Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Release Date – August 5, 2005
Publisher – Razorbill (Penguin Group)
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 503 pages
My Rating- 8/10
**obtained from the library**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

****WARNING! SPOILERS FOR SHADOW KISS!!!! RUN AWAY IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT ****

After the cliffhanger in Shadow Kiss I was eager to dive into this next instalment of the Vampire Academy series. I was breathless waiting to see how Rose would deal with Dimitri being turned Strigoi.

This book had a different feel to the previous novels in the series. I am not sure if it’s Rose is different, or just a shift in writing style, but it felt different. I almost look at the first 3 as one part of the story, with the next three being more linked together. The writing style is still gripping, and you are compelled right from the first page.

Rose has left school, and is on a quest to keep her promise to Dimitri. They had both said that would not want to live as Strigoi and she wanted to make sure he didn’t. The Rose we meet in this book is understandably broken, but focused and a little reckless. After three books with these characters we’ve come to care for them, and it was rough seeing Rose so lost. She’s cut herself off from everyone, and keeps tabs on Lissa by using the bond they share.

Lissa was slightly less likeable in this novel. She was missing Rose a lot and did things that are out of character for her. The fact that Rose and Lissa are not together really changes the dynamic of the book, and not for the better. I hope they stick together in the next books, because they do need each other.

Christian, as always, remains awesome. Adrian is really growing on me. I am at the point that if Rose can’t have Dimitri Adrian will be a suitable second choice.

Which brings me to Dimitri. Sigh….If I didn’t love him already. This new, Strigoi Dimitri is hotter in a way. It breaks my heart that he is this way though. I can’t say too much about how much interaction he and Rose have, but their chemistry is palpable.

We are introduced to some new characters as well. Dimitri’s large family, some new friends in Mark and Oksana. I really liked Mark and Oksana and think Rose and Lissa would have a lot to learn from them. I also enjoyed Sydney.

There are plenty of heart breaking scenes in this novel. Rose telling Dimitri’s family what happened to him comes to mind.

The ending makes you anxious to read the next book. It shows how far Rose is willing to go for Dimitri and I am curious to know how it’ll play out.

This series is one that can not be missed. Rose is an amazing heroine, and taking this journey with her has been spellbinding.