Summary: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. (from GoodReads)
Review:
So Vampire Academy is going to be a movie! My friend wants to see it and suggested that I read the book first, which is the obvious course of action. So I dutifully borrowed her copy and I am so glad I did. Vampire Academy was a very exciting and fast-paced novel that I can't believe I've waited this long to read.
Vampires aren't all the rage anymore, but a good vampire story still works. That was definitely the case with Vampire Academy. The mythology is different than what we're used to. There's vampire royalty with their own laws and customs. Vampires (or Moroi in this book) can do magic, but only use it for peaceful methods. There are half human, half vampire creatures called Dhampirs, which use their heightened senses and strength to protect the Moroi. The teenage Moroi and Damphirs train and learn together at a boarding school colloquially referred to as "Vampire Academy." After you understand all the background, the story is super easy to get lost in and the pages fly by.
The book centers on Rose, who is a dhampir and is training to be a Guardian to her best friend Lissa. Since Lissa is the last member of her royal family, she's a pretty important person. I loved the relationship between the two girls. There is definitely a lack of great female friendships in YA and there needs to be more like this one. I could really tell that Lissa and Rose cared about each other and it was just a great bond. Speaking of Rose, she is a pretty awesome character. She's impulsive, emotional, tough, strong and she'll kick anyone's butt who messes with her. Rose is a not a traditional female character which I love. She talks back in class, gets in fistfights and is a force of nature. Not that those are traits everyone should have, but it was so refreshing to see such a rebellious character.
Like I stated earlier, the plot is very exciting. There's a twist and I guessed half of it, but I was still surprised by the actual ending. I really enjoyed reading about the secret world of Moroi and Dhampirs and can't wait to see what happens next. Luckily for me there are five other books in this series! I'll have plenty of reading material.
Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from a friend.
2007/Razorbill/332 pages.
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