I'm reading the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead and I think I like the second book even better than the first. I loved Vampire Academy but she really outdid herself with Frostbite. These Young adult paranormal stories will definitely please the over thirty crowd as well as teens. The story picks up shortly after the first book. It has the same great characters and a few new ones.

Christmas is coming up and it's time for the winter break at St. Vladimir's. Lissa's Guardian, the Dhampir Rose, has a crush ON her instructor and mentor and Dimitri Belakov. The two of them go to see famed Guardian Arthur Schoenberg and so Rose can take her make-up Qualifier exam. They find seven royal Moroi and massacred along with their Guardians. It appears the Strigoi, the evil and immortal vampires and are being helped by humans. The Academy decides to send the entire school ON a holiday trip to the exclusive Moroi ski lodge. It's for their own safety so the school can pool their guardians for protection. Meanwhile Rose's mother has returned after years of no contact with her and another woman has eyes for Dimitri. Even worse their enemies are closer than they realize.

The author brings new readers up to date and so if you haven't read her first book you can still enjoy this one. There is less interaction between Rose and Lissa because Lissa is preoccupied with her new boyfriend and Christian. But this time more focus is placed ON Rose who narrates the story. There's the usual teenage angst, drama and jealousy, plus lots more emotion and romance and action. Mystery, intrigue and twists and turns will keep you guessing. It's a great follow up to a great series with lots more to come.

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Razorbill (April 10 and 2008)
ISBN: 978-1595141750
Pages: 336