RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Published: 2016 (First published in August 16, 2007)
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Paperback
Pages: 483
“They say Dimitri is a god. Well I’m an Atheist.”
SYNOPSIS:
Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth’s magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires – the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa’s best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.
After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir’s Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger . . . and the Strigoi are always close by.
Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever . . .
THOUGHTS:
I never thought that I would pick this book up before, but I am obsessed now. I have already read the whole series a couple of years ago but I want to reread it again and review this book for my sake. I want my future self to know my thoughts about this book today.
Some may have a lot of prejudices about this book because it is about Vampires. But the magic system, the hierarchy of vampires and the politics of it all is fascinating. The world that Richelle Mead created would suck you into it while reading it.
The magic system differs from their bloodlines and what type of vampires they are. I am also fascinated by the different types of vampires: Moroi, Dhampirs & Strigoi. And even though you are from one type of vampire does not mean that you they would fall on black or white because there are also grays.
But to top it all off, even though there are romances in this book, the friendship between the two main characters is stronger than any other and that’s what I like the most about this book. The protagonists, Lissa and Rose, are the exact opposite of one another; one is a bad ass friend who would not think twice to get back on people who hurt you and the other is a caring, loving and kind friend.
Plot wise, given that this is the first book in a series, you would definitely see the world building. And because this is an Urban Fantasy book, it is not that hard to imagine the world that they live in because it is similar to ours. Like what I said earlier, I find the different kinds of vampires fascinating and also the politics and their magic system. And even though this is just the first book, you can already have an idea of what Lissa’s power is and how important it might become in the following books. And that plot twist? I did not expect that! And just when you thought it is over, it is not! I never really expected the villain to be who s/he is.
With regards to character development, as you read the book, you would notice how the characters developed and how the issues that arises in the story affects them. But what I like about Lissa and Rose is they know who they are. Unlike other protagonist who thinks that they are weak and the like, Rose and Lissa knows their strengths and weaknesses. And also, the sense of commitment and dedication that Rose has is admirable.
But other than the friendship, I am here for the romance. RoMitri forever. I guess I am just a sucker for the forbidden romance type of love. But who doesn’t love a slow burn romance? The just-be-a-couple-already type of relationship. If you like that kind of romance, strong female friendship and some snide remarks here and there then this is the book for you!
If you haven’t read this series or this book yet, do check it out. Don’t worry, only the covers are hideous and not the content of the book. But if you ever decided to pick this book up, pick up the 10th anniversary edition! There are a lot of short stories out there that would help you get to know and love the characters more (if you haven’t already after reading the book).
I don’t know if this is a book review of me telling people to read this book or maybe it is a little bit of both. Anyway, I am hoping to reread the rest of the series and write a review as well.
Till next time!
Maria❤
A Daughter of Parchment and Paper 