Saturday, October 8, 2011

Book Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy Book #1
Published: August 16th, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
332 pages (paperback)
Genre: YA paranormal
Acquired this book: at the library
Challenge: 2011 Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge
Warning: may include spoilers
{GoodReads || Amazon}
 
Synopsis: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

 

What I thought of Vampire Academy:
I’ve heard so much about this book, and have been curious for so long. The paranormal reading challenge this month gave me the perfect excuse to bump this book up on my list and finally read it.

I have to admit, I was a little confused at the beginning of the book. I kept wondering if I’d accidentally mistaken it for one further on in the series, because I felt like I was missing something. It just jumps right in and doesn’t really explain anything until much later on.

I really liked the characters in this book. Rose was a great kick-ass character – independent, feisty, doesn’t take crap from anyone, and is fiercely loyal to Lissa. She’s not exactly what she appears, and it’s interesting to watch her character unfold and learn different things about her. It’s also interesting to learn about Lissa and her many hidden talents.

And now I see what all the fuss is about Dimitri. Um yeah, that boy can guard me any day. I like the tension between him and Rose, and how it builds throughout. It seems like an impossible match, but it has me really curious to see if/how they’ll find a way around the obstacles and end up together.

It was also nice to see a different take on vampires – dhampirs, Moroi, Strigoi – their differences, and their places in society and within the school. I loved the twists and turns that had me guessing, and they made up for being a bit confused at the beginning. I also appreciated that it wasn't an easy-breezy story - Rose had a lot to deal with between guarding and worrying about Lissa, training to be a guardian, dealing with her growing feelings for Dimitri, and figuring out how to handle the jerks at her school who were constantly trying to cause trouble for her and/or Lissa. Even though it was a paranormal story, Rose's issues were really relatable.




7 comments:

  1. I *love* this series! Glad you're reading it! I was confused at the beginning of the book too - it jumped in and I actually put it down because I thought I grabbed the wrong book, but then realized that's how it starts out. ;D The books gets better and better over the series! Can't wait to see what you think as you read through them! Great review!

    Liza @ Book Crook Liza

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  2. Oh yaay! I'm glad you liked this, I recently started the series (june) and I just finished the series last week, and I have to say it's definitely my favorite<3

    I agree with you that it does jump into the world of vampires but the way I see it, it's more believable that way because it gives you no doubt about the setting. LEt's say for insistence the book started with, "My name is rose and I'm half a vampire called dhapmir and the full vampires are called moroi & the way we live is so and so..." and so on it's like the author is trying to convince us to believe by telling us but when it's straight to the action no room for question you get sucked in and don't doubt anything you know? did I even make sense? XD

    I agree with Liza, the books do get better 1 by 1 so I can't wait for you t read the rest! Great review:D

    -thank you&come again.

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  3. I'm currently halfway through the series and it just goes from strength to strength, really looking forward to getting stuck into the others and I'm definitely going to check out the Storm Born series by her as well!

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  4. I've been meaning to read this series, too, since everyone seems to lurve it so much. I liked your review. It seems very fair and I might actually like this book, after all.

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  5. I really liked this book! When I read it, I was becoming disillusioned about YA paranormal...the same scenario over and over...awkward girl, gorgeous guy (vampire, angel, etc.), you know. Then I read this and it was so refreshing. I hope the rest of the series proves to be as good. Great review!

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  6. I so love how this series takes the normal 'vampire book' and turns it on its head! This one is probably one of the weakest of the series, but I'm so glad you liked it!

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  7. I have heard so much about this series but have not read it yet. Your review makes me want to get started though! Excellent review.

    Thanks for stopping and posting at my blog.

    Happy reading!

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~Marie

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