Vampire Academy

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.

I loved that there were different breeds and half breeds of vampires. I enjoyed Lissa and Rose's relationship. I loved that they both would have sacrificed for each other. I enjoyed Christian and Dimitri's characters. I thought they were well developed. I was hoping for more details or information surrounding the school. We were given very limited or basic information. I thought there was an excessive amount of drama. The twists at the end took me completely by surprise.

Don't ask me why it took me so long to finally give this series a try. For years I've been putting it off despite hearing many good things from friends but still it waited for me on my TBR list. In fact, it wasn't until a few of my other friends and I decided to do a book club this year that I finally bought it. Vampire Academy was our January pick and it was really a challenge to only read a specific amount of chapters per week because once I started this book I didn't want to put it down.

From the very first chapter I was hooked, Rose and her best friend Lissa are on the run and hiding, they have been for two years, but they've been found by the guardians and are immediately brought back to St. Vladimir Academy.

It isn't revealed right away why Rose and Lissa ran away from school because that secret is between the girls and no matter how much times the adults of the school accuse Rose of being reckless by putting Lissa in danger the reason they left was because Lissa wasn't safe at the school.

Its revealed through flashbacks and breadcrumbs of info from Rose's POV why her and Lissa decided she wasn't safe at the school and I have to say I loved how the author strategically incorporated each reveal into the story perfectly. Every time new information was revealed I was that much more glued to the story.

I also enjoyed the world of Vampire Academy, a little similar to the Underworld movies the vampire world is lead by a vampire queen and a group of 12 royal families. There are also three very distinct groups of vampires found in VA, the moroi who are divided into royals and nonroyals, the dhampir who are usually divided into guardians (who protect moroi) or blood whores and the strigoi who fit the usual definition of a vampire. Soulless, dead creatures who kill and drink blood to stay alive. The strigoi's main targets are moroi which is why Rose is punished harshly for taking Lissa outside the protection of the school grounds.

Besides the plot I really enjoyed the characters Rose was sassy, filled with attitude and a big flirt but she was also very protective and kind. Lissa could be too kind for her own good sometimes but she's also very smart and a good balance to Rose. The guys were also very interesting. Christian is my favourite probably cause he's got a lot of mystery going on and Dimitri is pretty badass. I didn't really like Dimitri for the most part of this book but when the end came around he had grown on me.

All in all I've read the third book in this series this month and am itching to pick up the fourth so don't hesitate to give these books a try if you haven't already.

It took me years to finally pick up this series and I am glad that I did. I actually enjoyed the first book and I feel like this is one of those series where the books get better and better (hopefully). I am so excited for the next ones and to see where the story is going.

At the moment I am not a huge fan of either Lissa or Rose, I get that their are immature because let's be honest, they are in high school. I am very intrigued by Dimitri though and I can't wait to read more about him!

A special edition of this series is getting published soon so I decided to give it a try to see if I'd like to shell out the cash.

It was enjoyable! I liked the light worldbuilding and lore. The characters were very YA at times but their dedication and loyalties struck a chord in me. I'm a sucker for devoted characters <3 

The writing wasn't anything special and it certainly had a YA vibe to it, however! It was compelling and accessible and a nice light read. I don't normally read books so quickly and it was personally refreshing to gobble this one up. 

Without a doubt a guilty pleasure and I'm starting the sequel right away!

2nd try 2023: 2 ⭐️

Nothing has changed in my opinion from last time (I had to finish this book for a reading challenge), I am only going to add that, on top of everything else, this book is so vulgar, I wanted to puke at a few spots.

The only reason this book isn't getting 1 star is because I think the plot was quite good (even if I couldn't enjoy it, being that I was annoyed the whole time).


1st try 2022: DNFed at 54%

This is the first book I DNF in my life.
I will not discuss the plot, as it mostly had nothing to do with my decision.

Why I ultimately chose to DNF this book is the main character (and to a smaller extent the caricatures most of the supporting characters were).
Rose was the epitome of every main character I have ever hated - she is rude, arrogant, judgemental, outright stupid, superficial, and a hypocrite.
But worst of all, she failed at being the one thing we were beaten over the head with - a friend. She was so overbearing on Lissa, to the point where it was verging on abuse (and I know this word is being thrown around quite lightly these days, so excuse my use of it).
You can not call yourself a friend when you are intruding on her personal moments of bonding with someone else, just because you are suspicious of him. Then go ahead and, behind her back, lie to the person she likes, with the clear intent of ruining their relationship. You can't decide that you will be the one who chooses who Lissa hangs out with or not, completely disregarding how she feels on the matter. Even if you are technically her guardian. This crosses a line.
First of all, you have already admitted that you are jealous of her getting close to other people. And how exactly do you deem yourself good enough to make decisions for your friend, against her will mind you, when you yourself have proven reckless and have made tons of mistakes.
You think you are good enough to choose who your friend gets close to, when the ones you get close to are beyond trash?
And the moment people point that out to you and you have to face the consequences to your actions, you turn on the self-pity.
The fact that this book is narrated from 1st person pov only made things worse.
I hated every minute or reading it.

I am not giving this book a rating, because I don't think it's fair to rate a book before finishing it.
It's the only grace I can show.

I love this book a lot. Though I read almost every kind of fiction, usually I'm more interested in the fantasy children books rather than YA. Yet, I enjoyed Vampire Academy thoroughly. The protagonist is interesting, as Rose is not your typical heroine — she kicks ass, she's flirtatious, hot-headed and reckless. While Lissa is more like an angel than a vampire. Even though you might find her less angelic when she becomes the ‘Queen Bee' later. Some of the minor characters also have depths, and that's what I really like from this book. Now, I have to admit that the male character I like the most is actually Christian. :)

Story-wise, the theme of friendship and social scenes are stronger compared to the romance aspect. Not that it's a bad thing. I especially like how the attraction between Rose and Dimitri develops, and it looks like things will start getting complicated for them from now on. But that only makes the story more interesting.

Overall it's a nice and addictive read. I love it, and will definitely get the next books! ♥

I don't know why, but I've generally shied away from books about different kinds of vampires. I read their descriptions, I think maybe I'll try it, but I never do.

This book has a movie coming out soon, and I haven't started a new series in a while. In my defense, I have a two year old.

So finally, I decided to start this book. The world has everything. Vampires! Magic! Boarding school! church, and they still have technology and seem to live in the modern world as well as their unique one.

This book was exciting and interesting. I've read a few reviews that indicate that the series improves as you go along too.

I'll read the next one.