Product Description

Is Rose's fate to kill the person she loves most? It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since Mason's death, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She has dark flashbacks in the middle of practice, can't concentrate in class, and has terrifying dreams about Lissa. But Rose has an even bigger secret .... She's in love with Dimitri. And this time, it-s way more than a crush. Then Strigoi target the academy in the deadliest attack in Moroi history, and Dimitri is taken. Rose must protect Lissa at all costs, but keeping her best friend safe could mean losing Dimitri forever...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1084 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

From the Publisher
Praise for the Vampire Academy series

"Mead...weave[s] a unique and mesmerizing mystery with a whodunit ending that even the most skilled detectives will not predict...this little gem is sure to be a hit." --VOYA

"Teens able to handle to edgy elements will speed through this vamp story and anticipate the next installment." --Booklist

"In a world that seems saturated with vampire books, Richelle Mead has created characters and a world that is both unique and believable." --TeensReadToo.com

About the Author
Richelle Mead is the author of Vampire Academy and Frostbite. She lives in Seattle.

Customer Reviews

Up all night, disturbed and sad
I didn't want the book to end. But by the time I got to the end I was so drained, emotionally and physically (pacing around reading) I collapsed in a heap.

First of all is a change in Rose. Not only does she view her relationship with Lissa differently, she starts to question her purpose in life and the choices that have been thrust upon her. The life of a dhampir is one of duty and hardship. She'd always thought the only other choice was to be be a blood whore, so of course, being a guardian for her best friend, the Dragomir Princess was a better life.

But all that is turned on it's head when she discovers the true meaning of what it means to be Shadow Kissed. That it wasn't just a name given to St. Vladimir's friend and help mate, Shadow Kissed Anna, there was a more relevant meaning behind it.

With this knowledge and the disturbing presence of a lost friend, her life is in turmoil when it should have been smooth sailing with Victor Dashkov in prison and the trials going swimmingly for her.

Then comes tragedy. I can't write about it. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, I will say this though, I spent over half the book cringing at each page I turned, hoping that I was wrong, that Ms. Mead wouldn't do what I was terrified she would do in the end. So by the time it happened I was a mess; weepy and depressed.

I hate and love this book.

I can't wait for the next one, so addicted.

Adult audience worthy series...
A little background... I am in my mid 20's and a high school teacher who loves to read when I can but doesn't get much time to do it in. I picked up the twilight series a year ago at a students request and was pleasantly surprised. Once the series was finished I needed another one! Before Twilight I had not been into teen romance/ fantasy books especially with vampires and such. I saw a book-list of recommendations by Twilight followers and picked up the "House of Night" series by PC Cast. This was worth reading and I am waiting for the next book to come. My husband now calls me addicted to Vamps since I started looking for a new series to pick up. I was strongly recommended to pick up the Vampire Academy series by my 20 year old sister who has always been a fan of this genre of books.
Wow! I loved this series, I know I might get some backlash on this from serious twilighters out there but I would say this is a close second to twilight though it has a very different storyline/plot. I love the background Richelle Mead gives her characters even ones that don't seem to significant at first. Rose is an amazing self conflicted character to read about. A young but amazing heroine conflicted between her life duty/purpose to protect her best friend Lissa, a last in her family royal, or choose another "alluring" path. Rose is a woman coming into her own through the series having to deal with self conflictions while those around her often idolize her more than she likes. Oh, and the fact that there is a gorgeous & lethal male "mentor" named Dimitri in it doesn't hurt! In this latest installment things heat up between a few characters and hard decisions are made that will touch everyone in the long run.
I have enjoyed each of the books but "Shadow Kiss" is what I would call the best in series so far. It is longer, which is great for how fast I read, and for those of you who like a little adult content this book alludes to some in a tasteful way. This is the most "mature" book and has lots of action and some new characters who I find very interesting. I couldn't put this book down. I bought it the day it was released and finished it one day (reading in between classes and my lunch break). I love it when a book can grab me and by the end of the book make the story seem complete but at the same time still agonizing that the next book doesn't come out until late next year!

I hope this helps anyone looking into the series and if you already have read the first two there is no way you should pass this one up (as I said it's the best so far). Anyone out there who enjoyed the The Twilight Saga: Slipcased or Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) then I would highly recommend picking up the Vampire Academy series. I am not guaranteeing anything because as I tell my students "everyone has and is entitled to there own opinion", however I have run across students and adults alike who liked this genre and were not to impressed with Twilight but still found this series a great read. As I said before great for the teen as well as the adult in the family.
Best of Luck Book Hunting!

Best Book Yet, But Sad
This book was fantastic and devastating at the same time. The story is wonderful. Rose has matured immensely since the first book. She is also going through many disturbing things between being Lissa's shadow-kissed guardian, seeing ghosts and experiencing feelings that are not typically hers. This book is packed with intense action and romance. The love story between Rose and Dimitri takes a new turn and you really get to know Dimitri in this book. It was good to see him drop all his boundaries and finally start to really embrace the bond he and Rose have. This book ends in a huge cliffhanger. It was devastating to read but I think that Richelle Mead has some things up her sleeve. For the first time Rose puts herself first and I think it was a step she needed to take, for her and for her friendship with Lissa. I'm hoping to see some changes in Lissa as well in the next book. I like Lissa but found her to be a bit self-centered at times. I wonder what Richelle Mead has in store for us and how she will let this next book play out. I think this next book will send Rose on an adventure that will change many things. Rose may be a dhampir and have no "magical" powers but she is special and unlike any dhampir. Her connection to the world of the dead may prove to be stronger and more powerful then she thought. I also think her connection to dimitri, the love and bond they share may prove to be more powerful then either one of them realized. It is a magical world that Richelle Mead has created and I think anything could happen.