Release Date: August 16th, 2007
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Pages: 332
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository
ONLY A TRUE BEST FRIEND CAN PROTECT YOU FROM YOUR IMMORTAL ENEMIES...
Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest 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-bent on making Lissa one of them.
After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger... and the Strigoi are always close by.
Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever...
Let me start off by saying that I love Vampire Academy! I was so skeptic to pick it up because I made the biggest mistake and judged a book by its cover. But come on you have to admit that these covers are just so terrible, but they have grown on me since the new covers are just so plain. And then we have the name; Vampire Academy. It sounds so cheesy and cliche. And as everyone knows I love a good boarding school story, but even the word academy in the title did not spark my interest in reading. Vampire Academy just sounded like another comparison to Twilight and I was not in the mood for that. It is when I saw that Booktube was becoming obsessed with these books that I knew I had to start picking them up. And clearly they were successful considering the hype over the spin-off series Bloodlines. With all this happening before me I knew I had to pick up this book. I read it and I fell in love because not only was it about love and romance, but it also showed a strong bond (teehee) between friends. The dhampir and moroi need one another in order to continue the cycle in their society.
Lissa and Rose have fled St. Vladimir's Academy because of a terrible incident that happened almost two years before that could put their lives at risk. After two years on the run, new dhampir professor Dimitri captures the two and returns them to the Academy. Once they return they get right back into the swing of things and Rose is forced to take extra classes with Dimitri in order for her to graduate on time. The dhampir are considered the guardians, serving as protectors over the Moroi from the dangers of the Strigoi. But Lissa is an exceptional Moroi since she is a princess and next in line for the throne. Her guardians must be on top of their game, the best of the best. Though they are separate for most of the day due to their different training, Rose is still able to be with Lissa without anyone knowing. Rose and Lissa share a bond and in times of stress or distraught, Rose can see exactly what Lissa is feeling. Along with the growing romances between Rose and Dimitri and Lissa and mysterious boy Christian hiding in the church attic, Richelle Mead shows her skill in writing urban fantasy with a twist of snarky teen edge.
What I love the most about this book is how strong Rose is. She is badass and is not afraid to tell you what she thinks of you to your face. But yet she is so three dimensional because she has this motherly side of her that takes care of Lissa and wants to keep her safe. She is super forgiving when it comes to Lissa and the things she goes off and does without Rose's approval. Lissa creates a nice contrast to Rose's strong and straight forward personality. Lissa and Christian's outcast relationship is far more relatable than Rose and Dimitri's. Where the beautiful princess falls for the outsider who is not as bad as everyone thinks.
I love this book and cannot wait to continue with the series. I have already bought all six books, but I just need to take them one step at a time. The way the storyline is developing and unfolding is super interesting to me! I love Vampire Academy and cannot wait to continue. 4 out of 5 stars!
Let me know what you guys think of the Vampire Academy series below and should I move onto Bloodlines when I am done!
Thanks Hons!
Lee Chand
I def wanna read these now. The titled sounded too cheesy for me but I think I'll like it
ReplyDeleteI wanna read asap because of your review! I am in need of a good vampire book after interview with a vampire by anne rice.
ReplyDeleteThey are so good. I love a good boarding school story
DeleteI recently marathoned the entire series, and I definitely agree with you! I love these books. Great review! It was really detailed and enjoyable to read!
ReplyDeleteMy friends did not like it before the movie came out. Then when we decided to at least try how the movie is, I can finally say now that I'm gonna read this! Hahaha! Nice review there, Lee. I also loved the sisterly love between Rose and Lissa. And I'm saying this based on what I saw in the movie. <3
ReplyDeleteread them!!! I totally love them!!!
DeleteI haven't read this yet. But it sounds great! Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI do want to read these. I've been addicted to vampires since the tv show Moonlight.
ReplyDeleteI love the books. I must finish them. The first book was great. Your review is great. Happy you like the book too.
ReplyDeleteLove this review!
ReplyDeleteI love vampire books!
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Rose and Lissa sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteThe fascinating world of vampires!
ReplyDeleteI loved this series!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where I can buy 'Shadow Kiss' with the original cover for a reasonable price?
I adored Vampire Academy, but I feel that in the middle of the series it got a tad boring. Although it picks up again closer to the end of the series. But that might be just my opinion, my friend devoured the books and she can almost always find something wrong with a Vamp book
ReplyDeleteI adored Vampire Academy, but I feel that in the middle of the series it got a tad boring. Although it picks up again closer to the end of the series. But that might be just my opinion, my friend devoured the books and she can almost always find something wrong with a Vamp book
ReplyDeleteVampire Academy is one of my most favorite series ever! I first read it when I was in 7th grade and so vampire books were a big thing then. However, I still love the series. I LOVE Rose's character. As you mentioned she is super strong and a badass. My favorite book in the series is Blood Promise.
ReplyDeleteI did not like bloodlines as much as I did Vampire Academy as it turned out to be super slow for me. But I'm wondering if you've read bloodlines and how do you feel about it?