Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Feb 14, 2010 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 18, 2010 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook-own, 2010

This series is really maintaining a good level of interest. If you're this far into the series you like it or are a glutton for punishment. Rose has a lot of issues she's going to have to confront. After the terrible events of the last story, Rose feels responsible, but has to push it aside as the final field experiences before graduation are the priority. The Moroi Court has much more prominence in this installment, but not quite as much as I would have liked to have seen.
I know the ending is a ...more

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Jun 14, 2009 Thenia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, magic, r-ab, paranormal, vampires, series, ya-na, 2009, 2014, 2021

An intense rollercoaster ride of a story!

Rose (view spoiler) is dealing with some pretty serious issues in this part of her story and by the end of it her life is completely changed.

Spirit is having some pretty serious effects that further complicate an already complicated situation and Rose is juggling more problems than she can handle. Many of her beliefs are challenged, she has reasons to second guess her sanity an ...more

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Oct 13, 2009 Charlotte (Buried in Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampires, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but knew that this book would be difficult to read - which is why I left it for so long.

I knew what was going to happen - even knew (vaguely) how the series was going to end - but I just didn't want to face what was going to happen to Dimitri. I'll admit it - I fell for him in the first book, tall, handsome, with a sexy accent - what's not to like (apart from the long hair - it just doesn't do it for me)?

Rose is having a hard time getting over I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but knew that this book would be difficult to read - which is why I left it for so long.

I knew what was going to happen - even knew (vaguely) how the series was going to end - but I just didn't want to face what was going to happen to Dimitri. I'll admit it - I fell for him in the first book, tall, handsome, with a sexy accent - what's not to like (apart from the long hair - it just doesn't do it for me)?

Rose is having a hard time getting over the death of Mason, but she doesn't have much time to dwell on that - as field experience begins at St Vlads. Her first problem is the fact that she isn't teamed up with Lissa, but Christian. Her next problem is she starts to see ghosts - more specifically - Mason, who seems to be trying to tell her something. This understandably freaks her out, which causes some problems during her testing.

Of course she doesn't want to tell anyone - because they'll all think she's crazy. A short detour is taken while a small group of them are allowed to attend Victors trial at the Royal Court - after Adrian pulls a few strings - then it's back to St Vlads, on the journey back Rose is swamped by ghosts - so she can't hide things any longer.

It also becomes very clear that her link with Lissa is drawing the darkness from Lissa and into Rose - not a good thing, but Rose want's to stop the crazy that Lissa had to deal with previously when using her magic.

Rose becomes convinced of a problem with the Wards protecting the school, because of her sightings of Mason (and she's right - thanks to a group of Royals who form a secret society that want to use compulsion, but using magic so close to the wards causes them to start failig).

Dimitri becomes more and more concerned about her - the feelings build and finally Dimitri and Rose get it on - only to find themselves in the middle of a full on attack by Strigoi on the school.

I did have a bit of a cry (not full on sobbing like when Edward left Bella in New Moon - but it was emotional). I can't imagine Dimitri as Strigoi. Somehow this has to be fixed!!! Fix it now Lissa!!! Rose is your friend - stop being a whiny selfish Bitch and fix it!!!! If Rose can find him of course.

And someone find Adrian a woman - god knows he needs one. ...more

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May 06, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, owned, vanquished_2010, glutton_for_punishment, ya_teen

**Less than a 4, more than a 3.**

Well! That went much better than expected!

The first two books in this series were painful for me. I found Rose intolerable and Lissa too sweet for words (yet still spoiled and oblivious). I thought the romance between Rose and Dimitri was completely inappropriate. Last, but certainly not least, I thought Mead’s heavy-handed hints defeated the purpose of even reading the story; why read on when I knew all the answers in the first few chapters?

Shadow Kiss is not wi **Less than a 4, more than a 3.**

Well! That went much better than expected!

The first two books in this series were painful for me. I found Rose intolerable and Lissa too sweet for words (yet still spoiled and oblivious). I thought the romance between Rose and Dimitri was completely inappropriate. Last, but certainly not least, I thought Mead’s heavy-handed hints defeated the purpose of even reading the story; why read on when I knew all the answers in the first few chapters?

Shadow Kiss is not without its faults, but it has certainly encouraged me to read on. Rose is still a brat, but most of her outbursts now have a basis in reality or a reasonable explanation, thereby making her behaviour bearable. I don’t understand why she continuously insists on keeping things from others - the results are always negative - but the adjustments to her personality meant I could connect with her better.

The other characters have improved as well. Dimitri finally seemed more tangible, and while I still think their “love” isn’t balanced enough (definite hero-worship on Rose’s part), I feel more at ease with their bond. Lissa still comes off as a little too perfect, but Mead gives her a darker edge and a revolutionist outlook that may actually turn into something interesting. Christian is much the same, but I already liked his snarky attitude and complicated background. Adrian…I like Adrian. Yes, he’s a screw up. But he’s intriguing and I wish he had more of a chance with Ms. Rose.

Characters aside, I am oh so thankful that Mead was not bashing me about the head with transparent clues this time. Sure, I guessed every major plot point, but that was due to the “foreshadowing” in the last book. This time, the story was allowed to unfold organically so that even though I knew what was coming, the journey there was entertaining. The fight scenes packed a hefty amount of adrenaline, and the alternating hysteria, rage, and determination of the characters was captured nicely.

I’m also enjoying the rapid political changes. The moroi and dhampir societies are in a state of flux, with Rose and co. playing a key role in redefining the relationship between the races. I find myself more intrigued by this aspect than anything else Mead has presented. I hope the final three books delve into this (if the clue-by fours are to be trusted, I’m guessing politics will play a rather large role).

Shadow Kiss may not have made me love the brazen Rose Hathaway. It may not have wowed me beyond all compare. But it was an entertaining read, fraught with tangled emotions and brimming with promise. My only fear now is that the teen angst in the next will overshadow Mead’s progress in this volume. I suppose I’ll have to read on to find out.
...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: zz-2012, with-reservations, adult, series, ghosts, romance, couldnt-put-down, paranormal, young-adult, girl-power

4.5 Stars. Interesting book, but it seemed to open more possibilities than closing outstanding items.

Likes:
* Rose is maturing and not as impulsive and contemplating the Moroi/dhampir relationship
* Eddie showed promise
* Adrian isn't as bad boy and shows a sensitive side
(view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 09, 2009 Yz the Whyz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: richelle-mead, 2012-challenge-books, 2012-reads

Still reeling from the death of Mason from the previous book, Rose is facing her last year before graduation, and what a year it will be.

This book is a roller-coaster with so many things going on. We have ghosts, political intrigue, love triangles, forbidden love, unconventional powers, blood battles and unexpected death. I have to admit I have a hard time summarizing the events without putting out spoilers, but let me just say, the book left me slightly stunned.

I think this is the best book i ...more

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Nov 26, 2008 Adele rated it really liked it

i can't wait to see if there is a next installment of the vampire academy series. this one you have to read previous books before you read it so it could be a problem trying to remember this and that but the author does try to explain flashbacks etc. which i think is good. ...more

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