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Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle Mead


vampVampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: August 16, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies…
Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth’s magic. She must be protected a all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires – the ones who never die.
The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa’s best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bend on making her one of them.
After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir’s Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking Academy hearts.
Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir’s – inside the Academy’s iron gates, their world is even more fraught with danger. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals, and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever…

 
First Sentence: I felt her fear before I heard her screams.

My Review:

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading Vampire Academy. Almost everyone in the book blogging community that I talked to knows and loves Vampire Academy with a passion. With the Vampire Academy movie coming out soon and people urging me to read Vampire Academy, I finally gave in and decided to give Vampire Academy a try, a bit wary but hopeful. I was surprisingly not disappointed. This was one of the few times that the hype didn’t let me down, Vampire Academy is as good as people say it is.

One word to describe Vampire Academy is fun. Most of Vampire Academy takes place inside a boarding school (as if they can’t tell from the title Kelly). Instead of being the typical, cliche, drama filled book that other boarding school books are, we get a book full of fun and sass, mainly due to the main character, Rose.

“And if you mess with either of us again, I’ll break you in half. If you don’t believe me, go ask Dawn Yarrow about what I did to her arm in ninth grade. You were probably at nap time when it happened.” (42, 43)

I absolutely adore Rose. I didn’t know what to think of her at first – she was reckless and too confident, but also brave. As I read on, I grew to love Rose. She gave up a lot to protect Lissa, her best friend. Rose even puts Lissa before herself. Rose may be loud and reckless, but at the same time, she’s so selfless when it comes to Lissa. That was what made me love her as a character.

Finally, he said, “Were you really going to attack all of us?”
I didn’t answer.
“Doing that…protecting her like that – it was very brave.” He paused. “Stupid, but still brave. Why did you even try it?”
I glanced over at him, brushing my hair out of my face so I could look him levelly in the eye. “Because I’m her guardian.” (14)

And the guys in Vampire Academy! They are all swoon-worthy, especially Christian. I was rooting for Lissa and Christian to get together while I was reading the entire book. They were a perfect fit and the things Christian did to protect Lissa, even though he would get in trouble, was really sweet. The way Dimitri also acts around Rose is adorable. I didn’t really get his appeal – until I reached the end.

“No. If I let myself love you, I won’t throw myself in front of her. I’ll throw myself in front of you.” (324)

As expected, every boarding school book has to have a mean girl. The mean girl in Vampire Academy is Mia. I’m glad Mia is not your typical mean girl; she’s one complex character. Mia has her own personal reasons for doing the things she does, especially when it comes to hating Lissa and Rose. Mia isn’t there just to be mean, she has her reasons for doing the things she does, making her a very conflicting character to actually like. While reading Vampire Academy, I couldn’t decide whether to like or hate Mia. One minute I will like her, only to discover in the next minute that she took things way too far. I understood Mia, but at the same time, Mia was just too much.

“You sure have an attitude for someone who doesn’t exist right now.”
“As opposed to you?” I asked. Remembering what Christian had said, I did feel a little sorry for her. That guilt disappeared after I took one look at her face. She might have been a victim, but now she was a monster. (266)

I figured out most things before they were officially revealed in Vampire Academy. Things such as what “shadow-kissed” means and what kind of power Lissa has wasn’t that hard to figure out. Still, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead managed to keep me invested in the book.

I will definitely be reading Frostbite sometime soon, maybe as soon as possible. I want more Rose and more Christian. (Yes, I actually liked him.) I’ll have to be sure to buy the rest of the Vampire Academy series before I start Frostbite though because I heard that there will be a huge cliffhanger. Why torture myself with a cliffhanger when the entire series is already released?

four

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 6-21-13 · 55 Comments
Categories: 2007 book, book review Tagged: 4 star

« Book Review: Immortal City – Scott Speer
Stacking the Shelves [38] »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Nara says

    6-21-13 at 9:35 AM

    I like Christian too! He’s pretty awesome in subsequent books too. In terms of Mia- keep reading the series. She grows on you! (Especially in Frostbite)
    Nara recently posted…Spontaneous Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop + Jen Minkman Author Interview (INT)My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-21-13 at 6:56 PM

      Yes, I’m glad to hear that we get to see more Christian! :D
      And Mia growing on me? I’ll kind of hate for that to happen. :P
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle MeadMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Eveline @ Eveline's Books says

    6-21-13 at 10:49 AM

    Great review! I’m glad you loved this book, I did too:) I liked Christian too, he and Rose an expectedly good team!
    Eveline @ Eveline’s Books recently posted…Feature and Follow Friday #3My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-21-13 at 6:58 PM

      Thank you! (:
      I know, Christian is amazing! I’m glad we will see more of him in the future.
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle MeadMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Kazhy says

    6-21-13 at 11:06 AM

    Awesome review! I’m glad to know Rose is not the irritatingly-reckless type of character. I really should get around to reading this book. I want to read the whole series before the movie’s released next year! <3
    Kazhy recently posted…Cover Reveal: Charmed – Cambria HebertMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-21-13 at 6:59 PM

      That’s exactly why I read Vampire Academy; I want to read the book before I watch the actual movie.
      Hopefully you’ll get to reading Vampire Academy soon! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle MeadMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    6-21-13 at 1:05 PM

    I read this just a few months ago, and really enjoyed it as well! I didn’t really understand the attraction between Rose and Dimitri until I got to around the middle of Frostbite, but now I love them together (and I love that quote from him in your review). Glad you liked it!
    Rebecca recently posted…Follow Friday: QuotesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-21-13 at 7:03 PM

      I didn’t understand the attraction between Rose and Dimitri until I got to the end of Vampire Academy. Hopefully Frostbite will make me root for them even more!
      I’m especially glad I liked it too; I usually dislike reading hyped-up books.
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle MeadMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Mel@thedailyprophecy says

    6-21-13 at 2:43 PM

    I’ve only read one negative review about this series before. All the others I see are always so positive. I have the series waiting on the shelves, so I guess I better get started soon :) Perhaps when I finally have some free time from school. Great review! I think I will really like Rose.
    Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Feature & Follow 22.My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-21-13 at 7:07 PM

      I’ve read one negative review on Vampire Academy too and was prepared not to like VA, until I actually read it.
      Aww, I still have to buy the rest of the series! I heard that there was a MAJOR cliffhanger at the end of Shadow Kiss.
      Thank you! I hope you like Rose too! ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Vampire Academy – Richelle MeadMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Jackie says

    6-21-13 at 7:48 PM

    Great review(:
    Jackie
    Jackie recently posted…Charmed Cover RevealMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-22-13 at 5:22 PM

      Thank you Jackie! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [38]My Profile

      Reply
  7. Jess, Books and Sensibility says

    6-21-13 at 9:18 PM

    Glad you liked this. I just picked this up from the library so I can’t wait to start reading it.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-22-13 at 5:25 PM

      I can’t wait to see what you think of it Jess!
      Vampire Academy really deserves the hype in my opinion.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [38]My Profile

      Reply
  8. Alyssa says

    6-22-13 at 3:37 AM

    This is one of the many series that I needed to start with. I kept on hearing raves about the VA series and their fandom is really huge so I hope I can get to read this book soon!
    Alyssa recently posted…Book Spotlight: Keeping HerMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-22-13 at 5:26 PM

      Yeah, Vampire Academy’s fandom is HUGE. It’s scary really.
      I hope you’ll enjoy VA when you find time to get to it Alyssa! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [38]My Profile

      Reply
  9. Stacy Renee says

    6-22-13 at 7:46 AM

    I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it. My sister has been bugging me about reading this series for a couple of years and I’ve put it off over and over but now that I know there is a movie adaptation being made, I’m finally going to read them soon. I think I was put off from the vampire genre thanks to Twilight but I keep hearing great things about these so I might as well give them a chance. :)
    Stacy Renee recently posted…Stacking The Shelves #8My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-22-13 at 5:29 PM

      That’s the main reason why I read Vampire Academy – I prefer to read the actual book, then watch the movie.
      Vampire Academy is definitely better than Twilight! The vampires don’t sparkle (:P) and Dimitri has no stalker-like tendencies. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [38]My Profile

      Reply
  10. Cali W. says

    6-22-13 at 12:47 PM

    Cool review. I still need to read this series myself. I am not to crazy about vampires though. ;)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-22-13 at 5:31 PM

      Aww, it’s sad to hear that you’re not crazy about vampires. I totally understand why though, there’s WAY too many vampire books these days.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [38]My Profile

      Reply
  11. Kierra( kikiD) says

    6-22-13 at 5:50 PM

    I also adored Rose! She was an amazing main character with her sassy wit :)
    I read the series about a year back when it was really popular, and I finally gave it a try. Like you, I was definitely not disappointed!

    Love the quotes!
    Kierra( kikiD) recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Read-a-thonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-23-13 at 8:06 PM

      Yes, Rose’s sass totally made me cheer for her! I need her in my life. ;D
      It’s amazing when hyped-up books don’t disappoint you, isn’t it? ;D
      Thanks!
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. ArmentroutMy Profile

      Reply
  12. Rachel says

    6-22-13 at 8:48 PM

    I haven’t read this series either!! I also feel like I need to since everyone talks about it and now they are filming the movies. Glad you weren’t disappointed!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-23-13 at 8:07 PM

      I was definitely not disappointed with this book. And you should definitely read the book before you watch the movie Rachel! ;D
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. ArmentroutMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Amber (Books of Amber) says

    6-23-13 at 10:02 AM

    I am so happy right now. *tears everywhere* Rose is one of my all time favourite female characters, and I adore her. Like you, I also LOVE Christian. That guy needs his own series. I actually ship him with Rose, because why not? He’s hot and charming and they argue a lot. A great ship, in my opinion.

    I’m soooooo excited for you, because this series gets better as it goes on :D Even if the last book is a bit meh.
    Amber (Books of Amber) recently posted…Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus QuinnMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-23-13 at 8:10 PM

      YES, Christian totally needs his own series. If Richelle Mead visits NYC again, I’m definitely telling her that.
      Hmm, Rose and Christian don’t really argue that much in VA, but I’m looking forward to reading about them two in the future books, especially since you’re shipping them both. ;D
      I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! If only my wallet was bigger…
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. ArmentroutMy Profile

      Reply
  14. Anastasia says

    7-02-13 at 6:19 PM

    I’am glad you liked this book! I also loved this whole series!
    Rose and Dimitri<3
    Lisa and Christion<3
    I think this book had amazing couples(:
    I am also soo exited for the movie!! I feel like its going to be awesome!
    Anastasia recently posted…June Wrap-Up and July TBRMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-03-13 at 7:02 PM

      I can’t wait for the movie either!
      Hopefully it’s not disappointing.
      Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [31]My Profile

      Reply
  15. Mandy Earles says

    7-03-13 at 9:38 PM

    Oh, I didn’t know they were making this into a movie. It’s been on my TBR list for a while, but I’ve been putting it off. I just wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but after reading your review, I’m definitely going to give it a shot, especially before the movie comes out ;-)
    Mandy Earles recently posted…Hump Day Hook — 6/26My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-04-13 at 3:46 PM

      Yep, the movie is called Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters.
      I hope you enjoy reading Vampire Academy as much as I did Mandy! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 4 – Tears On My Pillow + Book Spine PoetryMy Profile

      Reply
  16. Shana Silver says

    7-08-13 at 8:59 AM

    You have to check out the audiobook of this book. The narrator reads Dimitri in this sexy Russian accent. It kicked up the swoon-level I have for him a bazillion notches.
    Shana Silver recently posted…Friday FiveMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-10-13 at 3:25 PM

      Oh my goodness, the narrator does?! Usually audiobooks are just not for me, but you have tempted me to listen to one now. :P
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila SalesMy Profile

      Reply
  17. Leonor (Ner) says

    7-10-13 at 1:54 PM

    Wow… reading your review was like reading my own feelings about the book. I adore Rose, I was also praying for Lissa and Christian to be together and that sentence that Dimitri said *drools*

    I think most people avoid this book because they’re expecting some sort of Twilight on a boarding school. And, let me tell you guys, this is sooooo much better than Twilight in, like, so many different levels.

    I’m so glad you likes it ^_^

    XX Ner
    Leonor (Ner) recently posted…Review: Death and the Girl Next DoorMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-10-13 at 3:26 PM

      Yes Leonor, Vampire Academy is SO not Twilight. It’s WAY better than Twilight. (:
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila SalesMy Profile

      Reply
  18. Een says

    8-02-13 at 1:29 PM

    Yay! Glad to know that you liked the book just as much as I did!!! Romitri all the way!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-03-13 at 11:04 AM

      Ha ha, I have to read the rest of the series though! :P
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]My Profile

      Reply
  19. Helen says

    8-19-13 at 2:11 PM

    I’ve heard so many good things about this series too. I love that you described the book as ‘fun’, that makes me really want to read it now!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-19-13 at 7:38 PM

      Ha ha, Vampire Academy is definitely a fun book to read Helen! I think you’ll love this one. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Clear Your Shelf Giveaway HopMy Profile

      Reply
  20. Fatma Shahin says

    8-19-13 at 7:56 PM

    such a lovely start to a lovely series! i saw this book’s trailer and it definitely did not disappoint :) loved the music :D

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-05-13 at 5:52 PM

      I loved this fabulous start to Vampire Academy! :D
      I didn’t really like the movie trailer though. :l
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]My Profile

      Reply
  21. sarah c. says

    10-05-13 at 5:15 PM

    Awesome review!!!! I read this book several weeks ago and loved it.. with the movie coming out soon that is why i hurried up and read it.. i have been wanting to read it but had pushed it aside into my reading pile.. i am currently on the 3rd book and to read the 4th book here soon!!! I liked Rose too–she is strong and very kicked butt kind of gal!!!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-05-13 at 5:53 PM

      Thanks Sarah! :D
      Ha ha, that’s why I read books that are made into movies too – it’s because the movie is coming out soon.
      I hope the 3rd and 4th ones are good! -crosses fingers-
      I admire Rose. If only I can be as strong as her…
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]My Profile

      Reply
  22. Bube says

    10-20-13 at 10:02 PM

    One of the best series ever!
    I love,so,so much this series :)
    Phenomenal,amazing! :)

    Reply
  23. Frannie Panglossa says

    10-22-13 at 6:41 PM

    Everyone probably read and loved this book and I still haven’t read it!!! I have to u.u I’m so curious!

    Reply
  24. Susan T. says

    10-23-13 at 6:58 PM

    I want to read this before the movie comes out too! It sounds like fun!

    Reply
  25. Frannie Panglossa says

    10-27-13 at 3:30 PM

    I really have to read this books! I’ve heard so many things about it and now the movie is coming out and I HAVE to read the book before watching the movie!! *__*

    Reply
  26. dajely p says

    10-31-13 at 6:19 PM

    hi kelly you should finish this serie! is absoluty amazing! i never fall in love of vampires like i did in this time, rosemarie hathaway is such a strong girl and funny probably my favorite YA girl ever, what i love about this series is how important is friendship to rose, even when dimitri is there, she always think in lissa first, read frostbite! so funny and the end… so sad but everything have a reason, great review!

    Reply
  27. Somia says

    11-01-13 at 5:55 PM

    I love this book so much. I only read it last month because I wanted to know the story before the movie release and I really loved it. Christian is my favourite character too ;)

    Reply
  28. Dianne says

    11-22-13 at 9:33 AM

    I’m a fan of this book! :D Did you finish this one? Highly recommended for you to finish! Though I know you’ve got a lot of books to read there :) Good Luck!

    Reply
  29. Joanna V says

    11-22-13 at 11:46 PM

    This series! For a while I hated it because of the way it ended (yeah, I was one of THOSE people…). But since the spin-of series, I’ve been gradually regaining my soft spot for it. I fell in love with the first book so fast. And then the second one introduces my favorite character! So I was hooked. I really agree: it’s fun and it lives up to its hype. I will always love it, even though I may never admit it again. So glad you enjoyed it! Let me know how you’re liking the other books(:
    Joanna V recently posted…The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth EulbergMy Profile

    Reply
  30. Hillary R. says

    11-24-13 at 6:55 PM

    I’m so glad that you enjoyed Vampire Academy! ^_^ Are you excited to see the movie when it comes out next year for Valentine’s Day? I’m pretty sure that I’ll see the movie the day of or the day after it’s been released. I have to because I made myself a fan of the series during high school sophomore year and that’s already been about four years. I can’t believe I stuck around so long, but I’m glad I did. I hope you get to read the whole series and I hope you read Richelle’s Bloodlines series. Gosh, I love that series! I can’t wait to see what you think :D

    Reply
  31. Mara J says

    12-03-13 at 12:32 PM

    It honestly took me two reads to realize how much I liked this book. I despised both Rose and Lissa, but then I continued with the other books and boom! I hadn’t even been aware of how much Rose grew on me. I think that’s what I really liked about this start to the series, that Rose is this impulsive and confident teenage girl and so different to a lot of heroines of the genre. I actually caught myself judging her for things that she shouldn’t be judged for, and it made me smack myself because when it comes down to it, everyone needs a friend like Rose. Her loyalty to Lissa really overshadowed any romantic side-storylines, and I was really thankful for that. Totally agree with you that the plot was very transperant but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I really liked the spin on the different vampire races too! It was oddly refreshing!

    Reply
  32. Ashley says

    1-27-14 at 8:57 PM

    I was kinda iffy about trying this book, since im not exactly a fan of the supernatural, but I must say, you seemed to have fun reading it, so I think I’ll give it a try. I trust your judgment 100%. :]

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Vampire Academy | cooking with the book club says:
    9-24-13 at 3:16 PM

    […] http://effortlesslyreading.com/2013/06/book-review-vampire-academy-richelle-mead.html […]

    Reply
  2. Books to Movies Giveaway Hop says:
    10-01-14 at 6:10 AM

    […] Some books you can choose from are If I Stay by Gayle Forman, The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, or The Maze Runner by James […]

    Reply

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