Last Sacrifice
question
I'm bothered by the Dhampirs' fate...
Anna
(last edited
Oct 28, 2012 09:42AM
)
Oct 28, 2012 09:34AM
I posted something similar after I read book two, but now I am done with the series and I am still unsatisfied. I feel like the series begins to preliminarily address what I see has major injustices, inequalities etc. between Dhampirs and Moroi in the Vampire Academy world, but never actually follows through. The whole "they come first" mentality freaks me out. Dhampirs are second class citizens, who are groomed from birth to guard moroi, and if they choose not to follow that path they are frowned upon. Does anyone else have a problem with this!? I feel like I am taking crazy pills here..
SPOILER:
I wish the book had ended with Dimitri and Rose choosing not to be bound to any particular Moroi but instead working to change the structure of their society- so that they are valued as members of society rather than seen simply as lifelong bodyguards who must sacrafice all of their own wants, wishes etc. to the cause of protecting a race that is seen as more important than their own.
This bothered me so much that I couldnt even enjoy Lissa being made Queen, I spent the whole time thinking about how irritated I was that now Rose had to give up her whole life and future to follow her around and be at her beck and call. After reading Last Sacrafice I just feel bitter and somewhat slighted...
actually, this review does a lot of justice to how I am feeling:
http://www.raspberry-cordial.com/2011...
SPOILER:
I wish the book had ended with Dimitri and Rose choosing not to be bound to any particular Moroi but instead working to change the structure of their society- so that they are valued as members of society rather than seen simply as lifelong bodyguards who must sacrafice all of their own wants, wishes etc. to the cause of protecting a race that is seen as more important than their own.
This bothered me so much that I couldnt even enjoy Lissa being made Queen, I spent the whole time thinking about how irritated I was that now Rose had to give up her whole life and future to follow her around and be at her beck and call. After reading Last Sacrafice I just feel bitter and somewhat slighted...
actually, this review does a lot of justice to how I am feeling:
http://www.raspberry-cordial.com/2011...
I hope to God that this issue is brought up in Bloodlines Series or Mead addresses it in an interview. As I've been learning about Mead as a writer I've gotten the impression that she's EXTREMELY aware/interested in social justice issues; a quote of hers that I read is “The greatest and most powerful revolutions often start very quietly, hidden in the shadows. Remember that.”-Richelle Mead. So I'm sure that she's aware of the Dhampirs (both Guardian and not) fate and position on the vampire social hierarchy.
Vampire Academy is becoming a franchise with Bloodlines series, short stories, movies, and the graphic novels, so it's giving me more hope that Mead will address this issue at some point.
Vampire Academy is becoming a franchise with Bloodlines series, short stories, movies, and the graphic novels, so it's giving me more hope that Mead will address this issue at some point.
They're a bit like robots.
Most of them have that stuff preprogrammed into their heads from a very early age. They are constantly told that being a guardian is the most important thing in the world and most of the alternatives result in them being shunned and disgraced.
Most dhampires seem to think that they chose to become guardians but really it's more like behaviour engineering. The ones that actually have a little free will are treated horribly, like Ambrose.
Most of them have that stuff preprogrammed into their heads from a very early age. They are constantly told that being a guardian is the most important thing in the world and most of the alternatives result in them being shunned and disgraced.
Most dhampires seem to think that they chose to become guardians but really it's more like behaviour engineering. The ones that actually have a little free will are treated horribly, like Ambrose.
You're not alone. The ending was really unsatisfying. I'm going to read Bloodlines as soon as possible, and I really hope that that will change something about my opinion.
I would have loved the last book so much more if Mead had done something like that. As it was, I couldn't stand the "I get to protect Lissa forever! THIS IS ALL I'VE EVER WANTED!" ending and was sad that Rose never really grew out of that mentality. It would be an honor to protect her best friend and queen but I think she should have remained unpromised (I think that's the term, I can't remember) and become a bodyguard for hire. I agree that it would have been interesting to see the development of a Dhampir Council or something. Alas, Mead wanted to stick to her perfect-but-not-actually-perfect ending.
There were some things I was upset about. How most Moroi treat and think of the Dhampirs upsets me. With Lissa queen, I really think that she will change the Moroi and Dhampir worlds to where both sides can find a balance. I want to see change like better training for in-training guardians, society reform on moroi and dhampir relations, and moroi learning how to fight with the possibility of a dhampir and moroi fighting team.
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Dec 21, 2012 08:38AM · flag