Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3)

by Richelle Mead

Intense. This was the best book yet. Dimitri and Rose's relationship develops further. I think the best thing about their relationship in this book is the way it develops over time. Too often in young adult fiction, well all romance fiction really, is that love is all insta. It's frustrating to read a couple that get together based on nothing but attraction, say they're in love and have no substance to it. The author portrays time well and the relationship develops slowly. Plus they're honestly friends. Christian and Rose become besties. I loved their whole total badass passage.

When we were almost to the other campus, I felt the weird nausea hit me. I called a warning to Christian, just as a Strigoi grabbed him. But Christian was fast. Flames wreathed the Strigoi’s head. He screamed and released Christian, trying frantically to put the flames out. The Strigoi never saw me coming with the stake. The whole thing took under a minute. Christian and I exchanged looks. Yeah. We were badasses.

Mead, Richelle. Vampire Academy Complete Series Books 1-6 . Penguin Random House Australia. Kindle Edition. There's lots of interesting developments regarding being shadow kissed and what that means for Rose's health. And poor Rose thinking she's going mad. She really struggles to contain it all. Rose is even more badass than ever. I loved every minute of it and flew through the pages. Although poor Adrian. He loves her so much and he has no chance. Fantastic book. 5 stars.