Vampire Academy Vol. 1

Not your average story

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead has 6 installations and they are pure gold! These books are not like some others you may have heard of or read. You generally get a young girl or woman stumbling upon the supernatural (straight up clueless with too many question LOL), and falling and love. That is not the case here, which makes me love it all the more! I will be starting with book 1, and review as I read them. I have gotten up to book 4 (but seeing as how I will dedicate 24hrs out of my day to read just one book) I decided to wait until I buy the last two! The books get longer as the story progresses (well over 300-400 pages so far) and WORTH IT!!

Yes, there is a movie on Netflix, which captures their attitudes well, but seriously pales in comparison to the book.

Vampire Academy

You have your teenage main character, but get all Twilight notions out of your head! Rosemarie "Rose" Hathaway is the definition of the rebel girl or inner voice we all have inside of us. Her and her best friend Vasilisa "Lissa" Dragomir (who is royal) ran away from St. Vladimir Academy, and two years later the school finally tracks them down and brings them back to the school. The question that everyone wants answered though: "Why did they runaway?" St. Vladimir's is literally a vampire academy that teaches vampires and their guardians; Rose is Lissa's guardian. Since there are good and bad vampires, on top of a social class, protection is key in their society.

However, to be a guardian you aren't just skilled in elite tactical and combat training, but are half-vampire and half-human. Rose and Lissa have an advantage over the rest though as they have a unique bond. Rose and Lissa share a mental link that no one knowns about, and they don't understand themselves. There is always a reason though, and it usually comes with extreme circumstances. These books are filled with a lot of action and mystery as Rose discovers what all is really going on with the Academy and herself. Danger is looming right around the corner thanks to the strigoi and some shady people. For some reason though, she seems to be a key part in it all. While it isn't all lovey dovey, there is an intense, but somewhat inappropriate, love interest for Rose in the book. Dimitri Belikov. He is definitely an OG!

Being back at the academy Rose and Lissa are under strict watch by the administration and their fellow students. Whispers are going around campus surrounding their two year absence, leading insane rumors to flare up. With Rose's short temper it is a challenge to stay out of trouble, plus their mental link is taking a one-sided toll on her. Lissa isn't all clear herself, seeing as how she has yet to declare a power to specialize in, yet has this secret gift to heal people and things. Sounds good, yet something seems to be off about her. Lissa is just trying to make things as normal as possible. Rose on the other hand is taking personal training lessons (with Dimitri Belikov) to catch up, trying to keep it all together to watch over Lissa, and being her charming bada** self as per usual. All is well until a certain trusted someone kidnaps one of our main characters and tortures her for what she knows. Maybe St. Vladimir Academy isn't all that safe.

Reading Guide

There are some key terms and such you need to know! They are explained very well in the books, but it is best to remember them well off the bat instead of flipping back!

• Dhampir: Guardians who are half- vampire (from moroi), half-human. They have heightened senses and strength and extremely skilled due to their training. They can take down humans, dhampirs, and vampires. They tend to be more muscular, curvy, etc. in build like their human side. Unlike their counterparts, they can go in sunlight and do not require blood, In actuality they eat more food than humans. They are expected to always put moroi above all else in their lives, including self. (Rose, Dimitri)
• Moroi: Vampires who are of the good variety and often valued more than dhampirs, as it is simply just the way. They have greater senses than their guardians, natural gifts, and a power they specialize in; however, they do not fight. They are tall, lean, and pale in appearance and naturally look regal. They cannot go out in sunlight as it weakens them, and they require more blood than the little food they can eat. There are royal families, but not all moroi are royal. (Lissa)
• Strigoi: Evil variety of vampires, turned from moroi most commonly, but can be from dhampirs too. They are stronger than morois and dhampirs naturally, but dhampirs are trained to kill them and have. They have no powers outside of their superior senses. They kill for their blood, which the moroi do not do. Deathly pale in appearance, and get stronger as they age due to the moroi and dhampir blood they kill for. They enjoy the hunt, torture, and kill, but usually do not take up partners. (The reason for the drama of course!)

So much happens in this story from laying the framework, to the actual life and death situations, and the teenage drama. It ultimately keeps it a page turner. Before there was even a movie, I already had one going in my mind as I read it. This is just the beginning, but more greatness is to come!

Much Love,

Khariah