Julie

I like the tension between feisty women and the men who love them in spite of it.

I am a 58 year old grandmother. I read the first Vampire Academy book at the suggestion of one of my 20 year old nieces. I used to read all of the time but now I have found listening to be far superior when the story is good and the narrator is talented. I loved being read to as a child and I find coming back to it is really a treat. I love stories with mystery, romance and most importantly characters that I would like to know. Richelle Mead is a wonderful story writer. Her characters are believable, they are complex and humorous. I was hooked by the second book. Then when I listened to the 4th one, I found the narration added so much. I may be older but my spirit still thrills to a great story. After finishing the story of Rose and Dimitri, I had that depressed feeling when ever I finish a really good series. By the time Bloodlines came around, I was skeptical that Sydney would be able to carry the story as well as Rose did. The plot of this series has so much potential and I am really looking forward to the next installment. The developing relationship between Sidney and Adrian is so enchanting and warm that when I listen, I find myself smiling or laughing out loud. Summing up a book like this in three words is not possible for me. The depth that Richelle writes with makes these characters interesting. I listen while walking, gardening or just chilling at the computer. We all age but the spirit goes on and there is a 20 something woman inside me that still relishes the fantasy. When you stop dreaming and imagining, you might as well be dead. I especially like the conflict of the black and white thinking of a young adult as life happens and the time comes to question what you believe the truth is, I like the good and decent people who are removing the rose colored glasses and being tested, finding out what they are made of. The most important feature of this though is the way Sydney and Adrians love begins and starts to blossom. She makes him want to be a better person. And it is all done with witty dialog. It's so entertaining when Sydney acts bossy or knowledgeable and Adrian just sits there smiling and listening, enjoying just being with her. I also love that Sydney is so brilliant but her social ineptitude makes her so clueless.

Emily Shaffer, if you ever read this review, I'd like you to know how very talented I think you are. I really enjoy your male voices, Dimitri's soft Russian accent and Adrian's snarky sort of British accent. Can't tell where he got it but I think what you bring to the story is as important as what the author does. You've got great dialog, characters and an interesting, entertaining storyline and your voices, male and female are flawlessly blended so that the listener would believe there are different people doing them. I read some of the negative and nasty comments others have written and I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I also believe that constructive criticism is different than just nastyness. I want you to know that this listener is really looking forward to more books read by you. I also like Susan Erickson, who reads the IN DEATH series for JD ROBB for the same reason. Flawless continuity from one character to another. Try to take the nasty comments in stride and know not everyone thinks so.

It was so predictable and smooth....

Didn't really like her voice or her characters.

Not Lisa's best effort...her historicals are better.

No, my voices in my head as I read print are just as good.

Hardy is a really magnetic hero....really liked him.

No

Have almost all of her books but this one was just okay

She was okay but still not better than the voices in my head when I read the books myself.

An okay rendition of the classic plotline....

A nice read, but probably won't read it again.....

Not the best.

I've read too many....I knew 'who done it' by the midway point.

Susan Ericksen has done the impossible. SHE is now the voice of the In Death characters that sounds in my ears when I read.

They all are.