Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, #6)

by Richelle Mead

[Angie]

After the intensity of the previous two and half books, Last Sacrifice was a bit of a disappointment. I still really enjoyed, but it wasn't quite as good as I think it could have been. As far as finales go, this one had a lot of build up, only to fizzle out in the end. Everything was dragged out overly nearly 600 pages, and then was wrapped up nice and neatly. I love happy endings, but I wish there had been more consequences for Rose to face rather than getting off scot-free.

Last Sacrifice does start off with a bang! Literally. There is an explosion. This sets the tone for the first part of book, which is very much an action packed, daring escape. Rose and Dimitri are like the half-vampire Bonnie and Clyde. Their lives are literally on the line, but they also have other problems to deal with. Eventually things do slow down as they're hiding out and coming up with a plan. Then things slow down even more, so Rose spends a lot of time using her bond with Lissa to watch what's happening at Court. It's mostly a lot of politics, like the upcoming election for a new king or queen. I ended up glossing over a lot of this, because it was boring the first time I read it and I didn't feel like doing it again. However, even from hundreds of miles away, Rose manages to shake up the election process.

Of course, Rose and Dimitri spend a lot of time together in Last Sacrifice. It was torture watching them be together without actually being together. Rose really is trying to get over him and move forward with Adrian, but obviously that is just not meant to be. I don't think that the romance was as strong in this one though. Rose and Adrian have some sweet moments together, but most of the dream meetings are focused on finding out who really killed the queen. Then Rose and Dimitri are running for their lives while trying to find someone who can be useful to Lissa, so they don't have time for any reconnecting. Until...things happen. I love them together, but I don't like what Rose does to Adrian. I love him to, and it was really thoughtless of her. At least he tells her off instead of just letting it go.

Rose saves the day and possibly the world, and lots of things change. Mostly for the better, despite all of the death, destruction, and heartbreak she's caused. I do think I would have liked Last Sacrifice a lot better if some things hadn't changed, so that Rose's life wasn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows. There's one thing in particular that happens, and the explanation for it is pretty flimsy. It's far too convenient. Anyway, this is still one of favorite series and I'd still read it again, although not in hardcover because my wrists are killing me!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.