Frostbite by Richelle Mead
(Vampire Academy, #2)
Genre: YA, paranormal
Format: paperback from Ruby’s Reads
Read: 8/17/2012 — 8/18/2012
In Six Words: Rose is bad ass and snarky!
Links
Richelle Mead — Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads
Book Order
1. Vampire Academy
2. Frostbite
3. Shadow Kiss
3. Blood Promise
5. Spirit Bound
6. Last Sacrifice
Why I Started Reading This Series
It probably surprises no one that this was a series I was encouraged to read. It seems that somehow a lot of series that I’m current in the middle of are all about people encouraging me to read them. Huh. Well, I loved the first book in this series, and so of course I had to continue with the second. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Frostbite. The second book in series often have a tendency to not be as good as the first, but Frostbite is so, so good. Maybe even better than the first.
Synopsis
Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…
It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…
-from Goodreads
Thoughts on Book 2
Do you know those books that pull you in, hook you, and, as soon as you’re finished, you need to pick up the next book in the series? Frostbite was exactly that kind of book. The love triangle (square/rectangle/trapezoid/diamond?) didn’t even bother me that much. It’s like a journey. Also, shut up. NO comments about that, please. I’m trying to be open minded. Also, Rose is learning. She is learning. It’s important to learn. Also, it’s a complicated thing, and sometimes I feel as confused as Rose. I’m choosing to believe this is the sign of a wonderful author.
I think one of aspects of this book that astounds me (in a good way) and that pulled me in so much was Rose’s journey as a character. She’s growing. It’s a painful and awful process (isn’t growing always difficult in some way?) but she is a fighter. And Rose grew a lot in this book. There were also some points raised that will probably be addressed in later books, and at this point I’m enthralled enough with Rose and what happens to her that I want to pick up the next book as soon as I finish this review. I like Rose. I think she is really stupid sometimes and makes impulsive decisions, but I want her to succeed. Team Rose!
The world is also fascinating. And things are HAPPENING. (Side note: do you realize I say this a lot about books? I think it’s my way of saying the plot was very entertaining without giving anything away.) The bad guys are getting baddier. The possibilities for getting killed are starting to add up. And I like where things are going because I don’t really know where things are going, other than getting bleaker. But the humor in this book also has me giggling, and that is a nice balance to the bleakness.
Love LOVE when a second installment is as good or better than the first, and Frostbite is definitely that. I look forward to the third book!
Other Reviews
Sarah (saz101)
Felicia
Natalie
TaraSG
Kelly
Smash Attack!
Sarah (saz101) September 10, 2012 at 12:29 am
“Also, Rose is learning. She is learning.”
YES! OMFG YESYESYES. Rose doesn’t burst into the world fully formed from daddy’s head… well… maybe mummy’s… if mummy is Mead… who’d probably be a FAR better parent than Zeus, but maybe I’m getting sidetracked a little.
YES! OH GOODNESS YES. One of the things I love most about VA is Rose’s GROWTH. Even when she’s being a twit, and I don’t LIKE how she’s growing, I LOVE her growth. And I LOVE the focus on a realy friendship, too. AND AND AND EEEEEEEEEEEEE! So maybe I’m really excited you’re loving this.
And I SOOOO agree that Frostbite is better than VA. I think the series truly, genuinely gets better as it goes along. LOVE ^__^
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 11:53 am
Sarah, I love your comments. Seriously. I do. They’re the best.
(I finished the third book recently and just about died at the ending.)
Sarah (saz101) September 10, 2012 at 11:57 pm
*HUGS*
OMFG. THE ENDING. RIGHT?! JKAFHDLJKFHADJDFA.
I will be VERY interested to see what you makle of Blood Promise. I love it, but it feels really different from the other books in the series.
But seriously.
The ending :(
</3
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 11, 2012 at 9:59 am
I decided to wait to read the rest of the series until I have all the books in front of me. Just in case I need to go from book to book without waiting.
Tina September 10, 2012 at 8:09 am
Fun review..:) I know this series is on the fence with so many, but I really loved it…:D The Cliffhangers were the best!! I think book 5 was my favorite.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 11:53 am
My goal is to get all the books in the series before I continue… I can’t deal with all those cliffhangers!
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal September 10, 2012 at 9:35 am
Things are HAPPENING! OMG! HAPPENING! I agree with you. I think this book was much stronger than the 1st. And they really do continue to get better and better. They’ll rip your heart out time and time again. *flaily flaily flail flail*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 11:55 am
Wait. My heart is going to get ripped out even MORE than the third book? WOE! *flaily flail*
Jenny September 10, 2012 at 11:36 am
YEAH! I love this series so much, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it Amanda! I love how much Rose grows throughout, that’s something I always look for in a series. If the protagonist refuses to learn as they go, I get bored and give up because I just can’t root for them anymore. Definitely not the case with Rose. Fantastic review!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 11:56 am
I agree. I think a series is so much better and entertaining when the main characters grows and changes. It’s something that propels the series forward. :)
Felicia September 10, 2012 at 11:38 am
The triangle didn’t bother me much in this series (oddly enough) because it might have been how different a person Rose was in each and every book. She grew so much and things HAPPEN! Oh boy do they happen :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 11:57 am
Yeah. I’ve finished the third book now. And… yeah. THINGS HAPPEN. Woe! WOE!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) September 10, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Glad you liked this one, Amanda! I really enjoyed the first 3 or 4 books in this series. I won’t spoil anything for you, though!
LOVE Rose … she’s such a great character!
I really need to start the spin-off series soon. :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Only first 3 or 4? o.O I finished the third recently, but I don’t want to continue until I have my hands on ALL of the books. The cliffhangers, I’ve heard, are terrible.
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) September 10, 2012 at 7:27 pm
I feel the same way. Cliffhangers suck.
And yeah … I can’t remember *which* book pissed me off, but I hope the spin-off series is different. IT MUST END BETTER!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Well, what happened at the end of 3 was pretty darn shocking.
Andrea @ The Bookish Babe September 10, 2012 at 9:26 pm
I loved this series so, so much. VA was good, but Frostbite was when I got HOOKED. Shadow Kiss gave me the ugly cries. Rose infuriated me so, but she’s such a badass and usually admits her mistakes. She does experience tremendous growth and hey, she’s a teenager!
Great review, Amanda. I’m glad you liked Frostbite. ;-)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 10, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Yes, Andrea, YES! I completely agree with you. I think the only difference is that Shadow Kiss didn’t make me cry (but perhaps only because I was too busy being shocked and wondering WTF just happened).
Kristin @myparahangover September 13, 2012 at 11:49 am
Errr, shhhhh… I haven’t read this yet. Someone once told me the writing was juvenile so I kind of put it by the wayside. So it hooked you, huh? Has you not minding love-polyhedrons (whatever that is, spell check let it thru, though).
Adding first book to TBR right now. I’m sure I can get this at the library, no commitment involved. I’m so cheap…
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 13, 2012 at 12:18 pm
I doubt you’re alone. I don’t think that the writing is juvenile at all. And yes, it hooked me!
The library is the way to do it. I approve. (I am also very cheap.)
Smash Attack September 13, 2012 at 1:43 pm
These books are hella awesome! It took a few years for ppl to talk me into reading them. Heh. I see the cliffie at the end of the next book KILLED you. Ugh. It was so painful, as is book 4 in its entirety. :(
Rose, Christian and Adrian are my favorites in this series, but Dimka will not go unheard or unnoticed. His character is incredible in all the right ways.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 13, 2012 at 2:49 pm
I can’t imagine how book 4 could avoid ripping me to shreds. The ending of book 3 is… world altering (obviously more Rose’s world than anything else, but you know what I mean).
Jess @ Gone with the Words September 13, 2012 at 3:08 pm
I’m so happy you’re loving this series!! Rose is a fun character that sometimes made me want to shake her, but she grows with each book, which is awesome. Another issue I have with Rose is that she sometimes doesn’t realize that she uses people. Wow..the more I talk, the more it sounds like I don’t like her, haha, but I do. I think she’s badass…she’s just rough around the edges.
Also…the review of Shadow Kiss better have some Dimitri mentions!! :P
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 13, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Uh… Oops.
Jess @ Gone with the Words September 13, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Hahahaha Oh, well. At least Adrian made it in there. He sure grows on you, that one. ;)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 13, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Maybe Dimitri will get a mention for the fourth book? I’m thinking he kinda has to. Though I haven’t read it yet. I will, though.
Bianca September 15, 2012 at 1:28 am
This is one of my favorite series! So glad you are enjoying them :D Great review.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 15, 2012 at 10:01 am
I can see why it’s a favorite. :) Thanks, Bianca!
Alexa September 15, 2012 at 11:10 am
I need to read this seris already so my co-blogger Bianca can finally rest easy. I know she loves this series and considering you are loving it as well and well everyone else on the planet loves it I need to read it. The funny thing is that I have almost the entire series signed by the author and sitting on my shelf yet I have yet to dive in. I honestly don’t know what is wrong with me that I keep putting off these highly recommended reads.
I’m glad that you loved this one and now I need to read about Rose.
Thanks for the awesome review! I hope you love book three.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 15, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Book 3 killed me! Can’t wait for book 4 now. :)