| Title: Vampire Academy Author: Richelle Mead Publication Info: Published August 16th 2007 by Razorbill ISBN: 0141328525 Genre: Paranormal Young Adult The Flavor: Twilight meets Heathers The Short Version: Ignore the obvious title and everything you think you know about vampires because this book is straight-up delightful with a side of kick-ass. |  |
The Description: In the world of Rose Hathaway, there are three types of vampires: Strigoi (the undead, bad vampires), Moiri (the living, good vampires), and Dhampir (the half-vampire bodyguards for the Moiri). Rose happens to be a superstar Dhampir, training to protect her best friend (and vampire princess) Lissa. As the title suggests, the two attend a school for vampires. While at school, the girls discover Lissa is in danger, and Rose must find a way to protect her. Of course, she also has to navigate the super-cliquey social scene, traitorous men, and a completely inappropriate crush.
The Characters: Rose Hathaway is our heroine, and she is not at all what you would expect. Sure, she is pretty, tough, loyal, and a number of other stellar qualities. But she’s also a raving bitch. One of the things I love most about Mead is that she isn’t afraid to give her heroines and heroes incredibly bad qualities—some of which might even be considered unforgivable. Rose is absolutely not above sabotaging Lissa’s fledgling relationship, spreading rumors, and judging people—but I forgive her because she also saves Lissa, stands up for herself, and goes after what she wants.
The Characters: Rose Hathaway is our heroine, and she is not at all what you would expect. Sure, she is pretty, tough, loyal, and a number of other stellar qualities. But she’s also a raving bitch. One of the things I love most about Mead is that she isn’t afraid to give her heroines and heroes incredibly bad qualities—some of which might even be considered unforgivable. Rose is absolutely not above sabotaging Lissa’s fledgling relationship, spreading rumors, and judging people—but I forgive her because she also saves Lissa, stands up for herself, and goes after what she wants.
You flirted with the other guys simply for the sake of flirting. You flirted with Jesse in the hopes of getting semi-naked with him. He was a royal Moroi, and he was so hot, he should have worn a WARNING: FLAMMABLE sign. - Rose Hathaway
I must warn you that some people find the relationship between Rose and Dimitri to be incredibly inappropriate as she’s a student and he’s a teacher. But I loved me some Dimitri. The only thing I found inappropriate was his hair (a ponytail. Ugh.). For me, everything between Rose and Dimitri was absolutely delightful.
[Dimitri] shrugged. “She might be wild and disrespectful, but if she has potential—“
“Wild and disrespectful?” I interrupted. “Who the hell are you anyway? Outsourced help?”
“Guardian Belikov is the princess’s guardian now,” said Kirova. “Her sanctioned guardian.”
“You got cheap foreign labor to protect Lissa?”
Lissa is a different story, and I never really warmed to her. She seemed more plot point than character, and I mostly just got tired of her shenanigans. But her relationship with Rose is the heart of the story, and I loved watching Rose navigate that relationship.
The Dialogue: This isn’t a book with what I would call delightful conversation. But everything out of Rose’s mouth is hilarious and full of sass.
The Dialogue: This isn’t a book with what I would call delightful conversation. But everything out of Rose’s mouth is hilarious and full of sass.
“Hey Mason, wipe the drool off your face. If you’re going to think about me naked, do it on your own time.”
But the best parts of the book are found in Rose’s thoughts.
I had a standing arrangement with God: I’d agree to believe in him—barely—so long as he let me sleep in on Sundays. - Rose Hathaway
And in her interactions with Dimitri.
“I get in that kind of situation all the time, Comrade. It’s not a big deal.” Anger replaced my fear. I didn’t like being treated like a child.
“Stop calling me that. You don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure I do. I had to do a report on Russia and the R.S.S.R. last year.”
The Setting: I LOVE Richelle Mead’s world-building. I loved it in her Age of X series, and I loved it in Vampire Academy. Her spin on vampires is slightly different from others, the most notable difference being that there are three races of vampires.
The story actually takes place in a high school, and it really does have all the drama-rama you could ever want. But in addition to the high school backdrop, Mead has also created fascinating political, cultural, and social systems. And as always, she does a great job of making you feel as if you are living in the world she has created.
Extra Credit: I give big props when an author isn’t afraid to go there. Lissa has severe emotional issues. Rose and Dimitri have a romantic affair while he is her high school teacher. Rose may struggle with a type of drug addiction. And sex is an ever present issue—who’s having it, who wants to have it, who’s not having it.
With that said, this book might be on the mature end of the YA spectrum. But I love that Mead addresses and tackles these issues, instead of just brushing past them.
Parting thoughts: I put off reading this book forever. I knew that if I read it, I would love it. And then I would have to read all 6 books plus all of the books in the Bloodlines series. Well, let me tell you. I did love it. And I did read all those books. It took me 2 weeks, but I’ve now read all eleven books set in this world.
It was totally worth it. Don’t make the same mistake I did. You shouldn’t wait. You will love them. So, go. Start now.
The story actually takes place in a high school, and it really does have all the drama-rama you could ever want. But in addition to the high school backdrop, Mead has also created fascinating political, cultural, and social systems. And as always, she does a great job of making you feel as if you are living in the world she has created.
Extra Credit: I give big props when an author isn’t afraid to go there. Lissa has severe emotional issues. Rose and Dimitri have a romantic affair while he is her high school teacher. Rose may struggle with a type of drug addiction. And sex is an ever present issue—who’s having it, who wants to have it, who’s not having it.
With that said, this book might be on the mature end of the YA spectrum. But I love that Mead addresses and tackles these issues, instead of just brushing past them.
Parting thoughts: I put off reading this book forever. I knew that if I read it, I would love it. And then I would have to read all 6 books plus all of the books in the Bloodlines series. Well, let me tell you. I did love it. And I did read all those books. It took me 2 weeks, but I’ve now read all eleven books set in this world.
It was totally worth it. Don’t make the same mistake I did. You shouldn’t wait. You will love them. So, go. Start now.
By Rachel Lyn Paxton. She can sometimes be found around Twitter.
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