. But it was the best contemporary romance I've read in a long time. (And I don't say that lightly, but hands down it is the best. In a long time.) 

Let's start with Oliver, because who doesn't love boys with a British accent? Not only is he way cute and have a British accent, but he's got a sense of sarcasm and humor (which is a MUST for a guy!) and he can banter with the best of them. I could spend all day talking about how much I love the 24 hours I spent with Oliver! 

And Hadley? She's so real. Her thoughts, her actions everything about her was not only believable but spot on for an angsty seventeen year old girl. And I loved how honest and vulnerable she was with Oliver about everything. There was a moment early on when she was contemplating avoiding telling him that she'd previously seen a Disneyesque movie, but she decides to just lay it all out there. She truly won me over in that moment, that she wasn't afraid to show him all of who she is.

And while this is a beautiful love story (complete with a cute little old lady who reminds me of my own Grandmother, gushing about how wonderful love is and how wonderful it is to be married for 52 years) there is more to this one, and it has some deep and downright sad moments. But each moment adds so much to the story. And the fact that it takes place in just 24 hours is such a wonderful gimmick. I love it. 

Jennifer E. Smith's Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a fresh look at the world of contemporary romance, and a book I would recommend to absolutely anyone! 

Review: First Date by Krista McGee

Title: First Date
 Author: Krista McGee

Format: Kindle

Genre: Contemporary Christian YA
Source:  Netgalley

Published: January 10th 2012 by Thomas Nelson
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ 

From Goodreads.com

Addy Davidson discovers God's unexpected plans for her life when a reality TV show turns her quiet existence on its head.
The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight.
The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

I think most teenage girls would give just about anything to be in Addy's position! Staring in a reality show (think "Bachelor"!!) with the chance to go on a date with the presidents hot son. Unfortunately? Addy is quiet, and would much rather be at home leading her bible study and focusing on school. 

The characters we see the most of are Addy and her new best friend - Kara, who happens to be her roommate during the taping of the show. This was a fun friendship to watch grow, and the two girls really helped each other in all the ways that a good BFF should help. This part of the book was by far the most realistic as well, which was a nice break from the insanity that was the rest of this book. 

When I say insanity, I mean it in the best way. First? The whole reality show was a bit far fetched (but fun, none the less.) And Addy's lack of desire to be there - yet somehow her teacher and her Uncle (legal guardian) are both conspiring to get her there. And Jonathan - who while he was good looking? He was such a minor character until we neared the end. I felt like he was a second thought. 

In the end? I enjoyed this read! It was quick, it was a retelling of the Bible story - Esther, and it shared some of the behind the scenes of the reality tv world! (And I am totally a reality tv junkie!) I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cute, quick Christian YA book, as well as hardcore reality fans!

Review: Series - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

   
  

Books in Series

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) --My Review
Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) --My Review
Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) -- My Review
Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, #4)-- My Review 
Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5) -- My Review 
Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, #6) -- My Review


My Thoughts
(Broken down by book first, then as a whole.) 
**I am working VERY hard not to leave any spoilers in this summary -- even if you haven't read book #1 I am hoping that this review won't really spoil anything for you! Although the individual reviews (linked above) may - so don't click them if you don't want to know  what happens in later books!


In the opening book, Vampire Academy, we are quickly introduced to best friends - Rose and Lissa. Rose is a Dhampir, the child of a Vampire and a Human (or Vampire and another Dhampir) and Lissa is a Moroi - a fun new twist on the vampire! She's alive, but still requires the occasional intake of blood to survive. And? These Moroi Vampires have magical powers too! This fun twist on everyone's favorite creature of the night makes for an interesting story. (The vampires we all think of - that live at night and drink blood, totally non human? They are Strogoi in the world of Richelle Mead.) Book number one really sets the tone and does some great character and world building for all the juicy fun stuff to come later! (Sure, there's an evil plot, high school drama - including the sexy instructor, Dimitri and Lissa's boyfriend, Christian. But the really good stuff comes in later books.) 


Frostbite mostly takes place at a ski resort - where we also get to meet Lissa's cousin (Adrian). I loved Vampire Academy, but this is where I really fell in love with Richelle Mead's writing. She mastered love triangles (I HATE love triangles - but the ones she gets going in this series make sense and I LOVE them... Like this one? Rose - Dimitri - Aunt Tasha. GREAT.) She also throws in twists that you never could have seen coming, all the while tying up lose ends that she'd left early in previous books. But back to book two. A vicious murder evacuates the school campus sending everyone to a ski resort, from there? Rose and her friends try to take matters into their own hands, and once again Rose finds herself deep in the middle of an evil plot. About 50 pages into this one? I couldn't put it down. 


If Vampire Academy was about world building, and Frostbite about action? Then Shadow Kiss was about answering questions. We get to learn more about the world of the Moroi, including a tour of their royal facilities and developing a relationship with their Queen, Tatiana. We also get to learn more about Rose and Lissa's bond! Which really helped me to appreciate their relationship. And then, because Richelle Mead is twisted (and I say that in the most loving way possible!) she throws in a cliffhanger that will leave you in tears and anxiously searching for the next book in the series. 


Blood Promise is really mostly "All About Rose" - she heads off on an adventure to Russia/Siberia all by herself. (I promised - no spoilers.... so I can't tell you why!) I think the personal journey was great for Rose, we met some interesting characters on the otherside of the world like Abe Mazur (who becomes one of my favorite characters!) and Sidney the Alchemist (Bloodlines is all about her!!) Really? This book is a great turning point for the rest of the series. And again? Mead throws in some great twists that you could have never expected -- including a few very intense moments between Rose and some Strigoi!


I think (in hindsight) my favorite book of the series was Spirit Bound. It has the most complex plot, running all over the place and with multiple HUGE twists and high points... I would recommend NOT reading this one on an expensive e-reader! The cliffhanger at the end had me ready to throw my iPad out the moving car!! I thought the ending to Shadow Kiss was bad, but this one? I was angry!! 


Which brings us to Last Sacrifice. I wanted answers, but I didn't want to finish the series. So starting this book was very bittersweet for me. The cliffhanger isn't resolved - not for awhile which shocked me. But? I couldn't put this one down. I have to say I'm very pleased with certain parts of the ending of the series. But others? Not so pleased - although I understand that they ended they way they should. (If that makes any sense at all??) I think Lissa and Rose (and the rest of their friends) ended up where they needed to be and I wouldn't have it any other way. 


My Final Thoughts:


Vampire Academy is easily one of my favorite series. I was emotionally invested in so many of the characters and plot lines, and I've never read an author who throws in so many twists and turns that you get dizzy, yet left no plotline untouched at the end. Everything wrapped up nice and neat with a little bow.

Fans get a neat little treat in that Bloodlines follows Jill and Sydney - and I've heard that many of the other characters get large cameos! So while the series has ended, there is still more to the story! I love that it continues! 

I feel the need to touch on this - but these covers? They suck. I'm a total cover lover, and I think part of what took me so long to grab these books is my absolute dislike for the covers. (If I have anything negative to say at all about the entire series? It's that.) 


I would recommend Vampire Academy to anyone who is a fan of paranormal YA. (And yes - I dare to say that in my opinion it is better than Twilight.) It's not so much a paranormal story though - this series is about friendship and relationships. About growing up and finding your place. With some fun supernatural abilities thrown in!

Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Title: Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5)
 Author: Richelle Mead

Format: Kindle

Genre: Paranormal, YA
Source:  Personal Copy

Published: May 18th 2010 by Penguin/Razorbill
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

 

Look out for Bloodlines, Richelle Mead's new series set in the world of Vampire Academy, coming August 2011!

The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

 

 

 

 

Writing a review for Last Sacrifice - the final Vampire Academy book- has been tough. This is my favorite series that I read in 2011, if not ever. (Gushy, full series review to be posted tomorrow!) I had a connection with each of the characters and this final book was one long emotional rollercoaster. 

There was so much packed into this last book that I worry anything I write will bring a spoiler. I love Adrian and Rose as a couple, I love Dimitri - both with Rose and alone. And I love that this triangle (I hate love triangles, but this? Bearable and enjoyable.) I love the places it went in this book and how I was struggling to figure out who I wanted to end up with who.

One of the most enjoyable storylines of the series (to me) was Lissa running for Queen. I loved the tests, it was fun to watch and see what the Moroi find to be suitable for their future leaders! The final test was one of those "awwww" moments for me. And my heart broke for Lissa, knowing that she wasn't really eligible after all that work.

In the end, Richelle Mead has done a marvelous job with this series, building a world that is easy to get lost in and characters that find a place in your heart. Last Sacrifice was my favorite book of the series, and I Am anxiously hoping for more glimpses of Rose and Lissa n the Bloodlines series!

 

(Check back tomorrow for my FULL SERIES review!!) 

Review: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Title: Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5)
 Author: Richelle Mead

Format: Kindle

Genre: Paranormal, YA
Source:  Personal Copy

Published: May 18th 2010 by Penguin/Razorbill
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads.com

Salvation has its price.
The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever. 

Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy has once again left me speechless. Rose Hathaway is one of my favorite protagonists, EVER!! And Spirit Bound has made no exception. 

We start out at St. Vladimir's (again with me wishing I could have gone to some fabulous boarding school - paranormal or not!) and it's Graduation time. Not only is it Graduation, but Rose's Dad is there! And he is getting to know Adrian! **Cue bad flashback to my Dad meeting my boyfriend in high school and even worse memory of him meeting said boyfriends parents. Not good** 

After Graduation, we follow the good ol' gang to Court, where they are to resume the lives that have been laid out in front of them. However, Rose has other plans. She's on an obsessive hunt for Dimitri (I'm trying so hard to avoid spoilers. So hard.) And she will do whatever illegal means to accomplish her goal.

Now here's where the roller coaster that we went on with Blood Promise resumes. We run the whole chart of emotions, we see SEVERAL of our beloved Characters in prison. (And unfortunately the single character who SHOULD be there is not.) But it doesn't end where I thought it would - I assumed the entire book would be the quest for Dimitri. 

WRONG! He's found and his story is sort of finished at the halfway point, but then there's more. (Again - Really? How do I write this review without spoilers??) I fall more and more in love with Adrian (If it doesn't work out with Rose, he's welcome at my house!)  

And the ending? Oh the ending! Richelle Mead had me both laughing and screaming. Rose really needs to learn to think before she speaks!! But the cliffhanger? Well, I'm just glad I already had Last Sacrifice ready to go so I could just pick it up right away. (Which I did!) 

In the end? I'm more in love with the Vampire Academy series than I had been before, anxious to find out what happens next but hesitant because I know my journey with Rose and Lissa (and more importantly Dimitri and Adrian!!) is about to close.