Whoa. Everyone who told me this series gets better as it goes along is absolutely right! I'm not going to type much about this because I'm too excited to start Shadow Kiss, but if you have yet to start this series, you need to start right now. Right. Now. It's now one of my favorites. 
 I LOVE this one. It captivated me and brought out several emotions that the first one did not. I laughed, I got angry, I got happy, I got sad, I wanted to hug characters, I wanted to strangle characters, just everything. I can only imagine what the rest of this series is going to do to me. I'm excited for it, but oh man. 
 I like the prologue. It gives a nice summary of the first book. Usually, that would be boring, but it's interesting, just the way Richelle captures the essence of it. I love her writing. Don't think you can just skip the first book entirely and just read the prologue, though. It's possible, but no. 
 I love the whole winter vibe this one takes with the snow and the ski lodge. I love winter so that's definitely a plus. I've also always loved the whole a-group-of-friends-going-away-together-and-hell-breaking-loose thing. And, boy, does hell break loose. And even more hell is going to break loose if you are reading this and STILL have yet to start this series! 
 I enjoyed getting to know the characters a lot more in this one, as well, and I have grown to love them. I especially love Rose. She is childish at times, yet she is strong, caring, smart, and takes her job very seriously. Of course, it's her love for Dimitri that ultimately brings out her childishness, because she wants what she wants, but she has a good head on her shoulders. She grows a lot in this one, and there are a lot of little moments with her character here that just made me really love her. 
 I pretty much love everything about this one, but there is one thing in particular that happens that just....no. This thing I'm referring to is a tragic death of a character I really liked! I mean WTF? I'm not going to spoil anything just in case (heaven forbid) you're reading this and still have yet to start this series, but...really, I'm still pretty speechless. My jaw hit the floor when I read that part, and it's just so sad. 
 All right, so much for not typing too much. I've wasted too much time! I must start Shadow Kiss.