Caragh Reviews - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Published - 26th May 2009
Publisher - Penguin
Format - Kindle
Synopsis - 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've been hearing about these books for so long that i'd actually forgotten that I hadn't even read it. I have them all on my Kindle and so whilst I was torn up about what to read next, I went for this one. I was expecting to fall in love with a new series, new characters and experience a whole lot of adventure; which I desperately need now that Morganville is over *sob*. It sadly wasn't the case though.

I had an insta-connection with Rose; she's badass, kickass and tells it like it is, which I like to think is the same mental attitude that I have so I could relate. She was fiercely protective of Lissa and would go as far as it takes to keep her friend safe. I also started to develop a little book-crush on Dimitri (at least I think that was his name - prime example of my issues with this book).  Other than that I don't have a whole lot of positives to give Vampire Academy. It seemed like there was going to be a lot of intrigue and action as there were a lot of hints towards the reasons why Rose and Lissa ran away etc but it was all really anti-climactic! I just didn't really care about anything. When parts of the plot were revealed, my reaction was more 'Oh yeah..that was a thing..' than the 'OMG NO WAY!' that I was looking for. Everything was easily forgotten, to the point where I had to read the synopsis just to remember the names of the main characters.

As an overall, it wasn't like it was an absolutely terrible book, it wasn't! It just wasn't anything special to me. I wasn't hooked, I didn't relate, I generally was just disinterested. Because i'm a glutton for punishment, i'll of course be finishing the series because, ever the optimist, I hope that it gets better with time and I can build a connection to the characters or something.

Do you disagree with me? Please, let me know why you loved/loathed Vampire Academy!