Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

Oct 01, 2011 Sassy Sarah Reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: great-heroine, romance, sexy-guy, solid-5-stars, paranormal, magic, favorites, best-villains, mind-blown-from-the-awesomeness, vampires

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

First book in the Vampire Academy series

5 stars

St. Vladmir’s Academy is home to one of the most breathtaking races on earth. They hide vampires, but not just vampires from the old tales told to scare kids. These vampires of Moroi and they gifted in magic and have Dhampirs to protect them. Rose Hathaway is Dhampir and her best friend is Lissa Dragomir. Lissa is the last remaining heir in the Dragomir line and they’ve been on the run, but they are dragged back to St

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Sep 04, 2012 Ira rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: must-read-asap

I like it!! But not enough to make me go gaga over this book, hence the 4 stars. But it was well-written with well-rounded characters so what's not to love? :)

Although I was kind of frustrated reading the resemblance The Covenant series has with this book. The general concept was almost the same and I just thought that maybe The Covenant should have been more discrete in imitating this book's concept.

Anyway, I like the book but not very much Rose. She was way too hot headed and overprotective o I like it!! But not enough to make me go gaga over this book, hence the 4 stars. But it was well-written with well-rounded characters so what's not to love? :)

Although I was kind of frustrated reading the resemblance The Covenant series has with this book. The general concept was almost the same and I just thought that maybe The Covenant should have been more discrete in imitating this book's concept.

Anyway, I like the book but not very much Rose. She was way too hot headed and overprotective of Lissa MOST of the time that she almost seems like Lissa's lover. And I just didn't get it at first. But then towards the end when the whole Shadowkissed and their bond was explained, I get it and understood more of what has been transpiring between the two of them. How they are connected and how their story relates to St. Vladimir was actually smart and well-thought off!

I love Lissa's character because she is the more rational and gentle one. Although she may have issues and problems, I still liked her. I also like Christian. Actually, I love them together. They complement each other and their relationship seems effortless.

The whole drama with Mia was kind of over the top. I mean, ugggh! The drama was really making my head hurt. The endless retaliation at getting back each other which could have been avoided if they could just talk everything out but then again, it is still highscool so what do you expect?

The one behind Lissa's torture was semi-predictable because the culprit was one of my guesses :P but I didn't expect that there was something bigger than just bullying Lissa. The whole concept really kept me at my toes and very much interested in this book and I'm eager to start the next book :)

As to Rose and Dimitri's dilemma, it's promising a lot of complications and drama and I can't wait to read what happens next. Although I wish she would just settle with Mason. You know, to keep things safe and less complicated :P

All in all this book was a great read and I'm definitely looking forward to read the sequel! :)

Favorite scene:
“Because we can't be together."

"Because of the age thing, right?" I asked."Because you're my mentor?”
“His fingertip gently wiped away a tear that had escaped down my cheek.

"That's part of it," he said. "But also…well, you and I wil both be Lissa's guardians someday. I need to protect her at all costs. If a pack of Strigoi come, I need to throw my body between them and her."

"I know that. Of course that's what you have to do." The black sparkles were dancing in front of my eyes again. I was fading out.

"No. If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you.”
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Oct 08, 2011 Kelechi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-that-radiate-awesomeness, magic, posh, mystical, paranormal-fantasy, favorites, ya, teen, kick-ass-heroine, vampires

I can only wish to have a friendship like Rose and Lissa's! They are both remarkable in their opposite ways. I would love to be able to fight like Rose or use magic like Lissa. ...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Rebecca Gordon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the things in life that make me happiest is finding a new book series to read. Vampire Academy is one of those series. I was unsure how I would feel about it when I began reading it. Lissa Dragomir is a vampire princess. Surprisingly, she is also mortal. She is protected by her best friend Rose Hathaway. Rose Hathaway is half human and half vampire. Originally, the two young women escaped from St. Vladimir’s Academy due to an unknown threat to Lissa. However, they are captured and forced One of the things in life that make me happiest is finding a new book series to read. Vampire Academy is one of those series. I was unsure how I would feel about it when I began reading it. Lissa Dragomir is a vampire princess. Surprisingly, she is also mortal. She is protected by her best friend Rose Hathaway. Rose Hathaway is half human and half vampire. Originally, the two young women escaped from St. Vladimir’s Academy due to an unknown threat to Lissa. However, they are captured and forced to return to the Academy. One of their captors is the sexy Dimitri. Rose is drawn to Dimitri and he is also attracted to her. St. Vladimir’s is where the friends will once again encounter friends, romance, catfights, and danger. They will have to unite to preserver over danger and to have their heart’s desires.
Vampire Academy grabbed my attention from the first page and captivated me until I closed the book for the last time. Rose is a strong and sassy heroine. She is willing to sacrifice what she wants for Lissa’s safety. Richelle Mead has crafted a complex vampire world that I enjoyed learning about. Dimitri sounded very delicious and had very good chemistry with Rose. There is also mystery in this book and I was eager to find out who the culprit was. When the culprit was revealed, I was very surprised. I could envision the Academy while reading as the world-building was superb. Rose and Lissa’s friendship seemed realistic. They did get into disagreements but always wanted the other one to be happy and safe. I enjoyed the supernatural setting combined with the usual teen normalcy and drama. The dialogue really matched how the characters were portrayed. I could see Rose conversing and being sarcastic while I was reading. One of my favorite things about this series is the characters were aware that they were vampires. However, they still discovered unexpected powers. There is one very sexy scene in this book that will leave readers swooning and wanting more. The ending alludes to the next installment, but does not end on a crucial moment. Rose acknowledges her looks which is unusual to see in young adult book series. I found it made the book more believable. The two main characters have a desire to be better, which a feeling many of us can relate to. However, they never dwell on their problems; they attempt to solve them. Overall, if this series continue on this excellent path it will be one of my favorite series. I would recommend Vampire Academy to readers who enjoy paranormal romance
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