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.
Vampire Academy – Richelle Mead
August 17, 2007
YA – Paranormal Romance
Paperback, 332 pages
Razorbill
Six feet seven inches of a “bad ass god,” at least god-like in his appearance – hot damn. Dimitri is a twenty-four year old guardian of the Moroi, or vampires, some descended from royal blood. The Strigoi are those vampires who choose to go to the dark side by drinking humans to death, therefore obtaining immortality. The guardians are crucial in keeping the Moroi safe in the war against the Strigoi.
Dimitri works at St. Vladimir’s Academy, a school where novice guardian Rose ran away with her charge and best friend, the princess Lissa two years ago. Lissa has some deep, dark secrets, the least of all that she shares an emotional bond with Rose. It only goes one way – Rose always knows how Lissa is feeling, which comes in handy when needing to protect her. Dimitri and guard eventually locate Rose and Lissa and drag them back to the academy most unwillingly.
Soon Rose realizes the mistake she made running away with Lissa – she is not strong enough or well trained enough to keep Lissa safe from the Strigoi. Dmitiri offers to give extra training sessions to Rose, to catch her up on her missed time and soon an attraction develops. But all is not well at the academy. The reason they ran away in the first place has not disappeared, and soon Rose, Lissa and Dimitri will be tested on an entirely different level.
Vampire Academy starts right in the middle of the action, yet you are never lost. Richelle Mead does a great job at not dropping a ton of info at the beginning, holding just enough back to keep you guessing for awhile.
The book is told in Rose’s POV and she has that sarcastic, confident demeanor which I always enjoy in a heroine. But for all of her outwards confidence, she has a deep-seeded root to take care of Lissa. She is very unselfish in that respect – I don’t remember a time where she gets angry or jealous because of the choices she has to make in life. It is just the way their relationship is and they both accept it and don’t dwell on it. I find this a very mature attitude for a seventeen year old, and one that I admire.
Dmitri is still very much a mystery – there is definite attraction on both of their parts, but it is hard to act upon it with Dimitri seven years her senior, and in more of an employer role over her. That doesn’t stop their attraction though, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out in future books.
The character that really caught my attention is Christian, who is the outcast, darker character, who secretly pines for Lissa. The defensive mechanisms of sarcastic cut downs he put up went straight to my heart – but it was the times he reached out to help Lissa that made me melt. Because of the bond Rose and Lissa share, Rose is at some times able to “get into Lissa” and see through her eyes. Richelle Mead uses that to let us see Lissa and Christian’s relationship develop, through the eyes of Rose. We were able to witness the more intimate moments of those two, even though the story is still told in Rose’s POV.
This book sets the foundation for what I hear is a great series and I am eagerly picking up book two.
Rating: Four Stars
Nice review, Mandi! This book's going on my TBB pile, which makes this…the nth book I have to read. Oh, for more time!
lol – I know that feeling :)
Aye you beat me to it :)
Oh yes Dimitri sure has something.
Sadly liked it a tiny bit less than you, just a tiny bit
Great Review Mandi! This is by far one of my favorite YA series Rose is such an amazing character and then there is Dimtri! *sighs* Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest :)
*squee!!!* Glad you liked it!!! That 7-year age difference – I loved when Rose called Dmitri "grandpa" LOL! Dmitri is sooo yummy and Rose is a little rough around the edges but I like her regardless.
Oh I'm so jealous that you've managed to start this series – it's still on my shelves unread. It sounds so good and I've read in other reviews that it just gets better…
Oh I really liked this book! Ive already started the second one and so far its exciting!
Dude! Are you getting me addicted to another series! Ahhhhhhh!
I'm so glad you liked it!! I love this series. The series does get even better. Watch out though.. once you read the second you won't be able to stop until you've read them all!
I've been waiting for you to review Richelle Mead – I'm scured what if I like it too much and need to purchase all the books! This happened with Jeanine Frost, I'll be broke before Christmas.
oooh I love Richelle Mead. Her Georgia Kincaid series is fantastic. I read all 4 books in 2 days. I have been meaning to get to this one but it just hasn't made it to the top of the list yet!
Mead has to be one of my fav authors. Her characters are SHEET HOT. Have your read her adult series'? I so recommend both the Succubus series and her Dark Swan series.
I haven't read Blood Promise yet. I'm scared. –Parajunkee
Blodeuedd – Can't wait to read your review!!
Tricia – Really looking forward to reading the next one!
Patti – I def picked this up because of your love for Richelle Mead :)
BCC – This has been on my shelf FOREVER!!! Felt good to finally read it!
Monroe – Cool, we can compare notes :)
Penny – Muahahahahaha. I'm evil that way. And you can't talk, I now have to read Joey Hill!
Caitlin – I'm getting the whole series because I know I won't be able to stop!
Smokin hot – It is my life's mission to put you in bankruptcy
KV – I can definitely see the appeal of Richelle Mead!
Parajunkee – I am reading Succubus Blues soon for a fun joint review. Looking forward to it.
Wonderful review! It makes me want to read the series. I have eyed them from time to time, but have yet to pick them up. Perhaps I'll change that! :)
I love this series. I'm so glad you picked it up! Just wait, Dimitri gets even hotter! Book #2 & 3 are my favorite (I can't pick which)…
=) I've read the first 2 books in this series and i really had a good time. I'm waiting a bit because the last book will be out next year and it's gonna be too hard to wait with a cliffhanger…so i resist the temptation …for now lol ;)
Great review, if i hadn't read it yet this review would definitely make me wanna read it
Enjoy the rest of the series. I recently finished Blood Promise.
Ok .. Love the review..
Does Rose and Dinitri get any action in, tell me they at least kissed, even that…
Whats the tension like between Lissa and Christian..
Support characters – you know I am big on those.. how do you weigh them up…
I am loving this book already…
E.H>
Lily – I know – there are too many good books out there!
Maryse – Ack – I need to start bok two!!!!
Pattepoilue – ooh..didn't know she was wrapping up the series next year..cool!
Barbara – Thanks!
EH – There is some physical action – but there is a twist to it. HA – how is that for vague. But there is definite tension.
THe secondary characters are really great, and I definitely fell for Christian.
oohhh PJ – i totally forgot about Storm Born/Thorn Queen. That is another great series of her. I snatched it up when Amazon was giving one of them away for free. Just as good, if not better, than Succubus.
I have those on my Kindle – totally didn't realize they were written by her. I need more time to read!!
Every time you or Donna write up a review of a YA I really am triggered to buy but the genre isn't entirely my cup of tea ;S I still have Hunger Games to give a go…I'm taking small steps in this genre ;)
ARGH! I knew you'd love it – I knew!
How awesome is Rose? She had me the moment she called Dmitri 'comrade' – lol. And I loved the fact that Richelle Mead went for a very different YA romance between student/teacher that could have totally back-fired on her, if she wasn't so good at writing slow build romance with plenty of sizzle.
Welcome to the Richelle Mead band wagon! I can't wait for you to review the 'Georgina Kincaid' series, and after that you *must* read her 'Dark Swan' books.
Yes, Danielle – She went for the teacher/student and you are so right – it worked. Great point. I really like Rose.
Reading Succubus Blues soooooon…
I read this one a while back and honestly didn't love it, so I went on my merry way and didn't continue the series. But I've heard so many people rave about it since, that I decided this week to try the second one. I'm hoping this one hooks me because I love a good YA series. :)
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this! I've made a point to start collecting this series because of all the great praise it receives. And the maturity you mentioned with regards to Rose and her role is very promising. Can't wait!
;) VFG
Nice review Mandi – thank you! I've read the first two and have the third in my TBR list :) Am looking forward to reading it!
Roni – a lot of people say number two and three are the best…we shall see:)
VFG – I do that too..I love to collect books so they are all just waiting for me to read:)
Orannia – Cool – I'm looking forward to it to!
I had this sitting on my shelf for a while and haven't gotten to it yet. I blame you because of all the other book reqs you've given me. Now you like this one, so guess what…I'm going to have to read it LOL. I truly wonder who made all my reading decisions before you came into my life. hehe
I really want to read this one–Dimitri sounds yummy. :)
Most everyone seems to love the Vampire Academy novels and now you. Think that's great. I need to step on it and get this book soon. Nice review.
Seems I'm always behind!! I wish I had discovered YA Paranormals and Urban Fantasy a lot sooner than last year.
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye