Vampire Academy review

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) 

Author: Richelle Mead

Published: August 16th 2007 by Razorbill

Rating: 

What it's about:

In a world with two races of vampires, there are those who have to protect the good from the evil. They are known as the Dhampir (half human, half vampire) and they train their whole lives to protect the Moroi at hidden academies across the world, academies just like St Vladimir's.

Rose Hathaway is a 17-year-old Dhampir and bodyguard of her best friend Lissa, a Moroi. They were on the run, but were caught and dragged back to St Vladimir's Academy -- the very place they were running from. Soon, Lissa finds herself tied to the academy's ruthless social life, Rose to a forbidden romance, and both of them to whispers of a secret magic with the power to drag Lissa down to the point of self-hatred and grief.

My thoughts:

I love the new twist to vampire stories. Usually it's a girl-meets-boy and girl-finds-out-guy-is-vampire kinda book, but Vampire Academy isn't like that at all.

I first read Vampire Academy when I borrowed it from my local library, and I was instantly hooked. I loved how it starts in the middle of the story and how, as I read the book, I had to figure out what had happened -- what had caused the girls to run away.

The main character, Rose, was born into the society of the Dhampirs and Moroi, and it's all she's ever known. She's stubborn, aggressive, feisty, and loves making witty quips. Lissa, on the other hand, is a sweet girl who would never harm anybody, although when she uses her Spirit powers, it drags her down and she manipulates it, and uses people. Another main character is Dimitri. He's a Dhampir, like Rose, but a guardian. Both he and Rose were going to be Lissa's guardians when they graduated.

All of the characters are well developed, and the plot is packed with action that is suspenseful and exciting. Although they are living in another world and dealing with supernatural stuff, the characters are totally believable. 

Overall, I loved Vampire Academy. Richelle Mead has written an amazing book. She creates an entire world that is original, and she takes vampire fiction to a new level.