Review: Frostbite - Richelle Mead

...Winter break turns deadly

A massive vampire attack has put St. Vladimir's Academy on high alert.  With all the deadly creatures closing in, this year's trip to the wintery peaks of Idaho has just become mandatory.

But Rose Hathaway can't escape her (guy) troubles.  Her relationship with gorgeous Dimitri can never be and her closest friend has just confessed to his huge crush on her...

The glittering winter landscape may seem like the perfect hideaway - but Rose, and her heart, are in more danger than she ever imagined.

Vampire Academy Series:
Vampire Academy
Frostbite
Shadow Kiss
Blood Promise
Spirit Bound
Last Sacrifice

Visit Richelle Mead's website for more information

Review:
Frostbite is the second book in the series and I would strongly recommend you read the series in order starting with Vampire Academy.  Although I don't include spoilers for Frostbite in this review if you haven't read Vampire Academy yet you might not want to read any further.  I absolutely love this series though so I would definitely recommend checking it out if you haven't started reading it yet!

Continuing the story on from the end of the first book Rose and Lissa are still at St Vladimir's Academy trying to catch up on the work they missed while on the run for 2 years.  Rose is working hard with the help of Dimitri but things between them are strained since they still can't act on the feelings they have for each other.  She also has to deal with the realisation that her close friend Mason has feelings for her - they get on so well that perhaps they would make a good couple?

When a group of Strigoi attack one of the royal families Rose finds herself caught in the middle of the investigation.  It soon becomes clear that the attack was like nothing that they have ever seen before - the Strigoi are working together in ways that are previously unheard of and now pose a greater threat than ever to the Moroi.  Increased security measures mean it will be safer if the entire school goes on the annual ski trip - it will be easier for the guardians to protect everyone if they are all together.  But when some of the novices decide to take action against the Strigoi, Rose and her friends find themselves in a danger they couldn't even have imagined.

I loved Vampire Academy but enjoyed Frostbite even more.  We get to see quite a different side to trouble maker Rose - she still has a temper and her smart mouth will continue to get her in trouble but we get to see her do quite a lot of growing up throughout the book.  We get to meet her mother Janine and Rose has to start dealing with the issues between them.  Rose has also become more sensible and after events in the last book she is fully aware of the danger that the Strigoi pose to both the guardians and the Moroi.  She was already one of my favorite young adult heroines but I like her even more now.

We don't see as much of Lissa in this book but I'm enjoying watching things develop between her and Christian.  I think they make a great couple and I'm looking forward to seeing how things continue between them.  I also really liked Christian's aunt Tasha - another great female role model who has great kick ass potential that I'm fully expecting to see more of in the future.  Things between Rose and Dimitri may be difficult but I love watching them together, the attraction between them is potent but I find the fact that they are both trying so hard to do the right thing and stay away from each other intriguing - I don't think I could be that noble in their position!

Another new character who I'm not so keen on at the moment is Adrian but I have a feeling he is going to be someone with an important part to play in the future of the series.  I'm curious to see what will happen with him but I hope his character grows on me more than he did in this installment.  Let me just say prepare to be on the edge of your seat in the second half of this book.  When the main action kicks off I was having trouble reading fast enough - I just couldn't wait to find out what would happen and how they would manage to get out of the predicament they found themselves in.  You might want to have a few tissues to hand though as there are a few heart in mouth moments before you reach the end of the book!  I definitely consider this to be my favorite young adult vampire series and I would urge anyone who loves vampires to give it a try - I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Source: Library

Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
Darlyn and Books
So Many Books, So Little Time
Chrissie's Corner
Story Wings
I'd So Rather Be Reading
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.