Spirit Bound: A Vampire Academy Novel (Vampire Academy, #5)

by Richelle Mead

“We’re suckers for it.” — Entertainment Weekly

Book five in the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series!

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. It is at long last graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows 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 now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him . . . forever.

• ISBN10: 1595143661
• ISBN13: 9781595143662
• Publish Date: 22 February 2011 (first published 1 May 2010)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Razorbill
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 512
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781595143662

Reviews

"Love fades. Mine has."

  
Spirit Bound is another 'mixed feelings' book in the Vampire Academy series. 

While I love Rose, her actions in Spirit Bound, especially towards her romantic relationships, is frustrating. Rose's love life is such a mess and there's no one to blame. Spirit Bound is the Vampire Academy book where Rose leads people on. One minute she's with Adrian, the next minute, she's declaring her undying love for Dimitri. The worst part is that she keeps on lying to Adrian that she doesn't have feelings for Dimitri. Instead of jumping into another relationship straight after the events of Blood Promise, she should have dealt with her feelings and emotions. I understand that Rose's actions are very much in character, but reading about it is so frustrating, also because Adrian has grown on me and deserves so much better than the treatment that he received. I also struggled to see Rose's character development from the last four Vampire Academy books in Spirit Bound. She's still spunky, sassy, impulsive and outspoken, but the maturity that she gained from her experiences are non-existent.

The character with the best growth and development throughout the Vampire Academy series is Lissa. In Spirit Bound her personality shines. I also love Christian. His snarky and sarcastic remarks are A+. I'm so happy about the developments in Lissa's and Christian's relationship. Hooray! One of my favourite bookish couples have come to their senses and realised that they are meant for each other.

Plot-wise, so many important aspects are glossed over in Spirit Bound such as Rose's guardian exams and the prison break. However, a lot of events that occur in Spirit Bound set the foundation for the finale, Last Sacrifice, such as Queen Tatiana's character development and murder as well as the exploration of Lissa's place on the council. 

Although Spirit Bound dealt with some aspects badly, there's a lot of events that happened just the way they were supposed to.  After that cliffhanger, I'm excited to reread Last Sacrifice.  

[littleread1]

Ok, do we even like Rose? I think I would like this better from Lissa's POV.

[Vicki]

4.5 stars

[nitzan_schwarz]

Originally posted on my blog.

3.5 stars

Let me sum up some things for you: I have been reading the Vampire Academy series for about a year now. I have owned all the books in the series for a similar amount of time. Fact is, I enjoy these books... but they lack that certain something that makes me need to read them.

Which is why, I brought this book with me on my trip to Europe, with the intention to just, once and for all, read it. That didn't work quite as well as I hoped. I had so much trouble immersing myself in the story for the first 200 pages that I had to read other books between every 70 pages or so. This is the main source of my rating - this book just didn't grab me, and so, though I enjoyed it, I can't give it more than 3.5 stars.

I think, finally, after five books, I've come to understand why I have so much trouble with this series - it's the writing. Something about it just... doesn't click with me. Doesn't flow smoothly as I read it.
If this book (and series) was written slightly differently, I think I might've loved it. I think I might've finished it in a week (like I did Percy Jackson) instead of a year (and I'm not finished yet). But it's not, so I struggle.

I will say this - half way through the book, things finally started happening in a way that made me want to read the book nonstop. Which is funny, cause from that point on it was all basically Mead setting things up for the final book.

Now, let's go into some specifics, since I realize this "review" is mostly very vague and general so far. I love Rose. I love Dmitri. I love Adrain. I love Lissa and Christian (he is probably my favorite character in the series). But they all kind of annoyed me this book. Especially the thing with Adrian and Rose, because he deserves better. At the very least, someone who will truly love him, and not just use him (albeit, probably unconscionably,) to forget someone else.

Oh, and Lissa and Christian need to get over themselves and go make some beautiful babies with snarky humor and kind hearts (okay, maybe not right away, but you get my drift).

Okay, this review is kind of lacking... as all my Vampire Academy reviews seem to be. I feel like a failure, but I just really wanted to share my revelation with you guys! It's not everyday that you finally figure out what has been bothering you for 5 books...

Originally posted on my blog.

[Baroness Book Trove]

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!! BE CAUTIOUS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOK YET!!!

The second to last Vampire Academy book took me the longest to read. I started to read it on the twenty-first of May and ended it on the eleventh of June.

The reason it took me so long to read this one was because I was busy and I was trying to get this book review blog going as well. But I finally got it done and oh my god I was so happy about Dimitri being alive again but sad for Rose. I also really did like the end of the book.

To read the rest of this review please come to my book blog: http://baronessbooktrove.blogspot.com/2014/07/spirit-bound-by-richelle-mead.html

[Sam@WLABB]

Happy with many of the plot developments, but, WHOA, crazy ending.

[Angie]

Spirit Bound is my favorite of the series now! I had forgotten just how emotionally intense it was. I felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack and an emotional breakdown, and getting closer with each page I read. It was all too much. My heart hurts for Rose and Dimitri even though I know what's to come. I just can't help it! Just so you're warned, this review focuses on the romance(s), since that's what I paid the most attention to, and in fact it dominates the plot. So yeah.

Of course, I need to start with Dimitri. He's after Rose and knows that once she graduates, and is away from the school, he can get to her. Or get her to come to him. Spirit Bound is mainly focused on Rose's next insane plan to save him or destroy him. She goes to incredible lengths to get to the one person who can help her. This part is super fast and action packed. Then things take an emotional turn and I was almost overcome with tears...again. Then my heart broke for Rose. And then I think my heart stopped during Dimitri's heartfelt speech about how things are different now. I just can't take much more of this! I want my happy ending already!

Regardless of the fact that Spirit Bound is the best book in the series, it also contains my favorite scene. You'd probably assume it has to do with Dimitri, but you'd be wrong. This is a Rose and Adrian scene and I had been eagerly anticipating rereading since I started book one for the second time. It is seriously the greatest thing to come out of this series. It's hot. Really, really hot. It's nothing graphic, but holy hell. I actually really loved seeing Rose and Adrian's relationship. Even though he jokes around a lot, Adrian is clearly is a very kind and understanding guy. I have no doubt that he'd be faithful and give Rose the world, but I can't see them ever being together long term. It's simply not where her heart is. Adrian deserves someone who will put him first, and that is not Rose. But still, favorite scene. Even if it makes me feel kind of like a pervert.

Spirit Bound has a lot of other stuff going on, such as vampire politics which are seriously getting heated! There's also the matter of a convicted criminal on the loose, the fact that there's a new way to fight Strigoi, and Lissa getting her place on the royal council. It's all in preparation for the final book where everything blows up! Including my heart. Of course, it also ends on the most epic cliffhanger ever, so be sure to have Last Sacrifice on hand.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[elysium]

3.5 stars

Rose is finally graduating from the Academy and only the last trial is ahead. But she hasn’t given up on getting Dimitri back and with Lissa’s help she uses the information she gathered in Blood Promise. But they need help from Victor who is in prison.

There are times I don’t understand what makes me read these books but I can’t help myself. I need to know what happens to these people and if they have some sense in the end.

In the last book I thought Rose had finally matured little and damn now were back on square one. Okay, there was parts where she acted like responsible person and the she’s back on being childish and selfish.
She’s taking guarding Lissa seriously but when her relationships are concerned I just want to slap her. Rose is supposed to be with Adrian, or at least give him a chance but instead she’s obsessed getting Dimitri back. And even when Dimitri tells he’s no longer interested she just don’t get it. And she’s still with Adrian! I was reminded how slutty I thought her to be in book 1.

I’m glad that Dimitri is back but oh the drama! I get that he regrets the things he did as strigoi but the way he wants to protect Rose even though she doesn’t mind the things he did. Or enough not wanting to be with him anyway.

I’m starting to like Adrian but I wish he finds someone better than Rose to be with. Just saying…

[wyvernfriend]

There were moments when I wanted to slap Rose, she graduates, breaks an evil vampire out of prison, fights Dimitri, gets caught up in politics, finds a possible cure for Dimitri and overall rushes in when supposed to be one of the best-educated guardian of them all. Really? shouldn't tactics and diplomacy have been better taught?

The to-ing and fro-ing between Adrian and Dimitri seems a little forced, she really needs to take some time for herself and think this all through instead of this rushing into things headlong. In fact she's more of an argument why they should wait until the guardians are older rather than younger!

Overall not bad. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[rakesandrogues]

Review Overview:

Slow start but picks up the action toward the middle
Lots of unresolved sexual tension; Adrian, I love you but I’m Team Dimitri
SPIRIT BOUND is an emotional roller coaster – I laughed, gasped, cried, etc.

As a warning, if you haven’t read the previous four books, you may spoil it for yourself if you read this review!

Establishing a pattern that I was probably slow to pick up on, Richelle Mead starts SPIRIT BOUND at a slow pace that eventually picks up and ends with a bang. I did start to get impatient at around 200 pages in. I knew that Mead would pick up the speed pretty soon but getting there was tough. Up to that part, the story line was very interesting, but it lacked the jaw-dropping, fast-paced scenes that I really enjoy about her writing.

There was a lot of unresolved sexual tension in SPIRIT BOUND! I was most intrigued by the possible reconciliation between Lissa and Christian. After their relationship fell apart in book four, I just had to make sure that they were going to salvage their relationship. Everyone knew that they were supposed to be together and it was very frustrating to see them so blind. Throughout this book, I struggled immensely between Dimitri and Adrian. I absolutely adore Adrian’s character. He’s sweet and charming and as much as I would hate to see him with a broken heart, I’m still Team Dimitri all the way.

SPIRIT BOUND was such an emotional roller coaster for me. I laughed, gasped in shock, and even shed a few tears. But as always, I was caught off-guard for most of the jaw-dropping scenes in the book. It made reading all the more fun. Mead definitely does not disappoint with the fifth installment of the Vampire Academy series! I can’t wait to start reading the next book.