Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Synopsis (from 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 am a little late on reading this series, and that is because I was hesitant. I thought that it would be like quite a few other YA vampire books I had read and focus mainly on the romance with the supernatural part being on the side. Let’s face it, I thought that it would be like Twilight, which I did enjoy but not something I want to read much of now. However, Vampire Academy was not what I expected it to be and I devoured it.

I liked that the main relationship that the story focused on was the friendship between Rose and Lissa. I loved how much they cared about each other and the focused so much on protecting each other. In a way, with these two, opposites attract. At the start of the book Lissa was the sensible one and Rose was the one who was reckless one and it was interesting to see the contrast. However, as the book went on you felt that each of their personalities rubbed off on each other. Lissa became more reckless, particularly when she wasn’t in control of her emotions and Rose became a little more responsible because of her need to protect Lissa. I will admit that I also enjoyed the romantic relationships. I loved the tension between Rose and Dimitri and I really loved the relationship between Lissa and Christian.

I really liked the different characters. I liked that Rose was so kick-ass and protective of Lissa and I liked Lissa’s kindness. I found that I could relate to both characters. I liked the mystery that surrounded Dimitri and also his dedication and sense of honour and duty and I loved Christian’s frankness and observation. I felt that Mia was a great character even if I wanted to strangle her. I also thought that Victor was a great character and that he and Natalie didn’t fit the moulds that people had given them

I loved the plot. The story just sucked me in and kept me engrossed the whole way through. At times I was able to predict what was happening but some events completely surprised me. I liked how things were revealed bit by bit, offering you clues here and there as to what might happened. I also liked that the story covered some darker themes like torture, self-harming and abduction. It certainly added some meat to the story and also had you questioning things.

It was a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the rest. I give it 5/5 stars!

I read Vampire Academy for the Take Control March 2013 and the 2013 TBR pile reading challenges.

Mel.

Up next: April Releases I am looking forward to!