Vampire Academy

Whenever I search for some good vampire series, the Vampire Academy series always pops up. I remember when Last Sacrifice (the last book of the series) was released and almost every blogger I followed was talking about it. I wanted to know what the fuss was all about, but at the time I was a tad afraid. I mean, I had no experience with the YA genre and, to be completely honest, I didn't exactly want to touch that area (think already too huge TBR pile).

Now, 2 years later (older, but definitely not wiser), I gave in. And boy, am I glad I did.

Fist of all, I loved Rose. I know you usually have to like the main character of a book to be able to like the story, especially if it's told in 1st person, but still. The first thing that I loved show more about her was that she was fiercely loyal to Lissa. I don't know if I ever read about a friendship like that. Throughout this book (and, actually, the whole series) Rose is ready to do anything for Lissa. And not just Lissa, she'd do anything for anyone able to win her love or loyalty. Secondly, I love that she's incredibly reckless. Not suicidal, but reckless and impulsive enough to not let her fear overcome her in situations where others would have fainted. Yes, she feels fear. But it's not a constant state of her. I also loved her sarcasm. A lot.

Then there's Dimitri. Besides the fact that he's a warrior, very sexy, lethal in a fight or the fact that he's Russian, he has GREAT taste in music. Hell, he could have been ugly, short and fat, the fact that he loves the '80s music makes him awesome (I might have sounded a little like Barney Stinson there for a second. Ignore that *sheepish*)

Lissa sounded a bit... too fragile at times, but she did see her parents die and she has some personal problems, so maybe it's understandable. I felt like she keeps Rose grounded sometimes.

I liked Christian too, more than I thought possible. I was surprised by him in a lot of situations, and over the course of this series I've grown to love him actually. Not as much as Dimitri, but that's another story.

The book is fast paced, full of action and suspense, a lot of drama and some romance here and there. I loooved the mythology of this series (more than you can imagine). I'm actually a bit angry at myself for waiting this long to pick up this series.

So if you're like me and you still have doubts about reading this book (and the entire series) or if you simply have it on your TBR pile/shelf, do pick it up and read it. You won't be sorry! show less

Fun, facile, forgettable. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot that's good about it. It's blisteringly readable, and centred around a pair of fantastic girls. Rose is magnificent: sassy and resilient. Lissa is equally but differently magnificent: powerful and troubled. A key strength of the story is their friendship, which is real, negotiated, shifting, complementary, powerful. The issue ground trodden may not be innovative - Rose's gendered issues of bodily freedom, Lissa's issues of personal control - but I felt like it was done well.

But it's just a bit too blithe, too pacey at the expense of language artistry, too silly. I enjoyed reading this one a lot, but I don't think I'll be reading any further in the series.

Many of my re-reads in recent years haven’t held up all that well so I had pretty low expectations for my second go round with Vampire Academy, but happily, I actually feel like I enjoyed it more this time, it left me eager to finally move on to the other books in the series.

There’s pretty perfect pacing here, nothing that felt like filler, information revealed without info-dumping, it’s a total page turner yet the storytelling and the character development aren’t hurried.

There are two romances in this one, Lissa and Christian, his perceived darkness and her tortured soul made so much sense together, plus they share undeniable chemistry. The other romance I am iffier on, maybe they’ll win me over in later books (especially if show more Rose ages a few years in the process), for now, the age difference has me hesitant about them together but I did like Dimitri and I liked that neither he nor this book shied away from how problematic their attraction is, goodness knows I’ve read plenty of romances where they just let problematic issues slide without mention, I liked that this addresses it.

I’m not a traditionalist when it comes to things like vampire lore, if I’m going to read about vampires I want an author to bring their own fresh spin, I want to see their imagination at work and Richelle Mead succeeds wonderfully at that here with the two warring factions, the guardians, the feedings that basically create drug addicts, Lissa’s mental health, etc, it’s a really rich well-crafted world, something I definitely appreciated more in this second reading.

My favorite thing about this book remains the same though, Rose and Lissa’s friendship, I guess it could be argued that maybe they go to an unhealthy extreme for one other, but when a little too often women in pop culture are presented as stabbing each other in the back (it happens in this book, too), there’s just something so refreshing about seeing two young women actually have each other’s backs. show less

Rose is a total badass. She's funny and smart and a bit oblivious but she's also flirty and sexual and kickass which is kind of unusual. She's not afraid to be labelled a slut or be seen hooking up because of social conventions. She's happy to just let it roll off her back - or punch someone in the face. Whatever works.

I loved the relationship between her and Lissa and how they look after one another. Lissa was an interesting character. Her depression is an interesting element and I liked that Mead tries to normalise it. Particularly the message that getting outside help can be beneficial to obtaining happiness. I liked Christian and her relationship with him. They clearly connected and really liked one another.

I loved the show more relationship between Rose and Dimitri - but I kind of just ignored the whole she's 17 thing and imagined her older. Or him younger. Because a 24 year old dating a 17 year old is icky. At 17 I would've thought so what. At 29 it's just plain wrong. So I'm kind of just ignoring that bit. If nothing else, I liked that they got to know one another and have a lot of the same views.

The banter between all the characters was funny and I enjoyed the plot. The action was fast paced and mysterious enough to have me dying for more. It wasn't anything particularly new (what is these days) but it was unique and well written enough to stand out and obtain 5 stars. show less

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #1
on 26 May 2009
Reviewed by AB
The Word: Just one bite and you’ll be hooked...
http://birdslovewords.com/review-vampire-academy-by-richelle-mead/

I often find myself asking a few questions with books like this a) why am I not a vampire. b) why have I never had a vampire boyfriend and c) would I actually want that (they scare me a little)?

Initially I really struggled with this book, about three or four pages in I had a sudden realisation (almost as cool as a premonition), not only did I know this story but I’d watched the movie when it first came out. It was hard knowing what was going to happen. I found it hard to reach the level of suspense that the book was trying to build. show more Around page 100 was my turning point though. I’m a sucker for a forbidden love and really got into all the detail. I loved the magical elements and the flow. I loved that not only do I get to know Rose but I get to be Lissa as Rose #mindblown #freakenawesome

Rose has an intriguing and almost suggestive relationship with Lissa and I freaking love it! It’s so different. They are best friends, sisters, reliant on each other and almost lovers at times (okay lovers is strong suggestion but it a deep unusual love). It’s so special between them it’s unnatural and complex.

Rose with her peers is a strong character, she an alpha female and loves it. I did wonder at some point throughout the book if Rose just needed a hug. She is sassy, a smartarse, protecting, talented and has skills that the others all respect. She doesn’t always make the best choices but who does?

Rose and Dimitri. I love and hate this all at the same time. It’s intense and it makes me want to keep them both locked up on an island so they can blossom. It has all the elements of tragedy, forbidden love and admiration. It makes me want to SCREAM, I’m so full of passion for them I can only imagine what happens next. If not I’m re-writing the ending.

Lissa and Christian, this just makes me soooo happy. I’m so in love with Christian that I’m kinda jealous of Lissa. Personally I’m bounding in my seat with excitement to see the dynamic of these two in the future books.

100 per cent books are always better than movie and this is not an exception. I didn’t really love the movie but the book nailed it. It’s one of those rare series’ that I just can’t stop reading (so glad I got the series in one hit). I have so many questions after this book. Yes now I’ve written this I can get back to reading number book two (KJ is such a slave driver).

Loves, hugs and kisses

AB. show less

What I Loved: This is one of the rare YA novels where neither of the lead characters got on my nerves, in fact they were both appealing and engaging. Their relationships with each other (best friends) and others were well written and fun to read. They were teenagers, they did some very "teenage" like things, but they were not annoying. The pacing of the story was fantastic and kept me interested until the very end.

What I Liked: I really enjoyed the twist on the vampiric lore and how it works in this society. The secondary characters were well rounded and served to work the storyline further. The plot was well though out and didn't leave that "where are they going with this" feeling.

What was "Sorta OK": The only complaint was at very the show more beginning it felt like "jumping" into a story already progress. It took awhile before I felt "caught up".

Why it got a 4: The book is very enjoyable to read: fast paced, quick, engaging, and funny (at times). I would recommend this to older YA readers (PG13 type of rating) and any adult who enjoys PNR. Overall, just a book to not miss! show less

Ero convinta che questo fosse l'ennesimo librettino YOUNG e per molto tempo l'ho evitato come la peste. Alla fine mi è stato prestato e mi sono decisa ad aprirlo con il cuore pesante: ero curiosa ma assolutamente convinta che avrei trovato un replicato della Serie di P.C. Cast & Kristen.

Responso?

Niente di tutto questo! Ammetto che la saga delle Cast mi piace ma, leggendo questo libro mi sono resa conto di un particolare che non avevo focalizzato appieno durante la lettura: i personaggi maschili vengono caratterizzati in modo alquanto imbarazzante!

In questa saga invece no, tutti i personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e tutti hanno, nell'arco del libro un motivo più o meno rilevante per contruibuire "realmente" allo svolgersi della show more vicenda.

La trama di per sè è orginale e cattura l'attenzione del lettore per tutta la durata del libro. Non ci sono picchi nè momenti di stallo, le pagine scivolano via con velocità e leggerezza. Non è una lettura "impegnata" ma decisamente piacevole.

Rose è forte, testarda e "apparentemente" invincibile. Eppure, quando la "vediamo" piangere, sbagliare e testardamente tornare ad occuparsi di Liss ci accorgiamo dell'estrema fragilità di questa ragazza. Tiene la sua "missione" avanti alla sua stessa esistenza ma non lo fa con superbia o per qualche assurdo codice morale ma solo perchè vuole bene a Liss.

Liss all'inizio mi ha leggermente innervosita. Sembra un bambina che si lascia sempre salvare, che preferisce che sia l'amica a mettersi nei guai pur di non affrontare i suoi problemi... Un passiva assurda, insomma. A metà del romanzo pare risvegliarsi, anche se sbaglia il metodo ed alla fine finirà per pagarne le conseguenze. Il finale mi fa ben sperare anche su questo personaggio.

Tutti i personaggi maschili sono assolutamente affasciananti, tutti, perfino il ragazzo-ex-e-di-nuovo-ragazzo di Liss. Vedremo come si "evolveranno" nei prossimi capitoli. E Dimitri? Inutile dire che vorrei che si svegliasse MA per una volta il suo essere autolesionista HA UN SENSO.
Ho letto di fin troppi uomini che non stanno con le donne che amano... perchè non vogliono dannare le loro anime, perchè non sono abbastanza.. ecc ecc Insomma un sacco di stupidaggini come se le donne non fossero in grado di decidere e valutare i pro e contro. Come se noi fossimo stupide donzelle che, nel momento dell'amore, perdiamo del tutto il cervello e l'istinto di sopravvivenza.

Dimitri invece, si tira indietro (per quanto, però?) per motivazioni logiche. Vedremo se alla fine anche queste convinzioni cadranno? Presto mi procurerò anche il secondo, sono curiosa!


Ah due cose sono decisamente negative a mio avviso: Il prezzo (17,00€ Ma che si sono fumati? Devono abbassare questi stramaledetti prezzi!) e la copertina. Ma è possibile che abbiamo lasciato il buon gusto nel cassetto!! Assurdo! show less