Review--Frostbite

Frostbite is the second in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead and has quickly become one of my faves!

Now I know my previous post about the first one was pretty long and I apologize. I usually have a lot to say about a book that I love a lot! Of course it's hard for me to tell people about a book without giving away too many spoilers. Which I did leave out quite a bit about the end of the first book, but I didn't want my review to turn into a book report. So I left a lot of that out. As well as a few other things, like that the Academy runs on night time hours instead of daylight ones so that the Moroi won't get exhausted from the sun. Sunlight doesn't kill these vampires like it does in Buffy or other movies, it just weakens them. As a Dhampir Rose can handle it since she has human blood in her as well.

Moving on to Book 2 in the VA series, and there will be Vampire Academy (Book 1) spoilers so don't read this one unless you've read the first book.

Rose has got guy trouble (it says this on the back of the book too!), she still has strong feelings for Dimitri, and the spell that was put on the two of them to keep them from rescuing Lissa is still strong in her memory. As much as she tries to forget it, it is hard, especially when she works daily with Dimitri. She knows now that Dimitri has to feel something for her otherwise the spell wouldn't have worked, but he returns to being his stoic self.

Rose has matured greatly since book 1 and even Dimitri notices, although there are times when her maturity slips, like it does for all of us too!, making Rose a more believable character. People have flaws, it's a given.

It's near Christmas time at the Academy and families are visiting and among those families comes the guardians and one of those guardians is Rose's mother, the mother she hasn't seen in a VERY long time. Rose isn't connected to her mother in any real way. There is definite resentment there, for Rose feels like her mother just dropped her off to be rid of her at the Academy and Rose hardly ever hears from her mom like some of the other students hear from their parents.

But prior to this "lovely" reunion, Rose and Dimitri were supposed to go see another guardian for Rose to take a test of sorts, but when they arrive he is dead, along with everyone else in the house. The attack was brutal and it is soon discovered that humans are working with the Strigoi to attack other Moroi, most particularly royal ones.

Due to the recent attacks that pop up, the winter ski trip the Academy hosts is mandatory. Rose is looking forward to it somewhat, because it will allow her to relax with her friends. Although, she has been feeling neglected as Lissa spends a lot of free time with her boyfriend, Christian. Since Dimitri has shown no signs of affection towards her, besides one incident that occurs early in Book 2, which I won't mention in full, ;) Rose turns to Mason who has always been in love with her. She flirts with him more and more, but realizes that there is an empty feeling in her when she's with him. She still wants Dimitri, but Dimitri has been spending a lot of extra time with someone else.

There is also another Moroi vampire at the resort who has taken interest in Rose and partly Lissa. He says he needs to talk to Lissa, because they have something in common and he wants to talk to Rose, because there's something about her that he likes. He seems a bit....off, I guess you could say, but his character identity is revealed a little more as the chapters move on.

Rose also discovers more about her mother that she never knew before, changing their relationship. *Getting a little close to spoilers there, so I'm stopping at that issue*

Soon word lets out there are Strigoi in hiding nearby and 3 students leave the safety of the winter resort to hunt them. When Rose finds out about it, feeling gulity for taking part in the conversation that led to the students leaving, she seeks Christian's help in going after them.

But the students learn that they really weren't ready for battling the Strigoi, as Rose was trying to tell them, as Dimitri had told her, they have a lot to learn still. They end up coming face to face with the Strigoi which changes things for them.

There are quite a few surprises at the end of the novel, none that I can divulge you with since they would spoil the ending for you. But the second book was very-very good in my opinion. There were a few slow points, where there was more socializing happening rather than conflict or action, but it was nice to have those normal moments though, because it gave the story more believability.

Once again, incase this wasn't enough to give you an idea of what the story is about, here is what's on the back of the book:

When love and jealousy collide on the slopes, winter break turns deadly...

Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians--including the legendary Janine Hataway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad's holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safett. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose--and her heart--are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...