Frostbite: The Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead, Leigh Dragoon and Emma Vieceli

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 144pgs

The Story

The drama and romance continue in this 144-page full-color graphic novel adaptation of the second Vampire Academy novel, Frostbite, which was overseen by Richelle Mead and features beautiful art by acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli.

The Review

FROSTBITE is the second installment of Richelle Mead's bestselling YA series Vampire Academy, only, unlike its original book form, it is a graphic novel and one of the best I've read in graphic novels so far! So, if you're considering buying this graphic novel than I would strongly recommend that you read the actual book series prior to starting this graphic novel since some minor details are left out from the books in this rendition. Anyway, I absolutely loved the first Vampire Academy graphic novel released last year because it's yet another Richelle Mead creation being brought up onto the table and honestly who doesn't want more of Richelle Mead's VA world? I, of course, certainly want more of it and I adored this new book as it turns out!

There's just something special and so captivating in Leigh Dragoon and Emma Vieceli's work, and I love how much effort they have put into their own interpretations of the Vampire Academy world, not to mention in a much shorter form. For them personally, I think it would really tough in trying to create something where millions of readers are eagerly awaiting for their favourite YA series to turn into a graphic novel and I thought they did the best job they possibly could in doing so! While I had trouble in liking the depiction of Rose and Lissa's characters, since that's not how I imagined him, and even the really 'buffed-up' Dimitri was not my Dimka, however in this second piece of artwork of FROSTBITE, every other character has improved in the looks department and the scenery is just so beautiful and so much in detail . . . so once again a very well done job on the artist's part!

Now like most readers wanting to get their hands on this graphic novel right here, while Dimitri is in our mists and we love seeing any piece of nakedness coming from him, but what we were most looking forward to was seeing our chain-smoking, ridiculously-good-looking, witty-comebacking boy Adrian and once I saw his face come up onto the fine glossy pages . . . he was exactly how I imagined him in the books and boy was he handsome! And once you add the same scenes from the book - ones filled with action, romance and a lot of complications as expressed and remembered from the book series - and not to mention adding a very hot looking Adrian AND a smexy Dimtri . . . everything was just . . . AWESOME in this graphic novel! Absolutely everything!

Overall, the FROSTBITE graphic novel was more than I thought it would be and it will certainly not disappointed us obsessed Vampire Academy fans! It's fast-paced and gets straight to the itty bitty details that we so desperately want to relive from the book series, and I'm sure you'll want this baby up in your VA collection without a doubt too!

The Rating

5/5 stars

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 418pgs

The Story

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students - children of the wealthy and powerful - carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

The Review

THE GOLDEN LILY is the second installment of the Bloodlines series - a spinoff series of Richelle Mead's other YA series Vampire Academy, it picks up shortly after where the first book had ended. In this next sequel however, with the Alchemists being vastly impressed with the smart and sassy heroine Sydney Sage's work and dedication with the Moroi and Dhampir community, everything for once seems to get back to its original normalcy. But when her current mission is to continue in keeping the Moroi Queen's sister, Jill Mastrano, safe from assassination and when Sydney's relationship and sudden friendship with another fellow Moroi guy, Adrian Ivashkov, grows closer and deeper each day, Sydney soon begins to question everything she grew up with - the Alchemist's old but traditional ways of serving and even her own beliefs. And what's worse . . . something sinister is lurking amongst Palm Springs and it's up to Miss Sydney Sage herself to figure it out what this danger is before everything is all too late.

As a self-professed fan of Richelle Mead, both with her young adult and adult series, I'm very happy to say THE GOLDEN LILY definitely hit the mark, and I loved it as much as I loved the first book, Bloodlines. There's just something about Mead's writing that makes you giggle like a school girl and I have no clue whatsoever on how she does it again and again, but I love anything written by her - absolutely anything. As most of you know Mead's previous Vampire Academy series was my ultimate favourite book series in the YA genre but for some reason I found that I loved its spin-off series, Bloodlines, a hell of a lot more which continues to surprise me. So with an easy-to-follow storyline, plenty of twists and turns that await at every corner and with characters developed in all sorts of ways, it's no wonder why this series beats out Vampire Academy in a heartbeat. IT'S SO FREAKIN' AWESOME!

When it comes to Sydney Sage, I love her way, way more than I ever did love Vampire Academy's main heroine, Rose Hathaway. I still love our Rosa, don't get me wrong, but Sydney is just my kind of heroine, you know? For anyone who reads this book, using myself as an example, with Sydney's character alone you are always able to find something within yourself to relate to - both physically and emotionally -with Sydney and on a personal level too. And personally for me, Sydney and I couldn't be any more different. We're like the same person for the most part and I guess that's why I love her so much. We have this quirk about us where some may not quite understand at first. We have smarts about us and we don't care that we're geeky. We also love learning about new things and embracing that. We love books (c'mon who doesn't?). But what I identify with her the most, is that we are careful with who we trust and who we allow into our lives, and that's just something Sydney and I share with our common and almost-like second natures. From Bloodlines Sydney was just a girl who was closed off from the world and that's not such a bad thing . . . but all she needed to be opened up a little bit and in this sequel that's exactly what happened - she learned about herself, what she truly believed in, what she enjoys from her life and for once she knows who she trust! Even herself. There's such a brilliant development in her character and I swear I'll stop with the high praises right here and now because I could go on for hours with just how amazing Sydney is and what an inspiration she is to me - even for a fictional character.

As much as I love the secondary characters (including Eddie, Jill, Trey and heck even the okay-but-a-total-douche and newly introduced Brayden) and as much as I loved seeing appearances coming from Dimitri and Sonya which was a very exciting moment for me since you know how much I love, love, love Dimitri from the VA series, but let's go straight to the boy we just HAVE to talk about, that being Mr. Adrian Ivashkov. Oh boy oh boy. Adrian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally Adrian gets to play more of a part in the book and get close to our leading girl, Sydney Sage.

For a complicated character such as Adrian Ivashkov, I was really surprised by how much he has grown as a leading male character and unlike in the Vampire Academy series, where he was previously going out with Rose Hathaway and trying to impress her constantly, this time round Adrian is actually changing his ways for himself rather than forcing things that shouldn't be forced on someone as reckless as Adrian was back then. So, I really liked that change in him. Adrian has come a very long way in my books and when you overlook his gorgeous looks, his humorous witty banter (which hits every high note), and even his excuses in trying to be a bad boy that we know he can sometimes be, but deep down inside, Adrian is still a caring guy and he cares deeply for Sydney. You can just see right through him in this sequel and oh Adrian . . . *cue the infinite cries*

While the storyline was awesome and epic in all the right places, but really guys . . . it was Adrian and Sydney's relationship - their new friendship they have accumulated overtime - that was the only thing running through my mind at the time of reading this book. One of the elements of the book I just WANTED to read. C'mon . . . it totally was the only thing on our minds, right?! Adrian and Sydney would seem like the most unlikely people to become friends and share some conversations with, but where there are opposites there is also some attraction in the shadows and Team Sydrian totally had its steamy chemistry as we've seen in Bloodlines. There's this tango dance going on between both of these characters and I swear they will drive me to my own insanity one day. Sydney was so oblivious to Adrian and even the way she acted around him . . . gosh . . . it made me swear all sorts of things in the air.

And then there's Adrian . . . now he drove me right up the walls, what with his words of wisdom and the way he would always make himself excuses to spend some good quality time with Sydney . . . and to us readers it was SO obvious. Argh. You characters . . . you will be the death of me. And that ending . . . that ending scenes that I wanted so badly to happen and where it had finally happened and then torn me into little pieces . . . argh . . . Richelle Mead you are truly the Queen of all Evils in the writing world. Angst. So much angst people! *let's now cue the following gif of my current feels*

Overall, THE GOLDEN LILY was everything I hoped it would be, if not it was more than I ever saw coming in the Bloodlines series. With so much happening in so little time and with a book that is like riding an emotional rollarcoaster (one that will make you sick with heart failures, with some casual strokes and with some symptoms of running noses and red eyes from all that crying), I can definitely say without a doubt that readers will not be disappointed by this sequel and I'm so eager for the third book, The Indigo Spell, even if I'm fearful to read it as well. Oh man . . . that ending . . . THAT ENDING! Angst people. ANGST!

The Rating5/5 stars

Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen with Richelle Mead

Release Date: 22nd December, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 272pgs

The Story

Discover the history of St. Vladimir's Academy, explore the dark psychology behind Rose and Lissa's spirit bond, and find out even more illicit secrets about Moroi society. This ultimate guide will feature everything readers want and need to go even deeper into the world of Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice . . . every heartache, every betrayl, every sacrifice, and so much more!

The Review

If you're a fan of Richelle Mead's bestselling young adult series Vampire Academy, then this ultimate guide is a must-have!

Like you didn't already know, I'm a huge Vampire Academy fan. The series alone is written with pretty much everything you love, and within each and every book the plot unfolds with just the right amount of adventure, deceit, danger, and romance that sends all of Mead's fans into a wild frenzy. When I first heard about this book, I was pretty excited to get my hands on this ultimate guide considering it's written by Michelle Rowen, whom I've read a few books of hers, and it seemed like a sweet deal since little "secrets" of the VA world were to be released. I mean, it's another VA book! Unfortunately, it was a major disappointment to me.

The majority of the guide has about 75% or so of pointless recaps of each Vampire Academy book and most of the information I'd already known about. Kind of a bummer there you guys. Since remembering the books so very well, I didn't necessarily see why this book was needed. But I still bought it anyway and I'm still adding it to my VA collection. Despite the recaps, I did enjoy the character biographies featured in the guide, along with Richelle Mead's personal views on the whole Rose, Dimitri and Adrian relationships, and a couple of pages entirely devoted to the Guardian tattoo marks and elemental magics. That was a cool aspect to the guide.

For fans who love VA as much as I do, you will definitely enjoy this book. It may have been a disappointment to me - being a huge fan of the series and all - but since I own every single Richelle Mead book, it's a must to have sitting on your bookshelf!

The Rating

3/5 stars

Vampire Academy Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead, Leigh Dragoon and Emma Vieceli

Release Date: 23rd August, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 144pgs

The Story

After two years on the run, best friends Rose and Lissa are caught and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, a private high school for vampires and half-bloods. It's filled with intrigue, danger - and even romance. Enter the dark, fascinating world through a new series of 144-page full-color graphic novels. The entire first Vampire Academy novel has been adapted for book one by Leigh Dragoon and overseen by Richelle Mead, while the beautiful art of acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli brings the story to life.

The Review

Now it's no secret that I'm an obsessed fan of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, and of course, I'm also a huge fan of graphic novels. I know I'm such a geek when it comes to those two things. So when I found out that yet another Richelle Mead book series was going to be made into a graphic novel form - for those that don't know her Dark Swan series was also recently adapted into graphic novels and they were just awesome - I was really, really excited to see our beloved characters drawn onto full-colour pages.

First off, before I talk about the plot, I want to talk about the artwork itself. For those worried about how their characters will turn out, not to worry though because while a couple of characters were a little different to my own interpretation of them in my head . . . it was nonetheless an awesome graphic novel for those desperate for more VA action. For the past year or so I've been a fan of Emma Vieceli's artwork and followed her more closely as soon as I heard she was to be the illustrator for Vampire Academy, and I'm so glad she was chosen to undertake such a difficult task - you know, since this YA series has a huge following and all. There's no doubt that this girl has talent and the character designs were just phenomenal. The details within themselves were exceptional, and while the scenaries were beautifully drawn, but what I loved most was the raw emotion displayed on the characters faces. Especially when it came to Rose's humour and Dimitri's ever-so-seriousness.

Moving onto the storyline. Look when it comes down to it, not every single scene in Vampire Academy will make it to the actual graphic novel. While many loved scenes were not in the book, but a lot of fans like myself will recognise the most important scenes that were featured - one including a favourite scene of mine, that being the Rose and Dimitri 'bandage' scene which a lot of you will know about. So in terms of the plot, I thought Leigh Dragoon - the person in charge of putting the entire story together - did an amazing job in grabbing the most essential scenes and laying them out clearly for readers to understand what was going on.

Really, my only complaints about the graphic novel was Rose herself (not to mention her chest size) and a couple of other supporting characters. They were not how I imagined them to be, but everyone has different versions inside their heads but I still loved their character designs no matter what. Rose facial expressions were well captured and so damn classic. And MASON! What surprised me the most was that when I read the first Vampire Academy book I thought Christian was supposed to hot, but in the graphic novel form I thought Mason was way hotter than Christian. So kudos to Emma for drawing a very hot Mason for the world to see! *hugs*

In the end if you're a fan of Vampire Academy than I have no doubt in my mind that you will want this for your own personal VA addictive collection. Beautifully depicted with great action sequences, intimidate details, and a whole lot of epic fun and adventure, this graphic novel shall not disappoint you and you will fall back in love with this series. All I can leave with you guys is - beware of the half-naked Dimitri. I swear, fangals might have a heart-attack after reading this book and seeing his 'naked' side. Just giving you a heads up is all . . .

The Rating

5/5 stars

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Release Date: 23rd August, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 432pgs

The Story

Blood Doesn't Lie . . .

Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist - one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with her other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions and forbidden romance lurkk both outside - and within - the school grounds. Now that they're hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

The Review

A big thanks to Penguin for sending me a review copy of this book!

Vampire Academy is the only young adult book series that has made me completely obsessed and nothing can ever compare to its epicness. Honestly . . . truly. With Last Sacrifice being the end of Rose Hathaway's journey - a real sad moment for me and for many readers around the globe, I was extremely happy when it was announced that Richelle Mead was going to be writing a spin-off series and that Sydney Sage - a beloved supporting character of mine - was to become the next leading lady. And it would have Adrian in it. Adrian was another ultimate favourite character of mine and every girl will be pleased that we haven't seen the last of this broody, sexy, and perhaps 'damanged' boy. Though we love him for being damaged, that's part of his whole appeal isn't it?

After helping rogue dhampir, Rose Hathaway, evade justice being served, Sydney Sage is now in serious trouble with her fellow Alchemists. With her career tainted, to a point where everyone doubts her abilities and where it may result with her being brainwashed to hate all vampires again, Sydney has a lot to do before anyone can really trust her. The unexpected thing to happen to Sydney was to be woken up in the middle of the night to the news of posing as Jill Mastrano's (illegitimate sister of Queen Vasilissa) sister at a boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last place people would expect a Moroi vampire princess to be hiding at - you know, with sunlight and all. But when Jill's life is on the line, Sydney will have to do everything within her power to protect her, while keeping herself on track in proving herself to the Alchemists.

Unlike our beloved Rose and Dimitri main chracters, in BLOODLINES Sydney, Adrian, Jill, and Eddie are our leading stars of this next adventure. To be honest here: I loved BLOODLINES more than the first Vampire Academy book. I don't know why exactly but I think it's because I connected with the characters more, more so with Sydney herself. When it comes down to it, I'm more like Sydney - in terms of her personality and the way she see things in the world. Her maturity. Her knowledge. Her quirks. While Rose Hathaway was a kickass chick and I have her every wit to the bone, but Sydney seemed more like my kind of gal. And I love her for it. So, so much! Some people may think Sydney will never be Rose, but don't doubt this girl when she's in a fight or winning her way in an argument. She's a smart-mouth and totally kickass when she wants to be and I can't wait to see what she brings to the next sequel.

Now let's talk about Adrian. I know you're all dying here. The last time we saw Adrian we saw a guy's heart being broken into little pieces. But not to worry . . . he's coping. In his own way. In Last Sacrifice I was disappointed how he reacted with Rose but I'm finally glad to see my Adrian is back for the better. I love him more in this book compared to the Vampire Academy books and trust me when I say this . . . he's better off without Rose. He's a ray of sunshine throughout the book and whenever he's around Sydney - bantering like crazy or sharing little secrets between the two of them - he's just a whole bucket of FUN. Sure he's still mending a broken heart, but he never fails in making us laugh! So if you're worried about his character, rest assured he remains the same charming, witty, funny, sexy Adrian that we know and love. Despite his party boy ways, he cares a lot about the people around them, and it'll be interesting how his relationship with Sydney will develop. Same goes for Jill (who was a little annoying at times for her own good reasons) and Eddie. Oh Eddie I love you too! *hugs* And don't worry, you get to see some small appearances of other VA characters. Abe included, who is still a lot of fun to read about.

Now let's talk about the storyline itself. It was fast-paced, made you laugh, made you hang on the edge of your seat, and most importantly, it was so very entertaining! It didn't matter that BLOODLINES lacked in sexytimes - that being any romantic scenes - because who needs them when you have awesome characters like Sydney and Adrian?! The thing I love about Richelle Mead's writing is that she rarely disappoints us readers - if not at all - and with the forging of interesting myths, some sexy bantering, and an epic adventure thrown into the mix, there is always going to be a strong bond with anything related to Richelle Mead. Inside and out. The thing I want to know is: How does she do it? How does she write so fast and how does she make every book of hers a success? It's magic I tell you. And don't get me started on the one-liner cliffhanger - just when she got to the good part . . . it ends. Now that's just plain old torture!

BLOODLINES on a whole was so awesome and it's truly a great start for this new spin-off series. I hate to admit that I'm liking this better than Vampire Academy. Sure Rose Hathaway and Dimitri Belikov (one of my fictional husbands mind you) is going to be missed, but move over and leave room for Sydney Sage and our dear funny-dreamy guy Adrian. With some shocking secrets revealed and loose ends tied up, if you're an obsessed Vampire Academy fan like myself or are new to this series (which I doubt because it would be crazy if you haven't read the series yet), then be sure to pick yourself up a copy or at least try and stake a person like a Strigoi if they grab the last book off the shelf from you. Kidding of course! Or am I? *winks* NO SERIOUSLY! PICK. UP. A. COPY. NOW. Epic fun awaits to be read by you!

The Rating

5/5 stars

Want to read the first chapter of Richelle Mead's Bloodlines?

If you're a hardcore fan of Richelle Mead - like me, and like so many others around the globe - then you're in for a big surprise! With only a few weeks to go until the Vampire Academy spin-off book BLOODLINES hits our shelves, MTV's Hollywood Crush website has just released the first chapter of the much anticipated book of 2011! I read it and loved it! I literally can't wait to see what's in store for one of my favourite supporting-characters-now-turned-main-heroine, Sydney Sage!

Just click the link here

The Ultimate Guide Update!

For those who are big fans of Richelle Mead's VAMPIRE ACADEMY series (which I'm completely obsessed with), then I assume all you guys know about the Ultimate Guide that is being released by Razorbill. According to sources and Mead, the VA ULTIMATE GUIDE is due to be released on November 2011!

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Sink your teeth into the perfect holiday gift and must-have collector's item for every fan of Richelle Mead's totally addicting Vampire Academy series!

Discover the history of St. Vladimir's Academy, explore the dark psychology behind Rose and Lissa's spirit bond, and find out even more illicit secrets about Moroi society. The ultimate guide will feature everything readers want and need to go even deeper into the world of Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice . . . every heartache, every betrayal, every sacrifice, and so much more!

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272pgs - paperback original - Due 15 Nov. 2011

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So....are you excited for this or what?!

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead finally has a cover!

For those who don't know me, I'm an obsessed fan of Vampire Academy and of ANYTHING written by Richelle Mead. If you haven't picked yourself a copy of Vampire Academy, then you're seriously missing out!

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Anyway, ever since Last Sacrifice book came out - the last of book of my beloved YA series - I was freaking out...but I was very excited to see Richelle Mead is going to be writing another six books in a VA spin off series and I'm glad to present to you, the NEW cover of the first spinoff book called Bloodlines!

So, do you love it, like it, or hate it? I read other people's reactions toward the cover, and most loved it...and so do I! For those wondering who is on the cover, well my dear Sydney is the girl on here and the guy model is Adrian. The thing that really stands out is the colours the art department used and the thorny font...it's very EYE CATCHING! I actually like this wayyyyyy better than the VA covers! What I'm looking forward to most is seeing the VA world through someone else other than Rose Hathaway, whom I'm going to miss for sure! But I love Sydney's character and I'm excited to see her as our main heroine!