I don’t read memoirs; they aren’t my cup of tea. But because it’s Pride and I love Queer Eye, I decided to give Jonathan’s a try. And while it feels odd to write a review something so personal and raw, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It was a brilliant combination of JVN’s trademark sass and unexpected vulnerability. There’s so much in this small book and it’s more impactful than I can adequately describe. I would highly recommend reading this, even if it means stepping out of your literary comfort zone.

[sixth read, June 2023]
I am currently torn between Rose and Adrian have the potential to be a really cute couple (in an AU, obviously) and Rose and Adrian are actually kind of an unhealthy couple. I’ve always had that first thought, and it’s come back to me with each reread; the second, on the other hand, is something I’ve only just realized this time around. ‘Cause, you know, the brainrot gets worse every time, and I spend ~a lot~ of time thinking about these books. But yeah, between her grief over Dimitri and his I’m addicted to you spiel, they’re honestly a hot mess. I don’t wanna say outright that they’re toxic, because I think that’s too much of an exaggeration, but they’re definitely unhealthy.

Although, to be fair, my obsession with these books might also be unhealthy, so can I really say anything? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[fifth read, September 2022]
I have nothing new to say here. I’m running out of ways to say I’m in pain and Richelle Mead is cruel and I hate it here. It’s all true. Finishing this book and immediately starting the next one is a special kind of pain, but I did it anyway. Some might say I’m a masochist.

Also, it will never not be funny that, of all people, Adrian Ivashkov doesn’t carry condoms. If you know, you know. XD

[fourth read, August 2021]

Richelle Mead, STOP MESSING WITH MY HEART. Please and thank you.

I don’t ship Rose and Adrian, but my god, I love them. And that scene right before everything went to crap? Quality content.

You know what else is quality content? When Rose and Sydney are video chatting about the Vegas trip and Sydney sees Adrian on the surveillance footage and asks if he’s Rose’s boyfriend and very reluctantly admits that she finds him cute. Honey, you got a big storm coming. Give it a few months and he’ll be your boyfriend. I love the foreshadowing here. 😂

You know what’s NOT quality content? Rose and Dimitri’s relationship. Dimitri’s grief and guilt and the “‘Love fades. Mine has.’” nonsense. GET IT AWAY FROM ME. Also, sir, if your love has ‘faded,’ why were you so protective in the café?? HMM?? I SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOU!!!

Anyway, I’m rambling. I love the characters. I hate the cliffhanger. I’m in pain, and it’s not from my recent brain surgery. But I still love this book. It’s my second favorite in the series, and the next one is my favorite. Onward!!! 🥲

[third read, June 2020]
One would think that, since I’ve already read this series twice, I would be prepared for the emotional onslaught. Maybe I wouldn’t be affected to quite the same degree. But that isn’t—and may not ever be—the case.

So help me, I’m in deep. I love these characters as much as Richelle Mead loves messing with them, and she really loves messing with them. Even though I’m fully aware of how the series ends, I just can’t handle this stress, these emotions.

Concluding thoughts:
1. That little scene with Dimitri and Jonathan is so wholesome and amusing. Possibly the best scene in the book.
2. Adrian deserves better. So much better. I lost count of how many times I was thinking he just needs to wait for Bloodlines. You’ll find your special someone soon, my boy. You’ll be happy and everything will be okay. (SO TRUEEE 🥺🥺)

[second read, August 2019]
It’s after one a.m. and Spirit Bound has rendered me speechless.

With each novel I reread, I become more aware that, while the series is not high quality by any means, it’s phenomenal regardless. If I was reading this series for the first time right now, I’m unsure if I’d enjoy it as thoroughly. I’m no longer desperate for every close friend and family member to read these books.* But in addition to being nostalgic, each installment is a wild ride. Mead has created a dramatic plot, an intricate world, and many dynamic characters that sneak up on your heart.

(*Past me is a liar lmao)

I stand by everything I said in my original review, and if I’m honest, I’m a bit proud of how articulate Past Liv was. Although, if I’m really being honest, I laughed at the fact that I a) compared the emotional turmoil of these books to that of a SJM book, and b) ranked this at #10 on my all-time favorite series list. In regards to the former, that’s not true. SJM can only aspire to mess with my head and heart the way Richelle Mead does. Fight me. As for the latter, well, I don’t know what I read in 2016 that I thought was better than this, but a more accurate ranking would be like #2. I’m trash for this series and I have no regrets. (2022 Liv: Good to know I eventually got my priorities straight. I might not be, but at least they are.)

Long story short, my heart is hurting, that cliffhanger is cruel, Richelle Mead is an evil genius, and I can’t decide if I love Dimitri Belikov or Adrian Ivashkov more. (The answer is both.)

I’m not ready for the last book but let’s go!!!

[first read, August-September 2016]
As I've been reading these books, I've realized that not only is each one better than the last, but each one is also ten times more heartbreaking than the previous installments. This book was no exception.

At this point, I've given up trying to figure out where Richelle will take the series next. I just keep speeding through the books and then proceeding to be completely shocked as the story goes in every direction except the one I expected and my heart is crushed. This, in my opinion, is what makes the series perfect for marathoning. I never have to worry about a lull in the plot, because these characters never get a break. The only thing I ever worry about with this series is getting the next book as soon as I possibly can. When this series is over, I legitimately won't know what to do with myself.

The story picks up almost right where the fourth book ended, and it was another absolutely wild ride. Strigoi weren't as big of an issue here, because certain events put more focus on the political intrigue and royal drama. It was still highly entertaining, though, and that's why, even with school, I read a nearly 500 page book in a couple of days. It was filled to the brim with secrets, grief, treason, suspense, intensity, a romance that destroyed me, and more.

If you haven't picked these books up yet, please do. It's the most unique vampire story I've ever read, and full of so many amazing things. If you're a fan of any of what I listed above, unbelievable plots, strong friendships, elemental magic, darkness, epic heroines, paranormal elements, and/or ANYTHING similar, give this a try. I thought it would be cliché too, but I picked up the first book on my fifteenth birthday on a whim, just to say I'd tried it, and look at me now. I'M OBSESSED, AND I HAVE NO REGRETS.

In previous books, readers have seen Rose at her best and at her worst. In this one, she was somewhere in between. Because while she remained the epic fighter, loyal best friend, dedicated guardian, and impulsive and sassy teenager we all know and love, she was also mentally at war with herself more than ever before. She blamed herself for so many recent events, and tried to justify her actions to herself and others even when it wasn't needed. On top of all that, she was grieving deeply while trying to be another guy's girlfriend. And of course, she just couldn't catch a break. But her perseverance through all of it is the cause of both her spot on my "favorite heroines ever" list and me wanting so badly to give her a hug.

The same can be said about Lissa. As the last of her royal line and a very special princess, she hasn't had it easy, either. But whereas before she was a fairly timid girl, in this one, she finally came out of her shell and became epic in her own way. She did one thing in particular that I really wasn't expecting, and it made me see her in a whole new light. I also gained a ton of respect for her.

I can't really safely say anything about other characters, but just know I still love them to pieces and one in particular really broke my heart in this book. If you've read this series, my reviews for past books, or even my Goodreads updates, you can guess who. Also, I really like Adrian.

While the setting didn't vary nearly as much as it did in the fourth book, Rose and company do stray from the safety of the Academy in Montana. In the beginning there are brief visits to Alaska and Las Vegas, respectively, but the brunt of the story takes place in the Royal Court in Pennsylvania. I loved the vastly differing descriptions of all of these places, especially those owned or occupied by Moroi; the mix of medieval and modern design seemed fascinating to me. Richelle's writing style made all the locations incredibly easy to imagine, and that was one more reason for me to just fly through this book.

The relationships are definitely what get to me the most in this series. I absolutely love Rose and Lissa's friendship, and how they always understand and help each other. They make my heart happy, and then Rose and Dimitri turn around and break it again. The two of them deserve to be happy, and I really hope their ending is. They've already destroyed my heart, and if they're not happy together I'm not sure I'll recover. They're just written so well, and no matter how great Rose's bond with Lissa (and Adrian, respectively) is, it can't compare. If you like having your heart messed with the way you would in a Sarah J. Maas or Cassandra Clare book, read this series. It does the job just as well. (2022 Liv: SJM and CC WISH they wrote angst this well. Richelle Mead supremacy.)

Honestly, the middle chunk and ending of this book make the others pale in comparison. I didn't think I'd be saying that after the end of the fourth book, but as I've said repeatedly, this series never fails to surprise me. The stakes were higher and more addictive than ever. (No pun intended.) I would also just like to say that the ending IS NOT OKAY. It's easily one of the best/worst cliffhangers I've ever read, and for the past few hours I've been mentally slapping myself because I didn't go ahead and grab the last book when I was at the library. YOU DON'T JUST END A BOOK LIKE THAT. YOU JUST DON'T. *_*

All in all, if it wasn't clear already, I absolutely adored this book. The series as a whole as definitely taken over the #10 spot on my "all time favorite series" list, and I'm not even done with it yet. I really want to read the final book and move on to the spin-off, but I'm also not sure if I'm emotionally prepared for it. #booknerdproblems XD (2022 Liv: the #10 spot?! Girl, take off that zero. I really was such a fool in my high school years omg. Facepalm.)

[sixth read, June 2023]
I thought I was all out of new ways to experience this series, but no. I tried the audiobook as a way to hopefully combat my reading slump and, while I’m not sure it worked, it certainly helped me get through the book faster than I would’ve otherwise. Though, on the other hand, the awful very-not-Russian accent the narrator used for Dimitri is stuck in my head, on loop even when I was reading other formats. So that’s… something.

(I’m not sure if it’s better or worse than TV Dimitri’s also-not-Russian accent. Like, seriously, can no one do a proper Russian accent???)

Also, as I was skimming the earlier parts of my review, I realized my series ranking has changed. Last Sacrifice is still very much my favorite, but now I’d say: Last Sacrifice, Shadow Kiss, Spirit Bound/Blood Promise, Frostbite, and then Vampire Academy. [nods] Yeah.

[fifth read, September-October 2022]
“I could see myself revisiting these novels again, maybe even every year.” —me in 2019, after finishing my first reread

Well, past Liv, you might’ve had some awful opinions, but you were right about that. This is the fourth consecutive year I’ve reread the series, and my fourth reread. I’ve made it an annual tradition at this point, one I’ll continue upholding.

And it doesn’t stop there. I realized a few weeks ago that I’ve been in this fandom for six years. I’ve spent dozens of hours thinking about, discussing and analyzing different parts of the story, even though I hated doing that in my high school English classes—proof that enjoying the book you’re analyzing makes all the difference. I’ve grown up with this series—the first time I read it, I was 15, just like Jill. Now I’m 21, nearly as old as Adrian, who (if my calculations are correct) turned 22 in this book. It was with me throughout high school. It’s gotten me through the pandemic, a myriad of health issues and even brain surgery. I’ve memorized these books, the timeline and the trivia and way too many quotes. I know this universe as well as I know myself, maybe even better. It’s probably in my DNA at this point. Every time I reread, as much as it hurts, it’s also comforting, in a way. Like coming home.

And now thinking of all of this has me emotional. Saying this feels simultaneously like too much and not enough. I don’t know how I ended up getting all sappy, but I’m going with it. I just really, really love these books. They have such a special place in my heart. 🥹🥹💖💖

(Also—if I’m right about Adrian’s birthday… that makes the end of this book hurt a hell of a lot more. Crap. I’m so sorry, my sweet boy. 😭😭)

[fourth read, August 2021]
Fun fact: this book is the only book I own not written by Rick Riordan that’s been read so much, it’s falling apart. And the difference there is that I’ve had that beaten up copy of The Lightning Thief for thirteen years, whereas I’ve only had this copy of Last Sacrifice for five. Some of my other VA (and Bloodlines) books are kind of worn in some places, most of them on the spine, but this one literally has pages about to come loose from the binding. I’ll need to buy a new set of the series so that my next reread won’t destroy the battered, annotated set that I have now.

If that isn’t an indication of my love for this series, and in particular, this book, I don’t know what is.

No matter how many times I read this book, Rose and Dimitri still drive me up the wall when they repress and refuse to talk about their feelings, and warm my heart when they do. They’re one of the book couples I’ve shipped the longest. I feel all their highs and lows. Is that dramatic? Possibly, but it’s nearly 5 a.m. and it feels right.

I love Lissa and Adrian and Christian and Sydney too. There are so many other characters to love, but I’m not going to list them all because a) I’m tired and b) spoilers. All I’ll say is that I’m so proud of my girls, and as always, my heart breaks for my boy. He gets the short end of the stick and I get more emotions than I know what to do with. No one wins here.

That’s a lie. I absolutely adore every other part of the ending, so I do win, especially after the hellish roller coaster ride it took to get to where we are now.

Romitri forever!!! 💖💖💖

Next up: Bloodlines, and more pain. :)) (I’m not diving in right away because I’m waiting to buddy read, but I’m hoping to start relatively soon. This will be a major test of my self-restraint.)

[third read, June 2020]
My heart has been broken and healed again by these books so many times. I can’t explain why I love it or why I keep coming back to it. Romitri forever. Adrian deserves better.

My ranking of the books in this series:
1. Last Sacrifice - The plot thickens, but everything wraps up beautifully. Everything is finally, miraculously okay. It’s a bit bittersweet, but so, so good and worth all the pain from previous books.
2. Spirit Bound - Such a wild plot! The romance, or lack thereof, breaks my heart but there’s so many layers here... also quite the cliffhanger.
3. Shadow Kiss and Blood Promise - I honestly can’t pick between the two. SK finally gives readers some fantastic romantic content, alongside interesting plot development. The cliffhanger is one of the most evil things ever written. Meanwhile BP, though the pacing is much slower, is about grief and love and it’s so emotional. There’s a lot of focus on characters and their development.
4. Vampire Academy - The beginning of it all. It’s a train wreck you can’t look away from.
5. Frostbite - Still good, still emotional, but so help me, the amount of petty drama here is ridiculous. That’s the main reason I put it last.

[second read, August-September 2019]
I forgot how brilliantly heartbreaking Mead’s series conclusions are. Last Sacrifice is a masterful finale that demonstrates all of the development each character has undergone throughout the series, while still keeping track of an unpredictable plot and heartbreakingly complicated romance.

This novel has it all: a murder mystery, political intrigue, a prison break, epic fight scenes, royal travail, relationship drama, and oh, so many emotions along the way. Though I remembered a handful of details from my original read three years ago, the gaps in my memory allowed me an experience similar to reading this for the first time. I enjoyed it just as much, possibly even more, so props to Mead for that.

One element I appreciated was the pace at which Rose and Dimitri’s romance was rekindled. Though the “one step forward, two steps back” routine did tug at my heartstrings, I believe it was the right choice. It allowed Mead to explore Dimitri’s trauma and truly let him move past it, thus making the end result even more wholesome and satisfying. (But it didn’t make that end scene with Rose and Adrian any less devastating... I’m glad I already know that my boy ends up okay in the end.)

To be honest, I’m not sure what else to say. Rereading the Vampire Academy series is one of the best decisions I’ve made this year thus far. Last Sacrifice is now my favorite book in the series, alongside Blood Promise, and I could see myself revisiting these novels again, maybe even every year. I’m extremely excited to dive into my Bloodlines reread.

(I LOVE ROSE AND DIMITRI.)

[first read, September 2016]
A bittersweet but perfect ending to an absolutely amazing series! I just adore these books, and characters, and relationships, and everything else about it. The series is a wild ride, and if you haven't read it yet, you should! :D

It’s quite surprising to me that, even though I’ve never been interested in memoirs in the past, I’ve read and enjoyed two this week. Tan is my favorite member of the Fab Five and he’s also, apparently, a brilliant writer. Even on the page, he’s personable, fun, and oh, so sassy.

His memoir talks about a number of things, from his childhood and insecurities to his relationship with his husband and landing the role on Queer Eye. Sprinkled in are numerous fashion tips and other bits of snarky advice. On the show he seems to be a very candid person, and that can also be applied to his writing.

Listening to the audiobook was one of the best decisions I’ve made recently. Tan narrates, and I think that made the whole experience even better. It was dramatic at times and consistently entertaining. I struggle, sometimes, to stay focused on audiobooks as I listen, but that was never an issue here.

My two favorite chapters were seventeen and thirty-three. I rarely have a favorite chapter in any book, but in this case, another member of the Fab Five made an appearance—Antoni. I had no idea he would be involved in any way, and in my opinion, that’s one more point in the audiobook’s favor. Tan and Antoni’s banter was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book.

I honestly can’t recall the last time I laughed so much while reading. More than once, I made some sort of weird, indescribable amused sound. Maybe I snorted. I’m not really sure.

So, yeah. I highly recommend Naturally Tan, even if you aren’t super interested in memoirs. I’m not either, but I genuinely enjoyed this. It’s also going to be the first nonfiction book to go on my shelves, as I knew I wanted a physical copy before I’d even finished reading. If Tan writes another book, I’ll definitely read it. I hope he narrates that one too.