Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead


Series: The Vampire Academy
Publisher: Razor Bill (Penguin)
Category: Young Adult
332 Pages

From Razor Bill:
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.

Somewhere down the line, I became addicted to vampire books. Only the good ones of course! ;) The Vampire Academy is definitely one of the good ones. I'm sure the idea of a vampire school was used before this book (which was published in 2007) and I'm sure it'll be redone. But no one will be able to do it with the twist that Mead has given it.

The vampire mythology in this book is stunning. Most vampires are Moroi - vampires tied to one specific element that are also mortal. The Strigoi are the vampires of our nightmares - ruthless creatures that can't stand sunlight and are hard to kill. Then there are Dhampirs - half human and half vampire that can only breed with Moroi, so often become guardians of the Moroi. The best of both worlds, for the most part.

The pace of this story is perfect. You'll never guess who the villain is. Since this was my second time reading it I caught some of the hints, but if you've never read it I doubt you'll pick up on it. It's a delicious read, it really is. While there is a lot of important choices in this book there's also a lot of normal high school stuff like, let's say, destroying reputations, flirting, and gossiping.

Rose was a badass character. I wanted to be her throughout this entire book. She has a sharp tongue and plans on being one of the only Dhampir women to become a guardian. What's not to like? Lissa, who is the last of her royal line, was really likable. Her story is interesting. I don't want to ruin anything, but it's not just hormones making her go crazy. I loved the three main men too: Dimitri, Christian, and Mason. Mason is such a great character. So is Christian (who might just be a male version of Rose). These two really add to the story. And Dimitri? Dear God, can I have a Dimitri? Please?

I hope that in the fourth book (I've already read the three that are out before) to learn even more about shadow-kissed Anna. Does this cover make anyone else think of Anna?


This book is worth a read. Completely. If you don't own it and want to or if you want to pre-order the fourth installment Blood Promise order it from the University Bookstore in Seattle and you can have it signed by Richelle Mead! This site explains how.

A+