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This is a satisfying sequel, because the thing is, Richelle Mead could have gone very obvious with Rose. It would have been easy street, and would have probably still worked, as Rose threw in a quip here and there, kicked some ass, got in trouble, got saved, learned her lesson and then got the boy.
Bada Bing. Bada Boom.
And while Rose may do all those things, she does them in her own way and her own time and becomes a fully fleshed girl whose mistakes you might cringe at but you understand. That's Rose. So watching her grow, learn and change is an absolute pleasure. Everything about her you believe, whether she drives you crazy or not, you believe because she becomes that real to you.

That being said, this is another great entry to the Vampire Academy world. Lissa and Christian's relationship is another thing I love about the series, seeing two social opposites navigate a relationship. Christian Ozera is an outsider to the Royal Moroi world even though his last name sits amongst the ranks. In this story we get to see that Christian is just as much of a hero as his dhampir counterparts, and that he can hold his own on the smartass train.
Speaking of said train, this is the book where we meet Adrian Ivashkov. Standing amongst a cloud of clove smoke with a charmer's grin, Adrian brings the devil-may-care attitude to this group of teenagers that have had to grow up way too fast. Adrian pulls out all the stops with his Rose flirtations, seeing things brewing between the characters that the others can't, which adds a bit of mystery to who exactly this guy with the perfectly mussed hair is and what exactly he's going to bring to the party. Because, without a doubt, if Adrian is around there is a party not too far behind him.

Then there's my Dimitri Belikov. Who apparently also goes by Dimka. Stop stealing our heart already. Okay, i'm lying, don't you ever stop. After the end of Vampire Academy we know the feelings Dimitri is battling when it comes to Rose, which makes their interactions that much more intense and delicious. Tasha Ozera, Christian's bold aunt, is now also on the playing field as a Strigoi attack brings everyone together at a ski resort for the winter holiday, inviting a whole host of characters into the academy world. Like an unexpected family member that is going to bring the fight right out of Rose.

The stakes (excuse the pun) are even higher in this go 'round, because this fight is even more lethal than anything Victor Dashkov gave. Rose and her friends working together against a common creepy-as-hell enemy gives us our first glimpse into what these kids can do and what they've learned from the academy. Christian will surprise you. Mason will break your heart. Dimitri will steal it. Other characters will shock you, but it's fierce and it's awesome and will give you a paper cut if you're not careful.