Frostbite by Richelle Mead

"It's winter break at St Vladimir's, and a massive Strigoi vampire attack has put the school on high alert. This year's trip away from the academy to the wintery peaks of Idaho has suddenly become mandatory. But Rose's troubles seem to follow her wherever she goes - dealing with the pain of knowing that her relationship with her tutor Dimitri can never be, things get even more complicated when one her closest friends admits his feelings for her. The glittering winter landscape may create the illusion of safety but Rose - and her heart - are in more danger than she ever could have imagined..."

Frost Bite is the second book in the very popular Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.

Rose is meant to be taking her Qualifier. A combined interview and exam to show if she's good enough to be a guardian. She's taking it away from the school, but when she and Dimitri arrive at their destination they're met with horror. The guardian meant to give the exam is dead, along with the family he protected and the other guardians. All by Strigoi hands. The attack shocks the vampire world. It's almost unheard of and security is increased at the school and all Moroi families are on alert.

For Rose and her friends, there could be worse things than a mandatory ski trip, if it were as simple as that. But Rose can't forget the other things going on in her life. Her long absent mother has just reappeared and it's far from a happy reunion. Someone else has their eye on Dimitri, and it looks like he wants her too, making Rose very jealous. And Mason, Rose's good friend, is pushing for them to be more than that, for her to finally take his interest seriously. Lissa is making a new friend who could have a bit impact on her their lives. Of course there are also on going repercussions within their world after the attack and unrest is showing itself within the Moroi ranks.

Frost Bite is set a few weeks after the end of Vampire Academy. It continues the story of Rose's training to protect Lissa, but shows there is a lot more to the world then we've seen so far. Life is getting more dangerous for Rose and her fellow students, even inside somewhere meant to be completely safe like St. Vladimir's. It gives us a better look in to Moroi society, how it works, how guardians work and how each race see the other.

The story starts off with good pace and doesn't let up. You can really feel for Rose and what's happening to her and understand her actions. She shows that she's growing up, accepting the horrors she's seen and figuring out how to deal with them. There are plenty of unexpected twists and the ending is surprising, painful and fantastic. It left me wanting a whole lot more. 9/10