Review: LAST SACRIFICE (By: RICHELLE MEAD)

Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razor Bill (Penguin)
Published on: December 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover 
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

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Anyone who knows me clearly recognizes my obsession with Richelle's Mead Vampire Academy Series. I was new to the series this summer and quickly read the first 5 novels with mixed emotions. I was elated, depressed, heartbroken, and grieved on more than one occasion. Richelle was able to make me laugh and a chapter later, make me cry. To say that I was patient awaiting the release of Last Sacrifice would be a total fabrication of the truth. I was actually a mess anticipating the last release in Rose's story –– screaming was had and shaking ensued when I found the novel released early. It is also no shock that I am completely, head heels in love with a fictional character. Richelle Mead has forever ruined men for me in her characterization of Dimitri. He is my ultimate!

With that said, let me begin with my first review in months with Last Sacrifice. The novel was more than I could have ever expected or asked for. I find Richelle is not afraid to take daring chances and often do something to completely surprise her readers; this novel is no exception. I'm sure some will say it was predictable and others will be  either dearly upset with the outcome or jumping for joy –– inevitable with such strong Team Dimitri and Team Adrian followings. As the novel progressed, I thought I had it all figured out, but boy was I wrong! Through plot, characterization, and suspense, Richelle is able to keep a hold of her reader in the most gripping and alluring way. Once you begin reading you will find it rather hard to put the novel down. 

Our heroine Rose must endure more obstacles in her course to protect Lissa and clear her own name. We have never seen Rose content and relaxed, which is something I'm glad did not change. She is always on the move. May it be to save the Academy from a Strigoi attack, fly around the world to Russia to kill the love of her life, or on the run as a convicted Queen killer, she is always taking action. We are given a strong heroine lead who is tough, smart, and beautiful both inside and out. Although, there are those moments where you want to scream at her. This, however, does not change the fact that Richelle has created a girl that females will be able to bond with, cry with, laugh with, and love with. Her heartbreak and raw emotion is absolutely real, drawing you into the novel and Rose's world. 

Most of the time we are brought with Rose into her dreams where we get glimpses of Adrian and then Lissa through their bond. I loved the dimension of all the characters and how they all have layers to them. Not one character is easily readable or plain. Each character brings something new and unique to the story line, keeping the reader on their toes. 

Of course the dynamics between Rose, Dimitri, and Adrian are strong. Mead conveys the impossibility of choosing between two loves, as Rose undergoes both physical and mental tests of the body and heart. How does one choose between two guys, who in juxtaposition with one another, each appeal to Rose in very different ways? I will say that the love triangle is resolved in the novel, but I will not say with who Rose chooses , or if she chooses anyone at all. However, I will highlight the fact that Richelle Mead has been able to create two guys that I adored (even if Dimitri has my heart). Usually in a novel where the main female protagonists finds her heart torn in half by two men, there is a strong dislike for the other guy. In Last Sacrifice you really like both Adrian and Dimitri. I would like to hear someone argue against that point. They both have little quirks about them that are frustrating, and you can feel Rose's utter annoyance at times with both men. Their complexities are drawn out so well however, that it is difficult to actually dislike them as individual men outside of the Rose bubble.

Last Sacrifice was a fantastic end to an enthralling and compelling series, where both mind and heart are heavily involved in Rose's search for freedom, guardianship, friendship, and ultimately love. Mead did an exceptional job tying up the series and leaving things open for the spin-off series Blood Lines.

If you have yet to read the series or have yet to pick up your copy of Last Sacrifice, I highly suggest you do both and soon! Christmas is coming... what a fantastic gift idea for either yourself or for someone who is missing out on an emotional roller coaster of awesomeness!

-Ashley