Showing posts with label Author: Richelle Mead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author: Richelle Mead. Show all posts

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Book Review: VAMPIRE ACADEMY by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication Date: August 16, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre/Category: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Summary on 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.

My Thoughts:

The story began with Rose and Lissa--two best friends who are running away from the Guardians who wanted to bring them back to the academy. The reason of their escape from the school was never explained until the last part, and this left me guessing and curious throughout the book. It was good and exciting in my part as it made me anxious to turn the page and read more of the story.

Rose is one strong character. She's totally different from any other heroines I've ever met. She's beautiful, smart, witty, snarky, tough and stubborn--she's totally a butt-kicking heroine. She's not afraid to do what she think is right and she will do everything and anything for Lissa, her vampire bestfriend and also a moroi princess whom she's bound to protect. Back in St. Vladimir Academy, they dwell into world of prejudice and conflicts. Someone knows Lissa's secret--something that both she and Rose are dying to protect. With the other students trying to destroy the two girls, and keeping them off the spotlight, Rose is determined to save Lissa at all cost, even if it means she has to give up her feelings for her hot and gorgeous older mentor--Dimitri.

The story was slow for me especially when I reached the middle part of the book. I expected to read a lot of action (it's a vampire thing, right?), but I got a lot of teenage school drama. I was also looking for some deep and engaging love story but it only gave me a glimpse of romance which I think will continue to blossom in the second book. It was good but it could have been better and I hope that the next books will make up for whatever this book has failed to deliver. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story and it made me eager to read Frostbite. The twists were unexpected and the ending was satisfying. As a whole, this book is both remarkable and engaging, the setting is well-developed, the characters are unique and intriguing--a good start for what seems to be a compelling series of novels.

With a strong blend of complicated but impressive plot, and a whole lot of amazing characters like Rose, Lissa, Christian and super hot and gorgeous Dimitri, fans of vampire stories will surely enjoy this remarkable book.

My Rating: