

Meanwhile, Rose overhears that Victor Dashkov's trial is coming soon - and that she and Lissa aren't going to be called to testify. In a sudden twist, Christian is the only person who truly believes that Rose didn't screw up on purpose. During the first attack on Christian, Rose sees Mason's ghost and freezes - and is accused of being a sore loser by her teachers. Rose complains to her teachers, but ultimately resigns herself to guarding Christian. Rose is positive that she will be paired with Lissa, but instead is paired with Christian Ozera, while Eddie Castile (Mason's best friend) is paired with Lissa.

Rose, in shock over Mason's death, prepares with the rest of the novices for the Qualifying Exam, in which the novices protect the Moroi students from "attacks" by "Strigoi" (their Dhampir teachers). Shadow Kiss continues the story of the main character, Rose Hathaway and her education in becoming a Guardian. The release of the book pushed the Vampire Academy series into the New York Times Best Seller list for the first time, making its debut at #4. It is the third novel in the Vampire Academy series, and was preceded by Frostbite. Shadow Kiss is a vampire novel written by Richelle Mead.
