Spirit Bound by: Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound

by: Richelle Mead

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows 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 now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

Rating: 10/10

Review:

Spirit Bound starts off a few months after Blood Promise, beginning with the girl's graduation and them leaving the Academy. What I have loved about this series from the beginning is the characters and in this installment you're brought to love and root for them like never before.

Rose is faced with many struggles in this book, namely her less than amazing reputation which could make her ineligible to be Lisa's guardian, and of course some Strigoi who won't leave her alone.

The political interactions in this book increase and we're able to see what life at court is really like. Rose's relationship with Adrian is confusing to her as she still can't seem to fully accept the loss of Dimitri's soul and get over her feelings for him.

This book was amazing, and I'm not sure what to really say that would sum it up better than that. Mead knows her characters and this book was an amazing addition to this series.

I love, love, love her character interactions. They flow well and each of her characters compliment the others in such a way that I feel like I'm spying when I'm reading them and completely end up forgetting I'm reading a book.

It's full of action as Rose still kicks butt and still struggles to protect those she loves, and any lover of the Vampire Academy will be happy with this installment.

The ending is one that will leave you salivating for Last Sacrifice and counting the days until December.

If you haven't read the series yet go get started, once you've started you won't be able to finish.

Vampire Academy Series by: Richelle Mead Mini Reviews

Since there are so many books in the Vampire Academy series I decided to just do a mini review for the first four books, and then post a real lengthy review for Spirit Bound tomorrow.

Vampire Academy

by: Richelle Mead

I began reading this book because my friend kept telling me just how amazing it was and she knew I would love them, but it was a vampire book. So I was stubborn for a while. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate vampire books at all, I just think they've gotten crazy out of hand recently and I thought it would be the typical vampire book.

But I am pleased to say I was wrong.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it.

I think what I really liked about this first book was that Richelle definitely didn't play around. From the very first page action is happening and you're just instantly pulled into it, and it's not just vampires and humans, no, she creates a completely different world.

And Dimitri, *insert swoon here* can I just say that I want one?

It's a fantastic start to a fantastic series. So read it.

Frostbite

by: Richelle Mead

Frostbite picks up exactly where Vampire Academy leaves off which makes for a page turner right from the beginning. The trouble in the last book may be resolved but there are more things to come as Lisa and Rose make it through their school year.

What I like most about Frostbite is how the relationships evolve and change through the book, in particular that of Rose and Dimitri. In this book their relationship takes on a different dimension that was left out of Vampire Academy, one that feels more real and lasting. The jealousy and tension there really hooks you into the feelings and leaves you engulfed in the story.

Shadow Kiss

by: Richelle Mead

I Love Shadow kiss, I really do. I applaud Mead for her effortless story telling and her unpredictability throughout this series, and that really comes shining through in this installment. Rose has grown as a student in this book and she has grown as a future guardian, but still this book really ripped my heart out and threw it in a blender.

I'm glad though, I don't think I'd love these books half as much if I actually knew what to expect. I love how unpredictable they are and I love how Mead has managed to really render me speechless while reading these pages.

The ending is one you don't see coming, but never read ahead and ruin the magic, at least not when were talking about Richelle Mead.

Blood Promise

by: Richelle Mead

What I really love about this installment was it took place outside of the Academy. Rose travels to Russia and adds so many interesting characters to the story. I liked seeing her in this different setting and while I don't want to give anything away this book was different as Rose is away but it's no less amazing.

This book just added so much story through the plot and the journey it takes you on. It amazes me how much Rose has grown throughout the books and you really see what's important to her in this book as she grows as a person.

I didn't want this book to end and it was heart wrenching at times, but the ending kept me guessing and left me salivating for Spirit Bound.

My review of Spirit Bound will be posted tomorrow.

-Christina

In My Mailbox - Week of June 6th

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi, The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

This week was more like the past couple weeks combined, here's what I got!

Books :

It's Not Summer Without You by: Jenny Han

Endless Summer by: Jennifer Echols

Sisters Red by: Jackson Pearce

13 To Life by: Shannon Delany

Envy & Rumors by: Anna Godbersen

Frostbite, Shadow Loss, Blood Promise, and Spirit Bound by: Richelle Mead

And Another Thing... by: Eoin Colfer

Everlasting by: Angie Frazier

The Season by: Sarah Maclean

What did you get this week?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver

by Maggie Stiefvater

Description:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review:

It's been months since I finally broke down and read Shiver and I'm still not sure what to say about it. I had heard so many amazing things about it, but I didn't expect what I found inside the pages.

I don't really like "werewolves" and I'm not sure why, I think it began with Jacob in Twilight (sorry Jacob fans, I like him but am Team Edward all the way) and so I was tentative to read a werewolf book simply because I wasn't the biggest fan, but now I am glad I did.

I loved Shiver, and can't wait to read the rest of this exciting series. The idea I felt was incredibly original, the idea that temperatures had a play in the shifting made it seem more believeable and the emotions that went around with that had me intrigued the entire book.

Grace and Sam were great characters, I felt the connection between them and they played off each other well.

I recommend this to anyone who loves wolves, werewolves, or love.

-Christina

Alice in Wonderland A Visual Companion

Alice in Wonderland

(A Visual Companion)

by: Mark Salisbury

Think you know the classic story of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland? Think again. Renowned director and producer Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, James and the Giant Peach, Edward Scissorhands, Beatlejuice, Batman) has applied his signature stamp to this beloved tale, and will be sharing it with audiences in 2010! This splendid "Making/Art of" will take readers to the world behind Burton’s camera, revealing the secrets of performance-capture technology, the marriage of live-action and CGI technology, and displaying its singular style in a deluxe, artistic format.

Rating: 10/10

Review:

This book is beautiful! The first thing I noticed when looking through it was the artwork and the stunning images. There are little surprises throughout the book as well, like the dust jacket that is also the oraculum and the images on the book themselves that are from the movie and from production images that make you smile.

It takes you through the history of Lewis Carroll and his Alice and shows you some of the illustrations in the book and then proceeds to show the "making of images" some of which I really want to copy and hang on my wall due to how pretty they are.

It takes you through the movie brilliantly and shows behind the scene images and production stills that make you smile.

While flipping through this book I'm taken by how much I wish this wonderland was real. The pictures are just so pretty and look so real that it almost pains me that I'll never be able to see it.

This is the perfect table top addition to anyone who loves Alice in Wonderland, or anyone who can appreciate the art that is film making.

Writers Block...

This is why I love Jackson Pearce. :)

My Reading Habits..

I've been seeing this a lot and it seemed intriguing so here are my reading habits. :)

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack:
No, I can't say I snack while I read. I'm not a big snacker in general, but I just hate losing my place in a book so I feel that looking to grab a snack (I'm quite uncoordinated) would just leave me angry when I can't find the sentence again.

What is your favorite drink while reading?
I LOVE coffee but I never drink it in the morning, partly because when I'm up super early I'm busy doing everything else. A good Coke is always amazing, and sweet tea is perfect for hot summer days (as I enjoy reading outside), but coffee will always be my favorite.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
This is something that surprisingly enough actually angers people about me but yes, I mark in my books all the time and I feel no shame. I feel like I'm getting the full value of the book by marking my favorite parts or underlining amazing quotes, it's just what I do and will continue to do because it's always easy when searching for something and reliving the magic. :)

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
I prefer bookmarks, as dog-ears kind of annoy me. If I am forced to dog-ear though I do the smallest corner you've ever seen. lol

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?
I prefer fiction, but then I also love history so give me a biography on Anne Frank or someone I'm interested in and I'm in heaven.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I can stop anywhere, it doesn't matter if it's at the end of a chapter or not. I prefer to stop at the top of a page though, just to make it easier.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Yes, but never enough to damage the book, but if the ending is not a good one, or doesn't make sense then I won't like the book anyway.
I'm a sucker for a happy ending. :)

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
I don't remember the last time I didn't know what a word meant, but no. I would wait and if I couldn't figure it out I'd check google.

What are you currently reading?
Vampire Academy by: Richelle Mead

What is the last book you bought?
Vampire Academy Series by: Richelle Mead

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
I can but I don't really enjoy it. I normally end up liking one more than another so I end up devouring it and leaving the other one partially read forever.

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?
Outside late at night or at Panera Bread or a coffee shop.

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?
I like both but it really depends. Stand alones are nice but I also love the depth of the characters you get with series, but also with series things change and you see more time so what you want has more possibility of not working out.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Sarah Dessen - everything by her I LOVE. The Study Series by Maria V. Snyder, Going Too Far by: Jennifer Echols, Graceling by: Kristin Cashore and so many more...

How do you organize your books?
Very carefully. I have a lot of books, I've been building up my library for years so I do it by author, and I'm trying to start doing it by genre but that'll take time as I have made everything fit on it currently and that was no easy task. I have two up to the ceiling book cases that are just jam packed with all that I have acquired over the years and eventually I'll organize them how I want, but for now it'll do.