The Fight for Love

“You aren't afraid of throwing yourself in the path of danger, 
but you're terrified of letting anyone in.”

--Richelle Mead, Shadow Kiss

Genre: YA Paranormal

Publisher: Razorbill, 343 pages

Publication Date: November 13th, 2008

Source: Bought
Goodreads
Previous Books in Series:Vampire Academy & Frostbite

Goodreads Description

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all... might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line - and choose between the two people she loves most

My Thoughts

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD FOR ALL PREVIOUS BOOKS AND THIS ONE...IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IT WILL BE RUINED, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Wow...um...my heart is breaking. It might be broken. This book...oh my gosh, this book!!! Amazing. Heart-wrenching. Emotional. Beautiful. Agonizing. Amazing. Amazing again. This review will totally suck. I just don't think I can put into words how good this book is. Where do I begin?

Plot. Shit man, this Richelle does NOT mess around. SO much happens I can't even begin to wrap my head around everything. So Rose is still struggling with poor Mason's death. She gets her 6-week pseudo Guardian assignment and surprise! it is NOT Lissa. Oh I felt so bad for her! And of course, Rose took the news very well...yeah, right. She begins to see Mason as a ghost thus making her think she is going insane. We get to go to the Royal court of Moroi, meet the Queen, see Adrian flirt and pine after Rose (amazing), and it all culminates in one great, epic battle at St. Vladimir's for survival. 

But before we get to that...Rose and Dimitri. *tear* These two kill me. They are just so perfect for each other and so stubborn in their own morals and code of ethics. I both love and hate them for it. I love that they finally...FINALLY get their shit together and are able to actual express how they feel about each other. Oh my word, it is truly beautiful. They complete each other. They complement each other. They get each other. 

You guys, the ending of this book. I just can't. The battle, the way Rose fights, how Christian totally steps up his game and kicks major ass, Dimitri...well just being Dimitri, that badass, sexy, ass-kicking Russian. Drool. The rescue that ensues afterwards...Wow. Heart-pounding and anxiety-inducing does not even BEGIN to describe my feelings. I was a nervous wreck! And the end...THE END?!?!? Oh my gosh, that did not just happen...tell me that did not just happen...DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN?!?!? WHAT IN THE HOLY HELL IS THIS?!?

My heart...broke. I can just so understand Rose in those moments because that is something that will totally happen to me. Oh hey, you FINALLY found the love of your life, BUT OH WAIT! TURNS OUT HE'S HILTER REINCARNATE! a;lsekfja;sdlfkj

It broke my heart. I was a damned crying mess. It was just so poetically tragic that Richelle Mead might as well be Shakespeare for the ending of this book. I felt a little nauseous and I was definitely emotionally damaged after this. And the scene with Lissa and Rose...oh geez, twist the damn dagger Richelle, seriously. Lissa frantic and telling Rose how much she needs her broke my heart all over again. It is just so raw. While Lissa does her best to be strong in her own way and be there for Rose, she just isn't there yet. She still needs her and while I LOVE Lissa, I was so proud when Rose finally gave her the business and talked about how her whole life was all about Lissa. It's about time! This was a conversation needing to happen and I am so glad it did. It made the relationship and story so much more real.

The writing of this book is unreal. If you are not feeling the emotional plight and agony of these characters there is something seriously wrong with you. I know I am missing HUGE parts of the story I wanted to talk about but I cannot put into words any more how amazing this book is. Holy hell. The last line--killer. The foreshadowing from book 1 really kicks you in the face. I just can't get enough of these characters.

Should You Read This? I think the answer is pretty obvious at this point.