Sunday, June 26, 2011

Book Review: Vampire Academy


Vampire Academy

by Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Release date: 16th August 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 332 (paperback)
Second book: "Frostbite" 10th April 2008

Summary from Goodreads:

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. Okay, I’ve read a lot of books about vampires and, although this is not my favorite one I really enjoyed it.

Review By Alaiel Kreuz:

The plot was really good, it’s for me the first time that I read about “alive vampires” and “dead vampires”. I thought they were all dead, you see.
For a change it’s refreshing to have a story that is not so focused on love but on friendship and loyalty. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all about love (romance is one of my favorite topics) but to be able to “feel” what Rose and Vasilisa (I love her name!) go through… I truly believe friendship is one of the most important things in life.

In this book we get the idea of an academy that is set in this world but we, humble normal humans, don't know anything about it.
We see the story through Rose' eyes. And, let me tell you, she is one of the best heroines I've read about. She is strong, confident and sometimes, most of them to protect or help Vasilisa, arrogant and bad mouthed. But she is also very loyal, and that's why I love her.
Lisa -or Vasilisa- is the complete opposite to Rose. After losing here family she loses her confidence and becomes very shy and vulnerable. But at the same time she would do anything to help Rose. And she hides a secret, a very interesting secret that can change her live - and Rose's live- for ever.
Now, don't get me wrong. Vasilisa isn't stupid... in fact, no one should mess with her. And I like that "dark side" of hers.

Now, for the male characters… I totally and utterly loved Dimitri (I have a thing for Russian names xD). How focused he is, the way he controls his own feelings in order to protect Lisa just because it’s how things work… Please, tell me, would you be able to do something like that? Without having second thoughts? I wish I could say yes, but I’m not sure.
We have also Christian, the "bad/mysterious" guy who is an outsider in the academy for something his parents did... But he has charisma and, deep down is a good boy.

And the end of the book… I most certainly wasn’t expecting that so the surprise was REALLY good. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Read it, you won't get dissapointed.

Alaiel's Rating:


If you really like it, you can find it here:

18 comments:

  1. Vampire Academy is probably my favourite series besides Hunger Games because Rose is just the best heroine. I was very impressed with Lissa though. Am so glad you liked it. Keep reading, the books get better and better!

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  2. Yeah, I liked the book too but I can't continue with the series right now... why are the days so short?! Sigh... ^^U

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  3. I'm currently reading it. At first, i thought i wasn't going to like it, but while story developes, it's different from others vampire books, and i really like it

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  4. I havent read this book, but I cant wait!!

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  5. Sounds like the beginning of a great series!

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  6. "it’s for me the first time that I read about “alive vampires” and “dead vampires”. I thought they were all dead, you see." Hahha you're funny.

    "I’m all about love (romance is one of my favorite topics)" My favorite too! Hey,who doesn't love romance! <3

    "I truly believe friendship is one of the most important things in life." Oh yeah I believe that too.

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  7. Great review! I liked this book quite a bit!

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  8. Great review! I have been curious about this book and after reading your review, I can't to read it. I like what you said about alive and dead vampires because I thought the same thing!

    klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net

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  9. I'm not even into vampires and honestly the only reason I picked it up is because Lissa and I share the same name. But it quickly became my favourite contemporary series. I absolutely love it.

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  10. I love vampire academy books my favorite I love everything about it so good! I love Rose and Dimitri!

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  11. I love Vampire Academy series! :) Awesome review. :)

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  12. So glad you liked this one! I loved this series! So glad my friends convinced me to read it! This is actually the book that brought me back to YA and then of course YA paranormal took off! Great review!

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  13. Very great review and I'm now tempted to get my hands on the title to read for myself ;o)

    BTW can you add the EAN number of the book as it makes it easier to search for it when ordering, just a thought.

    Thank you and holding thumbs on the giveaway !!

    Rita de Canha from South Africa

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  14. VA is so great series, when I read this book for the first time it was the best! I really loved it!

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  15. One of the series I've heard lots and lots about in the bloggerverse. I NEED to get around to reading it lol. Especially because I want to give Bloodlines a try, too. I understand it's a #spinoff.
    Great review :-)
    _yay_ @ http://bookthatthing.blogspot.com

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  16. I want to read it so much! All the blogs I follow write great things about the series.

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  17. I am halfway through this series and I love it! It was really hard for me to respect/like Rose at first. We had absolutely nothing in common. I almost gave up on the book, but I'm so glad that I didn't.

    ~Krista

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  18. I have a question. You published this review a little over a year ago, did you ever get a chance to read more in this series? If not you definitely should! Richelle Mead is done with Rose's story so you wouldn't have to wait for the next book in the series. Unlike me, who came in to this amazing series when there was only three books available and then had to wait sometimes up to a year in between books. She has moved on to a spinoff series about a couple of the side characters. It's not as good, but it still fun to be in that world.

    On a side note. You mentioned in your review that the whole dead/undead vampire thing was new to you (or at least as of a year ago). You should try Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. The main character is a witch, but one of the leading supporting characters is a living vampire. Her world has two types of vampires: living and dead.

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