"It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.""But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…"
A posh winter wonderland get away with the irresistible Dimitri, the hot headed Rose, her royal and loyal friend Lissa, and her steamy boyfriend Christian Ozera. Throw in the mix Roses hard hitting mother, Janine, and unexpected Strigoi attacks and you have your average get away for the students of St. Vlads. Frostbite the second book in the Vampire Academy series, was a steamy edition to an already seductive series, and well worth the slow parts within the novel. It had drama, romance, and a surprise ending that will make the strongest of us shed a tear.
The story picks up right where it left off in Vampire Academy, Christian and Lissa are together, Rose is pining away for the unattainable Dimitri, and with the pass Strigoi attack its time for the students to travel to the luscious Idaho resort where this years ski trip is mandatory. While there we get introduced to some fantastic new characters including Janine Hathaway, Rose’s legendary although absent mother; Tasha Ozera, a potential match for Dimitri; and more of Adrian Ivashkov, who has a special interest in Lissa, and if Rose tags along to their meetings he isn’t going to complain (hehe).
I was pleasantly shocked with this second installment in the series. Usually I have issues with second books in series because they either feel like filler books, or nothing gets progressed with the storyline and we get left feeling empty and annoyed. But Frostbite was totally different in the aspect that the storyline progressed drastically, there was some kick ass fight scenes, the ending was tragic and befitting and of course there was more of Dimitri and Adrian – who doesn’t want more of those two! I did find Rose to be whinier than in Vampire Academy, but in the end she did restore her “awesomeness” and showed intense maturity and strength.
My most favorite part of the book was also the most tragic part. Throughout the entire novel Mason, Roses friend, has a huge crush on her, and find themselves alone in quite a few situations but unfortunately Rose cannot think of anyone but Dimitri. Dimitri on the other hand seems to be crushing hard on Tasha Ozera (who I did not like at all! I found her irritating, and always in the way of Dimitri and Rose). The thing I found tragic about the situation is that Rose could have been happy with Mason but Dimitri is who she truly wants and is perfect for. Although Dimitri being himself cannot justify being with her and having a good conscious about it, so seeks someone he may want, but isn’t sure about. I am so in love with Dimitri and Rose’s relationship that Tasha and Mason got put into the “You’re In The Way!” category and I ended up not like them as much as I should have. And then with the ending, I was heartbroken to not know Mason on a more intimate level. I was so caught up with Dimitri and Rose that the other characters seemed dim in their light.
Although that being said, Christian, Lissa and Adrian finally find their voice in this novel! Christian definitely comes out of his shy and sarcastic shell to help Rose defeat an unexpected abduction of a group of students by a group of Strigoi, although still is as sarcastic as ever in the end. Lissa comes into her royal opinion and position more and more, and Adrian finds similarities and a connection with Lissa because of their unique gifts. Janine Hathaway, Roses mother, was a treat to read about as well. We definitely find out why Rose is so angry and hot headed when it comes to conflicts between Rose and her instructors or Rose and her mother. They are exactly the same! So talented, so strong, and both as stubborn as a mule! Janine and Rose’s relationship really does bloom in this book, although there are many tension filled moments, and temper tantrums as well. A touching moment although is when Janine gives Rose a Christmas gift, although ruined by Rose’s obnoxious comments still was sweet.
Overall, Frostbite was a touching and dramatic, fast paced read and definitely a perfect second installment to the series. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and Rose, along with Dimitri and Lissa all found out something important about themselves, making Shadow Kiss, the third book of the series, even more desirable to read. If you read Frostbite for one thing alone it would definitely have to be the dramatic changes we see in the characters. They grow together, fight together, cry together, and mourn the lost of one of their own together. Bonds are broken, and bonds are made, making Frostbite an irresistible read.
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