Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2)

by Richelle Mead

While on a school skiing trip, guardian-in-training Rose faces everything from misunderstandings between friends to fights among factions of Moroi as reports of horrific Strigoi attacks raise tensions, ultimately leading Rose and some of those closest to her into a battle that teaches her much about life, death, and love.

• ISBN10: 0606089411
• ISBN13: 9780606089418
• Publish Date: 10 April 2008 (first published 1 April 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Turtleback Books
• Edition: School & Library ed.
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 327
• Language: English

Reviews

I could've done with a lot less relationship drama. Too many love interests, too much angst.

But, the rest of the book was great. Rose was still kickass. She was determined and headstrong but there was a lot of growing up portrayed. Particularly in regards to her mother. It was obvious to see that they are very similar people and that was the cause of a lot of their conflict. It was nice to see how that relationship developed and how they came to a bit of understanding of each other. The same could be said of Mia, who comes a long way in this book. Although bitchy, the events of this book change her - she goes through a lot but manages to find her way out the other side of her challenges.

I still love Dimitri. Although he's not exempt from having some stupid moments in this either. There was less of Lissa and Rose friendship - having been on their own for so long and younger when Lissa had her last boyfriend, they seem to be having issues problems navigating how to be friends and manage a relationship. Which to be fair, is hard for anyone. I didn't love that Lissa seems to forget Rose, even if she doesn't mean to. I would've liked to see a heart to heart between them and hopefully that will occur in the next book.

The action was fast paced and riveting and I flew through the remaining pages. This is a really fun series.

[Nessa Luna]

I believe it's been almost exactly a year since I've read the first book in this series, Vampire Academy. Why it took me so long to pick up Frostbite, part two? I have no idea. Because I did really enjoy the first book, even though it's about vampires - a subject I've been avoiding for a very long time. (Blame Twilight for that, yay). I think Vampire Academy made me realise that not all vampire and werewolf books are like Twilight and that some of them are definitely worth reading.

Frostbite continues the story of Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir - a Damphir guardian and Moroi princess - and their adventures at St. Vladimir's. A Moroi royal family has just been slaughtered by Strigoi vampires, and the Moroi society realises that they aren't safe anymore. So they are swept away to a luxurious ski resort for the rest of their Christmas holiday, hoping the Strigoi won't find them there. But for Rose, being stuck in a resort with the guy she's in love with (Dimitri) and the guy who's in love with her (Mason) isn't really something to be happy about.

The first thing I noticed, was that the prologue basically retells the events that happened in the previous book in a couple of pages. That is something I really like - and I'm gonna make a petition to get all authors to do this (just kidding, but really they should) - because it is so handy for people who take a long time to read the rest of a series (*points at self*). Especially those who don't feel like rereading the previous books. I really hope Richelle Mead did this for the rest of the series as well, because that could save people so much time (unless they're binge-readers, then it doesn't really matter).

Most of the original characters were in this book as well; Rose and Lissa (of course), Dimitri, Christian, Mason, Mia. There were also some new characters; Rose's mum Janine, Tasha (Christian's aunt), Adrian. I have to say I really liked Tasha, and for some reason I imagined her looking like Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow), but that was basically just because of the name. I'm not too sure what to think about the other two characters, I didn't really like Rose's mum in the beginning because Rose didn't like her either - but I guess she grew on me near the end. And I still don't really like Adrian.

The story was easy to read and I got through it at top speed. I really enjoyed the winter setting, and the Strigoi attacks kept it exciting throughout the whole book. Because honestly, I didn't really like the romance part of this book. Which is something I probably say about every book that has even the slightest bit of romance in it - but here I just wasn't sure what to think about it. Rose is in love with Dimitri - but he doesn't want her because of various reasons. Mason is in love with Rose - but Rose only sees him as a friend, but then suddenly decides to make out with him several times throughout this book. Then there is Tasha who wants to make a baby with Dimitri - which makes Rose hate Tasha which I kind of get but also not. Yeah, the romance in this book was very complicated and though I was interested in finding out what was going to happen between Rose and Dimitri - I was also a bit annoyed at it. (The only romance I really liked in this book was Lissa and Christian's).

I do like seeing Rose and Dimitri together, but I just hate the way he so desperately tries to ignore his feelings for her, and I hate how she desperately tries to forget about him by making out with Mason and if she'd had her way a lot of other boys as well. Yeah I really like Rose as a character, but I'm just not sure what to think about her boy... let's just call it a 'problem' okay?

Like I said, the story was written in such a way I flew through it, and I enjoyed reading it very much. There were some parts that made me laugh, there was one particular part that made me cry in the middle of the night while my alarm clock was set for 6:30am. It certainly made me want to read more, and I immediately added the next book, Shadow Kiss, to my cart on Book Depository. I think Vampire Academy has cured me from my vampire allergy, yay!

My opinion on this book in one gif: 

❄ I didn’t enjoy Frostbite as much this time around, which is why I changed my rating from 5 stars to 3 stars

❄ The characters are one-dimensional and go through minimal character development. However, because I’ve read this series before, I love the characters and their personalities.

❄ There are moments where I dislike Rose and moments where I love her. Rose can be immature at times (she’s still a teenager, so it’s understandable), but she can also be extremely mature, understanding and wise. Rose is brave, snarky, arrogant and badass. I love her voice (which is reminiscent of voices in chick-lit) and personality.

❄ I also enjoyed reading about the relationship dynamics between Rose and her mother. Their relationship is extremely strained, and they are constantly butting heads, but their personalities are extremely similar.

❄ I also love the strong friendship and bond between Lissa and Rose. However, because Lissa has a small role to play in Frostbite, she seems underdeveloped.

❄ Christian is probably my favourite character in the Vampire Academy series and his relationship with Lissa is adorable. I also enjoy the relationship dynamics between him and Rose. They tolerate each other because of Lissa, but they both get so jealous when Lissa spends more time with the other.

❄ Tasha is so cool in Frostbite. I love her strength and her straightforward attitude (show spoiler)[,but I also know what she does in Last Sacrifice,] (hide spoiler) and I’m quite surprised that I liked her.

❄ I don’t appreciate the girl hate between Rose and Mia, but I do understand that there’s a reason for their mutual hatred, so I can tolerate it. However, I love how Rose and Mia’s views change towards each other in Frostbite

❄ Adrian, another one of my favourite Vampire Academy characters, is introduced in Frostbite. It’s weird to read about him as a wealthy, flirty guy in Frostbite because his character development in the Vampire Academy series is extensive.

❄ I’m not a fan of the love triangle/love square. I like Mason’s character, but his recklessness is a bit much. I also didn’t enjoy the fact that Rose leads him on and uses him to get over Dimitri, but I could understand why Rose does it. Dimitri is a static character in Frostbite, but I found it realistic when he tries to deny that his feelings for Rose and distance himself from her because he’s her mentor. (show spoiler)[However, that ultimately backfires at the end of Frostbite.] (hide spoiler)

❄ I enjoy the world-building in the Vampire Academy series. There are different types of vampires, good and evil, royalty, elemental magic etc. The world expands with each book in the series.

❄ Frostbite is slow, repetitive and predictable. I can barely remember what happens in Frostbite and this is after my third read. The school vacation trip is boring and feels out-of-place. However, the last part is where I became extremely invested in Frostbite. Rose’s emotions drew me in and I couldn’t help but feel the characters anxiety, fear, hopelessness and dread. The ending (show spoiler)[(Mason’s death, Eddie’s sadness, Rose dealing with her first kill and the death of her friend, breaking down and being comforted by her mother and ultimately getting her molnija marks)] (hide spoiler) hit me quite hard.

”You can’t force love, I realized. It’s there or it isn’t. If it’s not there, you’ve got to be able to admit it. If it is there, you’ve got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.” (Rose Hathaway)

[Baroness Book Trove]

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK!!!

Now with Frostbite I didn’t know what to think at first when I read the plot. This book was so good once you got over the ending of the book. Each of the character’s grew in this book. We also met interesting new character’s as well. We met Rose’s mom, Christian’s aunt, a new guy that flirts with Rose, and also an interesting development between Rose and Mia.

To read more of this book review come to my book review blog: http://baronessbooktrove.blogspot.com/2014/06/frostbite-by-richelle-mead.html

[Mercy]

Pues el final ha hecho que me gustara más que lo que pensaba que me gustaría.

[Romance Schmomance]

Ah yeahhhhhhh .... finalement!

[boghunden]

Min første tanke var, at bogens prolog opsummerede lige rigeligt af bog et. Det havde nok ikke helt været nødvendigt for mig at genlæse etteren, på trods af de (over) to år der er gået, siden jeg først læste den. Havde jeg ikke gjort det, så havde det været særdeles hjælpsomt, men nu blev jeg bare lidt træt af det. Meeen, det er jo en mindre detalje ;) Bogens plot var en lille smule længe om rigtigt at komme igang, og så alligevel ikke. Jeg tænkte ikke over det imens jeg læste, men først bagefter, så det har ikke rigtig forstyrret mig. Det er en smule ambivalent egentlig. I dele af bogen savnede jeg at høre lidt mere til Lissa, men jeg forstår, hvorfor det ikke kunne lade sig gøre og havde jeg fået min vilje, så havde jeg sikkert også været utilfreds og ment, at det jo ikke hang sammen – ja ja, kald mig bare frøken besværlig ;)

I bogen introduceres man til nye karakterer, hvilket for mit vedkommende betyder, at det er sjovt at blive ved at læse. Jeg vil gerne lære de nye at kende. Misforstå mig ikke, jeg synes stadig de “gamle” er fede, det tilføjer bare en ny dimension, at der kommer noget nyt udover “bare” et andet plot. Og i forhold til plottet vil jeg, uden at røbe for meget, sige, at jeg synes der manglede lidt kamp. Kampscenerne var alt for hurtigt og let overstået efter min mening. Og så en lille sjov ting, jeg lagde mærke til: Nej hvor er Rose dog bare kræsen! Smag dog på tingene, pigebarn, før du rækker tunge og siger ad! Altså, jo jo, jeg kunne forstå dig hvis det var et eller andet, man aldrig har hørt om før (marinerede hænder eller andet sygt i den stil), men nu har man jo trods alt hørt om foie gras før.. Det er sikkert bare mig der er gammeldags, men altså ;)

Generelt synes jeg, at den her var bedre end etteren. Jeg har godt nok oprindeligt givet etteren en højere karakter, men ved anden gennemlæsning var jeg knap så begejstret. Jeg har bare et princip om ikke at ændre på karakteren. Nå, men, toeren var bedre. Der skete mere, der var flere problemstillinger og det var lettere at relatere (…hvis man da ellers kan tale om at relatere til overnaturlige væsner). Jeg er straks begyndt på bog tre, som jeg har rigtig høje forventninger til! Nu skal det være. Nu skal jeg videre i den her serie, kan jeg mærke! :)

[reveriesociety_]

I liked this one a lot more than the first. And YAY! Rose is maturing!

[Angie]

Frostbite is a sequel which is much stronger than its predecessor. While Vampire Academy focused on world building, Frostbite actually started establishing the overarching plot for the series. It also had its own self-contained plot which was much better than the first's. There are Strigoi out and about, and they've made their presence known by killing entire households full of Moroi and their guardians. Plus, they've gotten some help from humans, which means the Moroi are no longer as safe during the day. With the holidays upon them, the powers that be at St. Vladimir have decided to send all of the students away to an exclusive ski resort to get away from danger and to be with their families. Of course, this doesn't stop certain teenagers from sneaking away and trying to prove themselves in the real world...

The author does a great job of recapping what happened in the previous book at the start of Frostbite. There's a really annoying prologue in which Rose goes over everything that went down. This is actually great if it's been awhile since you read the first book, or just don't have a good memory, but if you've read it recently, it's okay to skip over. In addition to this, there are little bits of recap scattered here and there, which are actually enough without going overboard, and make the prologue unnecessary.

Like I said, Frostbite sets up for the bigger picture of the series which is not only the looming threat of Strigoi, but the tension between Moroi (especially the royals) and the Dhampir (specifically, guardians). With the Strigoi organizing into large groups and getting humans to do their dirty work, more vampires are being killed than ever. Moroi are already a diminishing race, but there still aren't enough guardians to protect them all. Some think that Moroi should be taught to fight and learn to use magic offensively, while those opposing believe that they need the teens to graduate earlier and that the dhampir women--who have chosen to raise families--should be brought in and trained as guardians. It's a big mess, with everyone arguing instead of actually doing anything. No wonder under-trained teenagers take off to kill Strigoi on their own.

Frostbitee is also where we meet one of my favorite characters, Adrian Ivashkov. I am firmly on Team Dimitri, but I still adore Adrian. He may be a royal from the most prestigious family, but he still does his own thing. He's kind of a bad boy, but not really. He's just...Adrian. All of his scenes made me smile. But he still does not come close to Dimitri who made my cheeks hurt from the huge grins he caused! I love, love, love Rose and Dimitri together! I cannot get enough of them! Even when they're not doing anything particularly romantic, I still love how they interact. They're just amazing and meant for each other.

Speaking of the men of Frostbite, I have to mention Mason. He's such a sweetie and he's funny. I really enjoyed getting to know him better (again) in this book, and the way Rose treats him really upset me! She's not a bad person, and I actually found their odd relationship quite realistic, but still. He deserved so much better than than! And that ending! Nooo! How could I have forgotten that happened?!

So Frostbite is a winner in my book, for the second time. If you struggled with the first book, or found it incredibly shallow (which it kind of is), I'd highly recommend giving this one a try. It expands on the world introduced, but it takes on a darker tone as the actual problems come to the front. The plot doesn't really start until the halfway mark, but it's still enjoyable before then. However, this series does get better and better!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[nitzan_schwarz]

2013 cleaning my shelves challenge