I'd So Rather Be Reading: Book Review: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead

Summary:

How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

Review:

Well, I've finished my reread of the four Vampire Academy books in preparation for the relase of Spirit Bound, book five in the series. Blood Promise was somewhat transition-like in that it introduces new characters into the series and raises a lot of new issues.

I just don't understand how the Vampire Academy series can be so good with such a compelling plot while Richelle Mead's adult books, the Georgina Kincaid series, fall so short. Vampire Academy's plot, character development, and writing far outweigh the Georgina books. Georgina has the emotional maturity of a 14 year old and absolutely no integrity, while Rose is far superior although she is so much younger. I'm just so disappointed by the Georgina books. Well, this is a review of Blood Promise; if you want my thoughts on the Georgina Kincaid series you can read that review, I guess.

Blood Promise made me tear up several times. I just feel so bad for Rose! I won't say more because I hate spoilers. If you haven't read this series yet, give it a try. It really is excellent. It's right up there with the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

Just One Gripe:

The first time through the book seemed a little choppy. I guess it was the fact that Rose is traveling around so much, and the new characters, but the plot didn't flow as well as the first three books. The second and third times through, however, I didn't feel that way. Maybe it was just because I was so anxious to get to the Dmitri parts of the book that I was reading too quickly the first time around.

The Best Thing About This Book:

Rose's decisions and Lissa finally growing up a little.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Well, you've got teenage drinking, murder, and some sexual references here, so not as bad as other YA books, but not great either.