Vampire Academy

This is one of my favorite YA series. It has many of the same elements present in virtually all YA series - romance, paranormal elements, written from the perspective of a female, easy to digest, a quick read - but compared to many other YA books, this series has richer, more developed characters and is a bit less trite than many series.Rose is a kick-butt heroine. She's strong both physically and emotionally, and she has sass to boot. She is very flawed, and by no means a Mary Sue, but those flaws that others find make her unlikable are precisely why I enjoy her so much. She can be reckless at times, and at times she behaves like she has something to prove, which often results in her acting without thinking. She has quite a mouth on her and this gets her into trouble. The great thing about flaws, however, is that it allows a lot of room for growth. But the things that make her unlikable also make her wonderful. She uses her strength, her outspokenness, and her fierce loyalty, to protect those who need protecting, to protect those who cannot or will not protect or speak up for themselves. She defends her friends even when it means that she becomes a target for bullying herself.Even though this book hints at romance, which does play a greater role later on in the series, this book is ultimately about the friendship of two girls who grew up together, and how that friendship grows and changes as they grow, change and are subjected to new trials - like boys. The girls often speak of issues other than boys, which is a strong message to send to young women. Friendships need not, and should not, revolve around boys and there are other things in life that can bond two women together.Moreover, this book does not shy away from teenage sexuality. Although that might not be a selling point for some, I think it's fabulous and realistic. A bunch of 17-year-olds, let's be realistic, are not all practicing abstinence and it's certainly not okay to shame girls for engaging in behavior that is not only natural, but completely ignored when engaged in my males. This book demonstrates that it is ok for a girl that age to have a healthy sex drive, but by no means is it dismissive of sex - to the contrary, Mead does make it sound like the decision to have sex shouldn't be taken lightly - but unlike Twilight and its progeny, where it practically preaches that sex before marriage is wrong, there is no slut-shaming going on here (except by some of the characters in the book, of course, but we are meant to see those characters as jerks and their behavior as unacceptable). In fact, there are characters in the story who have had sex (but not always for the so-called "right" reasons), which is a very realistic approach and quite a contrast to the very chaste and virginal world we see in some other books. I just like that girls are basically told to weigh their decisions carefully, but in the end, the choice is theirs.I just really love Mead's writing and characterization, always have. She's one of those authors who has absolutely earned my trust. I love that the focus of this series is on the strength of the two main women, with their relationships with boys playing only a secondary role. It's all about the bonds of sisterhood.

I first read VAMPIRE ACADEMY more than four years ago. Remembering slow-burning forbidden romance between Rose and Dimitri and pulse-pounding action present throughout the whole series made me want to relive it all over again. Would I love it as much the second time around? I can answer that question with a resounding YES!This is the first book in the series, and sometimes first books can be boring with all the world-building and character development. NOT THIS BOOK! Richelle Mead effortlessly blends together the world of the Moroi, dhampirs, Strigoi, and the Academy with action and memorable characters from the very start. It was very hard to put this book down once I started reading it.The book starts with Rose and Lissa being taken back to the Academy in Montana. Two years prior, Rose had taken Lissa away from their high school, for reasons you’ll find out in the book. Once back at the Academy, the headmistress wants to send Rose away for taking Lissa. But after some persuasion on Dimitri’s part—one of the guardians sent to bring her back—she lets Rose stay subject to some conditions. Rose must stay out of trouble and take on extra training sessions in order to catch up. She assigns Dimitri to be Rose’s trainer. After arriving back on campus, it becomes clear that someone is targeting Lissa and Rose gets worried. Rose is further distracted when she starts to develop very real feelings for Dimitri.I must talk about Rose and Dimitri because it would be a huge injustice if I didn’t. In Vampire Academy, Rose and Dimitri start off as trainer/trainee (not really friends, but something else) but there is clearly a very special connection between them. Rose is the outspoken, witty, strong, and brave person who will do anything to protect her best friend. While Dimitri is brooding, honorable, and the strong, silent type of guy. Basically, he’s my favorite type of hero. Underneath it all is also this wonderful romantic tension that you can cut with a knife! This is where things get good, guys.“Did you see that dress?”“I saw the dress.”“Did you like it?”He didn’t answer. I took that as a yes.“Am I going to endanger my reputation if I wear it to the dance?”When he spoke, I could barely hear him. You’ll endanger the school.”I liked that the reason why they couldn’t be together was something tangible and concrete. It made sense. It is a rule at the Academy that guardians cannot be romantically involved due to the nature of their job—their job is to protect Moroi and they can’t put someone else ahead of that duty. And doesn’t that just bite the big one because, damn, these two would be GREAT together!I won’t go into the explanation of the world in this review because you can figure that out for yourself. However, if you find yourself leery of reading yet another vampire series, don’t because this series is really great. What I love so much about this book is how wonderfully Richelle Mead sets the stage for the rest of the series, while creating an engaging and exciting book that is freaking addictive. You have the subplot with Lissa and Christian, the danger surrounding Lissa, the budding something between Rose and Dimitri, and the dramatics of high school.If you haven’t read this series from start to finish, go right now! If you’re like me and have a weakness for amazing forbidden love stories with twists and turns, then Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series is the series for you! I have always remembered the journey I took when reading through the books the first time and I cannot wait to feel it all over again.

It's very fast paced. With a hint of romance and action. Rose is quick witted and fiercely protective of her friend Lissa and Lissa is sweet and loyal to Rose. Together they navigate the academy and all kinds of different threats and dynamics with others. They also navigate the friendship they have with each other and the roles they play in each other's life. Very fun read and thought provoking as well.

I read these books years ago and loved them so much! I decided to re-read them and I still love them. Rose and Dimitri are one of my favorite romance book couples.

So I absolutely never write reviews, but this series deserves so much hype.I first read this book back in 2014 and I have gone on to reread the whole series so many times. It’s a comfort read for me now.The character growth is unlike any other I’ve read. I also loved all the side characters. Normally I’m quite uninterested, but not the case in this series. I enjoyed the different perspectives throughout.I don’t want to give anything away but if you liked the first book and unsure if it’s too young for you, please keep going with the series. Every book gets better and better, it’s one of those rare series where it doesn’t drag out at all and you’re on the edge the whole way through. The books also get more mature as the series goes on and as the fmc gets older so does the themes of the books.I also love that the main character is so beautifully flawed, she is impulsive, can be abrasive, immature and she learns and grows from her own behaviours which is refreshing. She is very real.

Llegó en la fecha acordado, solo está un poco dañado en la portada, pero nada grave. Todo lo demás está en perfectas condiciones.

I loved

I just love the character of rose and the bond of friendship between rose and liss ❤️❤️And it's all badass can't wait to read more book of the seriesAnd rose&Dimitri they are just 😘