Review of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

by April (Books&Wine) on January 6, 2010

Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead, Book Cover

Vampire Academy

When I first bought the Vampire Academy books, I only did it because money was burning a hole in my pocket and my fellow book bloggers were singing Richelle Mead’s praises. I bought the Vampire Academy books back around September and had yet to actually read them, with my towering TBR I just never made it a priority to get to Vampire Academy. Cut to a few days ago when posts started cropping up in my feed about a chat with Richelle Mead. Being who I am which, friends, is a lemming, I decided I wanted to go to the chat because everyone else was and OMG famous author! Of course, you don’t just go to an author chat without having read anything by the author, that’s just lame. Cue my picking up of Vampire Academy. Here’s the thing, I opened the book with trepidation thinking  oh this is going to be just one of those paranormal books riding on Twilight’s coattails.

Amigos, I was WRONG. Vampire Academy is,as Erica at the Book Cellar said on twitter, made of AWESOME. Seriously, here’s a quick synopsis from goodreads.com
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.”

Rose Hathaway, the dhampir is a bad ass mother-f-er. I loved her attitude. I loved the things which would come out of her mouth. I think it was on the sixth page of Vampire Academy where she explains how she became best friends with Lissa, that I knew I would love this book. Basically Rose tells the reader about calling her teacher a fascist bastard at the tender age of six. I about died laughing over this part.

Vampire Academy is the first of the series, so there’s character building and backstory. However, Mead doesn’t leave out action at all.  I thought Vampire Academy was funny, dark, sexy, and gripping. There’s one scene between Rose and a certain sex-god male character which gave me chills! Good chills, of course.

You have got to check this book out if you enjoy paranormal, YA books. Also, it’s nice to see girls who kick ass. One word of warning, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead has swears and sex and alcohol, so basically if you live under a rock and have never heard swears, pass on this book. Otherwise, run yourself to the bookstore and read this book.

While reading Vampire Academy I suggest you drink something indulging, such as a Frosty from Wendy’s. Oh and if you are made of awesome like this book, I’d suggest you get some fries to go with your frosty and dip the fries in the frosty, it sounds gross but actually is quite delicious.

Disclosure: I bought two copies of this book, and also got one from my super awesome Secret Santa, Drea at Book Blather

Other Reviews of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead:
Read Darling Reviews
The Book Bug: Books For Tweens and Teens
Serene Hours
Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm

Vampire Academy Series Order:

Vampire Academy (Book One)
Frostbite (Book Two)
Shadow Kiss (Book Three)
Blood Promise (Book Four)
Spirit Bound (Book Five)
The Last Sacrifice (Book Six)

Spin-Offs:
Bloodlines (Book One)

This post was written by...

– who has written 1064 posts on Good Books And Good Wine.

April is 24 years old. She is an educator. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, or eating junk food. She often wears her sunglasses at night.

Contact the author

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Lisa and Laura January 6, 2010 at 10:13 pm

Frosty and a vampire book? On it.

Reply

ck.twilighter January 6, 2010 at 10:42 pm

Love this series from beginning to end!!
Rose is my kind of gal… kick ass and girlie!!=)
And OMG… Dimitri!!! *kisses* I love him!!=)

Reply

Natalie (Mindful Musings) January 6, 2010 at 10:58 pm

Really glad you liked this one! It's one of my favorites! Can't wait to see what you think of the rest of the series! :)

Reply

Debbie's World of Books January 6, 2010 at 11:47 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's by far my favorite YA vampire series. I cannot wait for the next book.

Reply

Jenn-ay January 6, 2010 at 11:58 pm

Okay, Now I really need to get this series. I've been picking up the book at the store, but putting it down. I'm adding it to my series of books to read this year…thanks April : )

Reply

~The Book Pixie January 7, 2010 at 3:09 am

So umm April *casts eyes down and rubs finger in circles on desk* you wanna give me your extra copy? :P lol. I've been dying to read this and want to go to the author chat but since I haven't read the book it doesn't make much since that I go. Probably try getting off Book Depo because everyone is just singing this book's praises. I almost feel guilty for having not read it yet when it seems everyone else has. XD

So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the review. :D

~Briana

P.S. OMG you dip your fries in your frosty too! Ok we are now officially blog buddies. :P

Reply

brizmus January 7, 2010 at 5:58 am

yay! I'm glad you finally got around to reading it and that you loved it! :-)
Isn't it fabulous?

Reply

Patti January 7, 2010 at 11:14 am

Glad you enjoyed it – I love this series, it sucked me in right from page 1!!!

Reply

Emma January 7, 2010 at 4:32 pm

Great review! I haven't wanted to read this book at all, but after reading your review I think I might have to!

Reply

Faye January 7, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I love this series 2 death! I can't wait 2 read the 5th book in the series! Love Dmitri lol

Reply

Lauren January 8, 2010 at 6:05 pm

I had every intention of reading this recently, but never got around to it. Now I'm scolding myself, and wishing I'd bought a copy at the time. Sounds like an amazing read!

Reply

Leave a Comment

{ 4 trackbacks }

Previous post:

Next post: