Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.
Showing posts with label Richelle Mead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richelle Mead. Show all posts

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Title: Frostbite
Author: Richelle Mead
Age Group: Teens
# of Pages: 327
My Rating: 4/5

The Strigoi has struck once again, killing another royal vampire family. Students and people of St. Vladimir's are freaking out, trying to grasp their heads around the insane situation. In order to take everyone's mind off the problem, they are taken to a luxurious ski resort.

Rose is able to enjoy the awesome ski hills and scenery. However, being a guardian means she mustn't be too relaxed. Things turned out for the worse when she discovered that three of her classmates decided to pursue the Strigoi. She must find a way to get them back before anything terrible could happen.

In this novel, we get introduced to a couple of new and important characters. They add a bit more complexity, especially when it comes to Rose because she gets some mixed feelings. Dimitri might like Tasha, who is Christian's aunt. This gets Rose jealous, which is completely understandable since she likes him but can not do anything about it because of their relationship. Her actions towards Dimitri felt completely real, even though it was somewhat rude. I like how her character is very diverse and her feelings are well explored. Another character that comes into scene is the mysterious Adrian, Lissa's cousin. I like him because he definitely adds mystery to the story and I want to see what kind of role he plays in the later novels of the series.

I come to like what had happened towards the end. I expected to be typical somehow, with Rose being trapped in a dilemma. However, it was drawn out realistically and it made the novel better. Although the characters were vampires, Mead shows that they aren't almighty and powerful as they are sometimes depicted to be.

Frostbite is a good read. I still don't find that the series is out of the world, but it's something that should be looked into at least once (especially for vampire novel fans). If you have read The Vampire Academy, I recommend trying out its sequel.

Review copy provided by Penguin Group (Canada).

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: The Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Age Group: Teens
# of Pages: 332
My Rating: 4/5

Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir are two best friends... and vampires. They were able to roam free among the humans for the past couple of years until recently. They are now forced back into St. Vladimir's Academy where they are to be among their fellow vampires again.

Since Lissa is a Moroi princess who has the power to use Earth's magic, she must be protected from the evil Strigoi. The Strigoi are vampires who turned to the dark side, unable to die. Rose acts as Lissa's guardian, always by her side.

Although the two are safe within the school's walls, there is something out there secretly threatening them. Lissa and Rose must stick together as dangerous obstacles come their way.

Originally, I wasn't planning to pick this series up. Ever. The vampire hype has die down (in my eyes) but I am still wary with most vampire novels out there since Twilight. However, when I received Blood Promise to review, I knew I had to start from the beginning.

Rose is different compared to most female protagonists I am used to. She is fearless and is a party girl. Lissa on the other hand is nice and understanding, although she is royalty. I admire their friendship very much because they are inseparable, even though their personalities are different.

The romance was not so bad either. I found that what they both experienced is reasonable and realistic. It was incorporated smoothly into the plot and it was not in your face like most stories that had romance in them. I wonder how it would work out between Rose and Dimitri, an older Russian vampire who trains her.

Overall, I found The Vampire Academy to be a pleasing novel that keeps the reader going. It is not uber amazing but it has a great start for a vampire series. I recommend it to all vampire and paranormal fans.

Review copy provided by
Penguin Group (Canada).

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