Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

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.

is lissa the main character or rose??? i can't fucking tell

Really liked this one, and the relationship between the narrator and her BFF. Had a little bit of trouble remembering or telling all the minor characters apart, but that's because I am not very smart.

2020 Re-read
I actually enjoyed this book so much more this time around. I think I went into it with way less expectations and as a result I enjoyed it more. It also helped that I was reading it with a group of awesome ACOBAF people. I cannot wait to continue to read the rest of the series this month.

Vampire Academy is one of those series that everyone talks about. It is always compared to Twilight and other vampire series. I have been told by multiple people how much better Vampire Academy is. So I decided I would finally get around to reading the first in the series. I went into it with high hopes that it would be good, if not great story. And I have to admit that while I didn't love Twilight, I was a part of the craze surrounding it when it first came out. I went to the midnight releases and discussed the series with others. So back to Vampire Academy, I was really looking forward to this book and the characters within. I have to say though that I'm slightly disappointed.

While I enjoyed Rose's narrative and the story that was being told. I really struggled with continuing to read. I think I just couldn't get myself fully absorbed in the narrative to binge read this book like I do with many others.

That is not to say that this is a bad book, I just don't think it is as compelling of a story for me. I love the mystery surrounding the Moroi and dhampirs. And I have to say I did not see the twist coming. I was pleasantly surprised by who was behind the attacks on Lissa.

The interactions with Dimitri were as expected for a YA novel. They left you wanting more between them, but at the same time you loved every moment they were together.

I thought the ending was a bit rushed with two major attacks happening in the last 30 pages or so. But I guess that allowed for a semblance of a conclusion before the next book.

Overall, this book did not live up to the hype for me. I just couldn't get into it like I wanted to. I definitely am not dying to read Frostbite, but I may in the future.