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beaktastic's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! What a book! Full of action and exciting twists!
Spirit Bound continues shortly after where Blood Promise left off. Rose is about to take her final trials to become a Guardian, and she and Lissa are dreaming of life after St. Vladimir's and the adventures that await. Or Rose would be if her Strigoi ex-lover Dimitri, weren't sending her creepy and threatening letters, promising to find her when she leaves the safety of the Academy. But Rose has a sliver of hope that she may be able to save him, but to do so she'll have to trust one of her worst enemies...
This was a great book. After the average-ness of the previous book, this one did not disappoint. It was full of action, intrigue and mystery, and I was never 100% sure what was going to happen next. A LOT happened in this book, as Mead is obviously having to start to tie up or get ready to tie up loose ends with only one more book in this series to go.
I was not expecting the twists right before the end of the book But not all twists were new, as I did predict that Also, how glad am I that .
Overall, this was a great book, full of twists and turns and I can't wait to get stuck into the last book in the series!
Spirit Bound continues shortly after where Blood Promise left off. Rose is about to take her final trials to become a Guardian, and she and Lissa are dreaming of life after St. Vladimir's and the adventures that await. Or Rose would be if her Strigoi ex-lover Dimitri, weren't sending her creepy and threatening letters, promising to find her when she leaves the safety of the Academy. But Rose has a sliver of hope that she may be able to save him, but to do so she'll have to trust one of her worst enemies...
This was a great book. After the average-ness of the previous book, this one did not disappoint. It was full of action, intrigue and mystery, and I was never 100% sure what was going to happen next. A LOT happened in this book, as Mead is obviously having to start to tie up or get ready to tie up loose ends with only one more book in this series to go.
I was not expecting the twists right before the end of the book
Spoiler
with Tatiana's murder! Ah! Although I did think something would happen when Rose shouted about how Tatiana would regret what she had done and stuff, but murder!? And who has framed her? I literally have no idea.Spoiler
Lissa would have a half-sibling. Too much emphasis on the last Dragomir stuff and that she needed 1 more member in her family to take her Council seat and stuff.Spoiler
Dimitri is a dhampir again! Yay! Although I'm sad he's pushing Rose away, they're obviously meant to be, although I feel bad for Adrian tooOverall, this was a great book, full of twists and turns and I can't wait to get stuck into the last book in the series!
abigailaustin's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this is the best one in the series so far imo
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
I do get the feeling it’s going downhill a bit :( first half was good, second half was a bit slow, a lot of out there stuff happening. I don’t know, I’m sort of torn, I’m thinking a little more critically about it but like it’s still good enough and I enjoy it. Adrian is great, although we know I hate a love triangle. I think they’re just not at the academy any more, it is vampire academy, it just can’t be as good. Anyways, excited to read the last one! I definitely wouldn’t have predicted I’d enjoy some random vampire books this much (although of course I should’ve trusted the recommendations of my beloved cousins)
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Fifth in the Vampire Academy urban fantasy series for young adults.
My Take
Ya know, I do appreciate Rose's spirit and her desire to fix things. Now, if she can only live long enough to gain some maturity, she'll be a force for good. She keeps doing all these irresponsible things. She's brash, she doesn't think. Part of me wants to toss her in jail myself. All she can think of is me, me, me. If Rose can be satisfied and catered to, that's all that is really important. Smack her!!
Then again, the old guard does need things shaken up.
The Story
After Oksana and Mark's revelation about their belief that something can be done with Spirit to return life to a Strigoi, Rose is determined that Victor Dashkov will tell her how it's done. There's just one problem. Dashkov is in a maximum security prison. And Rose has to break him out.
Luckily, the trio manage to get to Las Vegas and see Robert Dashkov before all hell breaks loose and Victor escapes. They also manage to cover up their involvement in his prison breakout although Rose and Eddie still end up with a long punishment detail. Through it all, Dimitri continues to track and threaten Rose's life.
In the meantime, the Moroi council drops the age for dhampirs to graduate to 16; the queen has used Rose's testimony and her high combat grades to justify throwing these children into the trenches and someone uses other testimony from Rose to get her accused of regicide. And the evidence is stacked heavily against Rose.
The Characters
Rose Hathaway is a dhamphir who has just graduated from St. Vladimir's along with Lissa Dragomir the last royal Dragomir of her lineage. Janine Hathaway is her mother and a famous dhamphir. Abe Mazur is her father and a feared Moroi with a lot of influence all over the human, Moroi, and dhamphir worlds. A bit of a pirate.
Adrian Ivashkov is a royal Moroi and in love with Rose; Rose has promised to commit to being his girlfriend. Adrian may have some concerns now that Abe is threatening him if he should hurt his little girl. Daniella and Nathan Ivashkov are Adrian's parents whom Rose meets when he takes her home for dinner. And parties and funerals. Daniella has a very unexpected attitude about Adrian dating Rose; one that seems to be shared by the queen. Dimitri Belikova is the dhamphir Rose loves but he was turned Strigoi when the school was attacked in Shadow Kiss.
Christian Ozera was Lissa's boyfriend. During this period, he and Rose became friends. Tasha Ozera is his aunt and a strong proponent of teaching Moroi to defend themselves. Jill Mastrano is a younger student whom Christian has been tutoring in the use of her Moroi magic to fight the Strigoi. Mia Rinaldi is a former enemy and now a friend whom Rose turns to for help in breaking into Victor's prison. Eddie Castile is another graduating dhamphir who also ranked high; he's about to put it all in jeopardy for Rose.
Queen Tatiana is blowing hot and cold on Rose. It's enough to leave Rose wary and confused. Ambrose is the dhamphir who chose not to become a Guardian instead he's the queen's lover and he brings Rose a note from the queen. One that explains her reasoning for the 16-year-old rule. Rhonda is Ambrose's Moroi aunt who tells fortunes. Mikhail Tanner is the Guardian on duty when Rose breaks in to the archives. He sympathizes with her goal for he had loved Ms. Karp, another spirit user who went mad and chose to become Strigoi to avoid the insanity. Victor Dashkov is a former royal Moroi convicted of abusing Lissa in Vampire Academy. He is Rose's only route to get to his brother Robert who knows how to bring a Strigoi back.
Hans Croft is the Guardian in charge at the Royal Court. Sydney the Alchemist pops in to throw a wrench into the works.
The Cover and Title
The cover is consistent with the earlier ones. A black wrought iron gate with the "VA" initials and the oversized profiles of Adrian and Rose. Adrian bending to kiss Rose as she turns her head away. A very accurate portrayal of Rose's treatment of him.
I think the title hints at Dimitri's condition at the end of the story. I think he's Spirit Bound to Lissa and no one yet knows.
My Take
Ya know, I do appreciate Rose's spirit and her desire to fix things. Now, if she can only live long enough to gain some maturity, she'll be a force for good. She keeps doing all these irresponsible things. She's brash, she doesn't think. Part of me wants to toss her in jail myself. All she can think of is me, me, me. If Rose can be satisfied and catered to, that's all that is really important. Smack her!!
Then again, the old guard does need things shaken up.
The Story
After Oksana and Mark's revelation about their belief that something can be done with Spirit to return life to a Strigoi, Rose is determined that Victor Dashkov will tell her how it's done. There's just one problem. Dashkov is in a maximum security prison. And Rose has to break him out.
Luckily, the trio manage to get to Las Vegas and see Robert Dashkov before all hell breaks loose and Victor escapes. They also manage to cover up their involvement in his prison breakout although Rose and Eddie still end up with a long punishment detail. Through it all, Dimitri continues to track and threaten Rose's life.
In the meantime, the Moroi council drops the age for dhampirs to graduate to 16; the queen has used Rose's testimony and her high combat grades to justify throwing these children into the trenches and someone uses other testimony from Rose to get her accused of regicide. And the evidence is stacked heavily against Rose.
The Characters
Rose Hathaway is a dhamphir who has just graduated from St. Vladimir's along with Lissa Dragomir the last royal Dragomir of her lineage. Janine Hathaway is her mother and a famous dhamphir. Abe Mazur is her father and a feared Moroi with a lot of influence all over the human, Moroi, and dhamphir worlds. A bit of a pirate.
Adrian Ivashkov is a royal Moroi and in love with Rose; Rose has promised to commit to being his girlfriend. Adrian may have some concerns now that Abe is threatening him if he should hurt his little girl. Daniella and Nathan Ivashkov are Adrian's parents whom Rose meets when he takes her home for dinner. And parties and funerals. Daniella has a very unexpected attitude about Adrian dating Rose; one that seems to be shared by the queen. Dimitri Belikova is the dhamphir Rose loves but he was turned Strigoi when the school was attacked in Shadow Kiss.
Christian Ozera was Lissa's boyfriend. During this period, he and Rose became friends. Tasha Ozera is his aunt and a strong proponent of teaching Moroi to defend themselves. Jill Mastrano is a younger student whom Christian has been tutoring in the use of her Moroi magic to fight the Strigoi. Mia Rinaldi is a former enemy and now a friend whom Rose turns to for help in breaking into Victor's prison. Eddie Castile is another graduating dhamphir who also ranked high; he's about to put it all in jeopardy for Rose.
Queen Tatiana is blowing hot and cold on Rose. It's enough to leave Rose wary and confused. Ambrose is the dhamphir who chose not to become a Guardian instead he's the queen's lover and he brings Rose a note from the queen. One that explains her reasoning for the 16-year-old rule. Rhonda is Ambrose's Moroi aunt who tells fortunes. Mikhail Tanner is the Guardian on duty when Rose breaks in to the archives. He sympathizes with her goal for he had loved Ms. Karp, another spirit user who went mad and chose to become Strigoi to avoid the insanity. Victor Dashkov is a former royal Moroi convicted of abusing Lissa in Vampire Academy. He is Rose's only route to get to his brother Robert who knows how to bring a Strigoi back.
Hans Croft is the Guardian in charge at the Royal Court. Sydney the Alchemist pops in to throw a wrench into the works.
The Cover and Title
The cover is consistent with the earlier ones. A black wrought iron gate with the "VA" initials and the oversized profiles of Adrian and Rose. Adrian bending to kiss Rose as she turns her head away. A very accurate portrayal of Rose's treatment of him.
I think the title hints at Dimitri's condition at the end of the story. I think he's Spirit Bound to Lissa and no one yet knows.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
Started December 14th, 2013.
This is my 89th book this year, and while I would guess to finish it before the year turns, it looks as if once again I will not reach my goal of 104 book/year (2 per week). Oh, well.
A few turns I did not see coming, another I guessed wrong - the Queen justifies a certain law, I guessed, they would built little groups of Guardians as kill-treams to seek out Strigoi and kill them. Well this did not happen, instead the law is as bad and as controversial, voted into law with one vote missing for a majority decision ... .
In the end it is unclear wether that matters.
A bad turn of events lead up to a cliffhanger which - unlike the other books in this series - does not close the main story but seamlessly continues in the next book, also the last in the series: [b:Last Sacrifice|6527740|Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, #6)|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1319850978s/6527740.jpg|13385418].
Do not dare to read to the end without instant access to Last Sacrifice.
Highly recommended,
This is my 89th book this year, and while I would guess to finish it before the year turns, it looks as if once again I will not reach my goal of 104 book/year (2 per week). Oh, well.
A few turns I did not see coming, another I guessed wrong - the Queen justifies a certain law, I guessed, they would built little groups of Guardians as kill-treams to seek out Strigoi and kill them. Well this did not happen, instead the law is as bad and as controversial, voted into law with one vote missing for a majority decision ... .
In the end it is unclear wether that matters.
A bad turn of events lead up to a cliffhanger which - unlike the other books in this series - does not close the main story but seamlessly continues in the next book, also the last in the series: [b:Last Sacrifice|6527740|Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, #6)|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1319850978s/6527740.jpg|13385418].
Do not dare to read to the end without instant access to Last Sacrifice.
Highly recommended,
phoenix2's review against another edition
2.0
Spirit Bound was an okay read. Picking up the series after a long long time of having them selved for a few years now. I remember a few of the events that took place in the last (fourth) book that I've read and I also remember that I didn't exactly loved it.
Here, in this one, the story picks up after Rose was back to the Academy and she was trying to make her crazy idea come true: save Dimitri by "unmaking" him from Strigoi. The start was okay, even though the events that kept happening, as many reviewrs pointed out before me, were too conviniently and easily resolved, with no real concequences for anyone involved. Action picked up in the second half, however, there were a few things that were just too annoying to handle. First of all, Rose was way too endeering. She was okay at first, but she got worse and worse as we got closer to an end. Not that I'm a fan of the ship Adrian-Rose, but she just kept leading him on, even though she knew that she only wanted Dimitri and him alone. But, the thing is, Dimitri didn't want her back!! He kept telling her so, but she was so tiringly incisting on getting back together with him, ignoring A) him begging her to stay away, B) everyone advising her against it and C) her having a boyfriend. At some point, it was obvious that she was only using Adrian for her own means. Actually, she kept using everyone aroung her in order to get what she wanter. At least her relationship with Lisa was back on track and we got to see some girl action. So, yes, Rose was one of the reasons why I didn't enjoy the book. Also, the fact that things got repeated over and over again to fill (I guess) the pages, did not help either.
Now, for the enjoyable parts of the book! Lisa is one of my fav characters and here, she had some space to be able to shine. However, I do feel like she is written as a character who is too weak to do something on her own. She is, nevertheless, a delight to read. My second fav character, Cristian, had his moments here as well, and his relationship with Lisa was a treat to read. However, the conclusion of the whole drama was a let down: too rushly written and just unsatisfying. Adrian, too, had some bright moments, but not too much "page time".
Here, in this one, the story picks up after Rose was back to the Academy and she was trying to make her crazy idea come true: save Dimitri by "unmaking" him from Strigoi. The start was okay, even though the events that kept happening, as many reviewrs pointed out before me, were too conviniently and easily resolved, with no real concequences for anyone involved. Action picked up in the second half, however, there were a few things that were just too annoying to handle. First of all, Rose was way too endeering. She was okay at first, but she got worse and worse as we got closer to an end. Not that I'm a fan of the ship Adrian-Rose, but she just kept leading him on, even though she knew that she only wanted Dimitri and him alone. But, the thing is, Dimitri didn't want her back!! He kept telling her so, but she was so tiringly incisting on getting back together with him, ignoring A) him begging her to stay away, B) everyone advising her against it and C) her having a boyfriend. At some point, it was obvious that she was only using Adrian for her own means. Actually, she kept using everyone aroung her in order to get what she wanter. At least her relationship with Lisa was back on track and we got to see some girl action. So, yes, Rose was one of the reasons why I didn't enjoy the book. Also, the fact that things got repeated over and over again to fill (I guess) the pages, did not help either.
Now, for the enjoyable parts of the book! Lisa is one of my fav characters and here, she had some space to be able to shine. However, I do feel like she is written as a character who is too weak to do something on her own. She is, nevertheless, a delight to read. My second fav character, Cristian, had his moments here as well, and his relationship with Lisa was a treat to read. However, the conclusion of the whole drama was a let down: too rushly written and just unsatisfying. Adrian, too, had some bright moments, but not too much "page time".
readercasey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5