PENGUIN Vampire Academy (book 1)

Q: How far would you dare go to protect your best friend?-In this book, only a true best friend can protect you from immortal enemies. Lissa Dragonmir is a mortal vampire who must be protected at all times. Rose Hathaway is Lissa’s best friend, and also her bodyguard. After two years of freedom, they’re dragged back to the iron gates of St Valdimir’s Academy. What happens when a mortal enemy is out to get them?-So I have many thoughts on this. First of all, it’s a lot. There’s a lot of chaos going on and some of it can get confusing. Second of all, there are a lot of moments in this where you could easily give up - they’re very boring and are basically an information dump which we all know isn’t fun. Thirdly, the movie is so much better and I don’t say that lightly. However, it was okay and I did manage to get through it. I would recommend it if you’re younger (12/13 probably) and also is your haven’t watched the movie. Overall, 3/5 stars.-Q: Have you read this? What did you think of it?

Returned item as the cover was different to the one on item. Normally I wouldn't return for this reason but I ordered with this cover as I'm helping a friend to replace her set which has been damaged and they have requested a complete set in the cover style which is advertised on this product, not the one with people on which arrived, clearly a different addition. Only because of my friends wishes have I ended up paying (p&p) for return and end up with no item. I have given 3 stars as seller did not indicate that the cover in image was not the same as the book they were selling.

Vampire Lissa Dragomir is the last surviving member of her family. Rose Hathaway is sworn to protect her, and because of that Rose and Lissa fled St. Vladimir's academy and have been on the run for nearly two years. But when they are dragged back, Rose and Lissa must attempt to fit in and follow the rules...even if the threat that made them run still lingers.This is the first in the much loved Vampire Academy series and I found it to be a great read, although it isn't without faults. On the plus side the storyline is well paced and has a new take on vampires which is well explored. Dividing vampires into good (the Moroi) and bad (the Strigoi) is something I've seen done before, but the author blended magic and politics with the vampires which makes this stand out. I also loved how the training of the guardians was shown as it isn't really something I've seen before.One thing I disliked was that the story relies heavily on flashbacks to tell the story of why Rose and Lissa left St. Vladimir's in the first place, but these flashbacks feel a lot like info-dumping at times and are intrusive to the storyline. They pull you away from the current world and it's more than a little annoying at times. I'm hoping this is just part of the standard first book issues though and won't continue.In terms of the characters, even after finishing, I'm still not sure what I think of Rose. I prefer to like the lead characters, even if they are flawed, but Rose was very bitchy at times and I found myself disliking her. There were a few instances where she did to someone else what they'd done to her and was apparently unaware that they would then go through what she had. That said I admired how in-your-face she could be and the confidence she was always able to project. Lissa on the other hand I liked from the beginning and only grew to like her more as the storyline progressed as she is a genuinely nice person.Having two lead characters also means that there are two romantic storylines which contrast really well. Rose is attracted to her mentor Dimitri who is a real sweetheart, while Lissa is drawn to outcast Christian. Both are choosing 'unsuitable' partners but Lissa ends up following her heart rather than peer pressure which is great to see in a young adult book.All in all, this was a good read and I'm looking forward to  Frostbite .Plot: 9/10Characters: 8/10Ending: 10/10Enjoyment: 8/10Cover: 7/10Overall: 42/50 Frostbite

I've heard so much about this series, all being good, and I have a few friends who rate Richelle Mead as a top author.... well, I think I've just joined in!!! I thoroughly enjoyed the way this book was written, it hit all the right spots and jolted me in the right places... I loved the way the characters were portrayed and the way the plot panned out...I really didn't know what to expect, of course I didn't even consider the title... Vampire and Academy (doh)... but I'm glad I didn't think about it too much because it gave me a lovely surprise when reading it... Having said that, even if I thought about it and guessed maybe at what the story contained, I would have still been surprised at the plot and the outcome!!!Dimitri... what can I say.... Dimitri, Dimitri... every story has one... from the JZB's to the BDB's... our Dimitri ranks as high as those big bad beautiful men for me... and Rose is a remarkable leading lady... I didn't expect the bonds or the powers within the storyline and I found them intriguing...I had planned to read another author's book after this story and return to the next Vampire Academy book after that... but no... I will be picking up number two right away!!!I loved this book... I just wish I'd read it earlier!!!

With the “Vampire Academy” movie only a month away, I suddenly understood that this is my last chance to read this book without it being affected by the movie. And that was something I couldn’t pass up.When I was a teenager with very limited allowance it took me ages to save up money for books. Therefore I was very picky and the books were very dear to me. And the ones that were good… I read them over and over until I had money for something new. I must have read “Vampire Academy“ 7-8 times, maybe more. And boy did I love it.Okay, time to stop the trip down Memory Lane and find out how did the book hold up now that I am not a teenager anymore.And the answer is that it holds up very well. The things that I loved about it at first are still true. This is one of the most original version of vampires that I have ever come across. And I like vampires so I have read my fair share of vamp stories. The idea of the two kinds of vampires is great. This way the darker side of the night-dwellers is not ignored and you can still have “good” vampires. And while I am usually not a fan of hybrids of any sort, then crossing vampires with Buffy is brilliant. Dhampirs are officially awesome.I really did not want to bring the movie into this review but I need it to make one point. A lot of the time the fans of the series say that the movie is too teeny or too much of a comedy. But I think a thing that is ignored is that the series actually becomes darker a little later. The first book is very much what it is pictured as. And that is Mean Girls with fangs. And that is fine. Good even. I don’t think the later books would have that strong of an affect if the first one would have been gloomy. But a word of an advice for new readers interested in this book and the series. It is good at first but it becomes great. If you like a fun vampire flick then you are all set with this book. If this seems too childish then I can promise that the later books are so worth the clique wars in the first book.People who have read my reviews before know how much I like a kick-ass heroin. And Rose Hathaway is probably to blame for that. I always loved Rose. While she might be vulnerable within the four walls of her own room, then you will never know it from the outside. She keeps kicking no matter what. But above that she is not fighting for only herself. She does it for Lissa. It might not seem much at first but the more you read, the more important that is.Lissa in this book was a little confusing. She could go from vulnerable to a regal socialite princess in a matter of moments. But as the pieces of her weird powers fall into place then I became to appreciate that. Plus she will grow into her role in later books.Same goes for Dimitri. He gets some backstory in this book but he becomes more important in later books. Which is another reason to like this story. It has romance but it does not concentrate purely on that. In the first book it is actually quite secondary.Oh and one fun thing that is a little off topic. The Russian names. Oh god… *laughs hysterically*. For someone who knows Russian at least a little bit this was so weird to read the first few times. Who the hell is named Water… or Lake.. or…*more hysterical giggles*I hope it comes across how much I like this book. And not for sentimental reasons. It will always be a brilliant story by an author from whom I have never read a mediocre book. Five glowing stars for “Vampire Academy”. Whatever anyone has to say against it, I will defend and love it forever.---The review is also on my blog:[...]