Vampires: The non-sparkly, kick-rump kind

Vampire Academy
By: Richelle Mead

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... 

-Summary from Goodreads

Vampire Academy: Hogwarts meets the non-sparkly Twilight, and a kick-rump, flagrantly likable heroine makes this book one you can't miss, especially if you're, say, suffering from o-dear-paranormals-there-are-too-many-of-you-for-my-poor-heart-to-handle syndrome.

Truth is, that was my exact diagnosis about two weeks ago. But so many of my blogging friends liked this book that finally, being the weakling I am, I succumbed to their tremendous pressure.


And I am so glad. (is it just me, or does that totally make me sound like a Feeder?)


This book was a fantastic ride of twists, friendship, secrets, and love. What I especially enjoyed was that while this book takes place at a Vampire Academy (ha! See what I did there?), the central story does not revolve around vampirism. Instead, this is a story about Rose. And Rose, just like all the other characters in the story (whether secondary or not) were incredibly developed and (most of the time) likable. But... Man, Dimitri. I think I'm supposed to be head-over-heels in love with him right now, but while I can certainly call him hot, I still haven't been exactly proved why he is such an amazing specimen...I guess that means I'll have to go snag the sequels right now, yeah?


Overall, Vampire Academy is a quick, fun, slightly dark, and entirely satisfying paranormal read for someone who doesn't like paranormal. If that's you... succumb to the allure of the Vampire Academy!