Vampire Academy ( #1 ) by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Source: Borrowed from Library
Publisher: Razorbill
Release date: August 16th 2007
Series: Vampire academy #1
Edition: Paperback, 332 pgs
Genre: Young Adult/ Fantasy/ Paranormal
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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 really wanted to LOVE this book. Seriously, It has had such wonderful reviews and has been recommended to me many times over. But for me, it was only OK.

There was a lot to the story so much in fact I found myself pausing at times, thinking back to definitions of certain things, the differences between the Moroi, Dhampir's and the Stigoli. Of course there is nothing wrong with a book that makes you think. This story was definitely not the "fluff" that you might come to expect from many of the YA Vampire themed books. In that aspect it was a win for me. It had a slight high fantasy feel to it, teetering on the edge of YA and adult fantasy.

However SOMETHING, was just.... missing for me. I can't put my finger on it. I finished it, I loved many aspects.. and most of the characters were great! - Though I have to say.. Rose and Lissa were very back and forth for me, loved em, then they annoyed me, then back to love. Rose had a very big personality, very outspoken. But when it came down to actually fighting, which is supposedly going to be her job.. she keeps falling short. I kept pulling out of the story, setting it aside and coming back to it later. Lissa in the beginning is very sweet and fun to learn about, when the magic starts to take her over.. meh.. It was very hard to remember that I liked her.

So this is my dilemma, I liked it, but nothing stood out, yet at the same time, I can't find specific things to pick on ! I am going to pick up book #2 and see where the story goes. I am hoping Rose can start kicking some ass and that Lissa becomes more likeable for me.

Do I recommend this book? Yes and no. You may be one of those who love it..or you could be like me and it may fall just shy. I got my copy from the library.. oh such a wonderful source! So if you are thinking about giving it a shot.. but just are not sure try that, or borrow from a friend :)

* Update* A friend of mine is SO CERTAIN that I will enjoy the series if I power through, that she gifted me the entire series! That's a pretty amazing way to recommend a series so I guess I better step up and read the rest!

Rating: 3/5

** Additional update ** Apparently I'm behind in the times, forgot there was a movie coming out as well! So I REALLY better get on reading the series before it's out!