Vampire Academy Review

Saturday, December 18, 2010


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.
Taken from GoodReads.

Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir have been on the run for two years when we first meet them in Vampire Academy. Rose is committed to keeping Lissa, a royal Moroi vampire princess, safe, and Lissa is determined to have Rose's back at all times. The girls, however, are brought back to St. Vladimir's Academy - the very place from which they escaped. Rose is keeping a deadly secret for Lissa, and the bond they share is in jeopardy every day - can they keep Lissa and Rose safe while within the walls of the vampire academy?

Yes, I took my sweet assed time getting to Vampire Academy because I loathe vampires. They glitter, and stalk, and whine, and meddle in that vampire series I'm sure some of you might have heard of...but a few of my really good bloggy friends convinced me to give this a go. I can honestly admit that I'm pleased I read Vampire Academy. It's a whirlwind of adventure that blends friendships, lore, and enemies into a tale that makes you want to know more. Richelle Mead has created a world of vampires that I can honestly admit - intrigues me.

Now, that's not to say that Vampire Academy didn't have a few hiccups for me. For one, had I not been forewarned, I would have been extremely confused by Lissa and Rose's relationship. For the first half, I was pretty sure they were a couple - not that there's anything wrong with that, but it kind of confused the other relationships in the story. I also think the book started off a bit slow. There was a lot of background in Vampire Academy, and it took a while for that to get out of the way and into the real action of the story. I will, however, note particular strengths in characterization and descriptiveness. The world within Vampire Academy is alive.

No, it's not the best book I've ever read, and I know I'm eating my words here, but I'm going to give Vampire Academy a 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of YA, paranormal romance, and vampire stories - even if you don't like vampires, this is an exciting adventure! I definitely need to know what happens next...mostly with Dimitri. And Rose.

35 comments:

  1. Great review! I felt the same way about this book when I first read it. It's not the best literary piece I've ever read, but the story is very entertaining & it pulled me in. I just finished book #3 and I am on to book #4 now. Keep reading Melissa, it gets better & better!!

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  2. Grea review! I really love this series because of how different it is. It's not the same as other vampire stories. Plus, it gets even better as the story continues.

    Savy
    Books With Bite

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  3. These have been sitting on my shelf forever!! I got them last year on some site on sale, I havent even taken the plastic off. I need to read them soon. Great Vampy review!!

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  4. OH YES! I'm so happy you liked it! And I promise that the first book is the weak link and the series just gets better with each book! Yes, Nat and I felt the same way about their relationship at first... :)

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  5. Great review!I still can't believe I haven't picked up this series yet, but from your review I should probably read it. It sounds like something I'd enjoy :D

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  6. Great review! The series does get better and better. Glad you finally got around to reading it..:)

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  7. Yep, I was totally over vampires until I started reading these books! Yay for Dimitri :)

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  8. I also took my sweet assed time getting to Vampire Academy even though I LOVE vampires. Team Edward! Ahem.

    I think I would have been a little confused by the Rose/Lissa relationship too had I not been told about all the hot guys in the book! I thought it was a fun read (not perfect, but I've been told the series keeps getting better), and I'm going to stick with it.

    Great review, as always! :)

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  9. The first time I read this book I thought "Umm, okay." And then I read the 2nd and my brain exploded. It didn't stop exploding until the end of the series. Even now it's mushy goo. Keep with the series. It's amazing.

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  10. Dimitri.... *sigh* :P
    I haven't read the second book yet, but I really like the first one. But I put an objection like you did, but not the same one : I struggled to appreciate Rose and Lissa... At first, they really annoyed me. I found Rose too impulsive, and Lissa too shy...
    But as I was reading, I finally have truly liked them :) They got through so many things... And finally they are strong and always there for each other.

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  11. I felt the same way about Rose and Lissa when I first read the book. What I liked about the book was the relationship between Lissa and Christian.

    I've only read books 1-3 and they all kind of start off slow for me, but then the end it's like *BAM* action. I need to get on to book 4 soon though because book 3 ended with such a cliffhanger!

    I'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of the rest of the series. It definitely gets better.

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  12. Ahh~ Yay! I'm so glad you finally hoped onto the VA wagon. :) I really, really enjoyed Vampire Academy. It was one of my favorites in the series. The 2nd and 3rd ones get better. Then it slips from the 4th, but don't let that deter you from keepin' on reading. xD

    Can't WAIT for your reviews of the next books! :D

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  13. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and I do promise that each book gets better. I will warn you that your emotions will be on a roller coaster ride once you get attached to each of the characters - I know mine were and still are.

    Great review, Melissa! I always look forward to reading your reviews on books I've either already read or am interested in reading. =)

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  14. YEAH!!! I love Dimitri:) I think part of his appeal is he's a little older so I don't feel so awkward crushing on him when I'm almost 30:) I think the series gets better and better, can't wait to see what you think of the next 5!

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  15. This one kind of made it go downhill for me, vamps and teens and me just do not mix for some reason :(

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  16. Glad to hear you liked it. I've been debating reading this series myself. Thanks for the review!

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  17. Glad you enjoyed it. I think it gets better as it goes. :)

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  18. Yay! You FINALLY decided to give VA a chance! :P

    See... not all vampire books are bad lol I can't wait to see what you think about the other books as you read through them! They only get better :)

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  19. Okay, if you gave it a 4/5 rating, I'm curious. I've stayed away from this series, but everyone seems to like it so much. *sigh* What to do? :)

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  20. Finally! haha. Read Frostbite right away,I like it better than Vampire Academy!

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  21. I still haven't gotten around to reading this series yet. I'm glad to see a positive review from someone who isn't a fan of vampires.

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  22. Yay! You finally got around to reading it! Do you intend to read the remaining books? (I hope so, they just get better and better! I am totally rereading the series for probably my sixth or seventh time right now)...
    :)

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  23. I read this a while back but remembering enjoying it but I'm a vamp lover despite the glittering, stalking, whining and meddling! Glad you liked it despite the flaws.

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  24. Lol, at the Twilight reference. Wait until you meet Adrian in the next book! I haven't gotten around to reading Last Sacrifice yet but I'm hoping to Dimitri and Rose end up together just so I can have Adrian all to myself. *gives an evil laugh* If only he were real ...

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  25. great review!i love the story too. it's not the best read ever but i do categorized as one of the best =)

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  26. I do not like vampires. There are some exeptions to this rule but your review, although with a surprisingly high mark, didn't warm me to this series. Isn't it a bit like "The House of Night"? I hope it isn't but once bitten (ehem) twice shy.

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  27. Sounds good :) Who doesn't love adventure? I wonder when I'll break my vamp diet :)

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  28. I can't wait to read this book. It's been sitting on my bookshelf forever, but for some or other reason, I just don't get around to reading it. going to have to make a point of reading this asap now! Enjoyed your review Melissa :D

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  29. I'm glad you gave this series a chance!! While I liked the first book, the rest of the series is way better. Can't wait to see what you think of the later books!

    Tara SG - 25hourbooks.com

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  30. This is one of my FAVORITE series!

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  31. I love vampires, and I still have yet to read this series. My sister just finished it though, and LOVE it. She is going to let me borrow her books, so maybe I will get started soon. Don't want to be the last person on the planet to see what all the fuss is about.

    I'm glad you were convinced to give this one a go and enjoyed it. It was interesting to see your rating. ;)

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  32. holy moly comments!!! I guess people are thrilled you finally read this and liked it! (myself included). Your world forever changed!
    Happy Monday! :)

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  33. I'm definitely going to give this a read at some point, despite my aversion to vampires and paranormal books in general. Practically everyone was salivating over the last book, and it seems like the blogs I read fan-girl over things for good reasons! Glad to hear your take on this one, as I think we usually have similar tastes. =)

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  34. I've heard such great things about this series, several of my friends are reading and and said they thought I'd like it so I'm planning on picking it up. Glad to see you enjoyed it as well!

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