Vampire Academy – Richelle Mead

I really enjoyed this introduction to a whole new series. Usually, it takes me quite a while to get into a series because it’s the start of a new world and story, however, I was completely captured by Mead’s writing and loved being a part of the world of the Vampire Academy. 

Plot

Two years after Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir’s Academy, they are once again trapped and taken back. Lissa and Rose recount the many events that lead up to them running away and how Rose is in charge of Lissa’s safety as a guardian protecting her Moroi – a mortal vampire – from the Strigoi – an immortal vampire. 

Rose and Lissa must now navigate the world of teenagers that they’ve been placed back in and have to figure out how to get out of the outcast group and back into their routine of two years ago. 

Characters

I feel like Rose is one of those characters that act so tough but really isn’t. Sure, she’s super strong because she’s half-human, half-vampire, but she’s also just a girl that’s trying to get through school. It’s a lot of pressure and she generally deflects all of it by acting super tough and strong. She’s definitely desperate to protect Lissa and keep her from harm, but I feel like she’s kind of just stuck not being able to live her own life which bugged me quite a bit. I felt like she could do so much more than just be a protector. 

Lissa really had the damsel-in-distress act down. It was getting a bit annoying because she’s a vampire, it’s not like she can’t protect herself. I get that she’s supposed to have her guardian to keep her safe but she’s a vampire! She should be able to do some basic self-defense instead of waiting for Rose to show up. 

“Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.”

Don’t get me wrong, I did really enjoy their friendship and I thought the emotional bond that they shared with each other was super cool, but there were times when it was too dependent and Lissa needed to get a grip on herself. 

Dimitri was a character I totally fell for, though. Russian, dark-haired, ugh, what’s not to love? And the intensity in his every word – oh my goodness. I couldn’t get enough of him and everything that he was. And he was older, just adding to the smoldering intensity of him. I do wish that the tension paid off and Rose could be with him, but at the same time, I’m excited to see how they interact in the next book too. 

“Do you think I’m pretty?

I think you’re beautiful

Beautiful?

You are so beautiful, it hurts sometimes.”

Setting

The academy was intense and amazing. I actually really loved it. I feel like it’s what you’d expect from a preppy academy and it was dramatic and crazy and the intesity of it was so fun!

Writing

The book kind of read like a Wattpad book sometimes so that kind of brought it down for me. It sounded a bit fanfiction-y. Despite this, I did enjoy it and it was super easy to read and get into. I felt myself captured almost immediately after starting it and that first chapter made me want to read so much more!

In Conclusion… 

This was a great introduction to an exciting series! I’m excited to see where the author takes it and how the story develops, especially because there are so many books. 

Rating: 4/5⭐