Review: Vampire Academy-Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy

1 of 6 

Young Adult, paranormal, vampire

340

5 stars

Buy it here

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

“Taking a deep breathe, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.
I walked away.” 

This isn't the first time I've read this book. Or series. If I had to count, I couldn't possibly do so because I can't even count that high. 

So, it's a lot. 

This story follows Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir in training who has the personality of, well, myself. She's sarcastic, blunt, and often times doesn't know when to stand down. Rose is brave but emotional, keeping herself in check because Dhampir's shouldn't be emotional. They're job is to protect the Moroi, the special ones of their kind. They are vampires. Rose is my abosolute favorite character, the way she draws us into her mind is perfect. I feel like she's my best friend, and her snarky side is the best. 

“Jesse: " Hey Rose, welcome back. Still breaking hearts?"
Rose: " Are you volunteering?”

Vasilisa is her best friend, and Rose is determined that she'll become her Guardian, the one who will always watch over her. Lissa is a princess, and is a huge target for those out to take the Moroi down. I love their friendship, it's the epitome of what friends should be like. They're there for each other all the time, both physically and emotionally, especially Rose for Lissa.

“She accused me of wearing pants from the salvation army."
"Rose, your pants ARE from the salvation army."
"That's SO not the point!” 

Dimitri Belikov is surely on the top of my book boyfriend list. He's dreamy, he's large, and Russian. What does Russian have to do with it? No idea, but he's hot. He tries to stay distant from Rose, needing to be only her teacher and nothing else but that doesn't work. Who can resist Rose? Certainly not Dimitri. He's tough and is hard on her, getting her to understand it's not a walk in the park to go after Strigoi, the Moroi turned bad. 

“My name is Dimitri Belikov. I've come to take you back to St. Vladimir's Academy, Princess.” 

This will always remain my favorite series out there. It has so much action and drama, it's so different compared to other vampire stories I've read and that's what I love about it. Please check this out, you won't regret this series.