Review: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss
(Vampire Academy #3)
by Richelle Mead
Published: November 13, 2008




It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all... might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line - and choose between the two people she loves most.

There’s no way you’d get to the end of this book without emotion overload. Seriously, I was practically screaming with tears running down my cheeks and still manage to laugh out loud in some parts and also get shocked in, well, the shocking moments. Damn this book. Never thought it’d get to me much, considering the first two were mostly fun and entertaining. It’s my favourite book in the series so far, as I’m obviously just done with the third.

I especially never expected this from Richelle Mead, since the previous books were usually efficient and easy, fast-paced and had not-so-complicated conflicts presented. This book practically sent me on edge not only on the very exciting parts, but also on the mind-blowing turns of the story, as well as...the very interesting happenings. Hihi *evil smile* It’s great because—aside from the clever plot, Mead smoothly invokes emotions through her creative way with words –not in a dramatic sorta way—but still in her originally easy and simple style in writing.

That last part really pulled some serious strings and I was just so frustrated to finish the book without something soft nearby to punch really hard. The story’s also gotten way more interesting. Of course, the renowned humor still remains, Rose’s snarky attitude and smart badassery never failing to amuse the readers right here—even getting better with Christian and Adrian added—especially now that the real ass-kicking began as St. Vladimir encounter even more Strigois and Rose and her team finish them with mad guardian—and Moroi, skills. Hands down to Rose! Her character of a responsible and also caring guardian even heightens in this book, topping my fave book heroines.

I like it because it also lets you just flow with the story and also lets you evaluate your own theories as the story continues to unravel. One message this book also tells me is this: sometimes, we look too straight ahead the road we fail to enjoy the view unfolding before us; sometimes, we focus too hard on our obligations and forget we also have choices for ourselves. Well! That was one plateful awesome of a sauce. Gotta go sack the fourth book now!