Oh. My. Goodness. Rose Hathaway is back, and she’s the reason we have the word BADASS. Frostbite, the second instalment in the Vampire Academy series, is rather obvious evidence that there is a real reason this series is so colossally popular.

I honestly don’t know why it took me so damn long to read Vampire Academy... and then waited months before reading Frostbite. After (finally) reading it, I’m sold... but where do I start? The amazing BFF relationship? Unique, fascinating mythology? The swoon-worthy-doesn’t-even-cut-it Dimitri? Hmmm... how about kickass, smart-mouthed, FREAKING VAMPIRE SLAYER, Rose.

A Rose By Any Other Name...
For me, one of the coolest things about Vampire Academy—and really, this applies to the entire cast of characters—is the authenticity of Rose. Her voice, her actions, her myriad of imperfections. I love that these characters feel like real teenagers, without being whiny or weak impersonations. What this series doesn’t have is stereotypes. Every character is real, fleshed out, with good and bad, light and dark. Even the most snotty, hateful of characters aren’t maniacally chuckling villains.

But ROSE. She’s tough, gutsy, and fiercely loyal. I love the relationship she shares with her best friend, Lissa. She cares and she believes in her convictions. She’s smoking-hot-drop-dead-gorgeous—and knows it—and an outrageous flirt, which is enormously fun, but I think what I love most is her impulsivity and recklessness. She acts first, thinks later. She’s gotten better than she was in Vampire Academy—she’s grown and developed—but, rather than this making her a bit ‘too stupid to live’, it makes her unpredictable, and fun to follow.

Politics Come Out To Play
Frostbite really ups the political game, and I get the impression it will continue in this direction even more as the series progresses. The question of the sustainability of a society (and, well, species) completely reliant on minority group they treat as inferior, while allowing themselves to become more and more physically weak and defenceless is raised, and there are some really ugly questions asked about just how far the wealthy and privileged will go to maintain their lifestyle and feel safe. It really seems like the privileged Moroi Royals look down on their Dhampir Guardians as being sub-human, and I mean, guys, come on, how long do you think they’ll let that go on for? Who actually holds the power here?

If I’m Honest, The Real Reason I’m Reading...

Dimitri... *sighs*

The tension between Rose and Dimitri in Frostbite is palpable. My chest ached every time the two shared a page... but something else showed up in Frostbite that caught my attention. Something interesting. SOMEONE. The infamous Adrian Ivashkov.

Um, so, in the past, I’ve complained—heartily, loudly, and... well, at times, constantly—about love triangles (dirty words! dirty words!). And don’t get me wrong, because I can see where this is going, but I like Adrian. And I like Dimitri. This would be the first book I’ve ever read where I like both potential suitors, and it’s not an obvious choice... I mean, other than Dimitri :P

The Verdict
Frostbite left me with a tonne of unanswered questions. While Vampire Academy (being a first book) worked as a standalone, Frostbite feels a lot more like a series instalment, but this is not a criticism. It gave me a fabulous sense of more fabulous—and terrifying—things to come. Progress has been made, new dangers and questions have arisen, and some unresolved issues from VA have been poked and prodded, and danced around. Mead ends it on a note artfully balanced between leaving me rabidly demanding resolution and a sense of satisfaction at the story’s conclusion. Evil, evil, EVIL WOMAN.

Frosbite is exciting, gripping, fun, and heartbreaking. Vampire Academy took me by surprise, and Richelle Mead has upped the game again. A fantastic follow-up and addition to the series!

Review originally posted at saz101 »