Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Jan 01, 2011 Quantum Thief- Behind the Mask rated it it was amazing

it was an amazing read!

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May 11, 2012 Cat rated it really liked it

Well, I finally did it. I finally read Vampire Academy! The series has been out since 2007 and hoards of adoring fans rave about it, but I just never got around to reading it. So, when I saw a super cheap copy of the first book at my local used book store I decided to pick it up. I'm so happy I did! This is really a different kind of vampire book and the characters are honest and refreshing. The story is mysterious and captivating while still being fun. I can't say I loved everything about it bu Well, I finally did it. I finally read Vampire Academy! The series has been out since 2007 and hoards of adoring fans rave about it, but I just never got around to reading it. So, when I saw a super cheap copy of the first book at my local used book store I decided to pick it up. I'm so happy I did! This is really a different kind of vampire book and the characters are honest and refreshing. The story is mysterious and captivating while still being fun. I can't say I loved everything about it but I still think Mead is deserving of all the praise she has received, at least based on the first book.

LIKES:

Rose and Lissa. The friendship that these two share is really incredible. Rose is headstrong and wild and fiercely protective of her best friend, the sweet, unstable Lissa. Lissa, in turn, trusts and respects Rose, despite her lower social status and questionable reputation. There were definitely times where I forgot that this book was about Vampires at all because Rose and Lissa's friendship was so commanding. Lissa is intensely vulnerable after the deaths of her parents and brother. Although she is a royal Moroi vampire, she has few real friends at school but Rose makes up for this completely. Rose, in addition to being her best friend, is also her guardian and has devoted her life to protecting Lissa. However, Rose does not act out of duty but rather out of love and loyalty. There's really nothing like a best friend, even if you're a vampire.
The Vampires. I was really expecting the vampires in this book to be tough, powerful, bloodthirsty immortals - you know, vampires. I'm usually a purist when it comes to these sorts of things, but Mead really put the humanity back into these guys. At least, some of them. There are two types of vampires, Strigoi and Moroi. Strigoi are more like the classic vampire: undead, ruthless, soulless monsters. Moroi, though, are alive and connected to the earth. And while they are strong and need blood to survive, they also need regular food and sleep and protection. They are hunted by the Strigoi and they need half-vamps to protect them. Their vulnerability makes them relate-able and easy to understand. It also makes it necessary for them to bond with their protectors. I just really liked they weren't huge bad-asses. And that surprised me.
It doesn't feel like an intro. Finally, I like that this book doesn't feel like it's just here to set up the rest of the series. There are so many first books that do this and it is one of my pet peeves. Vampire Academy could almost be a stand-alone novel. It isn't a cop-out.

DISLIKES:
Adult Themes. First, let me say that I don't have problems with adult themes in YA books, as long as they are dealt with tastefully and responsibly. Part of being a teenager is learning how to deal with "adult" things so I see no problem with putting them in YA literature. There were a couple of things about this book that bothered me. First of all, the language was a little iffy. I was sort of surprised by the amount of cursing throughout the book. I am no prude when it comes to language, but I thought Mead went overboard sometimes. Second, self-mutilation is a huge issue in this book. This is something that real teenagers sometimes have to deal with, whether it be with their friends or themselves, but I think it was handled a bit too lightly in some place. For instance Rose refers to Lissa's cutting as "her weird way of coping" at one point. I think that's a bit flippant, personally. To be fair, this issue is dealt with on a more responsible level later on, but it still bothered me.
Lots of dead/mutilated animals. This sort of goes hand-in-hand with my first problem. The shear amount of animal mutilation in this book is a little startling. I get it, it's a book about vampires, who cares if a bunny gets ripped apart when people are dropping like flies. But, it was just a little gratuitous.
Pedo-alert? Okay, this one might make some of you angry because I know how much you all love Dimitri, but seriously, Rose is in high school! He's in his mid-twenties. I'm 25 and I would go to jail if I were involved with a high school-er. Plus, yuck. I know, he's super hot and moody and ripped, but couldn't they be a little closer in age. Maybe as the books go on this gets less creepy as Rose gets a little older. Here's hoping.
Overall, I really enjoyed Vampire Academy. I think it was just what I needed after a stressful couple of weeks. It has adventure, action, horror and romance. It's a great summer read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
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Sep 12, 2010 Angela rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. First Read: NOV 26, 2010
Second Read: FEB 20, 2011
Third Read: MAR 22, 2013

The Vampire Academy is book one in the Series, The Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead. This book is about Rose Hathaway, a Dhampire training to become a Guardian and Lissa Dragomir, a royal Moroi. Rose and Lissa are 17 years old, best friends, and attending St Vladimir's Academy.

(view spoiler) First Read: NOV 26, 2010
Second Read: FEB 20, 2011
Third Read: MAR 22, 2013

The Vampire Academy is book one in the Series, The Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead. This book is about Rose Hathaway, a Dhampire training to become a Guardian and Lissa Dragomir, a royal Moroi. Rose and Lissa are 17 years old, best friends, and attending St Vladimir's Academy.

(view spoiler)[Rose was fatally injured in an accident and Lissa healed her using her spirit magic. When a teacher sees Lissa's spirit magic in use, she encourages the two to run away. Lissa needs blood and the two need to keep a low profile, to keep themselves safe, Rose donates her blood twice a week to Lissa. This transfer has bonded the two, and Rose is able to sense Lissa's emotions.

After two years on the run, they are caught and returned to the school. Rose's future is unknown - the school wants to expel her but gives her another chance. Dimitri Belikov, a hot 25 year old Guardian, offers to train Rose before and after classes, to help her get caught up. Lissa and Rose are having a difficult time re-integrating into the SV Academy Social Scene after the students find out Rose was feeding Lissa. Rose is working on controlling her anger and Lissa is trying to control her depression.

In the middle of everything, Lissa meets Christian, a Royal Moroi, who's become an outsider after his parents turned Strigoi. Rose doesn't approve of Christian and makes it difficult for Lissa to be happy. To recreate some normalcy in their lives, Lissa uses her Spirit Magic to enhance her 'mind control/influence' to make everyone accept her and Rose. After become the 'Queen Bee' again, she pushes Christian away and becomes more depressed.

Someone is terrorizing Lissa by leaving her dead animals. Lissa can't control her emotions and begins to cut herself. After almost bleeding to death, Lissa begins therapy and anti-depressants.

Rose fixes the damage she made in Christian and Lissa's relationship and the two become an item.

Lissa's 'Uncle' Victor gives Rose a necklace during his visit to the academy. Lissa is happy that her Uncle is visiting, until he kidnaps her with the help of his daughter Natalie.

Rose is distracted and unable to read Lissa's emotional cry for help. She's in Dimitri's room and all she can think about and feel is her lustful need for Dimitri. Dimitri is uncharacteristically returning her lustful behaviour and the two are all over each other. They're about to make love when something triggers Rose's memory. Dimitri removes the necklace and throws it out the window. Victor placed a spell on the necklace which is now removed.

Rose and Dimitri (and Christian) use Rose's bond to track Lissa. Lissa is growing weak from healing her Uncle Victor. Dimitri and the other Guardians rush the cabin to arrest Uncle Victor. Rose and Christian leave the safety of the truck to save Lissa. Lissa is free with the help of her friends and Dimitri saves Rose once again. (hide spoiler)]

I loved book one and the rest of the series. ...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Avital rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, vampires, romance

It's definitely the best series I've ever read. (Yes, including Harry Potter!)
It has great plot, writing, and the characters...
Well, I just loved Rose Hathaway. It's so rare to read about a female protagonist that is so strong and sarcastic and funny that doesn't make fun of her herself on a regular basis.
And Dimitri... All I can say is that I never believed to a character in my life. He was so real, and what can I say? I just love warriors.
So of course I give it 5 stars and I recommend it to al ...more

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