“Can you come over to Amberwood? I need you to help me break curfew and escape my dorm.”
There were a few moments of silence. “Sage, I’ve been waiting two months to hear you say those words. You want me to bring a ladder?”

Read an excerpt

If you’ve been following the blog for a while you know I’m a huge fan of Richelle Mead, and the Vampire Academy series is one of my favourites! So imagine my excitement when I woke up this morning to this awesome movie news!

First, the title. It was revealed yesterday I think, and It’ll be Vampire Academy – Blood Sisters. This is actually the title of the French books (Soeurs de sang), so I wasn’t shocked but I still don’t see the connection. Either way, it’s nice to see some progress!

BUT, the amazing news is… The 3 main characters, Rose, Lissa & Dimitri, were cast!

Zoey Deutch will play the kick-ass Rose part.  I am pleased enough by this decision. She does look the part, and even though I haven’t seen any of her movies, she’ll be part of the Beautiful Creatures movie so I’ll get to see her in action very soon!

Lissa, the beautiful blond, will be played by Aussie star Lucy Fry. Once again, I don’t know a thing about her acting talents, but at least she looks the part!

And last, but certainly not least, suave and sexy Dimitri will be brought to life by Danila Kozlovskiy!!! Another unknown actor for me but I’m freaking ecstatic by this decision! First, he IS Russian! Second, he is old enough and third he is damn good looking! I was so scared they would pick someone like Ben Barnes because, in my humble opinion, he is NOT Dimitri material!

Here’s a second shot with long hair:

You can read here what Richelle as to say about the movie so far!

Are you as excited as I am??

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Book Stats:
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Genre: Paranormal
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Razorbill
Release date: June 12, 2012

Series: Bloodlines #2

Source: ARC from Penguin Canada

Reviewed by: Tynga

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

After facing death by strogoi, Sydney is now back to her normal life, or whatever pass as normal with her latest mission. She poses as Jill’s sister (a moroi princess in hiding) along side with Adrian & Eddy (her supposedly brothers) and Angeline (their fictional cousin). Along with the merry gang are former strogoi Dimitri & Sonia, trying to discover why strogoi restored by spirit magic can’t be turned again. At first look it seems to be all fun but things gets complicated when a band of human attack Sydney and Sonia, wanting to kill the latter because “she’s an evil creature of the night”. What a mood killer!

If you remember, Bloodlines had been a bit of a let down for me, but I’m happy to report that I think The Golden Lily was better! To my dismay, Jill still won’t be in danger in that book, which honestly bothers me because the whole mission was set to protect her from vindictive moroi who might want to kill her to remove Lissa from the throne, but this latest installment brought a lot of interesting elements to the table.

Let me start by talking romance because surprisingly there’s a lot of it! Jill’s relationship with Eddy’s roommate Micah evolve, to Eddy’s dismay because he’s in love with her, but Eddy isn’t left out as new comer Angeline has it big for him. The whole situation would be hilarious if it wasn’t so pathetic. Poor Jill is completely blind to Eddie’s affections and his broken heart is hard to bare. On the other hand Angeline won’t miss an occasion to rub herself against him, oblivious to his disgust toward the whole thing. I could really picture his discomfited expression, holding back eye rolls because it wouldn’t be professional.  This love square (?) evolve in a rather interesting manner during the course of this installment, and I can’t wait to see where it’ll go from there in the next book.

Beyond all expectations, Sydney will also have some “romance” of her own. I use quotation marks here because let’s be honest, Sydney’s definition of romance is kind of sketchy. She meets a barista that’s just as stuck up and socially inept as she is, which makes for some really awkward moments, for the reader’s enjoyment. Watching them around each other I didn’t know if I wanted to burst out laughing or bang my head on a wall, let’s say it was entertaining in a weird way. Sydney also has a love triangle of her own even though she is completely oblivious to it. Adrian really pays her special attentions, in the sweetest way and I loved every moment. You can see that she is really special to him, even though he doesn’t want to want her and she really has no clue. Their interactions really were the stellar point of this novel for me.

Now let’s talk about some plot shall we? Sydney is no Rose, and the Bloodlines series can’t compare to Vampire Academy action wise, but The Golden Lily took it up a notch this time around and I was pleased. Attacks, kidnapping and rescues are on the menu and it did wonders to Sydney’s otherwise intellectual habits. After being helpless in a situation, Sydney decided to take matters in hands and take self defense classes, and she even considered magic as a potential defensive option, which showed a lot of growth on her part, considering how deadpan her opinions usually are on the matter. The situations she faces will really push her to grow, which makes me really excited because she used to be borderline boring with all her self restrain. Richelle also brought to the game a new interesting faction in the strogoi/moroi/dhampir/alchemist world and I’m curious about the fall out.

The conclusion was surprisingly action-packed and the very end was a shocker. I don’t want to tell you anything about it, because it would suck to spoil it for you, but I was ecstatic, bewildered and stunned all at once. I’m highly anxious to see how everything will play out in the next book with the bomb Richelle Mead dropped right at the end! The third book in the series, which as no title as of yet, is scheduled for release in 2013, and the wait might just kill me!

Overall, The Golden Lily was a great installment in the Bloodlines series, making me hopeful for the upcoming books. Romance, action & witty comebacks are on the menu, everything to please adults and young adults alike.

Here’s my favorite quote (from ARC, subject to change):

He reached out and pulled me to him, one hand on my waist and the other behind my neck. He tipped my head up and lowered his lips to mine. I closed my eyes and melted as my whole body was consumed in that kiss. I was nothing. I was everything. Chills, ran over my skin, and fire burned inside me. is body pressed closer to mine, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. His lips were warmer and softer than anything I could have ever imagined, yet fierce and powerful at the same time. Mine responded hungrily, and I tightened my hold on him. His fingers slid down the back of my neck, tracing its shape, and every place they touched was electric.

Read an excerpt

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

• Book Stats:
• Reading level: Young Adult
• Genre: Paranormal
• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill
• Release date: August 23, 2011

Series: Bloodlines #1 (Vampire Academy spin-off)

Reviewed by: Tynga

Source: ARC sent by Penguin Canada

Purchase: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Book Depository

I wasn’t free of my past, not yet.

Sydney’s blood is special. That’s because she’s an alchemist—one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir RoseHathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir—the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir—is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill’s guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places—a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside—and within—the school grounds. Now that they’re in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

*Contains some Vampire Academy spoilers*

Sydney, a young alchemist, had to face severe consequences after helping Rose, a dhampir (half-human/half-vampire) break out of prison and clear her name. She thought she was rid of those unnatural creatures but after there was an attempt on the Vampire Queen’s baby sister  Jill, Sydney is dragged in to pose as the Moroi’s sister in a boarding school, to protect her. Her situation makes her less than happy, especially since she’ll have to deal with Keith, a pain in the arse alchemist.

I honestly have mixed feelings about Bloodlines and it saddens me because Richelle Mead is my favorite author. Or maybe it’s because she’s my favorite that my expectations were too high? Anyhow, Bloodlines is a good read. If you’ve read the Vampire Academy series you’ve known the Moroi (good vampire) / Strogoi (evil vampire) / Dhampir (half-vampire) side of the coin and in Bloodlines we get to see the alchemist (human) side of the same coin. It was interesting to see their point of view and their politics and I really liked Sydney, but can’t help comparing her to Rose and she honestly fell a little short.

Character wise, I was extremely happy to see old friends: Jill, Eddy, Rose and Adrian. The latter was the star of this book and all of my favorite scenes involved him. He’s grown a whole lot in this chapter and he is more tortured than ever. I really felt for him, and I’m afraid it might not get easier for him in the future. We also get to know new characters and even though none of them earned a special spot in my heart, I enjoyed hating Keith and I think there is more to discover from Ms. Terwilliger, Sydney’s history teacher.

The story was honestly really slow to pick up and I was craving for more action. I was served at the end but I was expecting more from the first three-quarters of the novel. At page 250 or so, I thought I had the whole plotline figured out and thankfully I was wrong! Something just doesn’t sit right with me though. The plot started heading one direction, and then veered somewhere else entirely. So hopefully we’ll be back on track with the initial intrigued in Golden Lily, the second book in the series.

All in all, Bloodlines was good but didn’t meet my expectations. I’m really looking forward to the second installment though, because the end is a killer cliffhanger and I think more excitement will be on the menu. If you plan to read the Vampire Academy series eventually, I would strongly suggest you start by reading those books first, because you will really spoil the whole thing by reading Bloodlines first.

Here are some of my favorite *spoilers-free* quotes (from the ARC, subject to change in final edition):

“Adrian, we’re focusing on Jill here. This isn’t about your personal entertainment.”

“Not true,” he said, green eyes sparkling. “Everything’s about my personal entertainment. The world is my stage. Keep it up—you’re becoming a star performer in the show”

Keith was just bringing the glass to his lips when Adrian said, “Mmm. O positive, my favorite.”

Keith sprayed out the wine he’d just drunk and promptly started coughing. I was relieved that none got on me. Jill burst into giggles, and Clarence stared at his glass wonderingly.

“Is it? I thought it was a cabernet sauvignon.”

“So it is,” said Adrian, straight-face. “My mistake.”

“Sage, why’d you pick me to be your partner in crime in this?”

I though about it. “Process of elimination, I guess. Jill’s supposed to be kept out of trouble. Eddie’d be a good asset, but he needed to go back with her and Lee. Besides, I already knew you didn’t have any moral qualms about breaking and entering,”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” he declared with a grin.

Read an Excerpt

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 guardian 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 life is about saving others, who will save you?

*** This reviews contains spoilers from previous book in the series***

Where should I start..? After the Queen’s murder and Rose’s imprisonment, future didn’t look so bright for our eclectic group of friends. Everything will be done to clear Rose’s name though, and some alliance will be questioned. *tiny spoiler from the first chapters here* The clock is ticking though and the procedures surrounding Rose’s accusations are speeding up, forcing her crew to take drastic decisions. Breaking Dimitri and Rose out of custody to hide while their name is been cleared is on the menu, but did they really think Miss Hathaway would sit back and wait? If so, they will be disappointed!

Before I get down to my impressions of the book, yes you will know who Lissa’s siblings is. Yes, Tatiana’s murderer will be found. Yes, Rose will choose between Dimitri & Adrian. And yes, you will die from excitement!

What a way to end a series! Each page is more exciting than the previous one, and when you thought you figured the whole thing? Wrong! Guess again! Mead keeps you on your toes the whole time and she won’t disappoint. From page one, you sit and buckle your belt for quite a rollercoaster ride. Action, treason, mystery, courage, passion and love, Last Sacrifice has everything to please its readers.

You’ve made it this far, you know how fabulous Mead’s characters are, so there’s not really a need to yell loud and clear how much I love them…. but I will anyway! I’m in LOVE with those characters. Each one of them is special in their own way. They have wits and snarky comments, they are committed and fearless, they will surprise you, frustrate you, disappointed you, but none will leave impassive. Lissa has always been smart, but she will have to outdo herself and be courageous because for the first time, Rose depends on her. Dimitri will have to fight the hardest fight he’s ever had: a will battle against himself. Can he forgive himself? Can he open his heart again? Is it too late? And Rose will have to rely on her friends to fight for her, instead of fighting her own battle which will prove extremely hard.

I’m a strong Team Dimitri member, and Richelle keeps us in the suspense for a very long time. I won’t tell you which boy wins Rose’s heart, but I will tell you that even though her romantic problems are very often on her mind, the fiery moments are very scattered at first, before blazing in glory near the end. The emotional out there will be satiated though, worry not! Chapter 29 is by far my favorite!

All of the characters you love, or love to hate, will be there, and not a happy ending awaits for every single one of them. Hearts will be broken, tears will be shed and battles will be lost. But in the end Richelle built the perfect ending for this fabulous series. Not everyone has their happily ever-after, but that’s how life is. The end was nicely tied up and we don’t know what happens with every characters, but I’m hoping those loose ends will be answered in the spin-off series (And the title of the first book will be Bloodlines in case you didn’t know!).

Here are some of my favorite quotes I wanted to share with you!

p.169

Adrian’s surprise was brief. “Little Dhampir, you’ve been spying.”

“It’s hard not to.”

“You know, as much as I like the idea of having someone always know when you’re in trouble, I’m still kind of glad I don’t have anyone bound to me. Not sure I’d want them looking in my head.”

“I don’t think anyone would want to look in your head either. One person living Adrian Ivashkov’s life is hard enough.”

p.233

For a moment, I was captivated as I studied them side by side. My mother: the perfect picture of guardian excellence and decorum. My father: always capable of achieving his goals, no matter how twisted the means. Uneasily, I began to understand how I’d inherited my bizarre personality.

p.373

He looked at each of our faces, no doubt wondering what a moroi, a dhampir, and a human were doing at his door. It sounded like the start of a bad joke.

The last two quotes are spoilery *READ AT YOUR OWN RISK*

p.453

Frustration filled his features. “Rose, I’ve done a lot of bad things, most of which I can never fix or find redemption for. My only choice now, if I want to reclaim my life, is to go forward, stopping evil and doing what’s right. And what is not right is taking a woman from another man, a man I like and respect. I’ll steal cars. I’ll break into houses. But there are lines I will not cross, no matter what I-”

p. 484

“I don’t belong to anyone. I make my own choices.”

“And you’re with Adrian,” said Dimitri.

“But I was meant for you.”

Read the first Chapter

Official Trailer:

 Language: English

The Real World is a frightening place.

Just ask sixteen-year-old orphan Dru Anderson, a tough girl who has taken on her fair share of bad guys. She’s armed, dangerous, and not going down without a fight. So it’s gonna take her a while to figure out who she can trust…

Just when Dru thought she was safe, everything exploded in her face. Her mom and dad are long gone, her protectors Graves and Christophe kinda want to rip each other’s throats out, and a four-hundred-year-old nosferat named Sergej won’t stop hunting her until his bloodthirsty army of suckers has torn her to shreds.

Dru’s finally made it to the Schola Prima –the Real Deal djamphir training facility and home of the Order- and life is about to get even more Real World. There’s a brand new svetocha in town- a redheaded vixen named Anna who’s got the Order wrapped around her pretty little finger, and who’s rather kill Dru than share the spotlight. Turn’s out Dru’s got something Anna wants. And his name just happens to be Christophe Reynard…

How can Dru trust the Order to protect her, when its leader wants her gone? –book cover

Dru’s life has never been quite normal, roaming from town to town with her dad hunting things that goes bump in the night. But her life changed completely when one night, her dad came back from a gig as a member of the undead, a zombie to be precise. Since then, she’s been on the run, gathering friends but a lot more enemies on the way and she’s fighting as hard as she can to keep her head out of the water – and her body out of the grave. With the help of Graves, Christophe and other wulfen boys, Dru made it to the Schola Prima, but the operative base of the Order isn’t as safe as it was suppose to be, because someone is still trying to kill her.

Jealousy picked up a bit slowly for me, but once the action started, you were in for quite a ride! The series is all about secrets, treachery, betrayals and what fuels most of those “situations”? Jealousy. This round gave many answers to questions left open in the previous books. Through many flashbacks, we learn more about Christophe’s relation with Dru’s mother, Elizabeth’s relation with Anna, August’s past, why are there so few svetocha, why is Dru hunted that way. While all those questions were answered, many more remains and Dru is not out of trouble just yet.

I really love the characters on that series, Dru is always trying to be strong and fight off the world, but at some point she will break down, and she will have to relay on her very few friends to help her get out of some nasty situations. Graves is as lovely and all the while sarcastic as ever which is totally cute if you ask me. He likes Dru very much but is very awkward about it, it’s quite charming. On the other hand  Christophe is experienced and level-headed, and while we know he cares for Dru we can’t quite grasp what his feelings really are and how deep they are. There are of course quite a few djamphirs and wulfen boys involved, some lovely, some Dru isn’t so sure she can trust, but they are all described perfectly by Lilith.

If I had to describe the book in one sentence I’d say, Strong, surprising and breath-taking, Dru’s story is an epic adventure you don’t wanna miss! Defiance, the fourth book in the series is suppose to hit the shelves in spring 2011, and I’m really looking forward to it. The end of Jealousy promises another installment where things will be different for Dru, but I’m sure it’s still gonna be action-crazy and heart-pounding.

Read an excerpt

The following trailer is the official one for the first book in the series, if you haven’t picked it up yet, I strongly suggest you do =)

Strange Angels series:

Strange Angels

Betrayals

Jealousy

Defiance (Spring 2011)

Books Stats:

Publisher: Razorbill (July 29, 2010)

“Some things won't stay buried . . . at grave's end

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.” – Book Cover

“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 Dragomir. It’s graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even wit the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. 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 she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can’t forget what she learned on her journey- whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose’s prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide want – and who – matters most to her. And in the end, is true love really worth the price?” –Book Cover

I find it very challenging to review this book because it was good in so many ways that can’t be explained without spoilers. But worry not, this review is Spirit Bound Spoilers Free. I will do my best to express you the passion I felt reading this book, but I’m afraid it’s beyond what words can explain.

Spirit Bound starts back at the Academy, it’s finally graduation time and Rose has only one more challenge in front of her: The Trials. A final exam planned by guardians to test their ability to protect Moroi “in the real world”. But what worries Rose the most is the after-graduation. She always thought it rimed with freedom but reality hit her in the face. She will spend her life protecting Moroi and her own desires won’t matter anymore. There’s not only the weight of responsibilities though, she knows Dimitri is out there, lurking in shadows, waiting for an opportunity to kill her.

In this installment, Rose is more determined than ever and will use extremely illegal ways to reach her objectives. Desperation to save Dimitri, while she still can, drives her actions and consequences won’t be light. She is not risking only her future and her life but also the ones of people she loves.

When we love a book, we all say “I couldn’t put it down”, well in this case, I loved the book so much I HAD to put it down and take deep breaths because it was just too much. Love, Passion, Treason, Fear, Sadness, Grief, all these emotions laid on paper in a so intense way it almost became unbearable. At times I couldn’t believe my own eyes, events happening in that book triggered reactions in me that are beyond words!

I really love both Rose and Lissa for their very distinct qualities, and even though they are very different, they have one thing in common: they would do anything for each other.

Adrian is as snarky as ever but we get to discover a new side to him. I really like the guy and it’s clear he cares about Rose and I loved to watch them together.

Dimitri, oh Dimitri! He broke my heart in Blood Promise and Spirit Bound wasn’t any easier. At times I really felt like hitting him in the head to knock some sense into him and even though I would have a lot to say, I won’t spill the beans and ruin surprises. I will mention though that chapters 20 and 24 nearly killed me.

I was glad that Abe was in SB, he didn’t play a major role but it was nice to have him around and I think he will have a bigger role in The Last Sacrifice.

The end is as usual a cliff hanger, if suspense could kill Richelle Mead would be in danger of trial for massive murder, because I really don’t know how I will be able to wait until December to know how this epic story ends.

Vampire Academy is my favorite series and Richelle delivered. Spirit Bound was action-packed, full of surprises, emotions and magic. I was in awe so many times during this book, it really was fabulous.

I think Shadow Kiss is still my favorite of the series because I’m such a romantic but Spirit Bound is very close second.

I really hope Rose will have her happy ending in The Last Sacrifice (even though the title doesn’t point that way), she’s been through so much, she really deserves her happily ever after.

Read an excerpt

Vampire Academy series:

Vampire Academy
Frostbite
Shadow Kiss
Blood Promise
Spirit Bound
The Last Sacrifice (Dec 14th, 2010)

Books Stats:

" Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Subject to uncontrollable rages, most dhampirs live very short, very violent lives. So far, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity by unleashing her anger on those demons and vampires who deserve killing.

Back home in Brooklyn after the demise of her insane uncle Dracula, Dory’s hoping her life is about to calm down. But then she gets some visitors. A friend wants Dory’s help in finding a magical Fey relic, and the gorgeous vampire, Louis-Cesare, is desperate to find his former mistress Christine.

Dory and Louis-Cesare quickly discover that the same master vampire Christine is bound to is also rumored to be in possession of the relic. But when the master vampire turns up dead, they realize that there’s more at stake than a missing mistress. Someone is killing vampire Senate members, and if Dory and Louis-Cesare can’t stop the murderer, they may be next…" - Book Cover

" You can run from the grave, but you can't hide . . .

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again. " - Book Cover

" Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat. " - Book Cover

"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 handto- 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.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (April 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595141758
• ISBN-13: 978-1595141750

"Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.

The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.

Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's – inside the Academy’s iron gates, their world is even more fraught with danger. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever..." - book cover

Rose and Lissa escaped St-Vladimir's not convinced of their security anymore, but after 2 years of run-aways they got caught and brought back to the school. St-Vladimir's ain't normal school tho, it's a secured area deep in the woods where Moroi and Dhampir learns the way of their society. And what a society! Richelle Mead builds an awesome world with 3 major races. Moroi are "nice vampires" they live in society, they have royalties, they feed off willing blood donors and their number are dropping insanely. Stroigoi are your classic bad vampire, they are undead, damned, can't be exposed to light. Storgois are either Moroi who killed while feeding, or a moroi/dhampir/human bitten buy a strogoi and turned against there will. Dhampirs are half-humans, half-vampires. They can go into the light, but can't use magic like morois, but they are stronger then both humans and morois. Dhampirs are trained to protect the morois.
Story takes place at St-Vladimir's and is built around gossips, parties, forbidden love and fear. The school still isn't safe for Lissa and Rose does the best she can to protect her. Unfortunately enemies ain't always the ones you think.

I had a hard time at the very beginning of the novel to understand the whole society evolved, but got taken by the story very quickly. The plot is awesome, characters are great. Rose is so clever, always that in-your-face funny answers. She's a thought girl but also has her own issues. Mead's description are so realistic you can pictures every single details, you can also feel the tension in key moments. I couldn't put the book down until the end and ran to the store to get the following book!
I actually loved this book more the twilight series.
In fact this series is my all time favorite.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (August 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159514174X
• ISBN-13: 978-1595141743