Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 594
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
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? – Goodreads
Review: *WARNING FOR POSSIBLE SERIES SPOILERS*
Though I have thoroughly enjoyed the series, the release of Last Sacrifice snuck up on me! A friend reminded me of its release date and I immediately placed a rush order via amazon. As with all conclusions of a series, I was a bit nervous of what would happen. Richelle Mead has thrown in quite a few surprises throughout Rose’s journey and had my opinions on characters all over the place.
This book kept me on my toes! Not only did the mystery behind Tatiana’s death keep throwing me for a loop (I only suspected the real murderer until almost the very end), but Lissa’s journey to the throne was just as exciting. Also gripping was the reunion between Rose and Dimitri. I’ll be honest: when he turned Strigoi I wanted Rose to kill him for good. When he was changed back into Moroi, I rolled my eyes because I knew a happily ever after was inevitable for them and I hated that it would be so easy. Despite the distance Dimitri kept in Spirit Bound, I found myself annoyed with him and wishing he would go away. Even in the early parts of this book, I couldn’t help but feel the same. However, as I progressed in, I began to enjoy his character again and, sure enough, he wormed his way back into my good graces; he didn’t have to be killed off anymore.
One thing I have always enjoyed about the Vampire Academy series is the characterization of the supporting characters. A lot of times they stay in the background in their two dimensional glory, but here, despite the first person narrative, they’re fleshed out and major players. Perfect example: Adrian. If I had to choose a favorite character from the series, it would be him. Even though I did accept that Dimitri and Rose would get back together, I worried about Adrian’s reaction.
AND OUCH. The last chapter with Rose and Adrian hurt a lot. Going into the book, I imagined Adrian would do the “right” thing and bow out from his relationship with Rose, allowing her to return to Dimitri on good terms. *insert eye roll here* Major, major kudos to Richelle for not taking the easy way out. The emotions and reactions in their final interaction were so realistic. Had Adrian just accepted things would’ve been a cop-out and I loved that he called Rose out for her actions. WONDERFUL.
I’ll be honest again: the only reason this doesn’t get a full five stars is because I’m sad on Adrian’s behalf. However, this was a great conclusion and I definitely look forward to the spinoff series — more Adrian, please!!
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