TITLE: Vampire Academy
AUTHOR: Richelle Mead
GENRE: paranormal, romance
PUBLICATION DATE: Aug 16th 2007
SYNOPSIS:
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.
REVIEW:
First thoughts
Hyped Vampire Academy series. I thought I finally found a vampire book I'd like. No such luck.
Cover
The girl on the cover reminds me of Angelina Jolie? It's not her, isn't it?
Plot
The whole idea of a vampire academy, Russian aristocrats, Strigoi, Moroi, guardians etc. wasn't half bad. I did enjoy the story, even if it was a bit plain and predictable (I figured everything out before I even got to the halfway point).I just don't get the hype surrounding the series. Does it get better with each book? Maybe that's the case, because this one didn't impress me all that much.
Characters
I liked the relationship between Rose and Lissa. But.I think Rose was the most infuriating main character I've stumbled upon recently. She was meant to be kick-ass, but came out as bitchy. I was a bit put off since the beginning, when Rose called her teacher 'fascist pig' without really grasping the meaning. I know it was supposed to show her attitude, but I was baffled.
Then it got worst, especially when Rose got the idea of telling the whole school that her arch nemesis slept with two other guys. I mean... wow.
As for the other characters, I liked Dimitri, Mason, and other secondary characters, but none of them stood out too much for me. Maybe that was the problem - I like action-packed books as long as they're character-driven. VA didn't feel like that kind of book.
Writing
It was alright. As far as vampire books I've read go, this one was one of the best written. The action run smoothly and the author didn't write about every emotion the main heroine felt, or what she was wearing. Definitely a plus.Overall
It's not that I hated this book. It just frustrated me. A lot. I like when books make me feel things, but in a positive way. In Vampire Academy's case, I felt disgusted. I've heard a lot of good things about this book and the series, so I might give it another chance and read the second book. Maybe. Later.
Rating
2 stars out of 5.
Aww that's too bad you didn't like it... I don't really remember if I had the same reaction towards this book, but I do know that the other books in the series are amazing! Definitley keep reading!
OdpowiedzUsuńI haven't read the series yet, but I do have all the books on my shelf. I'm hoping to read them this summer.
OdpowiedzUsuńSorry you didnt like this one. VA is one of my favorite series. I think each book gets better. Better luck next time!
OdpowiedzUsuńI really like this series but judging by the reasons you didn't like the first book I don't think you're going to like the sequels all that much either. I agree with you about the plot being predictable, I thought most, if not all, the novels in this series including the spin-off (Bloodlines) were predictable and I actually liked Rose in the first 3 books but after that up until the end of the series I didn't like her personality all that much.
OdpowiedzUsuńThanks for stopping by WildFire Writing
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