Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy 
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Date: January 1 2007
Pages: 332
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal, Vampires
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Source: Paperback

Summary Goodreads
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...

Review:
This is a very original vampire story. I really like to find myths with new edge. I found the story entertaining, intriguing, and fun. The author did a great job of drawing the reader into the story and engulfing them in this new world.

It is set in the modern world with an academy for Dhampirs and Morois. The Dhampirs are trained to guard the Morois and the Morois are taught to adapt and blend into the world outside the academy. The characters are well written and I felt invested in them throughout the story. The friendship between Rose and Lissa is realistic and seems easy even though circumstances seem to work against them.  Rose is smart, sarcastic, and can really kick some butt. It is always refreshing to find a heroine that is not whiny and can hold her own. The book does have a romantic relationship in the making, which is forbidden. I enjoyed the chemistry and the tension between Rose and Dimitri, it has a real fun edge to it and you can’t help but cheer them on. I think the character building in this story is really what gives it oomph.


The story is action packed, thrilling, humorous and romantic. It will keep you on your toes, guessing what's around the corner.

I think that you should grab this book from a friend, the library, or the store and settle down to read it. At the end you will be wanting the next installment. I know I did.


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