Vampire Academy review

Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead
August 16th 2007
Razorbill

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.


So, Vampire Academy was way better than I thought it would be, Even though I've been told many a time that it's awesome, I was still kind of under the impression that it was gonna be a cheezy-mopey-corn-fest kinda book... I was an idiot. Because it was nothing of the sort. Like, I'm such a fool for putting off reading them for so long! But I kept on hearing people talking about Dimitri and I was just like I may as well read it and find out what all the fuss is about. I'm now regretting making that decision without having the 2nd book on hold for me to read straight after.


Rose was kick ass. (And I have to mention this quickly, but I don't like the covers. At first, just because I thought they looked a bit stereotypical cheesy paranormal, but now because the model on the covers gives the complete wrong impression of Rose because Rose is half Turkish and has black hair and the model is white and blond-brown haired... So... Yeah.) But seriously, I was not expecting such a snarky reckless main character. It was a nice surprise. And sometimes she was super controlling about Lissa and kept on telling her what to do without really thinking about it much, it was all with good intentions. Though really, bond or no bond, she shouldn't be telling Lissa what to do and Lissa shouldn't always do it!


But Lissa was really sweet. For most of it. But it was good that she wasn't always defenceless and letting Rose control her, even if she kind of went a bit psycho when she got angry, and when she was using compulsion on everyone... But she was lovely most of the time ;)


And Dimitri... He was okay. I don't want to make a judgement and be all like ZOMG DIMITRI when Adrian hasn't even some into it yet, but Dimitri was cool. As gorgeous as he is though, he's coming across a bit broody, and while broody people are fine, there is a line between broody and Edward Cullen. If he crosses that territory, I'm out. ;) But so far, he's pretty awesome. If not for all the serious Guardian stuff that means him and Rose can't get together.


The book kept me on my toes and while some things I could see coming a mile before they happened, and some things I figured out pretty easily, the end of the book took me by surprise. I did not expect the bad guy to be the bad guy, not at all. And while it ended pretty neatly, I can't wait to start the next one! (Once I have enough money to buy it ;p)


Vampire Academy wasn't a book I was expect much from, but left me pleasantly surprised at Rose's snarkiness and the books general badassery. I can't wait to see what else the series has in store! :D