‘Blood Promise’: Series’ 4th entertains till the very end

By CAROLYN LESSARD

“Blood Promise” by Richelle Mead: (Penguin/Razorbill, 503 pages. $16.99)

”Blood Promise,” the highly anticipated fourth book in Richelle Mead’s popular “Vampire Academy” series, is the most exciting yet.

In Mead’s supernatural world, there are two kinds of vampires: the Moroi, who are born with magical talents, and the undead Strigoi. Strigoi have no magical abilities; their sole purpose is to kill.

Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, part human and part Moroi. Dhampirs are trained as guardians to protect the Moroi from attacks by the Strigoi. Rose has been training to become a guardian for her best friend, Lissa, the last member of a royal Moroi bloodline.

In “Shadow Kiss,” the third book in the series, Rose was devastated when her boyfriend, Dimitri, was turned into an evil Strigoi vampire during an attack on St. Vladimir’s Academy. In “Blood Promise,” Rose drops out of school and travels to Siberia to fulfill a promise to her lover. Both had agreed they would die rather than walk the Earth as Strigoi. So Rose sets off to find Dimitri — and kill him.

It won’t be an easy task. Dimitri, her former instructor at the academy, is aware of her skills. And now, as a Strigoi, he is much stronger and faster.

Rose travels to Dimitri’s hometown, where she meets his family and is immediately accepted by them. Not having a family of her own, she moves in with them and is temporarily sidetracked from her mission. Then a shady Moroi businessman learns of her arrival and pressures her to leave.

She finally comes face to face with Dimitri. He holds her captive, hoping she will agree to join him as Strigoi. If she doesn’t choose to turn, he will choose for her.

Mead’s storytelling improves with each installment, as she keeps readers on the edge of their seats while adding a few unexpected twists. The fifth book in the series, “Spirit Bound,” is scheduled for release this year.