Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Date of Publication: Aug 16, 2007
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Synopsis:
RAWR! *shows pangs*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.
Sorry I don't know the sound of vampires, maybe, *SNAAARL-GRRRRawr* will do?
Okay, stop with that nonsense! I've read Vampire Academy way back 2011 and I never had the chance to write a review for it. The 14 year old me probably was so giddy to swoon over the male leads. HA! That was me as a reader. But I changed. A little. Heck. A lot. I reread VA before I jumped into watching the movie last Feb. You all probably know what VA is all about for it is popular and well-known in the YA section. But if you don't know, then, you must know. SORRY I BLABBER.
*clears throat* I'll be serious now. So imagine a typical high school life, but this time it's a vampire version. There are the cool kids, bitchy popular ones, hot dudes and of course, the royal ones. But don't fret, it has a very promising story about greed for power, Strogoi starving for vampire blood and Moroi protecting the royals(Dhampirs) scheme.
“Love and loyalty runs deeper than blood.”
I enjoyed reading this because of four reasons: 1.) Rose Hathaway is kickass and snarky. Her character is very refreshing. She doesn't cause drama and she just basically do the hell she wants. Her reactions are precious. She's also loyal and responsible to her job of protecting Lissa, her bestfriend. 2.) The bestfriend relationship was touching. Lissa and Rose maybe on different class of their society, but they have this very very close tie that no one can destroy. 3.) Plot has so much potential, it is very unique for me. The writing as well as the pacing was enough to get lost in the sea of pages. 4) CHRISTIAN OZERA.
On the other hand, the romance was very flat. It didn't spice up anything. Rose and Dimitri was so meh I actually want to skim their moments. WHERE'S THE CHEMISTRY. Lissa and Christian's relationship on the other hand was almost fluffy, but still hauntingly dark. Christian is hot.. I mean mysterious and I like my heroes to be that hot...I mean mysterious. Lissa felt like a secondary character rather than a main one. It was hard for me to get the connection or give appreciation on her character. She doesn't say or do that much.
The cliche highschool drama was still here. After all, this is YA. But I can't help to roll my eyes or scrunch my nose at the futile dramas. The latter was exciting. I wasn't able to guess who is behind the evil doings, but BAM once we got to the closure of the book, I was thrilled and sort of surprised. You know that feeling of "I know who it is but I feel like he/she is not it" kind? That was exactly what happened. Last point I want to share is I definitely adore Rose & Christian's uncanny, wacky friendship. Before I end this review, I leave you some of my favorite lines/dialogues.
Exhibit A:
A ghostly smile flickered across his face. "If you weren't so psychotic, you'd be fun to hang around.""Funny, I feel that way about you too." He didn't say anything else, but the smile grew, and he walked away.
Exhibit B:
“When I saw you fall...""You thought, 'Wow, she's a loser.'"
Exhibit C:
“I love pity parties. I wish I'd brought hats”
