Vampire Academy: Last Sacrifice [Paperback]

So after reading the first five books in this series is quite a short period of time, I was extremely eager to get my hands on the final book, Last Sacrifice. I couldn't wait to see where Richelle Mead was going to take the story and how she would end a bestselling series.

In each book of this series, Rose grows a lot and Last Sacrifice is no exception. Being accused of murder is a big deal to Rose and she knows that getting out of the situation is near impossible. Although she doesn't actually spend too much time in her cell, it does give her a lot of time to think about her life and what she has been through so far, as well as the people around her who she loves. Also, her time spent away from the Academy while she is on the run gives Rose a lot of time to deal with her feelings for both Dimitri and Adrian although I can't say that I was completely happy with the outcome of this part of the story. I understand why Mead wrote it this way but I have to say that I was more on one team than the other and I didn't really agree with how one character was portrayed in the end.

I was really glad to see that even though Rose and Dimitri were on the run, all of the other characters that I had grown to love were included in the story just as much. Rose's bond with Lissa makes it possible for us to know what is happening back at Court and how Lissa's tests to become queen are going. Rose's friends are also trying to help clear her name for the murder of Queen Tatiana. There is a lot of mystery and action when it comes to this part of the story as no one is really sure who actually murdered the queen. One character I did find myself missing a little bit was Adrian. He has always been one of my favourites and even though he is there in the background, it just wasn't enough for me. I wanted him to feature a lot more but unfortunately, this wasn't to be.

There are some great new characters in Last Sacrifice although some of the more interesting ones weren't around for too long. Rose, Dimitri and Sydney meet a group of Moroi, Dhampir's and humans that all live together outside of society. I found it really interesting to see how differently they lived from other vampires, especially those at the Academy and those from the royal families. I guess you could compare this to Twilight and how the Cullen's differ from all of the other non `vegetarian' vampires out there. That was a part of Twilight that I loved so it was only right that it was a part of Vampire Academy that I loved as well.

One of the best things about this whole series, apart from the amazing love story, is the friendship between Rose and Lissa. No matter what happens, these two girls stick by each other. Vampire Academy is a fantastic tale of a friendship that will withstand anything and I think this is a really important aspect of it all. As much as I like my YA books filled with romance, it is also really nice to see that a girl wont instantly drop her friends once she falls in love. I think that with this, Mead shows a good message for all readers.

As with the other books in this series, Last Sacrifice is action packed and I always felt like something totally unexpected could happen next. The story is intense for both plot and romance and although I really liked most of it, it still wasn't my favourite book in the series. I was glad that so many questions were answered and nothing was really left unfinished. There is going to be a spin off series that focuses on some of the secondary characters and I know I will be buying the first book as soon as it is released. Vampire Academy is a fantastic series and I am only sad that it took me so long to get around to reading it.

I'm 23 years old and a bit of a fantasy book addict. I initially read the Twilight Saga in eight days and never thought I'd find a series of books I loved more. Wow wasn't I wrong. If you are a Twilight fan, like myself, this series will introduce you to a sophisticated, alternative vampire series, which you will most definately love. Although originally put off by the name of the series, Richelle Meads' 'Vampire Academy' books are both enthralling and addictive. The books are original and well thought out and the characters are at an age that both teenagers and adults can relate to. The characters have such brilliant personalities and some hilarious banter between each other, that you can't help but love them. So if you are unsure whether this book may be too 'teen-like' for you - give it a go and I guarantee you will devour the series in a flash.

This is the last book in the Vampire Academy series. Although this review will contain NO spoilers from Last Sacrifice by talking about the plot there may be unintentional spoilers from earlier books in the series.

The Vampire Academy series is by far my all-time favourite series. Last Sacrifice is the highly anticipated last book in the series and so when I was offered the chance to read this book early before its release date I jumped at the chance. When it arrived I had the stupidest grin on my face all day long and started it as soon as I could. I read this 584 page book in two sittings, and I have to say that this is now my favourite book in the series, it surpassed my greatest expectations. It was so. Damn. Good!

Last Sacrifice starts off with only two days having passed since where Spirit Bound left off. Rose is awaiting execution for the murder of Tatiana the vampire queen- wrongful execution at that. Time is running out for Rose can Dimitri pull through for her one last time before it's too late? Meanwhile best friend Lissa is trying to prove Rose's innocence in finding out who really killed the queen whilst trying to compete for the royal throne. Can Lissa be queen? Does she even want to be? With the odds against Lissa and Rose both girls find themselves relying on enemies and questioning the people they trust. It's a race against time and both girls realise that to help one another they may have to sacrifice the very thing that matters to them most...each other.

The Vampire Academy series has one of the most layered plots that I've ever come across in Young Adult fiction. The world that Richelle Mead has created has so much depth and story. There's so much going on that your constantly gripped wanting to know what happens next. This vampire world is a world that I love to be in, it's so well developed that it actually feels like a real place.

I think what makes Vampire Academy shine and stand apart from other vampire fiction is that it's totally original. It's like no other vampire series that I've ever read which is so hard to come across after the success of Twilight. I love that it's nothing like Twilight and other books out there and is confident enough to stand on its own and do its own thing. Vampire Academy has no weak spots. Everything's strong and nothing lets it down. The plots original, the characters are hugely likeable, the writings flawless. The series is simply perfection.

What I find really fresh about this series is that although there's an amazing love story, at this books heart is a story about friendship. Deep, loyal, true friendship between two wonderful yet very different girls. Rose and Lissa are brilliant role models for teen readers everywhere, and it's great to find a series that values true friendship above all else.

The characters in this series are all wonderful. I would love every single one of them as a friend. Rose is sassy, feisty, fearless, smart and strong and is my all-time favourite heroine. Head strong and confident girls of all ages will look up to and respect her. Fearless Rose, Kind hearted Lissa, Godlike Dimitri, Loyal Christian and snarky Adrian have come to feel like my own best friends. They each have such brilliant, vivid personalities and reading Last Sacrifice felt like saying goodbye to old friends so much so that I tried to slow my reading down towards the end when it dawned on me that I was getting closer and closer to those final pages. Of course I couldn't do it though it was just too good!

Last Sacrifice has one of the best plots I've ever come across with never a dull moment making it impossible to put down. Each chapter reveals something new and answers questions that fans of this series have been dying to know. The writings incredible and Richelle definitely ends this series on a high note. I can't imagine fans of Vampire Academy being disappointed with the final book at all. I haven't really gone into the plot that much with this review because I want to keep it spoiler free but you will not be disappointed. All of your questions get answered and so many new things happen along the way. The romance is hot, the betrayals deadly and the writing superb and although everything gets concluded things definitely end on a very interesting note for Richelle Meads new spin off series.

I'm so, so sad to see this incredible series come to an end. I've loved every minute spent in this world with such a wonderful cast of characters. I can't wait for more news on Richelle's spin off series if it's even half as good as Rose and Co's story I'm sure were going to be in for a real treat and I really hope the characters from this series make some appearances!

If you haven't read this series yet you are truly missing out on something special. I recommend Vampire Academy to everyone who asks me for book recommendations and never have they been disappointed. Fans of this series are going to be blow away by this grand finale. Honestly guys I can't even put into words how much I love this series and how you all need to check it out, in fact what are you waiting for? Why are you still reading this? Go read it now, now, now! Only the highest of recommendations for my favourite series. 5 stars.