Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Rasorbill
Published: August 17 2007
Pages: 332
Source: Bought
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.
I know, I'm the last person on the planet to start this series. I suppose the surge of not-so-awesome vampire books a few years ago made me weary. I've had this book on my shelves for quite a while and decided to pick it up on impulse. I know that these book have gotten a lot of great reviews, I'm glad I enjoyed this book.
Vampire Academy reminded me a lot of the Covenant Series for several reasons. The school atmosphere seemed very similar to that in the Covenant series. The main characters both have very similar snarky, rebellious attitudes. The characters both spend a lot of time working on hand-on-hand combat, and both have very... out of reach love interests. I found so many similarities between these two books it was a bit unsettle, and I couldn't help but compare them. Despite how similar they are I do enjoy each series separately- I just hate how easily I can can relate the two books.
I loved the personality of the main character, Rose. I love characters that aren't afraid to speak their minds and question the rules (to an extent). I love how she almost always knew what to say to anyone, and how she was so dedicated to her work.
Like I said before, there is a love interest. Though I wasn't super obsessed with him I did think that they might be good together. I love how they act around one another, and how they are so unintentionally attuned to how the other one acts, it's so cute!
I loved the strong friendship between Lissa and Rose. There aren't many books out there that contain really good friendships. Their relationship was really realistic, they had their ups and downs and they weren't perfect but the worked it out in the end.
I really enjoyed the book and I wish that I hadn't been so hesitant a few years ago. I am currently on to the next book in the series, and I'll see where it takes me.
Hi there! Great review - it's exactly how I thought of the first book, too! I love Lissa and Rose's friendship in these novels. They're both so loyal, but then again, they do fight and have their problems like in real life friendships. Also, I didn't get the Dimitri hype in the beginning, either...but just you wait :) You're going to love him as the story continues!!!
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