Tuesday 9 September 2014

Book Review - Vampire Acadmey

Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 26 May 2009
Publishers: Razorbill
No. Pages: 322
Source: Borrowed
Rating:
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.

I borrowed Vampire Academy from the library three times before I actually got around to reading it and I confess to be absolutely ashamed of such a thing. Why did I not read it on the first outing, god only knows? But why did I take out a second time when I hadn't read it before? Maybe it was hope, a sign of encouragement.. But why on earth did I take it out a third time if the last two attempts had failed? Truthfully, because of Stacie. If it wasn't for her insisting I try this series and see whether my rough relationship with vampires was just that they're not for me or whether I'd just read the wrong kind of book in the past, I would never have considered Vampire Academy, no matter how many people recommended it to me, however, I'm more than pleased to say that Vampire Academy and I got along like a house on fire and I, without a doubt, plan on reading, enjoying and devouring the rest of this series. Why you ask? Let me tell you..

I can't pinpoint exactly what didn't work for me in Dinner with a Vampire, maybe it was that the character had no substance, maybe it was the plot never really moved anywhere, or maybe it was that I couldn't feel the romance that was being given to me, however, on all of these features, Vampire Academy excelled; the characters were so relatable and so easy to enjoy reading about, the plot moved in paces I didn't expect and moved into places I didn't see coming, while the romances in this novel, oh man the romances, just, feeling inducing, heart fluttering, grinning-like-a-cheshire-cat'ing gloriousness, ah, this book just had everything I would have wanted from it and I doubt I could really do this book justice because my feelings went on a roller-coaster ride and still haven't recovered. The plot in this novel was so much more than I ever could have expected, royalty among vampires, which I absolutely adore, boarding school of gossip and a friendship that really was one of the best I've read about, in fact, there's very few issues I had with this book at all, other than sometimes Mead took the high school, boarding school, drama and gossip a little too far sometimes and every so often, I would have gladly slapped Rose amount her pretty little face, but other than those moments, and I mean, moments, Vampire Academy was full of development, world building, character growth, hidden agenda's and romance, lots of romance.

Don't get me wrong, I like a good romance, in fact, I honestly think that a romance can really bring a novel out of it's shell, it creates mutli-dimensions in characters, it brings out the loyalty and honesty within friendships and partnerships and it really can make or break a character, develop them, and make those characters even more likable and in all of these examples, Vampire Academy does them. Mead develops Rose's personality from a teenage girl looking for a fun time to a protector, to somebody with her priorities and to somebody with a very high maturity, morals and somebody who understands mortality better than anyone. She develops Dimitri from a quiet raging storm to somebody with emotions, to somebody who really delves deep into his own feelings and his past to help him confront his present and his future. Mead takes Lissa and Christian and just creates such a connection, both romantically and psychologically, giving them both somebody to confide and share their horrors with and each and every character in this book gave something to the feel, atmosphere, ambiance and, creates this addictive, but enthralling and hugely enjoyable world for these characters be in - she makes it real, makes me believe that this world is truly out there and there's very few books that have had the right feel for another world in ours and because of this, Vampire Academy is instantly a high rating, even without the wonderful characters.

What I possibly loved best about Vampire Academy though, was that every time I thought I understood something, every time I thought I had figured something, I would celebrate, little realising that Mead was about to shatter that thought into pieces and send me more questions with answers I couldn't give, and took the plot in areas I just hadn't expected. She upped the drama and action value ten fold within the second half, producing what could be one of the most heart-attack inducing, heart-breaking, traumatic moments in novel history for me personally, and one day, one day, authors will put a stop to killing off my favourite characters, but until then, I must endure the pain than Mead produced in this novel.

At the time when I read this, I was fearing I would be in a slump for a very long time, and if it wasn't for this novel, I probably still would be, but Mead's writing, her characters, the obsessive feel that she produced between Rose and Dimitri and Lissa and Christian, the power and action she put into this novel, it was too much for my slump, and it blew it out of the water. I gladly confess to being just a little bit obsessed with this series after the first novel, and therefore cannot be held responsible for any fangirling that make occur in the future with the rest of this series, but I can promise that there will be more reviews from the Vampire Academy series, and that I will not hold on back on my feelings. If you're like me and had been avoiding this series for unknown reasons, get a hold of this novel as soon as possible, if it changed my perspective on vampires, it'll change yours too.

20 comments:

  1. I wasn't avoiding this series, but I wasn't going out of my way to read it until the movie was about to come out. That gave me an excuse to finally read it.
    AND OH MY GOSH THE WHOLE SERIES IS AMAZING AND SO IS BLOODLINES AND YOU HAVE TO READ THEM ALL!!
    I've been on a VA high since March...and I don't think it'll be stopping for a long time.

    Glad you liked it :)

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    1. I plan on reading them if I can Cassie, don't worry ;) Since March, wow, that's a long time! :D

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  2. I don't know if you've read any of Mead's other books, but I honestly think Vampire Academy is the weakest of the ones I've read so far (which is saying something, given the rating you gave it; I just finished the last book in the series this weekend ;) ).

    Mead absolutely excels at plot twists; she's probably one of the only authors I know who consistently keeps me on my toes (and sometimes on the edge of my seat, even though she doesn't write suspense). I HIGHLY encourage trying her Georgina Kincaid series (about a succubus in Seattle with a SPECTACULAR relationship with an introverted author) and her Age of X series (if you're at all into alternate futures / mythology in your stories).

    Lovely review :)

    ~Liza

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    1. I actually think it's the strongest of them so far, I'm such a black sheep.. I'd consider her mythology series, that sounds intriguing, I might take a look at that, but I will continue with her work, she has such a way of writing, it's addictive!

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  3. I fiiiinally read this as well, and really enjoyed it! I'll have to get the next books and read them :) plus, it's great the I have the same last name as the author. If I'm ever published we'll be sharing a shelf! Haha, that's a weird thought :P

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    1. We agree Emily! :D That's really intriguing, sharing with such a great author, good luck getting published :)

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  4. Ooh I am glad that you enjoyed this one in the end, Amanda! I liked it much less than you but still enjoyed it, (that makes no sense ._.) and am planning on reading the Bloodlines series sometime soon. Never seen that cover before!

    Awesome review, lovely <33

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    1. I'm considering pushing the Bloodlines series higher up my list too! Their not that readily available much anymore which is a shame, but I like using those ones! :) Thank you!

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  5. So much love for this review, as you well know. I'm sorry that you had some issues with the books as they go on but I've already said, Bloodlines might be the way forward. Although saying that, you are still to read the tear fest that is Blood Promise.

    Back to the review, I think you captured everything that people love about the books really well, also really glad to see I'm not the only one that had a problem with the bitchiness and school like behaviour at times, it's no secret that it was one of the things I hated about the book and made me think the series wasn't for me. (we all know how that turned out haha)

    I'm so glad that you liked it, I was really worried that your wouldn't like it as much as me after talking about it for so long, and recommending it in pretty much any meme.
    Honestly can not wait to hear what you think of the others :)

    Perfect review Amanda, as always :)

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    1. I'm going to continue them to see it through and then move onto Bloodlines, my heart is softening towards Adrian now.. I'm glad you pushed me to read them. The school issue I'm hoping moves a little with some more time, so who knows!

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  6. If you liked this one, just wait. It gets so much better. This book will tear out your soul (or it sure as hell felt like it). So happy you loved this, one of my favoritest series ever!

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    1. I know, you helped push me to read the series! I hope I enjoy the rest :)

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  7. I loved the whole Vampire Academy, although I thought the first book was one of the lesser books and it get's even better each next book in the series. Rose could be a bit annoying at times, but I also like her. And Michelle writes such good romances, the build-up is slow, but that's what I like about it. The characters really get to know each other first.Your review makes me want to re-read VA, it's such an amazing series. I actually read the first three VA books when I was in in a vampire mood after reading Twillight and House of Night. I still like vampires in books, but haven't read a good vampire book in a while.

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    1. Rose is very annoying sometimes, but I did like her a lot. You should re-read them, think of it as a treat for yourself :)

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  8. I liked this one because I felt that it tried something different. I gave it three stars, but we're continuing the series for Forgotten Friday, and I am looking forward to it. I quite enjoyed the strong friendship bond in the novel. That had to be my favorite part of the entire story.

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    1. The friendship was a winner for me too. It definitely does something I haven't seen before, I'm in the middle of an up/down relationship with this series, it's wrecking with my brain! :)

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  9. Why do I keep putting this series off? I really, really need to hurry up and start it, especially since I bought the first three books. I really hope I end up loving it too!!!! :) Me and Percy Jackson aren't getting on right now, I need a good series to fall in love with.

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    1. Yes you do! Hopefully you'll follow the crowd and like them all as they go along! Get started hunny! :)

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  10. There are just so many things in your review that make me want to read this right now. I've heard amazing things about this all over and I cannot believe I still haven't read this. After Twilight I anxiously tried to avoid anything Vampire but see from your review that there is just more than one type of vampire. Hopefully you'll enjoy the rest just as much!

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    1. I do think it's very different to vampire reads I've tried. I've read around three different types, excluding Twilight, and they're all different, so you should give it a go! I look forward to publishing the following reviews :)

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