Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)

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Well, I finally did it. I finally read Vampire Academy! The series has been out since 2007 and hoards of adoring fans rave about it, but I just never got around to reading it. So, when I saw a super cheap copy of the first book at my local used book store I decided to pick it up. I'm so happy I did! This is really a different kind of vampire book and the characters are honest and refreshing. The story is mysterious and captivating while still being fun. I can't say I loved everything about it but I still think Mead is deserving of all the praise she has received, at least based on the first book.


LIKES:

Rose and Lissa. The friendship that these two share is really incredible. Rose is headstrong and wild and fiercely protective of her best friend, the sweet, unstable Lissa. Lissa, in turn, trusts and respects Rose, despite her lower social status and questionable reputation. There were definitely times where I forgot that this book was about Vampires at all because Rose and Lissa's friendship was so commanding. Lissa is intensely vulnerable after the deaths of her parents and brother. Although she is a royal Moroi vampire, she has few real friends at school but Rose makes up for this completely. Rose, in addition to being her best friend, is also her guardian and has devoted her life to protecting Lissa. However, Rose does not act out of duty but rather out of love and loyalty. There's really nothing like a best friend, even if you're a vampire.
The Vampires. I was really expecting the vampires in this book to be tough, powerful, bloodthirsty immortals - you know, vampires. I'm usually a purist when it comes to these sorts of things, but Mead really put the humanity back into these guys. At least, some of them. There are two types of vampires, Strigoi and Moroi. Strigoi are more like the classic vampire: undead, ruthless, soulless monsters. Moroi, though, are alive and connected to the earth. And while they are strong and need blood to survive, they also need regular food and sleep and protection. They are hunted by the Strigoi and they need half-vamps to protect them. Their vulnerability makes them relate-able and easy to understand. It also makes it necessary for them to bond with their protectors. I just really liked they weren't huge bad-asses. And that surprised me.
It doesn't feel like an intro. Finally, I like that this book doesn't feel like it's just here to set up the rest of the series. There are so many first books that do this and it is one of my pet peeves. Vampire Academy could almost be a stand-alone novel. It isn't a cop-out.

DISLIKES:
Adult Themes. First, let me say that I don't have problems with adult themes in YA books, as long as they are dealt with tastefully and responsibly. Part of being a teenager is learning how to deal with "adult" things so I see no problem with putting them in YA literature. There were a couple of things about this book that bothered me. First of all, the language was a little iffy. I was sort of surprised by the amount of cursing throughout the book. I am no prude when it comes to language, but I thought Mead went overboard sometimes. Second, self-mutilation is a huge issue in this book. This is something that real teenagers sometimes have to deal with, whether it be with their friends or themselves, but I think it was handled a bit too lightly in some place. For instance Rose refers to Lissa's cutting as "her weird way of coping" at one point. I think that's a bit flippant, personally. To be fair, this issue is dealt with on a more responsible level later on, but it still bothered me.
Lots of dead/mutilated animals. This sort of goes hand-in-hand with my first problem. The shear amount of animal mutilation in this book is a little startling. I get it, it's a book about vampires, who cares if a bunny gets ripped apart when people are dropping like flies. But, it was just a little gratuitous.
Pedo-alert? Okay, this one might make some of you angry because I know how much you all love Dimitri, but seriously, Rose is in high school! He's in his mid-twenties. I'm 25 and I would go to jail if I were involved with a high school-er. Plus, yuck. I know, he's super hot and moody and ripped, but couldn't they be a little closer in age. Maybe as the books go on this gets less creepy as Rose gets a little older. Here's hoping.
Overall, I really enjoyed Vampire Academy. I think it was just what I needed after a stressful couple of weeks. It has adventure, action, horror and romance. It's a great summer read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

I think this book will definitely have its fans. The plot and the characters are interesting. The story as a whole fell a little short of what I wanted. I felt like the writing was "thin." I wanted more detail, a tighter storyline, and just ... more. But, I also enjoy thick books with lush prose and so keeping that in mind, I will say again that there's nothing wrong with this book and I'm sure it will have many fans.

the beginning of the book was kind of slow, but near the end alot of stuff happens. i didnt really like the writing syle in some parts. i thought the book was really fun to read though because it was so different from the "twilight" idea of vampires.

Reader reviewed by Jamie

This is an addictive and fun read.This is typical Ya novel that what i thought at first about catfights,parties and gossip but it was more than that . This is about   Rose hathway and Lissa Dragomir   they ran away from st. Vladmir's along time ago but suddenly they were sent back.The school is for vampires and it's divided by royals( moroi)and Guardians(dhampir). Guardians are to guard the royals from the deadly vampires who's called Strigoi that bite humans and vampires! Danger and drama  awaits Lissa and Rose . She is in training to be Lissa's gaurdian. But can she do that while she's falling in love with her mentor who's seven years older than her.Fans of action  will like this as well.

Reader reviewed by sunny

This is A GREAT book. If you have read Evernight then this book will be the perfect match for you. At first it is a little hard to follow the plot but i literally couldn't put it down the whole time I was reading it. The first time you read it you might space out a lttle and be liek 'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON' but if you power on then it leaves with a need for more. Just a brief summary - this book is about a teenager named Rose. When things get a lottle complicated in her life she turns to love but that doesn't work out either. Her very special bond with her best friend Vasillisa,enables Rose to save her from a life of healing her uncle, the next in line to the throne of the Vampire World.

Reader reviewed by justin

vampire academy is a great book. i thought it was interesting that the auther created a world that had three types of vampires. the moiri (living vampires), dhampire (half vampire), and the strigoi (the immortal undead). moiri and dhampir go to schools around the world to learn how to be proper vampire citizens. this book had a lot of action and great characters. it was a great read.

Reader reviewed by Brooke

This is one of those books that you hate to put down. I actually read this book in just 2 days. This is a love story mixed in with a hate story. You think that nothing willl happen and then BANG it happens. If you read the first one you seriously need to read all of them! Trust me anyone can and will love this book.

Reader reviewed by E.M.Woods

The book was great. So there's this...umm girl who's training to be a guardian or bodyguard basically. Her name is Rosemarie(aka Rose) Hathaway, girl with the looks and an attitude you won't forget. Rose and her best friend Vasilisa Dragomir ran away from their vampire boarding school during high school. Two years after escaping, they are caught and dragged back to St. Vladmir Academy. There Vasilisa(aka Lissa) finds love and discovers her special vampire powers. But Lissa isn't the only one falling head-over-heels for a boy. So is Rose, but it's a forbidden love with an older guardian who is her mentor. Now, if you think the book is only about romance, you're wrong. There's fighting against the tainted Strigoi, vampires who kill humans and Moroi (living vampires, the good ones) and dhampir (half vampire, half humans, the guardians who protect Moroi).

Reader reviewed by Katelin

This is a really cool vampire book. Rose is a very interesting character to follow and will have you either yelling at her or laughing with her. With the different kinds of vampires on the campus (Damphires, Moroi, and Strigoi) it can be a little difficult to understand and tell whose who, but after a few chapters things get cleared up. Dimitri, Rose's teacher, is a great love interest and a perfect match for Rose. When Rose's best friend Lissa (the last Dragomire Princess whose family died in a car crash which she saved Rose from by bringing her back to life, causing Rose to be shadow kissed nad have a bond with Lissa) is kidnapped for her rare ability of Spirit, things get steamy between Dimitri and Rose. Mason is also a loyal friend to Rose and an all around good guy, especially when rumors are spread around about her doing explicit things with two guys. Mason also has a huge crush on Rose which turns devastating in the sequel Frostbite.