Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)

by Richelle Mead

Now a major TV series on SKY & NOWTV

ONLY A TRUE BEST FRIEND CAN PROTECT YOU FROM IMMORTAL ENEMIES . . .

Lissa Dragomir is a mortal vampire. She must be protected at all times from the fiercest and most dangerous vampires of all - the ones who will never die.

Rose Hathaway is Lissa's best friend - and her bodyguard.

Now, after two years of illicit freedom, they've been dragged back inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir's Academy. The girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night-time rituals. But above all, they must never let their guard down, lest the immortal vampires take Lissa - forever . . .

'We're suckers for it!' - Entertainment Weekly

'Humorous, kick-ass, action-packed novel' - The Guardian

Also available in the Vampire Academy series:
Vampire Academy (Book 1)
Vampire Academy: Frostbite (Book 2)
Vampire Academy: Shadow Kiss (Book 3)
Vampire Academy: Blood Promise (Book 4)
Vampire Academy: Spirit Bound (Book 5)
Vampire Academy: Last Sacrifice (Book 6)

And don't miss the bestselling Vampire Academy spin-off series, Bloodlines

• ISBN10: 0141328525
• ISBN13: 9780141328522
• Publish Date: 26 May 2009 (first published 1 August 2007)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

Originally posted on Oh, For the Love of Books!

Peer Pressure:

It can really suck. Alright, not always, but this time it does. I like to look on Goodreads and see what books people like and why. Everywhere I turned it was "Vampire Academy" this and "Dimitri" that so I finally decided to see for myself...what was I thinking?

Premise and vampire lore:

Let me talk about the good things first: the plot. Yes, I was extremely interested in the storyline and I really liked the author's take on vampires. I like that not all vampires are the same and that humans actually protect the "good" ones. I like the relationship between the Guardians and their charges and I think her take on the lore was very unique and interesting.

I'll also give her credit for fast pacing and non-stop action. I'm a huge fan of action so that made the book more bearable.

Typical Teenage Syndrome (TTS):

Ah TTS, how you annoy me so! So I just made this up but its something that really annoys me. So what is TTS? Its exactly what its name states. For me, I use this word when authors creates YA stories where all the teenagers drink, do drugs and have sex which is what some adults seem to think all teenagers do. WRONG! It's like a stereotype! I can't stand it when adults think this. We aren't all alcoholic, sex crazed drug addicts! And for me, it was just annoying. Because of this, I had no respect for Rose. There were plenty of times I wanted to punch her.

Is it possible to simultaneously punch and hug a person?:

Because that is what I wanted to do to Rose. Alright, I'll talk about her good qualities first. She's incredibly loyal and kick-butt and snarky, hence the reason I want to hug her. Now onto all the things that bugged me about her. Yeah she was snarky, but there is a fine line between snarky and just plain mean and she crossed that line waaay to many times for my liking. Also, to put it nicely, I thought she was kind of a slut. Look, nobody's perfect, but I have no respect for those who go around making out with every single guy around. Look, I'm all for flirtin but not leading them on and just making out with them to make out with someone. I have a bit more self-respect than that.

Also, I wanted to punch her every time she complained about being called a slut because ya know what? She brought it on herself. Come on, you can't expect to go around doing the stuff she did and not be judged for it. If you don't want to be known as the school slut, then don't act like one. Simple. Have a little self-respect hon. It'll do you a load of good.

Love interest? Psh....I've seen better:

Um...so what's up with Dimitri? No offense (and don't kill me please!) but I don't think there is anything that special about him. Out of all the YA guys out there, he's probably not even on the list. Though I did like it when he put Rose in her place so kudos to that!

Will I continue:

....Yes. Hahhaa I know, I just complained and yet I'm gonna continue. Why?
1. the plot was very interesting and I want to know where it goes.
2. People I trust who weren't to adament about the first book said to continue because of Adrien. They said he's the guy to look out for so I'll admit its kinda peeking my interest.

Overall:

While the plot was incredibly interesting, I wanted to smack the main character many times over. If I wasn't afraid she would kick my butt, I totally would. Heck, even if she did I would still probably smack her! *sigh* Hopefully this Adrian guy will make this series worthwhile.

[boghunden]

Der er bøger, der er en kliché på andre. Der er bøger der prøver at nye indenfor en genre/et tema, men alligevel skuffer. Og så er der bøger, det simpelthen er synd at lade ligge. Frygtens skole er sådan en bog. Der findes rigtig mange bøger om vampyrer. Både gode og dårlige. Og så findes der Vampyr akademiet der behandler temaet lidt anderledes. Det virker rigtig godt at vi her følger Rose, en dhampir, i stedet for selve vampyren. Det fungerer bare!
Jeg frygtede virkelig den her bog, fordi den udenpå mindede mig så meget om Nattens Hus – en serie jeg blev slemt skuffet over og endte med at sælge uden at læse. Jeg er glad for, jeg endelig fik læst den her bog. Det eneste jeg fortryder er, at det tog mig så lang tid at komme i gang. Den minder mig faktisk ikke om noget andet, jeg har læst. Ikke indenfor vampyr genren i hvert fald.
Og så har den her bog jo noget ingen andre har: Dimitri! Er helt forelsket i ham, synes han er en rigtig fed karakter og vil meget, meget gerne høre mere til ham. Jeg følte mig i hvert fald langt mere i målgruppen hos den her bog end jeg gjorde med Twilight (som jeg stadig ikke har læst færdig og nok heller ikke får gjort). Jeg er ikke i tvivl om, at jeg skal have fat i flere af de her bøger næste år. Læs den, læs den, læs den!

[Amanda]

Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2011/09/14/review-vampire-academy-by-richelle-mead/

Vampire Academy was the type of first-book-in-the-series to whet your appetite for the rest of the series. I felt like Vampire Academy told me everything and nothing. Reading Vampire Academy was like peeling back the layers of an onion, slowing revealing the world in which it is set, and all the secrets that follow with gaining that knowledge. And while we’ve gotten deeper within the world, we certainly have not reached the inner core.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Rose and Lissa, partly because it was so strong, and partly because for as much as they are connected, they also seem distanced; Lissa is as much of a friend to Rose as she is a responsibility and it is interesting how this line is blurred and crossed repeatedly. We were thrown head first into the story, having to make frequent trips back to the past to explain the present. I got lost a couple times, but for the most part this device worked well. Back to the onion layer thing, if you will.

Finishing Vampire Academy felt like looking at the tip of an iceberg. I know there is something big beyond this book, but I can’t see it; but what I have seen is enough. There is a lot we still don’t know, and I’m left with the feeling that the academy is only a very small part of the bigger vampire world, and that the politics going on will come out to play in future books.

[catiebug]

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT: http://escapetowonderland.org/2011/07/vampire-academy-by-richelle-mead/

I've seen Vampire Academy in the past when I've been browsing books either in store or online and I just skipped over them. Once I got into the book blog world, I saw more and more good things about them and got more excited to read them each time. I can't believe I never gave them a try because they are amazing!

Vampire Academy starts off kind of vague and I think that is what really catches your attention. Rose is a badass and I love that she is so headstrong. There are times where I just want to slap her, but other times where I'm completely on her side. She is so real and isn't afraid to just be who she is and say what she feels. I love that she isn't royal because honestly, her personality is more fit for a guardian and I couldn't imagine her being okay with someone else protecting her.

I love Lissa too because she is the shy and quiet one who thinks rationally. She and Rose go so well together because they balance each other out. Rose protects and cares for Lissa, but Lissa kind of helps Rose to keep in check otherwise I'm sure she would be in more trouble.

And what good would a vampire book be without some hot vampire guy? I love how each of the three guys, Dimitri, Mason, and Christian, are so different from one another. You got Dimitri who plays by the rules and is the adult, but he has his times where he is a pretty laid back guy. Mason is the guy that you can always count on to be there if you need him. And Christian is just the bad boy.

There is so much information that is packed into Vampire Academy, but it manages to still have a plot that keeps you interested. Very rarely do I ever finish a book in a matter of two days but I just couldn't put it down. There isn't as much action as I hoped there would be. Since things are just getting started, it still leaves you wanting more in the end and anxious to find out what is going to happen.

I'm not crazy about these covers, but in a way, they fit. They're kind of mysterious looking and they leave you to wonder a lot.

[Stephanie]

Originally posted at Once Upon a Chapter

Vampire Academy is the first book in the Vampire Academy series. It is an awesome first book and makes me want to read the rest of the series as soon as possible! Rose and Lissa have an unbreakable bond. It was forged in possibly the most terrifying moment of both girls’ lives. The cause of the bond remains a mystery for quite a bit of the book. It really adds to the plot line. As the reader you can know what both Rose and Lissa are feeling through the bond.

The story opens with Lissa and Rose staying on a college campus while trying to finish up their high school degrees. Two years ago Rose managed to convince Lissa to leave protected St. Vladimir’s campus in Montana and have been on the run ever since. Finally, St. Vladimir Academy gets serious and sends professional guardians out to retrieve Lissa and Rose. Neither is very happy about going back to the school. Once there, life returns to normal. Both Lissa and Rose have quite a bit of learning to make up for. Rose is on house arrest except for school and her extra training sessions with Dimitri.

Most everyone at the school accepts the prodigals return without too much drama. Mia, Lissa’s boyfriend’s new girlfriend, wants both girls’ reputations ruined. Mia will do anything to keep the spotlight off her. It makes Rose’s task of keeping Lissa safe more difficult. In general, Rose would be happy to silence Mia. Not too long into the school year, threats start making their way to Lissa. They seem a little over the top even for Mia, so who wants to scare Lissa? Does the unseen foe mean to harm Lissa or just shake her up?

Wow! This book kept me glued to the pages (errr, buttons as it were) through the whole story. I didn’t feel like it dragged once. This is a young adult book and there isn’t anything beyond a heavy make out session as far as heat goes. Lissa and Rose are very close. They have a unique friendship that sadly isn’t found more often in the real world. Mead does set up a love triangle with Rose and two other male characters. I have a feeling I know where it’s going to lead but I always feel so torn between both men because they both have their own attributes that make them perfect for the heroine! Despite the conflict that I know is coming involving the relationship, I know that the Vampire Academy series is going to be one amazing ride!

[Amber]

Warning: I tried to stop the gush. I really, truly did. I just couldn’t help myself!

The book kicks off with two best friends, Rose and Lissa, being dragged - quite literally! - back to St Vladimir’s Academy, which they escaped from two years previously. The reason why they escaped is kept quiet for the most part, with little snippets being revealed here and there, throughout the book, until all is revealed at the end (did that sound intriguing? I hope so!)

The main plot isn’t a complicated one. Things are told from Rose’s point of view, as she settles back into life at the Academy and takes up extra guardian training classes with a hot Russian named Dimitri Belikov. It’s okay to swoon at the sight of his name. I do it all the time.

But of course with Rose being Rose, life is never simple. Someone at the school seems to have a grudge against her best friend Lissa, and they keep leaving dead animals for her to find. There’s a whole mystery regarding this, and yet there is so much more going on! I won’t give anything else away, you’re just going to have to read it for yourself. I don’t even think I could explain everything anyway.

Richelle Mead has given us such an original and unique take on vampires - yes, there are vampires in here! - and I was left astounded at the creativity of it all. The Moroi/Guardian/Strigoi ‘lore’ in this book can be confusing at first (are you confused already? I bet you are!) but it is relatively easy to suss everything out eventually and if you read the next books, understanding it all soon becomes second nature.

Our main character Rose is the most amazing and badass character I have ever read about. She even out-badasses the boys! She’s strong, loyal, hilarious - seriously, you should see some of the things she comes out with! - and above all, she’s lovable.

As I mentioned above, Rose takes extra guardian training sessions every day, and gets hot and sweaty with her hot, 6 ft 7, brilliant, amazing, Russian - I’ll stop now - twenty four year old mentor. Dimitri is HOT. I was surprised, as I honestly wasn’t expecting to love anyone more than I love Jace Wayland or Alex Fuentes. But, I have found him! I’d marry Dimitri, I really would. The age gap between he and Rose is a huge problem, and this comes up a lot in the book. Rose isn’t one to withhold her feelings, after all!

In conclusion, this book is INCREDIBLE, INTENSE, and just overall BADASS. I can’t believe it took me so many months to read this, and the rest of the series. This series is literally all I can think about! (And talk about, apparently. I think I'm starting to get on some of your last nerves!)


10/10

You must buy it! Go, go, go!

[elysium]

This was better than I thought but it was still too YA for me. The only people I actually liked were Christian and Dimitri. Though I wonder why Dimitri can't look for girls his age...

[Jo]

Not that long ago, I read Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast, and there are some similarities between these novels; they're set in campire schools, and vampire students can specialise in elemental magic. But there the similarites end. Anyone who may dismiss Vampire Academy of being another Marked - like I believed it would be - should stop now. I liked Marked, but I loved Vampire Academy!

The plot and structure of this book are just outstanding! It's told from Rose's point of view, and a fair few times, the past is mentioned in conversation without an explanation, but the flash backs come a little later - and the plot is so complicated that the smallest detail, either something in the past or smething said in conversation, can end up becoming a big puzzle piece later on down the line. Nothing in this novel is there by chance. I was copletelyblown away byhow everytingfit together!

I love the mythology in the novel of the mortal vampires, Morai, and the immortal vampires, Stigoi, who are evil incarnate, afeed from Morai to be at their strongest. Even the Dhmpure are cool, the guardians who protect the Morai from the Strigoi. It's fascinting!

It was awesome having Rose narrates the story too, as she is extremely tough and loyal, with a wicked sense of humour. It was unexpected, as, generally, vamps tend to be the strongest; I was thinking Lissa would have all the action and Rose would be "watching fom the sidelines"so to speak, we wouldn't get it first hand. But Rose was always right in there. And the action was just awesome, it definitely gets the adrenalin rushing.

Lissa is such a lovely girl, and wouldn't hurt a fly, but as nice as she is, the girl has issues, so with Rose narrating, it wasn't as heavy, or fluffy, as it could have been. We get some brilliant literary-candy in this book, too. If Dimitri, guardian and Rose's mentor, dosen't get the heart pumping, I'll be amazed! He is just amazing!

I so can't wait to read the next in the series, Frostbite! Its going to be awesome, I just know it! Go ead Vampire Academy, now!

[Hixxup]

I thought this was a very intriguing book, yes some parts through me for a loop but once it was all explained it flowed extremely well. I feel for Rosa though, I really do. I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Charli G.]

Recently on one of my few and far between trips to Barnes & Noble, I happened on the "teen reading" table when a book caught my eye. The word "vampire" jumped out at me and I just had to pick it up. After reading the synopsis on the back, I felt compelled to pick the book up. Am I ever glad I did!

"Vampire Academy" is the first book in a series by Richelle Mead. The premise is this: vampires are real. They have their own schools, their own subculture to keep them from being used as experiments. There are three main groups in this culture - the Moroi, Strigoi, and Dhampirs.

Moroi are living vampires. They're like you and me only with fangs and they drink blood. But they can be killed in a car accident just like you or me. Strigoi are the undead vampires. Not born, they're made. Dhampirs are half human, half vampire. They serve mostly as guardians for the Moroi.

"Vampire Academy" was a book that I honestly could not put down. The characters in this book are compelling and the story demands that you continue to read, even after your eyes are about to close on their own! In fact, I found this book to be much more compelling than any of the books in the "Twilight" series. And we all know how popular that series is!

This book is a must read for any vampire novel lover, and any lover of supernatural teen reading.