BLOOD PROMISE BY RICHELLE MEAD

 Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal

“Maybe all of this really has been a dream. But I don’t think so.”
– Richelle Mead, Blood Promise

Series: Vampire Academy
Vampire Academy (#1 in Vampire Academy)
Frostbite (#2 in Vampire Academy)
Shadow Kiss (#3 in Vampire Academy)

Synopsis: 
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?[Goodreads]

From the very beginning you are reminded that all along it has really been Rose’s story. With her being the narrator you usually assume this, but the way that Richelle Mead writes is so brilliant that you get lost in the world and the characters and seem to forget that this is a story about Rose.

I was reading a lot of reviews about this book after I finished it and realized that there were a few things that bothered me with others reviews. I know I am not perfect and I am not always right , but some of the things people were saying were a little annoying. People made statements about holes in the story and confusing information. I actually believe that Mead does a wonderful job with clearing up questions and holes in the plot. It is explained and brought up multiple times in the novel about the humans working with the strigoi and their reasons.

“I’d said it before and meant it: Alive or undead, the love of my life was a badass.”

Another thing that people seemed to have issues with was the length of the book and how the first 300 pages were pointless. I could not disagree more! OK I can say that it was a little lengthy and could have been cut down some, but I felt it was necessary. Those pages allow for Rose to evolve and grow even more while dealing and struggling with her life and decisions and learning new things that will ultimately either save her life or help her in her decisions in the long run.

The introduction of the alchemist, Sydney was a great addition to the story and I know she will appear again and play a role in this world. (If anyone has looked at the series Bloodlines). Yes, I do believe it got to be a little annoying how much Rose went to visions and memories of her and Dimitri, but this also sets up for what is to come with their relationship. Everything is done for a reason people. I did feel that the secondary plot was a little boring and not very relevant besides playing a role in the character of Rose, her relationship with Lissa and the eventually cause of her return to the academy. Yet again Rose has proved to be one badass character! Also I have to admit Adrian is beginning to grow on me!

The Vampire Academy Marathon continues! (9 days and counting)