Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)
Author: Richelle MeadPublication Date: August 16, 2007Publisher: RazorbillGenre/Category: Young Adult, Paranormal RomanceSummary 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.
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:
What a great review! I've really been wanting to read this just because everyone else has, and I wonder if I'll like it. Just to be sure I don't buy something I won't like, I'll borrow it from the library.
ReplyDeleteBut, your review makes me think I might like actually like it, after all.
Great review! I love this series. It's different enough that it kept me interested even after I'd grown tired of vampires.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see another Vampire Academy newb! Everyone seems to have read the series already and I have only read the first one as well :)
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just LOVE Dimitri? Oh my gosh, the hotness of that man is just... I don't even have words for it.
Yay, another VA reader! The series gets stronger with every book, and you'll end up looking back at this one and seeing all sorts of clues you never noticed the first time through.
ReplyDelete(So, you'll read them again. And again. Or maybe that's just me...)
Cathy-Thank you! I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did. I'm going to read Frostbite soon, and I'm excited to meet more characters, especially Adrian (have you heard of him yet?)
ReplyDeleteLinda-I agree with you, VA is quite different, in a good kind of way. It's deeper than what I expected :)
Daisy-Oh my! DIMITRI! Yes he's totally hot! I want to know more of him in the next book! I hope Frostbite will not disappoint! ((giggles))
BJ-Now that you've mentioned it, I am now more anxious to read Frostbite! Five more books! I hope I'm a fast reader :)