Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

May 06, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it

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

Frostbite was a huge improvement over the first book of the series. Mead still telegraphs her plot from practically page one (clue-by-fours abound), but this time it didn‘t hinder my enjoyment.

My main gripe with Vampire Academy was Rose. She was immature, impulsive, and reckless. Her bravado and unfounded arrogance irked me to the core. In Frostbite, she’s still immature and foolish at times, but her behaviour is more believable and tolerable. She’s been taken down a peg or two, plus Dimitri’s Frostbite was a huge improvement over the first book of the series. Mead still telegraphs her plot from practically page one (clue-by-fours abound), but this time it didn‘t hinder my enjoyment.

My main gripe with Vampire Academy was Rose. She was immature, impulsive, and reckless. Her bravado and unfounded arrogance irked me to the core. In Frostbite, she’s still immature and foolish at times, but her behaviour is more believable and tolerable. She’s been taken down a peg or two, plus Dimitri’s tutelage inspires her to think things through before she acts. She’s learning control, and though she has far to go, there’s marked improvement. As a result, I was no longer consumed by the desire to smack her upside the head and I could appreciate the larger story.

An aside: She really should’ve figured out the Adrian thing sooner. The answer was staring her in the face. Wakey, wakey, Rose!

Speaking of Adrian, he’s shady and intriguing. I suspect he’ll stir up trouble…and that I’ll like it. In addition, he offers a nice distraction from Rose and Dimitri’s relationship. (That pairing still doesn’t sit well with me.) Back to the main plot…

Tensions are high in this book. The Strigoi become more bold in their attacks, successfully taking down larger groups of Moroi. This leads to discord within Moroi society as the frightened Royals argue over solutions. Politics play a greater role this time around, with Lissa tentatively testing the waters and making her presence known. Mead is setting up different factions within the Moroi and I see the potential for some nice civil strife paired with explosive magical displays. I hope she explores this aspect in more detail; I‘ve always been a sucker for vamp politics.

Frostbite opens with Rose traveling to her Qualifier--an examination necessary to become a Guardian. Apropos, since this entire tale is about boundaries and abilities being tested. Rose faces her unshakable feelings for Dimitri, her distance from Lissa, and her antagonism towards her mother. She also learns precisely how prepared she is to deal with the Strigoi threat. Even though she endures several harsh lessons, I think they were necessary to move the plot away from foolish schoolgirl drama. I'm looking forward to more danger, more action, and hopefully even more character growth in the next installment. ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

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

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

First read: June 13th 2009 ~ 5 stars
Re-read: Apr 27th 2014 ~ 5 stars
Re-read: Feb 2nd 2021 ~ 5 stars

A great follow-up to the first book, with the plot thickening and the various characters evolving.

Rose in particular does a lot of growing up in this part of her story, resolves a few of her issues and acquires more, especially after the shock (view spoiler) at the end of the book.

The stage is set for the next chapter of her story and I'm looking forward to experi ...more

1 like · Like · see review

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

I have the benefit of being able to read all four books in succession so I am glad to see growth in the charcters and storyline in this second book of the Vampire Academy series. The story moves faster with a better sense of change and direction.
The wider world intrudes more on the storyline so we have less of the high schoool "Mean Girls" and more about the politics of the society, which is personally more interesting to me.
The final scenes are tense and exciting, both the fight and what might ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 13, 2009 Charlotte (Buried in Books) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vampires

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

Like · see review

Jul 07, 2010 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook-own, 2010

This one was enjoyable. A nice snack, that while I wouldn't want it to be the bread-n-butter of my reading, is quite nice on occasion. Rose is growing by leaps and bounds and it's a wonderful thing to see. Some new characters have been introduced and I'm looking forward to hearing more from them. And while the conflict in this one left a little bit to be desired (it was too convenient, in set-up and execution), it was one that was necessary for Rose and her development.

Overall a lot of fun and I ...more

Like · see review