dvorakd's review against another edition
5.0
I love everything about this the freindship relatinoship and that they would never leave each other that is exactly what I hope my friend would do for me.
kseymourx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
krish_'s review against another edition
3.0
If you're like me, a self-confessed occasional book elitist, and you think you might be too good for this book because you've seen the cover and read the back and assumed, quite naturally, that this is akin to Twilight...well, you're wrong.
It's not the greatest of YA series. You won't sit there catching your breath at the end absorbing the surge of emotions swirling within you. In fact, there's really nothing that extraordinary about this story.
But. It does not deserve to be lumped together with Twilight and its like as I think it sometimes is simply because its shares similar ingredients: young excitable girls susceptible to young mysterious guys, good vampires vs bad vampires, other cool supernatural elements.
The writing is good. What really sold me were the characters - as always. That is what will always matter to me the most. The plot and everything else, whatever else there is, would have to be remarkable for me to love it if the characters suck. I'd still finish it but I won't rave about it. The characters is the pulse of a book. Isn't that what its all about? Storytelling? We have to be able to relate and connect with characters because that's precisely why we're listening in the first place...to learn more about ourselves?
Okay, I'm getting way too philosophical. Yes, I am. Because this book isn't really that kind of book. It doesn't make you look at yourself and reflect and re-evaluate. Well, maybe to some. Who am I to dictate how anything should be received? Its all relative. After all, I got all worked up by the Gemma Doyle series (I just really, really, really loved the books!) And many would say they're just okay (I think they're amazing!)
But I also don't want to sound like the book has nothing substantial to offer. It really makes the reader think about duty and the true weight of that concept. Also, how far would we go to protect our loved ones and what does it really mean to "put others before yourself." I say it really is quite a good book.
Anyway, my point was: you won't hate these characters. I quite loved them actually. Rose and Lissa are funny, loyal, witty, sometimes reckless but never stupid in the way Bella Swan or Nora Gray are...sorry to point fingers but there you go. Point, point, point.
The plot is also interesting though I thought it could've been more dramatic. But there are 6 books, I believe? So I guess its just taking its time for the real action to begin.
That's okay, I can wait. I've already queued the rest of the series. Yes, I'll be reading the rest - ungrudgingly (I made that word up but doesn't it sound like a real one?)
I give it somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4.
Like, a 3.7.
It's not the greatest of YA series. You won't sit there catching your breath at the end absorbing the surge of emotions swirling within you. In fact, there's really nothing that extraordinary about this story.
But. It does not deserve to be lumped together with Twilight and its like as I think it sometimes is simply because its shares similar ingredients: young excitable girls susceptible to young mysterious guys, good vampires vs bad vampires, other cool supernatural elements.
The writing is good. What really sold me were the characters - as always. That is what will always matter to me the most. The plot and everything else, whatever else there is, would have to be remarkable for me to love it if the characters suck. I'd still finish it but I won't rave about it. The characters is the pulse of a book. Isn't that what its all about? Storytelling? We have to be able to relate and connect with characters because that's precisely why we're listening in the first place...to learn more about ourselves?
Okay, I'm getting way too philosophical. Yes, I am. Because this book isn't really that kind of book. It doesn't make you look at yourself and reflect and re-evaluate. Well, maybe to some. Who am I to dictate how anything should be received? Its all relative. After all, I got all worked up by the Gemma Doyle series (I just really, really, really loved the books!) And many would say they're just okay (I think they're amazing!)
But I also don't want to sound like the book has nothing substantial to offer. It really makes the reader think about duty and the true weight of that concept. Also, how far would we go to protect our loved ones and what does it really mean to "put others before yourself." I say it really is quite a good book.
Anyway, my point was: you won't hate these characters. I quite loved them actually. Rose and Lissa are funny, loyal, witty, sometimes reckless but never stupid in the way Bella Swan or Nora Gray are...sorry to point fingers but there you go. Point, point, point.
The plot is also interesting though I thought it could've been more dramatic. But there are 6 books, I believe? So I guess its just taking its time for the real action to begin.
That's okay, I can wait. I've already queued the rest of the series. Yes, I'll be reading the rest - ungrudgingly (I made that word up but doesn't it sound like a real one?)
I give it somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4.
Like, a 3.7.
zainabjabak's review against another edition
4.0
So I came across this book by accident if you want to think about it that way. I know the Twilight/Vampire phase was like nine years ago, but I have to admit this book severely shocked me. The book is about vampires, but it is not what you would expect. The different breeds of vampires, the coexistence, and the plot made me all the more enjoy this book. Twilight is nothing in comparison to this and if anything this book/series is underrated.
You could say I am hooked on this series and want to finish it as humanly possible. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fantasy with a twist.
You could say I am hooked on this series and want to finish it as humanly possible. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fantasy with a twist.
ambers0511's review against another edition
4.0
Reread February 2014
Going to see the movie today! I'm so excited!
Going to see the movie today! I'm so excited!
faex's review against another edition
5.0
I saw the movie more than once and I loved the movie so much! So when I heard it was adapted from the vampire academy series, I JUST HAD TO READ IT!
So, I went to my local library and I'm so glad I picked it up, because this book will NOT disappoint you, it's such an easy read and omfg I loved it so so much!
So, I went to my local library and I'm so glad I picked it up, because this book will NOT disappoint you, it's such an easy read and omfg I loved it so so much!
michelle_fantasy's review against another edition
5.0
Vampýrská akademie je moje srdeční záležitost, poprvé jsem ji četla asi v roce 2013, jestli si to pamatuju správně. Co ale jistě vím, že jsou to první knížky, které jsem si tenkrát za kapesné koupila. Dlouho jsem je ale nečetla, a tak jsem se to rozhodla změnit. A byla to opravdu nostalgická jízda.
Miluju svět, který Richelle pro tenhle příběh stvořila. Tři různé druhy vampýrů - Morojové, Dhampýři a Strigojové - považuju i teď po letech za dobrý nápad. Prostě to funguje. Dynamika mezi Rose a Lissou taky funguje skvěle, jde z nich prostě cítit, jak dobré kamarádky to jsou.
A Dimitrij je i teď po letech furt stejně perfektní love interest jako tenkrát. Jo, možná mohl být ten věkový rozdíl trošku menší. Ale asi nad tím dokážu mávnout rukou. Napětí mezi ním a Rose, ten jejich vztah to dokáže omluvit.
Hrozně se mi taky líbí určité poznámky, které pak hrajou roli v pozdějších dílech. Při prvním čtení si to člověk neuvědomí, takhle zpětně je to zřejmé. Třeba rozhovor mezi Rose a Dimkou o tom, co by chtěli, aby se s nimi stalo v případě, že se z nich stanou strigojové. No wau.
„Kdybych si dovolil milovat tě, nechránil bych ji vlastním tělem. Tím bych totiž chránil tebe.“
Miluju svět, který Richelle pro tenhle příběh stvořila. Tři různé druhy vampýrů - Morojové, Dhampýři a Strigojové - považuju i teď po letech za dobrý nápad. Prostě to funguje. Dynamika mezi Rose a Lissou taky funguje skvěle, jde z nich prostě cítit, jak dobré kamarádky to jsou.
A Dimitrij je i teď po letech furt stejně perfektní love interest jako tenkrát. Jo, možná mohl být ten věkový rozdíl trošku menší. Ale asi nad tím dokážu mávnout rukou. Napětí mezi ním a Rose, ten jejich vztah to dokáže omluvit.
Hrozně se mi taky líbí určité poznámky, které pak hrajou roli v pozdějších dílech. Při prvním čtení si to člověk neuvědomí, takhle zpětně je to zřejmé. Třeba rozhovor mezi Rose a Dimkou o tom, co by chtěli, aby se s nimi stalo v případě, že se z nich stanou strigojové. No wau.
„Kdybych si dovolil milovat tě, nechránil bych ji vlastním tělem. Tím bych totiž chránil tebe.“
blue_jo's review against another edition
5.0
i have never read any vampire ya books before but im familar with the vampire genre as i have seen all the twilight movies and had an attempt to read the first book. (i only read a few chapters before i couldn't go on) After watching the movie and hearing great things about the series from a favourite book-tuber of mine and many other i decided that i had to read the books! (plus just dimitri is just asdfghjkl, i can't) he wasnt perfect in the movie adaptation but i totally understood where he was coming from and my love for him has flourished since reading vampire academy)
im sort of sad that i watched the movie first but i was a bit skeptical on reading the books in the first place. Whilst reading it i saw how the movie has faithfully followed a large proporstion of the book and watching the movie really gave me the push to read the book and continue the journey with the characters.
i enjoyed it soo much, the characters are relatable and angsty teenagers who are of a supernatural race. rose and lissa's relationship is strong and they care for eachother so very much. it was super easy to read but hard to put down, im literally going to go start reading the next book after i finish my math homework that i have due tomorrow because i have grown attached to these characters and i must read on!!
im sort of sad that i watched the movie first but i was a bit skeptical on reading the books in the first place. Whilst reading it i saw how the movie has faithfully followed a large proporstion of the book and watching the movie really gave me the push to read the book and continue the journey with the characters.
i enjoyed it soo much, the characters are relatable and angsty teenagers who are of a supernatural race. rose and lissa's relationship is strong and they care for eachother so very much. it was super easy to read but hard to put down, im literally going to go start reading the next book after i finish my math homework that i have due tomorrow because i have grown attached to these characters and i must read on!!
emmarj's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for a 2021 readalong because it gets brought up in my reading groups pretty often. I didn't read this when it came out but I enjoyed my first read surprisingly well for how old this book is! I feel like YA has changed a lot as a genre but this held up nicely.
Vampire Academy is a nice, easy read. I flew through it in a couple days. Mead's vampire take is an interesting one, once again with multiple different "kinds" of vampires similar to what we see in the From Ash and Blood series. The structure is explained well though. I didn't find it confusing at all and I appreciated that it was done by showing and not too much telling.
I don't love the relationship between Rose and Lissa HOWEVER it is so nice to see a story in which female friendship takes precedence over the romantic subplots. All that to say, all I care about is Dimitri beeeccauuussee fire.
This was the palate cleanser I needed and I'm now debating reading the February book early so I can get more Dimitri in my life. 4 stars.
Vampire Academy is a nice, easy read. I flew through it in a couple days. Mead's vampire take is an interesting one, once again with multiple different "kinds" of vampires similar to what we see in the From Ash and Blood series. The structure is explained well though. I didn't find it confusing at all and I appreciated that it was done by showing and not too much telling.
I don't love the relationship between Rose and Lissa HOWEVER it is so nice to see a story in which female friendship takes precedence over the romantic subplots. All that to say, all I care about is Dimitri beeeccauuussee fire.
This was the palate cleanser I needed and I'm now debating reading the February book early so I can get more Dimitri in my life. 4 stars.