Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Genre: Vampires

Paperback: 332 Pages

Published: August 16, 2007

Vampire Academy Series:

            1. Vampire Academy

            2. Frostbite

            3. Shadow Kiss

            4. Blood Promise

            5. Spirit Bound

            6. Last Sacrifice

Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

            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.

My Review:

                        AHHHHHH! *hyperventilates* I have to say this is one of my favorite vampire series, since I'm not much of a fan of vampire books. I find the concept of vampires overly used and most new series containing this concept seem to be similar to the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. With that being said, this is one of the vampire books I like best. (Plus it was my first vampire book that I read) Now to the review. This series as a whole: these books are an easy read, entertaining, and quite funny. Though in the beginning few books the plot and characters are light and humorous, but as the series progresses the plot and characters become intense and dark. The characters experience torture, betrayal, death, lies, and most importantly true love. The main character, Rose, is strong, determined, stubborn and loving towards her friends. She would do anything to protect them and keep them safe. Even if that means breaking the rules and she's a great rule breaker. Most of all my favorite part of this series is how each book builds upon the previous book making the content consistent and more readable which is something you can't say about most sagas.

            The author introduces two types of vampires; the Moroi who are 'good' and alive. They have the ability to control the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire. The other type are Strigoi who are 'evil' and who kill while taking blood. Then there are the half Moroi and human called Dhampirs (like Rose). They serve as the bodyguards for the Moroi vampires. I loved the concept of Dhampirs because for me it put an interesting twist in the book. The story starts off with Rose and Lissa on the run from something that frightened them at the Academy. Eventually they get captured by the guardians and that's when Rose meets Dimitri Belikov (Sign). There is an instant attraction between them( though Dimitri denies that in the beginning... boys can be so stupid sometimes) and that makes the books so great for me. There interactions are humorous, sexy, and they make the reader fall in love with them.  

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