Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)
Richelle Mead
Published: 2007
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
The first time I read Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy, I devoured it and immediately leaped into the second book Frostbite. But I wasn’t so sure about the book when I started it. The first 40 pages felt clunky and a bit confusing, but once past them the visuals exploded and the characters came to life.
This time around those scene-setting first 40 weren’t much of a problem, and I think that’s because I was already familiar with the key terms — moroi (living vampire), dhampir (half vampire, half humans who generally guard the moroi) and strigoi (dead vampires, evil and crave moroi blood).
All the things I loved about beginning this series the first time were there all over again: the strong characters, the drama, the forbidden love.
Meeting Rose, our strong and stubborn guardian-in-training, again reminded me why she’s one of my favorite heroines in YA. She puts herself in bad situations for good reasons.
Reading the back-and-forth with Mia and the rumor mill reminded me just how much Lissa and Rose have grown up since this first book. My how things have changed by the time we reach Spirit Bound (review)!
And Dimitri. Oh, Dimitri. Rose’s Russian mentor with a penchant for Western novels and a reputation for being god-like. How I’ve missed reading about the one who puts up with all those Comrade jokes.
What was new this time through is that I realized just how much foreshadowing fills this first Vampire Academy book. I knew the world-building was clear in this book, but so many events and discussions become pivotal in later novels. And each of these moments in Vampire Academy gives us a deeper understanding of the moroi/dhampir world, their culture and why the thing Rose, Dimitri and we as readers want most of all is so taboo.
Even knowing I’ll get more of the Dimitri-Rose romance rollercoaster as the series progresses, I still felt that tug at my heart when I read Dimitri tell our girl, “If I let myself love you, I won’t throw myself in front of her. I’ll throw myself in front of you.”
In preparation for the release of the final Vampire Academy novel, Last Sacrifice, this December, we’re hosting a re-read of the series. Join us and win prizes!
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I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read this book without thoroughly embarrassing myself, but I love it a little more each time. I just never get tired of her writing or her characters. And that quote from Dimitri? *swoon*
I totally agfree with you. I’ve read this series like 3 times now, and every time I reread it I learn more and it’s great. I love the humor and the characters. As of right now I can’t reread it because I loaned it to my sister in law in hopes that she’ll like it just as much…
Vampire Academy books are a must read!!! Every one of them are very good and will draw you in. I am sorry the series is over for Rose and Dimitri.
All time favorite books
I feel in love with The Vampire Academy Novels. I have read them all and thought about reading them again they are so good
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This book is to-die-for! I think that whole world read it! I am from Serbia, and even here there are some people who are addictive to this! Let Richelle suck you in her great world…