Full review can also be found on: Paein and Ms4Tune's Book Blog 
 There were some things early on that I thought to mention in this review. Possibly about Rose and Dimitri's relationship and how they just get each other and how adorable it is. Now, I'm not sure how I feel about the age gap, (17 and 24 gives you pause maybe but 18 and 25 doesn't sound nearly as bad which is obviously odd) especially as I've recently done a course on safeguarding and he IS her instructor and he DOES have authority over her - though we know he hasn't abused this. I don't think it's meant to be as much of an issue as their romance vs job conflict. But for this issue, I think at this point the damage is done. Just because they aren't in a relationship doesn't stop those feelings. 
 As to what the other thing might be? No idea because oh boy did this book make me ball my eyes out! None of this little cry stuff! If my brother hadn't chosen this point in the book to be an utter...er...wally, I'd probably have been sobbing. I loved it!...and I hate crying. 
 I love how Richelle writes these characters, but they're all seen through Rose's eyes so what we see of them is what she observes, so mostly I like how Rose is written. In this book Rose is prone to tantrums, I'm not calling them 'teenage' and I don't think they're over. I think they're semi out of character and I've decided I know why they're happening, but no one's completely noticing yet and I think she's even discounted it herself. I do hope nothing too serious happens before it can be sorted! My nerves can't take it. 
 I'll use this time to mention that I've seen a lot of talk in the past about how strong female protagonists have often sacrificed their femininity for strength. I don't get that feeling for Rose. She's strong, she's vain about her hair, she likes pretty dresses and silver stakes and she's as quick to sigh over dresses as she is to beat someone up. True she 'doesn't cry' but she has done a few times, when it's needed, for herself. 
 There's a war starting in this story, the Strigoi are stepping up their game and the Moroi are getting panicked - as well they should be. However Lissa has begun to show her hand in the political aspects of her world and her ideas are right down the middle of the two conflicting arguments and it's bringing about wonderful stuff. Or it will if people will just listen! 
 Liking these books more than I thought I would. Though there was the usual book 2 fall out it was miniature, but is that because there will be more? This is, after all, a series of 6 not just 3...