This review may contain inadvertent spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. Some information and images come from promotional material.
Who knew that Christmas time at St. Vladimir’s Academy could be so eventful? Lust, snow, injury, ski slopes, and multiple twists and turns make this book an addictive read. And all of this goes on while the adults are busy dealing with the recent development of Strigoi cooperation with humans.
Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…
It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks….This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…
It all starts with an attack on a Moroi royal family killing the entire household including their guardians which throws a wrench in the Moroi’s winter plans as parents are worried about taking their children out of the Academy’s protection. Thankfully, a Moroi family owns a ski lodge that can house the royal elite nearby and everyone takes the ski vacation in hopes to relax, even if it’s just a little.
Two of the main characters will be drawn together through a shared experience, the death of a loved one. It will be interesting to continue reading the series and see how the experience changes their relationship – if it does at all.
And you finally get to meet Rose’s mother. Actually Rose’s face meets her mother’s fist. You’ll have to read the book to find out why.
