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Vampire Academy #5

Spirit Bound

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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 Siberia, Dimitri’s birthplace, 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 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 has silenced her . . . forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. And in the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series.

489 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2010

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About the author

Richelle Mead

99 books67.1k followers
Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,786 reviews
Profile Image for ~Calliope~.
230 reviews354 followers
January 31, 2023
“In an undertone, I murmured, "This isn't over. I won't give up on you."
"I've given up on you," he said back, voice also soft. "Love fades. Mine has.”



“You forget: I have an addictive personality. I'm addicted to you. Somehow I think you could do all sorts of bad things to me, and I'd still come back to you. Just keep things honest, okay? Tell me what you're feeling. If you're feeling something for Dimitri that's confusing you, tell me. We'll work it out.”



This book is like magic! I loved it once again! I loved the characters and I loved the action!


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Let's start from the beginning:
1)I loved the letters Dimitri sent to Rose! I know it was threats but I loved it!
"It’s a shame, because if I could dream, I know I’d dream about you. I’d dream about the way you smell and how your dark hair feels like silk between my fingers. I’d dream about the smoothness of your skin and the fierceness of your lips when we kiss."



2)I love Adrian but he doesn't fit with Rose. She loves Dimitri and I accept that but I don't want her to hurt Adrian! That's not fair!
“But Rose? While I'm fine with you two dating and being happy, please try not to break his heart too much when the time comes.”

He is so cute!
“I'm sorry."
"Be sorry you lied," he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Don't be sorry you loved him. That's part of you, part you have to let go, yeah, but still something that's made you who you are.”

He is also a little bit crazy!
“Dreams, dreams. I walk them; I live them. I delude myself with them. It's a wonder I can spot reality anymore.”



3) I don't know how Eddie agrees to break Victor out of his prison. He sacrifices everything for his friends. I really admire him!


4)Abe! Abe! Abe! I love that man! He is amazing!
“Most fathers don't threaten to disembowel their daughter's boyfriends."
"That's not true. And anyway, that's not what I actually said. It was much worse.”

Poor Adrian :(


5)I hate Victor but I don't know how I feel about Robert! He seems so lost. But he gave us important information about the stake charmed with spirit! After we learnt what we wanted, they escaped!


6)I loved Lissa's and Christian's teamwork to learn how to stub a Strigoi! And thank god Lissa learnt! And Lissa and Christian together forever!!!!!!


7)DIMITRI IS NOT A STRIGOI ANYMORE!!!YEAHHHHH!! I felt so happy .. I cried again... and then I was angry because Dimitri felt guilty and pushed Rose away! He can't forgive himself for what he did to her..Not only that but he adores Lissa!!! Rose went through hell and back to save Dimitri and he just pushed her away!


8)Rose was so hurt that Dimitri rejected her and she turn to Adrian for comfort! TERRIBLE MISTAKE!
I will admit that I loved the scene that almost had sex and he end up drink from her!


9)Queen Tatiana is dead and Rose is the number 1 suspect because Tatiana was found with Rose's stake!


10)Tatiana's letter!
"Vasilisa needs her spot on the Council, and it can be done. She is not the last Dragomir. Another lives, the illegitimate child of Eric Dragomir. I know nothing else, but if you can find this son or daughter, you will give Vasilisa the power she deserves. No matter your faults and dangerous temperament, you are the only one I feel can take on this task. Waste no time in fulfilling it."

Profile Image for Lindsay.
26 reviews35 followers
May 26, 2010
ok, so what is going to happen with the adrian/dimiti thing? Ugh, I miss Dimitri, but now Adrian is starting to grow on me .. and whyy didnt she show abe the note from tatiana? it woulda helped her out!
Profile Image for Tatiana.
1,384 reviews11.8k followers
November 23, 2010
This book is crap and Rose is a shameless gold-digging two-timer.

Yes-yes, I am in a minority here, but it won't be the first time, nor the last. Spirit Bound is a bad book and I am contemplating to remove Richelle Mead from the list of the authors whose writing I care to follow. She can join my black list next to Beth Fantaskey and Maria V. Snyder. I was willing to give VA another chance after the disappointment Blood Promise was, but no more, this series is taking its path into oblivion along with Richelle's Georgina Kincaid books. Mead just can't produce this mediocre mess, destroy her characters for the sake of cheap relationship melodrama and contrived "love triangles" and expect me to eat it up. No, thanks.

Now, for the good. We are back to the cast of characters we came to love in the first 3 books - Eddie, Mia, Christian (As I expected reading Blood Promise, almost none of the million characters introduced in it are back, they have served their filler purpose and now dead and gone). Lissa comes into her own powers and is an admirable person now. Lissa's and Christian's relationship is back on track, which is great because I still have no idea why they broke up in the first place.

Now, for the bad. Where do I start? How about, the only feelings Spirit Bound was able to elicit in me were boredom and mild annoyance?

It is surprising how a book so action-packed can be so thoroughly boring. A lot of things happen in it - Rose takes her final pre-graduation trials, she steals important prison files, she breaks into a maximum security vamp prison, then there is a final altercation with Dimitri. But just like in the latest installment of Mead's Georgina Kincaid series, these events are glossed over, everything happens without much effort, there is no tension build-up before each and every one of them, the characters don't experience too many obstacles and therefore there is no real feeling of something important happening.

Also, the highest point of the book happens at about 300-page mark. What comes after is just added-on drama that comes out of nowhere (is Richelle paid per page?). I just can't believe that this kind of story is what Mead had pre-planned for the series (according to her, she plots her series in advance). If I knew that's the shape the series would take, I wouldn't have bothered to read Vampire Academy.

Another thing. What kind of relationship do Rose and Adrian have? It's not only unhealthy, it's just wrong. What Mead has achieved with it is that now I am all on board with Rose/Adrian pairing in the end (I used to be a Team Dimitri girl), but not because I like Adrian now, but because they would make a mighty good couple: Rose can fantasize about Dimitri while blood-whoring with Adrian (he seems to be just fine with his status of sloppy seconds/doormat) and Adrian can get drunk, continue spending his daddy's money and drag Rose around to parties to get a kick out of his parents and get Rose humiliated by Moroi snobs. What a pair they make!

Then there is Rose's inconsistent behavior (one minute she wants to kill Dimitri, another she will do anything to save him; one moment she is in love with Dimitri, another she is getting it on with Adrian), deus-ex machina (Mikhail anyone? how convenient!); redundant conversations; masked party (what was the point?); miraculous prison break, etc., etc...

I can go on and on with this tirade, but honestly, why? I think I am done with this series. For all I care, the entire cast of characters can die (well, they are sort of already dead to me due to the author's "skillful treatment") and I won't blink an eye. Why, oh why did I buy previous installments? There is no chance I will ever re-read them!
Profile Image for Emma Giordano.
317 reviews116k followers
July 18, 2015
You know you've read a good book when you turn the final page so ready to start the next chapter but instead you find the acknowledgements and audibly scream "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
November 18, 2022
4 Restored Stars



Spoilers

Spirit Bound, the 5th book in the Vampire Academy series, was a good read, but it was a bit slow. On top of the slow down in the book Rose was with Adrian and that bugged me. Rose loved Dimitri yet she was kissing and almost having sex with Adrian. It made her seem fickle. I liked Adrian but I don't want him with Rose. Then there was the fact that the whole time she was with Adrian she was telling Dimitri that she loves him and wants them to be together again. I mean I can get that Rose liked Adrian, he is sexy and sweet, but she should have stayed away from him until she was sure her and Dimitri were over. Dimitri was so depressed in this book. I can totally understand his guilt over all the things he did as strigoi. My heart broke that Dimitri kept pushing Rose away. Overall this book was good but I would have like more Rose and Dimitri time. I can't wait to read the next one!

Profile Image for Kat Kennedy.
475 reviews16k followers
May 30, 2010
The good news is this: Spirit Bound is better than Blood Promises.

Now let's all take a deep, satisfying breath of relief for that.

But, there is bad news. The character of Rose, for me, takes a huge hit in this installment.

Spirit Bound is fairly well written. The pacing is pretty good in that you don't have an opportunity to get bored. There are three points in the book that I really feel SHOULD have received far more attention and detail than they should:

Rose's exam, Victor's rescue (What shall be hereto referred to from now on as the stupidest act performed by Rose. Ever.) and the battle with Dimitri.

There are many things in this book that I wish hadn't received quite so much attention, such as parties, family visits and general faffing about (To use another strange colloquialism)

Despite that, the book is great - except I'd really like to strangle Rose. Really.

I wouldn't necessarily consider myself Team Dimitri or Team Adrian. I may lean towards Adrian a little but her obsession for Dimitri makes me think that she's nowhere near good enough for him and therefor should stay with Dimitri AND DIE!

How am I supposed to respect a heroine who uses her boyfriend's credit card to pay for her trip to Vegas with friends? Not to mention the money that she had already swindled from him to finance her little trip through Serbia! Then what was with her running around loudly declaring her love to Dimitri WHILE SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DATING ADRIAN?

Seriously. I just wanted to smack her.

Dimitri wasn't much better. As my little computer gaming brother would say - Less QQ and more PewPew.

Other characters were awesome and well written. it ended on the most horrible cliff hanger and I'm considering starting a petition to make it illegal for authors to finish on such a very tense note!

Over all, it's a a much better read than Blood Promises. There were aspects of this book that annoyed me but I really enjoyed reading it regardless and now I'm eagerly awaiting the sixth and final installment.

Profile Image for Ahmad Sharabiani.
9,566 reviews55.9k followers
July 12, 2020
Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5), Richelle Mead

First Publication date: May 18, 2010. The book starts off with Rose reading the last in a series of love letters/death threats from Dimitri.

The final exams are set to start in short time and she resolves to stay focused and pass them to the best of her abilities and hope it will be enough for her to get assigned to Lissa.

The teachers test her by having her trapped on a swinging bridge with Strigoi approaching on both sides, which she passes by cutting the bridge, then "killing" the opponents on her end.

After Abe's network relayed a message from Victor Dashkov that there was nothing he could be bribed with while he was behind bars, Rose plots with Lissa and Eddie to break him out of his high security vampire prison.

They successfully do so by disguising themselves as guardians bringing new feeders and relying heavily on Lissa's compulsion abilities. Victor agrees to lead them to his brother, Robert, a reclusive spirit user who is rumored to have once returned a Strigoi to their original state.

They travel to Las Vegas, where Adrian tracks Rose's credit cards and follows them. While not very pleased with Rose's continued endeavors to help Dimitri, he stays with them.

Robert tells them that the Spirit user must infuse a stake with Spirit and kill the Strigoi on its own, but escapes when they are attacked by Dimitri and other Strigoi.

They manage to escape and upon their arrival at court Eddie and Rose are punished for endangering the Moroi and sent to do physical labor. While they are occupied, Lissa and Christian are kidnapped by Dimitri as bait for Rose. ...

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز نوزدهم ماه سپتامبر سال 2017 میلادی

عنوان: پیمان روح: کتاب پنجم از سری: آکادمی خون آشام؛ نویسنده ریچل مید؛ ژانر فانتزی، رومنس، خون آشامی؛ در 321ص؛

چکیده داستان: پس از یک سفر طولانی و ناامید کننده به محل تولد «دیمیتری» در سیبری، «رز هاتاوی» بالاخره به نزد بهترین دوستش «لیسا» برگشت؛ تا فارغ التحصیلی چیزی نمانده، و آنها منتظر زندگی واقعی پشت دروازه های آهنین آکادمی هستند؛ اما قلب «رز» هنوز در پیش «دیمیتری» است که میداند جایی آن بیرون است؛ این کتاب پنجمین کتاب سری فانتزی «آکادمی خون‌آشام» است؛ «ریچل مید» پیش از آنکه به نویسندگی بپردازد، در سه رشته تحصیل کرد و به عنوان مربی راهنمایی مشغول به کار بود؛ او سرانجام به این نتیجه رسید که راه خود را در نویسندگی ادامه دهد، ایشان باور دارند که تحصیلاتش، ایشان را برای این کار آماده کرد

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 22/04/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Profile Image for Shelly Farez.
1 review
Read
November 27, 2009
heres for u people 2 enjoy found it


Vampire Academy 5 - Spirit Bound

Author -- -- Richelle Mead

Chapter One

Lissa stared at the letter in shock. But not as much shock as me. I memorized the letter the Dimitri wrote me.

You forgot another lesson: Never turn your back until you know your enemy

is dead. Looks like we'll have to go over the lesson again the next time

I see you-which will be soon.

Love, D

The words were strapped into my head and they weren't moving anywhere. The words 'Which shall be soon' kept on running through my head. Like a fish that's stuck on a hook. I paced around the room frantically, hoping for something to come to my head. The stake was still in my hands and was starting to get really sweaty.

"Rose! Are you even listening to me? I mean, what are we going to do!?" She was freaking more then me. "I don't want you to get hurt. Please. I need to help."

Her words sunk into me. Giving me no choice but to bring her with me. My mind blew up with questions when my thought was decided. What if she got hurt? What about killed? What if her spirit starts to take over her again? What if starts to take over me? My head start to hurt. It isn't natural for a girl like me to think this much.

"Rose!" She yelled in my face. "Talk. Let it out. Dont keep everything inside. I know you dont want me to control you're life, but you have had that same facial expression for almost 2 minutes straight and thats not normal," She pleaded. "You're scaring me."

"Jeez, what are you? My therapist" I told her.

She gave me a sincere smile since i changed my expression and spoke out loud. However, i still needed time to think, so i just sat on her bed and dug my face into my hands hoping for her to understand. Her response was to sit by me and wrap her arm around me. Close enough.

I cant just bring Lissa alone. I would bring my mom. Maybe. But if i said even a word about leaving the academy again, she would lock me in my room. So mom is definitely off the list. Uhmmm, Christian? Nope, there fighting anyways and i do NOT want to lose my concentration if those two are arguing. Damn. I can think of anyone. I'll think of someone later.

"Alright, Liss, you can come with me," I told her. "But, i don't want any questions about it right now. I'm still not even sure im going yet," Which i- we, probably are. "But for now, i think im going to stay at the academy."

"Lissa's eyes flew up with a huge grin across her face like a 5 year old on Christmas morning. "Oh, Rose! You have no idea on how much i missed you!" She squealed

"Alright Liss," I laughed. "I need to go and talk to Alberta and enroll into this hell school again."

This going to just like when me and Lissa came back to St. Vladamir's before, except this time, I'm facing it alone. Right when i walked out of Lissa's door, eyes turned to me. Oh great, i thought to myself. And so it has begun.

The walk to the office was totally akward. I saw some faces i knew stare at me. Like the girls that Lissa hung out with when she was going through her crazy phase with spirit. Then i saw Christian look at me like i was some ghost that came back from the grave. I mean, he was staring at me like when in movie some kid that randomly stares at you and then a second later they hit a wall or fall into a trash can, but no. There was no trash can. Making that expression stay on his face.

But it wasn't just Christian, it was everyone. They were staring at me with same confused and surprised expression. Except for Mia. Mia was standing there with a grin slapped onto her face, she walked up to me, which everyone of her other friends were to scared to do.

Mia's blond curls bounced as she walked toward me. Her grin was still placed on her face. Me and Mia have been on okay terms now ever since Mason died. I gues you could call us friends.

"Hey Rose, havent seen you in a while," She smiled. "How has it been?"

"Uhmm good?" Me and Mia may not hate each other, but that doesn't mean i like her enough to trust her.

She just gave me one of her smiles and left. Guess she had nothing to start gossip about. Good, i thought.

When i reached Alberta's, old but, again, new office, she was sitting in her desk reading something on her computer. When she looked up and saw me she waved me to come and sit down.

"So Rose? Have you decieded yet?" She smiled at me.

"Yup. I'm going to stay. But have you talked to anyone about putting me back in line to be Lissa's guardian?" I asked.

"That's wonderful Rose," Then she smiled, and it wasn't one of her i-feel-bad-for-you smiles. "And yes, i have Rose. I see that you are wearing you're hair up today and almost everyone has noticed the marks on you're neck. After seeing how well you do, they have decided to give you're position as Lissa's guardian back. However, you must remain at the academy."

"Really?! It was that easy!" I cheered. "Thank you SO much Alberta!"

With that i walked out of the room. Then i saw the perfect person to take with Lissa and I at the end of the year. I walked up to him on put on my sly grin. He was already smiling before i even started to walk.






Spirit Bound -- chapter 2

"Rose Hathaway is asking me, Adrian, to help assist her?" Adrian smirked.

My smile was long gone by now and this converstation was really starting to turn out more annoything then i thought. "How many times do i have to go over this. You. Are. Coming. With. Me. And. Lissa. To. Kill. Dimitri."

"Wait. I thought you told Alberta, that you;re staying until you graduate?" He questioned.

"I am."

"What if he gets here before you and Lissa graduate? He might bring a whole army by the sounds of what you did to him," He smirked.

I ignored that second part not wanting to get the thought in my head. "You think i havent considered that? It's just that i cant make Lissa leave. Not now at least."

"So, leave her behind."

"This coming from the guy who was actually begging me to come back to Lissa because i left her."

He didnt have a reply. Good, i thought.

"Well, i said i would come," was his reply.

"Uhmm, no. No, you didnt say anything, yet," I smirked with a wink. That outta' get his attention.

"Hmm," He started. "I guess that queen Tatina wouldnt mind a responsible adult taking care of her apperntice, So, i guess i should come."

"You? Responsible? Thats rich," I laughed. "But good. You're a go." Lets just hope Dimitri doesnt come before then.

He just smiled, excused himself and went to go find Lissa for there sunday lessons. Since i was going to be doing things like i used to, before i left i thought i should go to church. For old times sake.

The walk to the chapel was worse to the walk to Albertas office. Maybe i should go to my room, i thought. No. Im going to have to have to face this sooner or later, and sooner is way better. People were going to ask how my journey went, so instead of telling them i tied up my hair into a bun showing my marks. The second my mark was visible, i heard people gasp. Jeez, wannabes, i thought to myself.

"When i finally reached the church, there was a new priest. Yet somehow, he knew me. "Rose Hathaway," he smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Father Shay, please sit down."

What happened to the other guy? He was pretty old, but i'll miss him. He gave me the first clue with Lissa and her powers and out bond.

I forgot how boring curch was when Father Shay started talking. I remember why i went to church before, to see Lissa. And only Lissa. After another 10 minutes i just tuned my self out.

The thing finished about an hour later. I nearly ran out of the chapel, happy to smell the fresh air not some strong vinegar type scent that the priest calls 'holy water'. The air was cool and moist, just the way it was in Russia. THat reminded me, I should call the Belikovs soon to let them know im okay. I might even call Abe because of the good mood im in.

I walked back to the dorm, more eyes then before for some strange reason. People were still gasping and making a big fuss over my marks. I thankfully saw Lissa and ran over to her.

"Lissa! Lissa!" I yelled at her. "Wait for a second."

Not that she needed to, i could catch up to her easily as a dhaphir.

"Rose! How was church?" She laughed.

I shot her the look of death, she remembered how much i hated church. Even though i forgot. "You know how much i hate church." I shot back at her.

"Then why would you go?" She mused.

"I dont know! People were staring and i saw the chapel and the old priest was so nice- what happened to him anyways?" Curiosity popped in my head again.

"Rose, he was almost a 100 years old," Those eyes were deep and full of sorrow. "And get this, the new preist is only human. He's not a moroi or dhampir or anyhing. Just human."

Thats strange, i thought. Why would the academy higher a human priest? Why would a human priest want to talk about history thats not even from his own race? Why would he even want to talk about any history? Liss, probably missed the priest more then me. He helped us so much before we knew about spirit and when she was in the chapel but not in the attic, he would help her inderstand her powers from what he knew.

"That is strange, but he seemed nice enough," I said. "Probably to scared to say anything to us."

She laughed and rolled her eyes, " Probably."

Profile Image for Whitney Atkinson.
909 reviews13.8k followers
August 3, 2017
3.5 stars

I can't believe I listened to this in one day. 500 pages has never gone by so fast.
At this point in the vampire academy series, I'm kinda ready for it to be over. I think Rose is absolutely ridiculous and annoying and i'm so tired of her childish words and actions. The last book is sooo long but it seems like everything could've just wrapped up during this one so I have no clue what else there is to solve, which is irritating. Regardless, I can't resist an interesting vampire story and I did enjoy this book better than the previous one.
January 9, 2016
Yup, esta serie va a acabar conmigo, definitivamente. No contentos con todo el drama de Dimitri, entran ahora en juego dramas con Adrian, con Lissa, con Christian y con conspiradores que ni siquiera tienen cara todavía, ASDFGHJKLÑ.

Vampire Academy es esa saga que no deja de mejorar con cada libro que lees, de verdad, las emociones siempre son más y más intensas a medida que vas pasando las páginas. Aunque, sí, hay que admitirlo, al menos hasta el quinto, el pico dramático de sufrimiento y fangirleo es el tercero, Shadow Kiss. Ahora, este, Promesa de Sangre, tiene un tinte de emociones completamente diferentes y más oscuras. Además, a diferencia del anterior, que se centra en ser un libro con poquísima acción y con mucha carga emocional, este tiene acción e intrigas por doquier. No nos quedamos cortos en peleas contra strigoi, en intrigas de la Corte Moroi, en conspiraciones que afectan incluso a los alquimistas y en manipulaciones, asesinatos y planes macabros que hacen que Rose quede en un precipicio al final del libro.

Como para los perdidos, este quinto libro de Vampire Academy empieza con Rose y Lissa a punto de graduarse del instituto y empezar a ser adultas dentro de la sociedad moroi de la Corte Real. Sin embargo, para ellas dos el acabar el instituto significa que se tienen que embarcar en una de las misiones locas de Rose para intentar salvar el alma de Dimitri y evitar que siga siendo un strigoi. Si lo recuerdan por el final del cuarto libro, Abe (quien, sorpresivamente, es el padre de Rose) consigue información que apunta a que el hermano de Victor Dashkov, un moroi que puede controlar el espíritu, fue capaz de revertir la conversión de un strigoi. Esta misión loca de Rose implica, claramente, sacar a Victor Dashkov de la cárcel, conseguir que los reúna con su hermano y que este sujeto les diga a Lissa y a Rose exactamente cómo hacer que Dimitri vuelva a ser un dhampir. Y sí, así es como empieza el libro...

...y empieza a darte cachetadas en la cara porque NADA de lo que piensas que va a pasar o que es factible que pase pasa. vaya trabalenguas. El punto es que la trama se va desarrollando tan bien y conectando de una manera tan sutil todos los cabos sueltos que se han ido dejando a lo largo de los libros, que la experiencia de leerlo es tan genial que te vas sorprendiendo cada vez más con lo que le pasa a Rose y a sus amigos.

De hecho, creo que una de las cosas que más me gustaron de este libro fue el hecho de que la historia no se centra egoístamente en una Rose obsesionada con revertir la conversión de Dimitri (que sí, obviamente está ahí), sino que también nos introducimos en historias más propias de la Corte de los moroi, de la situación de los dhampir, de los debates del Pleno de los moroi, de alianzas entre las familias reales, de un montón de cosas que se escapan del control de Rose y que hacen del libro algo muchísimo más completo y más real.

Creo que esto es todo lo lejos que puedo ir sin empezar a decir spoilers, así que toda la sección que esté debajo de este párrafo puedes leerla SI Y SÓLO SI has leído el libro; sino, hazlo bajo tu propio riesgo.

ABAJO HAY SPOILERS.

ESTÁS AVISADO.

LUEGO NO DIGAS QUE NO TE ADVERTÍ.

¿SIGUES LEYENDO?

¿YA LEÍSTE EL LIBRO?

3...

2...

1...

SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOILERS.


Okay, vamos a ver. Yo no me fío ni un poquito de Victor Dashkov y menos de su hermano loco. Sí, ya sé que les dijeron a Rose y a Lissa lo que debían hacer para revertir el cambio de Dimitri, PEEEEERO se escaparon convenientemente después. NO. ME. FÍO. ¿Qué tal que haya efectos secundarios? ¿Por qué no le preguntaron al hermano de Dashkov que pasó con la strigoi a la que logró salvar? A mí esto me huele muy mal...

En cuanto llegué a la parte en la que Lissa le clavaba la estaca a Dimitri con ayuda de Christian (una escena genial, si me lo preguntan) y vi que apenas estaba en la mitad del libro, la situación me pintó muy mal. Es decir, SABÍA que no todo iba a ser color de rosas entre Rose y Dimitri si aún quedaban como 250 páginas de libro. Y SUFRÍ PORQUE TENÍA RAZÓN. JO-DER.

¿Y saben qué me sabía aún peor? Que Dimitri estuviera en plan "Oh, Lissa, eres una diosa por salvarme, seré tu esclavo para toda la eternidad... Pero, Rose, no quiero verte porque no tengo perdón por todo lo que te he hecho" y AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Mira, si yo odiaba a Lissa antes de que todo esto pasara, ahora la odio aún más. Es decir, sí, ayudó a que Dimitri no fuera más un strigoi, pero más o menos sin quererlo lo convirtió en su adorador Y ESO NO SE PUEDE. Además, era tremendamente doloroso leer a Rose cuando le decían que Dimitri no quería verlo... y más doloroso aún leerla cuando Dimitri le decía que ya no sentía nada por ella. QUE TODO ESO TIENE QUE SER UNA PATRAÑA. ELLOS SON OTP Y SE TIENEN QUE AMAR HASTA EL FIN DE LOS TIEMPOS.

Pero... y aquí va un pero que me dolía mucho a lo largo del libro... ADRIAN. Ay, dioses del Olimpo, ¿por qué me hacen esto? Leer lo buen novio que era con Rose y lo mucho que se nota que la quiere... y luego leer a Rose olvidándose casi por completo de él ante la mera mención del nombre de Dimitri me rompía el corazón. Y que lo usara de desparche cuando Dimitri le dijo que ya nunca la volvería a amar... MAL. Aghhhh... No sé cómo sentirme con respecto a esto. Está claro que quiero que Rose al final esté con Dimitri, pero no quiero ver a Adrian con el corazón roto o con otra en plan "te sigo queriendo, Rose, pero es lo mejor para los dos que yo esté con otra" o algo así. CREEN UN HARÉN PARA DIMITRI-ROSE-ADRIAN (?) Okay, no xD

Ahora, EL FINAL. HOLY F*CK, EL FINAL. ¿Alguien se vio venir eso de que supuestamente Rose había matado a la Reina Tatiana? I mean, WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL... Y ahora que lo recuerdo, MOMENTOS ÉPICOS Y CUANDO ROSE HABLA FRENTE AL PLENO DE LOS MOROI REALES Y LES PLANTA CARA POR LA LEY DE LA EDAD DE LOS DHAMPIR. OLÉ TÚ, ROSE. Volviendo a la conspiración... VAYA. Es que ni siquiera me puedo imaginar qué demonios puede ser eso, si está conectado con los archivos del padre de Lissa que robaron de los alquimistas o qué. Y luego está la nota de Tatiana que le da Ambrose a Rose... Y Abe apareciendo para defender a su hija como su abogado en la vista preliminar y cuando han decidido que va a ir a juicio diciéndole que tenga absoluta certeza de que no la condenarán. AHHHHH, DEMASIADAS COSAS PARA POCAS PÁGINAS.

Y, por cierto, me devuelvo un poco, pero ¿podemos pensar en el momento en el que la Guardia Real llega para llevarse a Rose y Dimitri la defiende a capa y espada como en los viejos tiempos? Y LUEGO ESE HOMBRE DICE QUE YA NO LA AMA.

En resumen... #SoMuchFeels #NecesitoElSextoLibroYa

Profile Image for Lainey.
261 reviews1,568 followers
January 13, 2016
So it took me exactly a year to read this lolol, and yet I still rate it a 4. Technically, it would be a 5, but since it took me a year, I feel it's only fare to rate it a 4. So this is me and the VA series: inhale read, something happens and I'm distracted, I watch the movie and that revives my need to read the rest of the books. Repeat. So here I am, finishing the 5th book and now I only have 1 more to go.

I really love this series. These characters. Everything. This world is so fantastic, I love learning more about it. And this was so beautifully written. So many great lines and scenes.
Profile Image for Sarah Jo..
132 reviews27 followers
October 27, 2009
Just when you though Rose Hathaway had seen it all...
This book came out.

Rosemarie Hathaway, after loosing her true love, Dimitri, to an unforgivalbe evil, went to earn his honor in Russia. In doing so she met her father, another pair of spirt bound people, and many others she will unlikly ever forget, but also failed to deliver Dimitri to salvation. Now it's Rose's turn to be the prey....but can they save Dimitri before death arives first?

It has finally happend Rose is a gaurdian.
She is strong, fast, and furious. But will the one who broke her heart break her too?
Profile Image for Irena BookDustMagic.
610 reviews480 followers
December 21, 2015
This is how it all started:

Once upon a time (or should I say four years ago) I was lying in my hospital bad (in a room that had no TV), unable to move, recovering from the car accident.
At that time, books were the main entertaiment I had, which I didn't mind since I was a book lover.

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On that specific day, my friend came for a visit, bringing me a copy of Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead and a box of chocolate.
I was already familiar with the fact that books can be fun, but what makes this book special to me is that it showed me the fun on a whole new level.

It was like I had a key that can open the door I wasn't even aware of. Suddenly, I had a new perspective when it comes to reading.

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I discovered book characters that got under my skin like no others before.
And the plot... it was so interesting I just had to know what was going to happen'.
I had to know how Rose and Dimitri will resolve what was going on between them, what will be with Vasilisa and Christian... and him...
For the first time in my life, I fell in love with the book character: Adrian Ivashkov.

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I don't have to say it: My life was never the same again!

And the best part: realization that there are countless worlds that I have yet to discover, many characters that are waiting for me to hang out with them, zillion adventures that I still have to go on.

...and that is how my love for YA genre began.

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Profile Image for Heather.
284 reviews13.9k followers
January 24, 2012
I did it. I know I said that I wouldn’t, but I read Spirit Bound in spite of my boycott. I have no excuse. I’m almost as big a hypocrite as Rose Hathaway. Almost. In my defense, I didn’t decide to read it until after I read every spoiler available via Amazon.com. Therefore, I knew every plot point within this book before I read it, and ironically, it was the very thing that compelled me to read it. Curse my morbid curiosity. Worse, I liked it! I may never forgive myself.
Before I say anything else, I have to state this officially, for the review record…I HATE Rose. HATE her. I have resigned myself to the fact that we shall never, ever see any character growth from her, if anything, we can expect consistent digression, but still, this knowledge does not make me hate her any less. She is whinny, self involved, selfish, brash, manipulative, dishonest, and hypocritical. My favorite line to hate from her appears several times throughout this novel…”It was hard, but I pushed the guilt aside.” Hold the phone; I’m supposed to feel sorry for you because you are somehow able to overcome your guilt about destroying the lives of the people who love you while you get innocent people killed for your own selfish gains? Not likely. Even worse, I think I actually saw red while reading Rose's flippant, often condesending treatment of Adrian. Rose doesn’t deserve any of the people who love her, not Lissa, not Adrian, not Christian, Eddie, or the help or respect of any of the people that assist her on her journey. The only reason I root for her is because not rooting for her would be a betrayal to the characters I do love, namely Adrian, Lissa and Christian.

Any of those who know my thoughts on this series know I am team Adrian through and through. He appears morally ambiguous upon first glance, when in fact; I think he may have the strongest moral character of any of them. He may drink and smoke like a freight train. He may even be a bit of a sloth, but there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for the people he loves, even to his own detriment. His willingness to help maybe self motivated, but he has never ever operated under false pretenses, has never lied and never manipulated those he claims to love. Because I love Adrian, I want him to have that which he desires most, Rose. And I was so glad that he has finally been given the opportunity to have her. However, that does not mean that I think he should end up with her. Though for Adrian’s sake I hoped for the pairing, I have always known, and know, that Rose and Dimitri will end up together, as they should. Rose doesn’t deserve Adrian on her best day. Let's face it, I don't even think she deserves Dimtri. But I am so glad that Mead gave Adrian a chance to shine. And this fact along with two others is the only reason I liked this book and broke my vow to not read Spirit Bound. I can turn my back on Rose, but I could never turn my back on Adrian.

Thankfully, Mead also decided to devote more page time not only to Adrian, but to Lissa and Christian as well. These characters are so full of win in this installment that they somehow allowed me to overlook my hatred for Rose. That is a tremendous testament to their awesomeness. I know many people resent Lissa, though I have never understood why, she has always proven her friendship and loyalty to Rose, if anything, I’ve always felt that Rose had something to prove, but once again, Lissa outshines Rose in every way and puts her to extreme shame.
*Spoilers Ahead*.
I was proud of Lissa for restoring Dimitri, not because I felt that she owed it to Rose, but because if showed Lissa’s immense, all consuming selflessness, as well as her development in the use of Spirit. Lissa is just awesome, in an angelic sort of way. And Christian, oh how I missed him in Blood Promise. Thankfully, he is back on par with his snide antics, shrewd observations, and endless love for Lissa, which is filled with that delicious tension that makes your stomach clench. I ate it up.

As for Dimitri, I have never really liked or disliked him, except in Blood Promise. I clearly disliked Strigoi Dimitri. He was such a forgone cliché as a Strigoi. Nevertheless, I am glad his humanity was restored and even better, he upped the angst ante with his rejection of Rose. Mead may be brilliant at destroying her characters (Seth from Georgia Kincaid series anyone?) as she has proven with Rose, but you can’t deny her ability to rip your heart out. I don’t even really care if Rose gets her happy ending, in fact, I hope she meets a tragic end in the last installment, but even I was in a state over Dimitri’s words in the church. Oh the angst! Rose and Dimitri belong together, even though it makes me kind of sick. I can't help but want it to happen, for Dimitri's sake.

So Mead has redeemed herself a bit in my eyes. I may despise Rose with a fiery passion, but she knocked one out of the park by allowing Adrian and Lissa to surpass the narrator and steal the show and for peppering this book with so much emotional turmoil, deceit, tension and steam, that I couldn’t help but read it and like it. Kudos.

P.S. If Mead turns Adrain into any more of a sacraficial lamb I will be truly devestated. Give the man a break for Christ's sake, he's been through enough already.
Profile Image for Fuzaila.
251 reviews360 followers
November 25, 2017
What is this book? I was planning on ditching it up until 80% of it, and in a bizarre turn of events, I lost a night to this book and jumped onto the sequel right after wtf I blame this book for making me a messy insomniac.? That’s extraordinary. Not that this book was any good. Richelle Mead is one manipulative author. Like really, really manipulative. How dare she light my heart with fury like that and become the fireman all of a sudden? Ugh, this one’s going to be hard to review, not to mention rate.

First half of the book? 1/5 stars
The 60%-80% potion of the book? 3/5 stars
That ending though? 4.5/5 stars

Overall, 2.5/5 stars

**As always, please be aware of spoilers in case you have not read the previous books**


THE PLOT

Let’s say um, where did that previous book end? I am not so sure. But this one started quite sometime after.
Rose and Adrian are dating. Yeah, finally. But she is not very sure of her feelings for him. She is confused . Because, duh, her ex-boyfriend is dead (undead-whatever) and might have a shot at being bought to life which would mean busting a notorious criminal out from his high-security prison. So what does invincible, reckless, i-am-in-control-of-everything Rose do? She emotionally manipulates, Lissa, her best friend, who thinks she owes her, in coming with her to bust that monster out and try to regain a Strigoi, which might not even be possible. In doing so, they are risking the entire Vampire world, Rose and Lissa’s future, the love and life of everyone they hold dear, to accomplish what? To bring a dead man out alive because Rose loved him. (Raise your hands if you didn’t cringe at that?)

Anyways, Miracles do happen and it happens here, but one problem leads to another, and in the end, Rose finds herself tackled in a web of conspiracies and an impossible quest; she isn’t even sure how she got herself there, or even worse, how she’d ever be able to get herself out.

MY THOUGHTS more like, my tangled chain of emotions

• Let’s be real and admit this: Rose is the most annoying, whiny, emotionally manipulative, utterly-selfish, reckless brat who does EVERYTHING with selfish notions and regrets every bit of her recklessness later. Like, for most part of this book, I ABSOLUTELY HATED HER. In fact, I can’t even remember an instant when she was bearable. She was awful to those who loved her, using them to get her way in and out of things, and not even giving a second thought on how much her actions might affect them.

• Btw, the way she described her love-life. Disgusting. It was as if the only good thing about being in love was the kisses, cuddles and sex.

I DON’T SHIP ROSE AND DIMITRI. There – I say it again and I will say this all the time. I didn’t see any development in their relationship. I don’t even think they make a good pair. Because, honestly, Dimitri and Rose are the most annoying MCs I’ve read yet. Oh, Heck. They make the best pair. They are perfect for each other.

• But darn, Rose, why do you hurt my baby Adrian so much??? You know you aren’t going to stick around when Dimitri is back and yet you stay in hopes of comforting him. Are you crazy??? You don’t get to control everybody’s mind by just being there!!!

• Oh, sorry, I totally forgot. She IS crazy.

Lissa has to be the best thing to happen in this book. Her character development was remarkable. I loved her better than Rose, but still, it’s not completely enough.

• Likewise, I LOVE CHRISTIAN’s character. Amazing. Bold. Ready-for-action. Cool. Just right for Lissa.

• And not to mention, Adrian. How could he be such a bundle of pitiful-cutie-pie? I hate that he is still bowled over by Rose, but nevertheless. HE IS AMAZING.

• The thing is, Mead doesn’t give much thought to her side-characters. The whole thing is just about Rose, Rose and Rose. Plus Dimitri (thankfully, not as much as in the last book though)

• If she had given Adrian, Lissa, Christian and some others, a fair chance, a bit more role, development, this book would have been so much better. Where is Jill btw?

• Another thing about Rose that I hate – the whole book might be about her – but it is impossible how she gets her way ALL THE DAMN TIME. Come on! She’s barely adult, she is stupid even. There is no explanation as to how those ‘ideas’ come to her. Everything seems way too convenient for her and it’s unrealistic how EVERYTHING happens in her favor.

• Be reasonable Mead, you don’t have to go out of the way to make us like Rose. It can’t be always her. She’s the heroine of the story, true. Doesn’t mean there’s no other person who’s a hero too. Doesn’t have to be Rose all the time.

• Like, people have turned Strigoi for centuries now and they’ve earned the title as evil-creatures-of-the-night. But when Rose’s so-called-soulmate turns into one, there suddenly appears to be a way to restore them back to human? Ofcourse, MIRACLE. Duh. So simple.

• And I’m now going to address another important but highly overlooked issue here - MONEY Yeah I know, it might be the least of your concerns, but really, the way money is made out to be the most commonly available thing ever? It’s offending. Rose is rich by no means, but she says she is funded by Adrian who is royal, but come one! Even Royals have their limit! Living in luxurious hotels and flying to some country every other minute? It’s not just costly, IT IS SUPER EXPENSIVE. How can anyone not see that? From the way Mead writes it, Rose might sctuslly be walking over a carpet of money. IT. IS. INSANE. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY – NOT HERS – SHE SPENDS.

• I’ve said this once, (twice? Idk), the plot is as repetitive as it can get. It is always the same thing over and over again. Someone gets kidnapped. Mostly Lissa. Rose leads a group of guardians to them. They emerge victorious. End of story. Happily Ever After. Cool.


Overall, this book was way too long for what good it did to the series. The plot is repetitive, but the ending came as a total surprise even when I was spoiled on the book’s happenings. I love the action part though, not too confusing, just enough to grip you on edge. But it’s still annoying – this technique of Mead to write horribly for most of the book and finally grab us with the endings. No one’s complaining tbh.
Profile Image for Elena Salvatore.
218 reviews111 followers
June 28, 2018
“You're beautiful in battle," said Dimitri. His cold voice carried to me clearly, even above the roar of combat. "Like an avenging angel come to deliver the justice of heaven."
"Funny," I said, shifting my hold on the stake. "That is kind of why I'm here."
"Angels fall, Rose.”






No matter how hard Rose tries, she just can't escape Dimitri.
After her failed atempt at killing him, he won't leave her alone. Now he sents her weekly letters that seem like love letters but are actually threats. In all of them one thing is clear... Dimitri will kill her once they'll meet again.
But Rose won't let that happen. Now that she found a way to bring him back from the undead, she will do anything in her power to make it happen, even if it means breaking her greatest enemy out of jail.
And that's exactly what she plans on doing. Anything to bring back Dimitri






This was my second time reading it and even tho I knew what would happen and when, I just couldn't stop... I devoured the whole book up in just two days.

Blood Promise and Spirit Bound are my favorite books of this series and I'm pretty sure it has everyhting to do with Strigoi Dimitri. It's the only Dimitri who acts out on his feelings for Rose without thinking about others or reasons why he can't be with her. He just does what he wants and doesn't care about anything else.
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And when he finally get's to Rose and has a clear opportunity to kill her without any problem, he still hesitates just like her. (Now who forgot the first lesson?)
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Profile Image for   Terri  Shirer.
41 reviews15 followers
November 10, 2009
I really hope that Dimitri can be saved. I have a feeling Adrian and Dimitri are half brothers. I heard there will be a spin off of the series. Richelle mead couldn't say who the characters are because it would say who lives or dies and rose would have walk in parts. So obviously Rose lives and I hope Adrian will use spirit to save Dimitri. I think Adrian will end up with Mia or Victoria (given her and Dimitri have different fathers). Hopefully Dimitri will be restored to a Moroi so, he and Rose can have children. Maybe I'm hoping wayyyy to much. I hope Lissa doesn't get the spin off she is alittle boring. Lissa and Christian should be together. They compliment each other.
Profile Image for Pearl Angeli.
622 reviews946 followers
July 5, 2016
"I've given up on you... Love fades. Mine has."

This fifth installment of the Vampire Academy did surprise me. It has a boring and slow start, but when I got into the middle part of it, I was dumbstrucked with all its epicness.

I could not say much about the plot since it will spoil those who haven't yet read this, but the pacing became better. There were more surprising things in the second half of it. Mostly I was stunned by the turn of events-- including that plot twist at the end!

Rose was quite annoying in this book. I couldn't deny the fact that I was irritated by her immaturity here but thankfully, her character became better at the final chapters.

I could never express how I love this series. Seriously, it becomes more and more incredible in each sequel. The final book will surely be a blast!

Rating: 5 Stars
Profile Image for Juliana Zapata.
280 reviews4,202 followers
February 12, 2017
Estoy muy sorprendida con este libro, estuve atrapada en la historia de principio a fin, mi opinión sobre Lissa mejoró enormemente en esta parte de la historia y Adrian se ha ganado mi corazón.

Rose como siempre increíble, impulsiva, fuerte, decidida, terca, intensa, un poco egoísta y metida en muchísimos problemas.

La trama tiene giros que te dejan sin palabras y el final... dioses, es tan impactante que quieres seguir con el sexto y último libro de la saga de una vez
Profile Image for ♥ℂĦℝΪՖƬΪℕÅ.
230 reviews3,935 followers
June 10, 2018
4.5 Miracle ★'s

“As he looked at me, he seemed to send a message of his own: that he would still fight for me, that he would fight until he collapsed to keep them from taking me.”

Wow. This. Book!!! It was so so so good. I love all the characters and there is so much shit that happens. This book has all the feels and then some.

One minute your all like yeah

Then your laughing your ass off.

Then pissed...

And of course crying again...

I love Richelle Mead, her writing style just sucks you right in and the characters grow with every book.

Anyways like I said, so much happens.

Can't wait for all the new adventures in the 6th and final book.
Profile Image for Lisa.
109 reviews372 followers
February 17, 2011
Since a large part of this review is dedicated to my hatred of the romances in this series, I'll start by saying I never liked Rose and Dimitri together because I never understood why they liked each other. Richelle Mead told us that Dimitri and Rose were alike and that's why they were soul mates but she never showed that in the writing. How is Dimitri at all like Rose? Other than fighting, wanting to protect Moroi, and being in love with Rose, which are three things that apply to almost every male guardian in this book, they have nothing in common. Also, I have to admit that I was uncomfortable with their relationship because he was her teacher, but I might have been able to overlook that if they had been written better and if I had liked Dimitri more.

I agree with others that despite all of the action, this book was slow and boring. Everything was too easy and the plot was very contrived. Why did Victor need Lissa in the first book if his brother was a Spirit user? Eddie just does whatever Rose says because he trusts her and then conveniently goes missing for the rest of the book once he's served his purpose. Someone needs to remind me why Adrian is in love with Rose. I think they have good chemistry at times but it's impossible to root for them when she treats him like crap and uses him constantly.

And I'll reiterate what I said in my review of Blood Promise, the love triangle was completely useless because it's completely obvious who Rose is going to end up with. Mead, who is clearly in love with Dimitri the same way Stephenie Meyer is in love with Edward, can't let Rose have real feelings for Adrian and move on with him. That would have created tension and added complexity to Rose's feelings. In real life people can have meaningful relationships with more than one person (just not at the same time) without diminishing the the love felt for either partner. If Rose had moved on with Adrian it would have also explained why he would stick around when her feelings began to waver since he would have had something real to miss and want to hold on to.

But all of the problems with this book are common to books that star Mary Sues. Rose has been a Mary Sue from the beginning but at least there were consequences to her actions some of the time and she had faults that the characters in the book acknowledged. By Spirit Bound, the consequences she faced were not in response to things she should have been punished for. She's not punished for her selfish behavior regarding Dimitri or Adrian. Adrian forgives her for using him and Dimitri rejects her to protect her, not because of the means she used to save him or because he realizes what a selfish person she is. Nor is she punished for letting loose an evil man who hurt her best friend. She has to file papers for a few days for sneaking out, hardly the appropriate punishment for what she actually did. The only consequence she really faced was in response to her rightfully speaking out against the Queen for lowering the guardian age and that was only a small part of why she was accused of murder. Most of it was because she was framed.

Honestly, I wouldn't continue reading this series except that I have a masochistic need to finish a series that I've started.
Profile Image for Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten).
1,601 reviews203 followers
March 29, 2015
***OMG, OMG, OMG! Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!****
*sigh*
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s move on....
That was incredible. Just incredible! I cannot believe all that went on in that book.
Firstly, Dimitri was saved! Yes, yes, yes! I can’t be happier about that, I swear. I actually shrieked when I read Lissa had actually managed to restore his soul. Let’s face it- it’s what every VA fan has wanted since the end of Shadow Kiss. And I’m no exception.
My heart breaks over the guilt he feels and I know he can’t take back the things he’s done, but surely he can move on. And what about him not wanting to be with Rose? I understand how bad knowing he’d hurt the person he loves most would be, but there is NO WAY I believe he no longer loves her. That’s an outright lie! You only have to read how he looks at her and how he was willing to fight a bunch of guardians for her. He aint fooling anybody!
Oh, Rose. Dearest Rose..... WHAT ARE YOU DOING? She loves Dimka, that’s clear, but what about Adrian? I know her feelings are confused, especially knowing she does care about Adrian, but she is only going to make things harder on herself. And on Adrian if she does end up getting back with Dimitri. I believe Adrian does actually love her and his heart will break if they split.
That being said, I wouldn’t be true to myself or honest if I didn’t say that even though I have a soft spot for Adrian, I’ll be cheering for Rose and Dimitri all the way to the very end.
Lissa and Christian seemed to work things out, which was great to see. And many of the other awesome characters I love were back. Eddie, Abe, Mia, Rose’s Mum, Jill, even Sydney had a small cameo. It was soooo great to see them all again!

Now on to the shocks! How can they believe that Rose killed the Queen? It’s an exceptional twist in the story, but I do wonder who actually did kill her and why? Now that Rose is going to trial it’s gonna be up to Lissa and all her friends to save her and get her out of trouble.
And Lissa has a sibling! Can you believe it? That totally blew me away, and I never saw it coming. I can’t wait to find out how that impacts the storyline. Even though it’s a surprise, I think a younger sis or bro would be good for Lissa. It means she’s not as alone as she’s always been.

I CANNOT WAIT to find out what happens in the final book. I’m sad that Last Sacrifice will be the end of the VA series, but I’m looking forward to what I know will be a gripping, explosive, heart racing conclusion.
Now I just gotta wait until December. Seriously, it’s gonna kill me!!!


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Μaria Vrisanaki .
189 reviews133 followers
August 19, 2018
4,5*

Άντριαν σ' αγαπώ 💞

Ντιμίτρι μου την έσπασες σε αυτό το βιβλίο, αλλά κάτι πήγες να κάνεις στο τέλος. Το έσωσες λίγο.
Profile Image for Cristina.
512 reviews387 followers
February 8, 2021
OMG! I’m literally freaking out right now!!! 😱😱😱
I forgot 95% of the action from this book and now, that I read it again, I’m soooo freaking out!!! I know I’m repeating myself, but I can’t believe this happened!!!
Dimitri was really annoying in this book. And Adrian was lovely, but... there’s always a but... I still love Dimitri more. I know he’ll become himself again, but for now all I can think about is “who the heck is the killer?!”
Profile Image for Janina.
214 reviews525 followers
September 24, 2010
Again, I found this book a bit too long-winded and I have to admit that I skimmed through quite a few pages. Especially the 'action' parts were a little bit boring. Some problems were solved in a rather easy way (the break-in into the guardians' headquarters, for example) and there wasn't one scene when I felt like the life of one of the 'important' characters was at stake.
The relationship-focused parts of the story made up for that a little bit, although Rose's behaviour around Adrian made me very angry. She tells him she is ready to move on, but nevertheless thinks mostly of Dimitri when they are together. I found that extremely mean, but couldn't understand why Adrian let himself be used as her doormat at the same time.

All in all, I have to say that I'm quite disappointed at how this series is developing. The last two books could have easily been shortened into one. I think I read only two thirds of this one without skimming, and I don't feel like I missed something important at all. Additionally, Mead's way of retelling what happened previously has begun to annoy me. I've never had problems with that in her Succubus series, but here it feels forced and disturbes the flow of her writing. Also, I always feel a little stupid as a reader when an author thinks she has to repeat everything for me. I know I'm forgetful, but not that much that I need every little fact shoved in my face again.

Nevertheless, I'm still curious how this all will end, so I will probably read the last installment.

Edit: After reading a few spoiler reviews on 'Last Sacrifice', I have decided not to read the last book after all. I just can't take Rose's behaviour anymore. Sad that this series went downhill after book three.
Profile Image for Claudia Lomelí.
Author 8 books74.2k followers
April 20, 2015
Adrian, Christian, Dimitri... Why are you so perfect!? This books made them enter to my elite (?) category of "book boyfriends". Yes, the three of them.
This book was AWESOME, just when I thought the previous book was the best of the series...
And I also loved Abe and Janine, they are both great parents.

Profile Image for Bex.
385 reviews58 followers
June 2, 2010
I find it very challenging to review this book because it was good in so many ways that can't be explained without spoilers. But worry not, this review is Spirit Bound Spoilers Free. I will do my best to express you the passion I felt reading this book, but I'm afraid it's beyond what words can explain.

Spirit Bound starts back at the Academy, it's finally graduation time and Rose has only one more challenge in front of her: The Trials. A final exam planned by guardians to test their ability to protect Moroi "in the real world". But what worries Rose the most is the after-graduation. She always thought it rimed with freedom but reality hit her in the face. She will spend her life protecting Moroi and her own desires won't matter anymore. There's not only the weight of responsibilities though, she knows Dimitri is out there, lurking in shadows, waiting for an opportunity to kill her.

In this installment, Rose is more determined than ever and will use extremely illegal ways to reach her objectives. Desperation to save Dimitri, while she still can, drives her actions and consequences won't be light. She is not risking only her future and her life but also the ones of people she loves.

When we love a book, we all say "I couldn't put it down", well in this case, I loved the book so much I HAD to put it down and take deep breaths because it was just too much. Love, Passion, Treason, Fear, Sadness, Grief, all these emotions laid on paper in a so intense way it almost became unbearable. At times I couldn't believe my own eyes, events happening in that book triggered reactions in me that are beyond words!

I really love both Rose and Lissa for their very distinct qualities, and even though they are very different, they have one thing in common: they would do anything for each other.
Adrian is as snarky as ever but we get to discover a new side to him. I really like the guy and it's clear he cares about Rose and I loved to watch them together.
Dimitri, oh Dimitri! He broke my heart in Blood Promise and Spirit Bound wasn't any easier. At times I really felt like hitting him in the head to knock some sense into him and even though I would have a lot to say, I won't spill the beans and ruin surprises. I will mention though that chapters 20 and 24 nearly killed me.
I was glad that Abe was in SB, he didn't play a major role but it was nice to have him around and I think he will have a bigger role in The Last Sacrifice.

The end is as usual a cliff hanger, if suspense could kill Richelle Mead would be in danger of trial for massive murder, because I really don't know how I will be able to wait until December to know how this epic story ends.

Vampire Academy is my favorite series and Richelle delivered. Spirit Bound was action-packed, full of surprises, emotions and magic. I was in awe so many times during this book, it really was fabulous.
I think Shadow Kiss is still my favorite of the series because I'm such a romantic but Spirit Bound is very close second.

I really hope Rose will have her happy ending in The Last Sacrifice (even though the title doesn't point that way), she's been through so much, she really deserves her happily ever after.
February 6, 2016
4/5

The 5th book in the series took me a little longer than I would have liked but I'm glad I was able to finish it. As a result, I don't remember every single thing that I was going to write in my review that I would have liked

One thing that I really liked was all of the plot twists. There were so many things that surprised me in this book and I was very glad for it. During the middle of the book however, I gotten a little bored. I kept going on though because I was (and still am) so interested about learning about Dimitri and how Rose is going to fix everything. I loved reading and learning more about the side characters such as Lissa and Christian and Adrean. The ending of this book was excellent and something that I am very excited about reading more in the 6th and final book.

Overall this book was a little less than I expected but I did enjoy reading it.
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