Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - A Series Review

Title: Vampire Academy Series (1-5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Published: 2007-2010
Read: August 6th 2010 - August 10th 2010
(To check synopsis click on the covers above)
Overall Rating:

So as anyone knows who has been reading my crazy banter, I've been on a huge paranormal fling. Well, maybe it's more than a fling being that it's lasted for a good couple months now..... and in all honesty I don't know when it will end as I'm having way too much fun.... and damn are vamps and werewolves sexy! I mean, HELLO! I have no idea why I didn't jump into this earlier. I mean, yeah I've been into fantasy for like over a decade, but man there is just something about vamps and weres that just get me all up and excited.

Yet again, I actually read this series as a recommendation. Believe it or not I saw it on the shelf at the Barnes & Nobel when it first came out back in 2007, but it didn't really pull me in. I was worried is was going to be super korny and this book that is teaching kids how to be vamps. IT SO WAS NOT!

It may take place in a school for quite a bit of it, but a lot of it isn't. In fact, I'd say most of it takes place everywhere else. The characters are so amazing and fun and I had a hell of a time following them around for the five days it took me to read the series. I mean, there is Rose who is our main character and all around bad ass female. She is strong and snarky and says it like it is. She has no problem taking it because she dishes it out whenever possible. Plus, she is funny and her jabs are awesome. She says what you've always wanted to say in a situation and possibly never did. Apparently she has become my new hero.

Her best friend Lissa I liked as well, but she wasn't Rose and I was so glad for a strong female character who didn't like BS. Lissa was the exact opposite of Rose and I thought they complimented each other very nicely.

Our main males are Christian, Adrian and Dimitri. OMG, there is so much I could say on this note, but I won't because I don't want to give any of the good juicy surprises away, but goodness were these men hot. Christian the fire user was kind of a dick, but in a "hi, I'm hot and I don't mind treating all you hypocritical jerk offs like crap." It was refreshing.

Adrian sounded like sex on a stick and I would have been more than glad to make out with him. He was like this tall dark and sexy guy who was sweet underneath all of his smart ass comments as well as all the cigarettes and liquor he was always consuming.

Dimitri.... Oh my dearest Dimitri... Can we say SHMEXY!!!! I mean he seriously must have been like this 6'5" hunk of hotness that could put you in your place with a look. I really hope that place is wrapped around him because man he's yummy to an extensive degree. Plus, he had this side of him that was smart and thoughtful and I think that was what brought me over the edge to Team Dimitri. He was just.... AAAAAAHHHH......Dimitri. Glorious smokin' hot Dimitri. Plus, he was 24 when the book starts which was totally awesome. (*clears throat* yeah, you know you want it).

The basic basis of the series, to get back on track, is Rose and Lissa and their bond. They share a bond between each other... a one way bond more so though. To get a better explanation, read the book because the explanation would take too long.

There is so much to say about the plot, so I'm going to basically skip over and just say that it was a well written YA novel. At first it was hard for me to get into the first book because there are a ton of new terms that I'd never heard and I had to get used to those. Plus, before I read this series I had been reading Adult PNR which is written so much different from YA PNR so the switch took me a bit. After the first handful of chapters, I was addicted, hence the 5 day read. It was such an interesting concept to me, plus the author had no problem purposefully pissing me off. I thought very strongly of throwing a couple of the books across the room because of the plot. However, I didn't (as that would be a travesty to any book) and it turned out for the best. Because in all honesty, how can you read a book that is no longer in your hands. :D

I do love a book where the author makes you sweat and doesn't give too much away. This book definitely hit the mark there. Plus, with such a wonderful cast of characters and such an involved romantic paranormal plot of deliciousness, I never wanted to put it down. I mean, with hot Russians, fire, silver stakes, blood whores and all sorts of sweaty hotness, why would I.

Series Rating:

Storyline:

Writing:

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Favorite Book in Series:
Spirit Bound (No.5)