Vampire Academy

Don't ask me why it took me so long to finally give this series a try. For years I've been putting it off despite hearing many good things from friends but still it waited for me on my TBR list. In fact, it wasn't until a few of my other friends and I decided to do a book club this year that I finally bought it. Vampire Academy was our January pick and it was really a challenge to only read a specific amount of chapters per week because once I started this book I didn't want to put it down.

From the very first chapter I was hooked, Rose and her best friend Lissa are on the run and hiding, they have been for two years, but they've been found by the guardians and are immediately brought back to St. Vladimir Academy.

It isn't revealed right away why Rose and Lissa ran away from school because that secret is between the girls and no matter how much times the adults of the school accuse Rose of being reckless by putting Lissa in danger the reason they left was because Lissa wasn't safe at the school.

Its revealed through flashbacks and breadcrumbs of info from Rose's POV why her and Lissa decided she wasn't safe at the school and I have to say I loved how the author strategically incorporated each reveal into the story perfectly. Every time new information was revealed I was that much more glued to the story.

I also enjoyed the world of Vampire Academy, a little similar to the Underworld movies the vampire world is lead by a vampire queen and a group of 12 royal families. There are also three very distinct groups of vampires found in VA, the moroi who are divided into royals and nonroyals, the dhampir who are usually divided into guardians (who protect moroi) or blood whores and the strigoi who fit the usual definition of a vampire. Soulless, dead creatures who kill and drink blood to stay alive. The strigoi's main targets are moroi which is why Rose is punished harshly for taking Lissa outside the protection of the school grounds.

Besides the plot I really enjoyed the characters Rose was sassy, filled with attitude and a big flirt but she was also very protective and kind. Lissa could be too kind for her own good sometimes but she's also very smart and a good balance to Rose. The guys were also very interesting. Christian is my favourite probably cause he's got a lot of mystery going on and Dimitri is pretty badass. I didn't really like Dimitri for the most part of this book but when the end came around he had grown on me.

All in all I've read the third book in this series this month and am itching to pick up the fourth so don't hesitate to give these books a try if you haven't already.