Review: Blood Promise, A Vampire Academy Novel

Blood Promise

Richelle Mead

Copyright 2009, Razor Bill

Wow. I mean really, just wow. In the books leading up to Blood Promise I've told you I've experienced some major emotions and I'd be lying if I said those emotions were anything stronger than ever. All the things Mead has you feeling in every other book are intensified by a million. The love and pain you feel in losing Dimitri is only amplified by having to finally kill him - releasing his soul and all the claim he has to this earth. Could you look him in the eye and do what you promised his former self, would you hesitate looking for a way to memorize him, could you be calculated enough to do it first and think second? How would you even know to find him? I can't imagine what Rose has to do and yet I know as well as she does that it's what needs to be done. She has to go, she has to leave Lissa and the academy behind to end Dimitri's suffering.

While she's gone Lissa is suffering too, first being hurt by Rose's leaving and then later without even noticing. New-comer Avery has stepped up to the plate and is doing everything she can to take Rose's place - even in Adrian's heart. It's hard not to feel for Adrian, he's becoming so compassionate and steady. He always seems to be there for everyone, but Rose can't have that distraction - she's got to get the job done.

We're introduced to more Belikov's and a mysterious man named Abe that scares the heck out Rose. Even an alchemist joins the party, creating even more options for possibilities and creatures than I'd expected. I can't believe I put off on these books for soo long fearing it was "just another vampire book" - it's so much more than that.

I can't explain the sincerity of every aspect of these books. They go far beyond a "vampire" book. They transcend "love story." Mead hits real life issues like cutting, depression, pressure, drug use and even parenting. It's amazing to me that she can teach us so much with a handful of characters. We can both love passionately and hate just as equally the same character at the same time. As I head off for book 5 of 6 it's with longing and a sense of dread. I love them, I love their world and I don't want to leave them! But alas, I can't fight it. I simply must see what happens. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to Spirit Bound! See you soon, no doubt!!