Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead - Restarting February 25th 2020

[Mei]

"They come first.

My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?"


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Join Ines and I as we read the conclusion/ending to the Vampire Academy series! Everyone welcome! Please read at your own pace and hide spoilers. :)

[Mei]

So...before we start I just want to ask some questions! Make sure you are finished with Book 5, Spirit Bound, before proceeding! :)

(view spoiler)[
1. Who do you suspect murdered Queen Tatiana? And who set up Rose? Do you think this is just one person or many who worked this setup?

2. Who do you think is Lissa's half-sister?

(hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

(view spoiler)[ I actually have no idea who could have killed Tatiana! But we haven't heard from Victor for a while now, so who knows? I think it was a group of people who worked the setup though.

About Lissa's half-sister, I guess it could be anyone, a new character or not...
What do you think? (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

(view spoiler)[
I don't have an idea either! Same, I suspected Victor, too. But someone told me that this person, whoever this is, is not suspicious, like you'd never know he/she could actually do this. So I conclude Victor is out of the question. For all I know it could be Adrian, or Abe, or...who knows?

I was spoiled by Lissa's half-sister when I read Bloodlines's synopsis. I thought it wouldn't give out much. So I suggest don't read that, yet!

When do you think will Dimitri come to terms with Rose? I hope he helps her!
(hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

(view spoiler)[ Oh, I hate those kind of things! It's always a character I like who turns out to be the bad guy! I have a bad taste, apparently... But I hope it won't be Adrian!

I haven't really payed attention on Bloodlines synopsis, I only know it involves Sydney, so I kind of wanna read it after Last Sacrifice :)

Dimitri has been so mean to Rose! He's doing it because he doesn't want to hurt her, and to make amends and what not but it's having the opposite result. I'm hoping he'll go visit her in jail. XD (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Is this buddy read still happening? Do you need to reschedule the date?

[Inês]

I think it's still happening, I just haven't had time to start it yet, I'm thinking of starting tomorrow

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Okay, I was just checking so that I could update the group 'currently reading' shelf ☺

[Inês]

I've started it! (view spoiler)[ Rose is already out of jail! Now she and Dimitri all alone AND on the run... (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Great! I'll start later. :)

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Thanks girls, I've updated the shelf ☺

[Mei]

5% (view spoiler)[How come the bond is muted?!

I'm currently enjoying this, to be honest. I wasn't particularly a huge fan of book 4 & 5 so I wasn't expecting this. I really hope it's good and picks up pace!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

6% Here it goes with the recaps again. Mead should've been more subtle about this. It's actually annoying specially when book 5 is still fresh from memory.

[Mei]

7% (view spoiler)[It is obvious that Lissa has something to do with this blast! They must've been planning this to help escape Rose, as guardians would be too distracted by the funeral commotion. That explains why she temporarily blocked her!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

10% (view spoiler)[Well, that's just...I don't know...BS!??Sad!??! Dimitri's doing this for Lissa, to serve her, not because he wants to, by his own willpower. :( Darn it.
(hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

Actually I'm a bit glad for the recaps because I read the other books a while ago, even though the I read the 5th book the other day, I couldn't remember somethings.

(view spoiler)[ Oh, I doubt that Dimitri only went along with this because of Lissa... (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Inês wrote: "Actually I'm a bit glad for the recaps because I read the other books a while ago, even though the I read the 5th book the other day, I couldn't remember somethings.

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I know, it's just sad that he stresses it more to Rose, like he's shoving it in her face. Haha! But I'm having my fingers crossed still that Dimitri will finally say what he feels... I'm sorry but are you Team Dimitri? 'Cause I am, haha! (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read much, so I don't know what happens after (view spoiler)[their escape (hide spoiler)], and now I'm excited to go along!

[Mei]

16% (view spoiler)[Rose can be really frustrating at times!!! Now where would she go? They just came and she can't wait?!! Ugh :(
(hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

Mei wrote: (spoilers removed)

I haven't read much, so I don't know what happens after (spoilers removed), and now I'm excited to go along!

I am indeed Team Dimitri! I love Adrian but Rose just belongs with Dimitri :)

[Mei]

I'm about to start Chapter 9. This is seriously fast-paced. (view spoiler)[I'm excited how they'll find Lissa's sister. Took some time convincing but I'm glad they believed it. I feel lame, I still don't have a suspect for Tatiana's murderer and now, there's a Moroi guy who asked of Rose to Joe!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

About to start Chapter 10. I'm reading this slowly as I'm in class and we're doing nothing, and I keep getting distracted with all the noise.
(view spoiler)[Finally!!! I've been waiting for Robert and/or Victor's appearance!! I've been wondering where those two have been after Adrian and Lissa lost them in Vegas. I didn't like it when in Book 5, after everyone knew about Victor's escape, the Moroi government suddenly disregarded them and now with Queen Tatiana being murdered as the headlines for the Vampires, I guess they just didn't take notice on his escape here in Book 6. I was disappointed about that. (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Starting Chapter 11. (view spoiler)[Well, this was overwhelming! I like Victor now ;) A lot of people are helping Rose currently, like the odds are all in her favour! Haha.

It makes sense that whoever murdered Tatiana wouldn't want anyone finding out that another Dragomir exists. It also makes sense that whoever murdered her has something to do with the stolen documents. And it also makes sense that this person wouldn't want Lissa to have a say in the Moroi politics. And if this person is against the age law and would want a different law for dhampirs, then he must be Moroi. Or...not. I don't know. Still have no leads!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

30% / Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[HA HA Dimitri! For all I know you're just jealous Rose ‘flirted’ with Joshua! :P
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

31% (view spoiler)[Aaww I miss this Dimitri :) Those advices and words of wisdom of his just struck me speechless sometimes and swooning over! LOL
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

32% (view spoiler)[Nice one Dimitri! You may as well have slipped and admit to Rose you came with her because of, well...HER!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

End of Chapter 11:
(view spoiler)[OHMIGOD!!!!! SONYA KARP!??! Impossible!! That's really odd. I've never heard of Sonya having a child, and she already turned Strigoi! So how was Eric's money supposed to have fund her?
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[Well that's a relief! I can't remember how old Sonya is so how am I supposed to know she would be 18 when the money is sent? Lol.

And, it's obvious Dimitri would know where Sonya is because he used to be a Strigoi!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[Hmm..I don't really trust Joshua. And Dimitri probably does, too, that's why he's got that disapproving look. (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

35% (view spoiler)[All for a stupid test to see if Rose is worthy of marrying her brother? Okay, I'm NOT changing my mind. It's still insane.

And, I forgot to add, I find it hard to believe that the Keepers are not being attacked by Strigoi.
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[Okay now I'm finding this amusing. That's why Dimitri smiled earlier when he tried to stop the fight between Angeline and Rose. Haha! It was like I could practically hear his thoughts saying, ‘Told you shouldn't have get Joshua's hopes up.’ XD
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[
"Wait," said Christian. I had the feeling he was really enjoying this now. Tatiana's murder was no joke, but a soap opera was definitely unfolding before them. "You were sleeping with other people too? This is getting hard to follow."

HAHA! Good one Christian! :-)
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

I'm at 44% now. I think I'll be continuing this tomorrow and call it a night :) Here are my thoughts so far. (view spoiler)[I don't really think that whoever murdered Tatiana was because of romantic affairs. That is quite low in my opinion. It doesn't sound right. I just have this vibe it's more on political affairs.

And seeing Dimitri crumble...it's breaking my heart :( (okay that sounds dramatic haha!) (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

53% (view spoiler)[Either because I saw it coming even before the Dashkov brothers arrived, or Sonya's restoration was anticlimactic. :/

Back @ Court: I take it Lissa was the first to complete the challenge, then? Excited to know what challenges are prepared for the candidates!

Update: Still have no leads for Queen Tatiana's murderer! So frustrating, haha!
(hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

I'm so behind! Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ That Moroi guy that talked to Joe was weird! And didn't Joe say something about his hand? But then he got interrupt or something! Can't wait to see how they discover Lissa's sister :) (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

That's okay. :) (view spoiler)[What was it on the Moroi guy's hand again? I forgot... (hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

That's the weird thing (view spoiler)[ he only mentions this :
"Like no one!" said Joe. "I swear! Plain. Ordinary. Except the hand . . . please let me go . . ." But then no one thought to ask about it. I don't know, maybe I'm giving it unnecessary thinking (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

62% (view spoiler)[This 2nd test reminds me of Divergent's fear simulation landscape! Nice test, though. After this I felt like I got to know Lissa more. There was more depth to her character, and the choices she made were definitely wise! Kudos to her :) (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

65% (view spoiler)[I have forgotten who the other Dragomir is, but I'm sure as hell it's obviously Jill!
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

68%: I'm not sure I like what's going on right now... I didn't like the execution and how fast things went. (view spoiler)[How Rose delivered the news. I don't think it's ideal, jumping out to the point. I know they're running out of time, but this was bizaare! This kind of news is a lot to take in and cannot just be decided in a day.

I think the main focus is getting out of hand. The book is now focusing on the other Dragomir and the monarch candidates' tests. Abe Mazur was out of the picture now, and no progress or hints were made about the real murderer. The Court has not yet discussed further methods on capturing Rose. Blake Lazar didn't helped matters, or eased the development. I didn't buy the book's addition of it. I want to be confused, to believe it, so it would steer me away from the truth, but maybe I'm just that clever, lol. Basically, in my opinion, the issues are inconsistent... (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

@Ines:

Oh, yeaaaah, I remember! Do you remember any Moroi that has something weird on his/her hand? Don't think it's unnecessary! Mead gave us a clue, we're just not sure how to make use of it. Sometimes, the little details are what's important!

Sadly at this point, being that far into the story, I still have no leads! I feel lame and it sucks! Haha!

[Mei]

Chapter 24: Okaaay. Perhaps I was wrong. (view spoiler)[Finally!! A news from Ambrose! (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

71% / End of Chapter 24: Finally! I've been waiting for this the whole time! I need action, haha! (view spoiler)[Did someone turned them in? Ooh giddy! (hide spoiler)] Unfortunately, I have to stop. Will read a few more later, I guess.

[Inês]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Oh my God the thing with Joshua was so funny :) (hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

54% (view spoiler)[ Sonya is a dhampir again! Can't wait to find out who was the one Lissa's father was having an affair! (hide spoiler)]

[Inês]

62% I thought about that too! :)

65% (view spoiler)[ You're right, they're focused on the trials and on Jill (who's Lissa's sister!!!) but I want to know who killed Tatiana! (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

73% (view spoiler)[Oh, bullsht! Victor and Robert got Jill!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

75% (view spoiler)[Ohmigood, Poor Sydney :( Who knows what the Alchemists will do to her as a punishment? (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Chapter 28: I couldn't remember if Rose mentioned to Adrian that Lissa has a half-sister, but (view spoiler)[if I were him, with Rose 'kidnapping' Jill, which is odd, I'd already think Jill was the unknown sister Rose is talking about! Or maybe he probably figured it by now, he just wasn't reacting... (hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

Chapter 29:
(view spoiler)[
"Yet, I didn't inspire him, not really. He was trying. He did want to be a better person, but at this moment in his life, his motivations were more about impressing others—about impressing me. It wasn't for himself. That didn't make him bad or weak, but it made me his crutch. He would get past that, I was certain. He would eventually come into his own and be an amazing man, but he wasn't at that point of self-​discovery yet. I was."

As much as I think that Last Sacrifice is better than book 4 & 5 in terms of pacing, twists and all the things I've come to love in Mead's writing and the earlier VA books —so far— I cannot deny that Rose's character did not grow in terms of choosing who she really wants. She keeps insisting and claiming it's Adrian she loves but it's obvious that she still loves —and wants— Dimitri. I get it, she finally chose who she wanted and it'd be only better to follow her heart, but does it really have to take TWO books in the series for some realization? I don't know...it's just annoying how she moves back and forth into liking Dimitri to Adrian and vice versa. I'm Team Dimitri, yes, and as much as I know Adrian will be with Sydney in the Bloodlines series, I still think he deserves more. I feel so bad for him. :( Rose was just so sure of herself with my bolded quote. It's true, he will move on eventually, but the way Rose said it, it was selfish amd impulsive. And how could she say Adrian was doing it to impress? She of all people could see his sincerity and genuinity. He was a.good guy despite what is seen on the outside. Ugh Rose is just frustrating :/
(hide spoiler)]

[Mei]

88% Okay!!! I'm almost finished and I still have no suspects. How pathetic, haha! I should be having it ny now. All those suspected in the book is not a suspect, I suppose. It happens almost everytime in mysteries. XD (view spoiler)[It could be Eddie, Abe, Serena, or...Tasha! I don't know, ugh, it's so frustrating :( Haha. (hide spoiler)]