Book Review: Vampire Academy #2: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

RATING:

(Vampire Academy #2)

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

*****

“Rose only hangs out with guys and psychopaths,” said Mia.

“Well,” he said cheerfully, “since I’m both a psychopath and a guy, that would explain why we’re such good friends.”

VIBRANT.

Finally, i get to meet the famous ADRIAN IVASHKOV! I think he and Rose are compatible, what with the good looks and smart-ass remarks. So… Team Dmitri or Team Adrian? *winks*

Frostbite is just as entertaining and alluring as its prequel, Vampire Academy. It mainly deals with Rose‘s feelings: jealousy over Christian, resentment over her mom, frustration over Dmitri. I found them petty at first, but in the long run her feelings are pretty much warranted for. Rose started out as b*tchy and immature but in the end, she turned out to be this protective, self-sacrificing and almost-sane dhampir/daughter/friend that i deeply admire.

Dmitri fights to stay in control (i was kinda detached from him). Lissa is almost invisible (her character is underdeveloped)! Christian is still indifferent to Rose yet awesome to Lissa. Adrian is charming and very magnetic for a character that was just introduced. Mason… he is the finest character among the lot. His emotions are well-played – not too soft but not that heartless, either.

I fully enjoyed Frostbite because i have lots of laugh-out-loud moments! i want to highlight three scenes: (1) Rose inside Lissa’s head while Lissa’s getting it on with Christian [oh yeah!] (2) Rose meeting Adrian for the first time [Suave, Adrian!] (3) Rose looking at Christian silently begging him for relief from her ‘desire’. Man, Richelle Mead is one humorous storyteller!

You won’t be disappointed with Frostbite. This is what a sequel should be like: funny, intense, action-packed, redeeming.

#10 Off-the-Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”