Book Review: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead

Book: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) - Richelle Mead


Publishing Date: August 16th 2007


Read from January 07 to 11, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy,  Paranormal


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...

My View:

It's been ages since Vampire Academy has been sitting on my TBR shelf. Years a go, one of my cousins recommended this series to me and I brushed it off because like everyone else, I was in love with Twilight at the time. This year I sort of made a pact to myself, that 80% of my reads this year have to be the ones I have been avoiding for a long time.

Vampire Academy is a story of two friends Lissa and Rose. Lissa is a vampire and a Moroi princess. Rose is a Dhampir (Half Human/Half Vampire) and aspire to become Lissa guardian to protect her from the evil vampire clan Strigoi. The story begins, when Lissa and Rose are brought back to the St. Valmadir's Academy they escaped two years ago. The Academy is a place where Moroi and Dhampir are trained. Moroi specializes in magical powers and Dhampir are trained to be guardians. The girls then are thrown into drama, school politics, romance and mysteries surrounding them. 

The book started a little slow for me. For some reason it was difficult for me to get into it at the beginning. Once I finally settled in it, it got very predictable for me. I knew who the bad guy was, pretty early in the book.

Even though I was not impressed as I hoped to be with Vampire Academy. It was still an easy and entertaining read. I would like to read the next part in the series Frostbite, before I write off the series completely. 

The Good:

• I have to admit, there was sometimes fascinating about the book, I can't put my finger on what though as there so much I don't like about it. 
• The writing style was addictive and easy to read.
• The mythology of the book was it's saving grace. I was interested in it and wanted to know more about it.
• I adored characters of Lissa, Christian and Mason.

The Bad: 

• I didn't like Rose's character, she might be a very loyal friend and very passionate about her work, but she came across as stupid and kiddish to me. She was so full of herself, that it annoyed me. 
• Dimitri was not swoon worthy for me (Sorry!). I wanted to like him and I did but not in a sexy way. 
• The story was way too predictable for my liking.
• I wished they explored more of Lissa and Christian's relationship. 

Overall: 3/5

Writing: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 3/5 

Favorite Quote:   “I had a standing arrangement with God: I’d agree to believe in him—barely—so long as he let me sleep in on Sundays” 

Favorite Character: Christian, Lissa and Mason