The James Logan Courier

By Brandie Moore, Courier Books Editor

Dimitri. There he was again, popping back into my mind. I had no clue if he really would be lurking near his hometown, but I had nothing else to go on at this point. Again, that weird feeling came over me. My mind blurred Dimitri's face with that of the Strigoi I'd just killed: pale skin, red-ringed eyes. "No, I sternly told myself. Don't focus on that yet. Don't panic. Until I faced Dimitri the Strigoi, I would gain the most strength from remembering the Dimitri I loved, with his deep brown eyes, warm hands, fierce embrace.

Here it is everyone! Book four of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. It was a long wait, but oh so worth it. Just when you thought these books couldn't get better, they bring out the next one and the cycle repeats.



As most of you who read this series were, I also was excited to receive this book. I picked it up when I got it and would not read anything else until I finished this book.

In book four, Rose goes to Russia in search of Dimitri to kill him and free his soul. But since Rose is who she is, killing some Strigoi in her path to him does not disturb her. But when someone starts following her it might not be as easy as she thought.

Rose's stalker is also human. She introduces herself as Sydney. She says she is an Alchemist. An Alchemist is a human who gets rid of Strigoi and knows all about vampires. Sydney takes Rose to Dimitri's home town where she meets his family.

As time goes by with Dimitri's family, she starts to realize she wants a family like that. But when a Moroi named Abe comes into the picture leaving might be her only option. Abe is a scary looking Mori who works in legal and illegal businesses.

Back at the Academy Lissa is going crazy tiring to please the queen. Then she meets this girl named Avery who seems to be nice, but a little wild, too. When Rose is in Lissa's mind checking up on her and is suddenly thrown out, she suspects something is wrong and Avery is the cause. Adrian also keeps in check with Rose by dream walking.

This book is very addicting. As soon as I started reading it I found it way too hard to put down. When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it constantly and all that could happen.

If you read the first three you need to get this one. It will make you continue on with the series no doubt. The ending will blow you away and make you sad when you lean book five doesn’t come out until May 2010.

I suggest this book to any person into vampires or dramatic comedies. It's action-packed, too. So next time you want to get a good book check this one out.