Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

by - 8:36 AM

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Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Date of Publication: Aug 16, 2007
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Synopsis:
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.
RAWR! *shows pangs*
 movie animated GIF

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” 

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17 comments

  1. I'm not a huge fan of vampires, but that's only because I haven't actually read any really good ones, yet! I want to read this one because of the huge fuss it's gotten before the movie release. Although I've heard mixed stuff about the movie. x) I still want to try it! That dialogue is awesome.
    Thanks for stopping by @ Notebook Sisters!

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    1. Me too tbh. I've only read this, Twilight and Up from the Grave that has vampire as MC. I hope you get to read this soon! :D

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  2. I like Bloodlines better but like you I really adore Christian and Rose's unusual, completely platonic relationship.

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    1. I only cared about Christian and Rose's relationship when it comes to the affairs of the characters. I am that bad? :( I really want to read Bloodlines and skip the other 4 books in this series! Ugh, can I do it?

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  3. hahaha I've actually never read Vampire Academy, because I never was a big fan of romance. And then Twilight just ruined vampires for me too. But I might give this one a shot, later.

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    1. Yes you should! Never a fan of vampires too, but this was good!

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  4. I really enjoyed this one too - it was a little cliche and fluffy sometimes, but all in all, it was a fun read!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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    1. Agree agree! Cliches be damned! We still enjoyed it anyway. ;)

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  5. I really enjoyed this series and I still need to watch the movie. I never liked Lissa throughout the series, it always bugged me that she was put first. Sorry you didn't care for Rose and Dimitri's romance. I loved it! Great review! :)

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    1. I thought there's something wrong with me because almost everyone shipped them so hard! I hope Lissa warms up to me on the next books!

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  6. I haven't read this one yet, but I have heard nothing but glowing reviews for it! :D I'm definitely going to have to give it a try so I can join the fanclub and see what all the hype is about! Thanks for sharing, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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  7. I actually only read this a few months ago (before seeing the movie thankfully) and didn't realise until then how many other authors really base their books upon the same concept. It's a great teen read, but it didn't urge me to continue on with the rest of the series. The only thing I really enjoyed was the romance. I love that intense slow burning passion. The movie has turned me off continuing on with the books though. There have been very few Vampire series' that I've really loved, Julie Kagawa's Blood of Eden was one of them. Now that's a vampire. Awesome review.

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    1. OMG I am so excited to read Blood of Eden! Thanks for reminding me to put it in priority! =) Actually, I've read this years ago but I didn't jump off on the sequel right away.

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  8. I love Christian and Rose's friendship, too! It's so funny to read about. Rose is also an awesome character and I love all the action throughout the series.

    I don't know if you've already read it, but I think the Bloodlines series is even better than this one. That could have something to do with how much I love Adrian, though :p Great review, Abby! :)

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    1. OH GOSH! You just made me want to crave for Bloodlines!! I need it. I need it. So bad. Yes, Christian and Rose 's friendship is gold!

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  9. I loved this series :p I hope you'll continue reading them, The best part in here is Rose and Lissa's friendship. I even thought that one of them is a lesbian at first *awkward* Anyway, I'm pretty satisfied by Dimitri, even though I'm not swooning over him (at first) and seriously, one of my goals: to be a Rose Hathaway. To be bad ass and sassy like her :P

    Fantastic review, abby! :)

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Thank you for your comment! ♡ Happy reading to everyone!