Sunday 20 September 2009

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Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

vampire academy by richelle meadVampire Academy by Richelle Mead - This book is so complicated, I'm not sure I could give a summary without spoiling it, so the following is the book's blurb.

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangrous vampires - the ones who never die.

The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vlandimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.

Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vlandimir's - but their world is fraught with danger both inside and out of the Academy's iron gates. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through the dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...

Not that long ago, I read Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast, and there are some similarities between these novels; they're set in vampire schools, and vampire students can specialise in elemental magic. But there the similarites end. Anyone who may dismiss Vampire Academy of being another Marked - like I believed it would be - should stop now. I liked Marked, but I loved Vampire Academy!

The plot and structure of this book are just outstanding! It's told from Rose's point of view, and a fair few times, the past is mentioned in conversation without an explanation, but the flash backs come a little later - and the plot is so complicated that the smallest detail, either something in the past or smething said in conversation, can end up becoming a big puzzle piece later on down the line. Nothing in this novel is there by chance. I was copletelyblown away byhow everytingfit together!

I love the mythology in the novel of the mortal vampires, Morai, and the immortal vampires, Stigoi, who are evil incarnate, afeed from Morai to be at their strongest. Even the Dhmpure are cool, the guardians who protect the Morai from the Strigoi. It's fascinting!

It was awesome having Rose narrates the story too, as she is extremely tough and loyal, with a wicked sense of humour. It was unexpected, as, generally, vamps tend to be the strongest; I was thinking Lissa would have all the action and Rose would be "watching fom the sidelines"so to speak, we wouldn't get it first hand. But Rose was always right in there. And the action was just awesome, it definitely gets the adrenalin rushing.

Lissa is such a lovely girl, and wouldn't hurt a fly, but as nice as she is, the girl has issues, so with Rose narrating, it wasn't as heavy, or fluffy, as it could have been. We get some brilliant literary-candy in this book, too. If Dimitri, guardian and Rose's mentor, dosen't get the heart pumping, I'll be amazed! He is just amazing!

I so can't wait to read the next in the series, Frostbite! It's going to be awesome, I just know it! Go read Vampire Academy, now!

Published: 2007
Publisher: Razor Bill
Buy on Amazon UK
Buy on Amazon US
Richelle Mead's website

Other Reviews:
Nayu's Reading Corner
Tynga's Reviews
Just One More Book Addict
Angieville
Sarah's Book Reviews
The Sweet Bonjour

18 comments:

  1. Great review - it really makes me want to read the book! Thank you!

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  2. I love this series! :) Yes, Dimitri's great! And so is Christian! LOL.

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  3. I've read this - love it! Looking forward to the next ones. My review is here... http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2009/06/vampire-academy-by-richelle-mead.html

    Sorry, I didn't know how to make it a hyperlink..I'm on a Mac!

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  4. Sounds like a interesting book, going to put it on my wish list.

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  5. This is my favorite series EVER.
    Shadow Kiss was my favorite of all 4 books.
    You better buy em all at once cause once you finish a book, you wanna grab the next one right away!

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  6. My review link =)
    http://tyngasreviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/vampire-academy-richelle-mead.html

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  7. Luisa/Chicklish(?) - You're welcome! I hope you do read it, it's awesome!

    Austenfan - Ohh, I assume from your comment we'll be seeig more Dimitri and Christian in the future books? Awesome! Thanks for commenting!

    Jessica - I know, the rest have got to be amazng! Don't worry about no hyperlink :) I'll add a link in just a sec.

    Ladystrom - Awesome, I hope you enjoy it!

    Tynga - Ohh, I'm going to have to wait until I get some money before I buy the others, but I look forward to reading them! I'll add your link now.

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  8. I read this series last week! Amazing and I'm soooo looking forward to book 5! Spirit Bound! :)

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  9. What an awesome review.
    Love your website too. Just become a follower.

    Lea

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  10. Jessica - Awesome! Glad to her the rest of the boks are just as good! I can't wait to read them! Thanks for commenting!

    Lea - Thank you three times! :) Cheers also for commenting! I look forward to reading your comments :)

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  11. I've had this one on my radar. Maybe I should take more active interest.

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  12. Yesss! It's amazing! Hope you enjoy it!

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  13. I loved this series! I thought the House of Night series was okay, and for that reason I put off reading this one, even though I really enjoy Ms. Mead's Succubus series.

    Great review, here's mine:
    http://sleeplessinneworleans2.blogspot.com/2009/09/vampire-academy-series-by-richelle-mead.html

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  14. Thanks! :) See, I was of a similar opinion! But the two series are completely different! VA is AWESOME! I'll link to your review now :)

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  15. This is a great book - at least so far. I'm reading it now. I have a vampire books blog if you don't mind linking to it - no reviews yet, as im pretty new. But I'm def. linking to you :) www.vampirebooksite.com

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  16. I'll do that, and cheers! I hope you enjoy the book!

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  17. OHHH this looks good - I have been eyeing the series at the book store but have yet to actually pick it up, WOW from your review it sounds like I should! :) Thanks for pointing this one out to me....

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  18. You're welcome! It's such an amazing series! You have to pick it up! I'm sure you'll love it, this series is just.. wow!

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