Review: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead

St. 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.

I found this series a while back and flew through every installment out on the shelves but never got around to posting my reviews for them. With the sixth and final book in the series, Last Sacrifice, coming out soon I thought it would be a good time to play catch up.

I imagine that if I looked up the definition for best friends I'd find a picture of Rose and Lissa right next to it. These two are thick as thieves and willing to go to any lengths for one another despite the possible consequences to themselves. With Lissa being a Moroi (vampire) and Rose being a dhampir (half-Moroi) who one day hopes to guard her, these two are in it together until the very end. I actually found it refreshing that for once he vampires weren't all powerful. They may have gifts, but butt-kicking is not going to be found on their resumes like you'd see in so many other vampire books out there today. It was a nice plot twist.

But let's get to the important stuff...the forbidden love Richelle Mead has going on with these characters. OK, while love might be a stretch in this first book, there was some serious chemistry and romantic tension going on. Rose and Dimitri are supposed to be focused and driven. It's their duty as dhampirs to protect the Moroi. Relationships are out of the question. But the attraction is there and it's not going anywhere anytime soon! Lissa's not flying solo either. She's more of a juggler, or so it would seem. She's got the girls at school cringing with envy and oh so jealous, but while she might put up a good front, she's hiding serious issues.

This was a great series opener and left you wanting so much more. Mead made a fan and follower out of me instantly and that's not changing anytime soon.

I gave Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!