Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Filed in Review , Richelle Mead , The Latin Lover Posted on September 29, 2010 @ 12:57 pm 4 comments


Format Read: Paperback
Number of Pages: 336 pages 
Release Date: 16 August 2007
Publisher: Razorbill Publishing
Formats Available: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
Source: my personal library
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Razorbill Publishing, Amazon, Book Depository US, Book Depository UK

Book Blurb: 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 Hathaway… Rose’s formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks. This year, St. Vladmir’s holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. 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 heat-are in more danger than she ever could have imagined.

 

My Thoughts: Frostbite is the second book in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, and I couldn’t read it without comparing it with the 1st book.

Now that the readers were introduced to Mead’s original vampire universe in detail in Vampire Academy, in Frostbite Richelle Mead could concentrate on the plot and character development. The main mystery/plot line in Frostbite was the exploration of the threat the Strigoi constitute, which was only alluded to in Vampire Academy.

The setting is exciting: for Christmas holidays the school goes to a very exclusive and posh ski resort, where skiing, partying and other troubles ensues.

Rose is back with more problems than ever, though most of her problems in Frostbite are mainly those of a  normal girl her age: Lissa is forsaking her because she spends all her time with her new boyfriend, Christian, Mason (Rose’s best guy friend) is trying hard to become more than friends with Rose, Dimitri is still forbidden and still oh so irresisitible (but now there is also Tasha (the beautiful royal aunt of Christian) who is openly flirting with him, calling him by nicknames and who manages to make Dimitri laugh!), a new boy appears on the scene to whom Rose is unexplainably drawn and who is nothing but trouble (Adrian  Ivashkov), and if that wasn’t enough Rose’s absent mom comes to the school, and Rose’s abandonment issues are seriously wracking havoc. So as you can see, life without vampire threats is eventful enough for Rose.

At times I was feeling sorry for Rose, because she really had so much on her plate and noone she could confide in or just talk things through. And now I come to the point which enraged me in Frostbite: Lissa. I understand that she is vulnerable and there is an established dynamic between her and Rose where Rose does everything to take care of her and protect her, but the way she didn’t care for Rose in Frostbite made me so angry. Friendship should be about two people being attentive to each other, and I understand that Lissa not having the magical bond to Rose does not know of her moods and feelings from start, but that is why she should at least be attentive to her or talk to her! Rose needed a friend, and Lissa as her best friend was pretty much absent from the equation for most of the novel. She was neither there as emotional support nor as just a physical friend. It’s nice and good that she can always count on Rose, but I felt bad on behalf of Rose seeing that not only didn’t she get the same consideration, but not even the attention of an ordinary friend. Sure, so far Lissa has not proven to be such an interesting character, but as a supporting character she is Rose’s best friend and she didn’t live up to her role in Frostbite.

Mason, oh Mason. *sighs* If you have read my review of Vampire Academy, you know that he is one of my favourite characters (and if you have read the series I’m sure you understand why I love him 🙂 ). He is cute, thoughtful, caring and so helpful to Rose. He was adorable in Frostbite too, and not wanting to spoil anything at all, that’s all I’m going to say.

A new addition to the set of characters is Adrian, another spoilt, rich royal, who exudes power and charm, and who is very much interested in Rose. I have a feeling he will become a major character later on, and I can’t wait to read more about him, he is the type of exciting bad boy, that you know is dangerous for you but you are just addicted to the thrill 🙂

Besides Lissa, the others characters truly evolve in Frostbite, one of the major one of these character developments is that of Mia’s, I’m curious to see how and on which side she will end up in the next books.

All in all Frostbite was another exciting ride, Richelle Mead took her characters and us readers for a few spins, the plot was more complex and I definitely want more!

I give this book 4 bookies! (only because of Lissa and the ending of the Strigoi mystery)

 

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Stella


Stella is a proud bookaholic and a self-taught multilinguist in training. Besides reading, her other great passions are travelling and baking. When she is not globetrotting she lives in sunny Budapest, where she loves to spend her free time preparing (and feasting on) delicious cookies or devouring equally yummy books. Her favourite genres are urban fantasy and romance and she couldn't live without her daily dose of sunshine. Besides being the Latin Lover on BLI Stella also blogs about books and a bookish life on Ex Libris.

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4 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • brandileigh2003 September 29, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Great review!

    I really enjoy Adrian, he is one of my favorite characters!

    This is an amazing series!

    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

  • Savannah September 29, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    I love this series! Great review 🙂 I love Adrian. He is my fave character! I can't wait to read the final installment to see what happens between Rose and Dimitri!

    Savy

    Books with Bite

  • Beverly September 30, 2010 at 1:32 am

    I too love this series – I am glad that we start seeing more of Rose and Dimitri later on!

  • Jenny N. September 30, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    I've only read the first two books but I really liked this one.

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