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teddy_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gothiclibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those hype books as I'm sure you all know. And since it was so hyped (I'm sure by now you know how I feel about hype, if you've been reading my blog for awhile) I was not expecting to like it because a lot of people told me that it was like Twilight and I'm not much of a Twilight fan. The movies are okay, but the books do nothing for me. It's just the same adjectives over and over "she's clumsy" "he's perfect" "they sparkle." Sigh. That type of thinking about Vampire Academy all changed once I hit about page 50.
Okay, that's a lie. I was intrigued as soon as Dimitri was introduced, but then I have a thing for men who are described as dark, brooding, foreign and god-like. I fully support those attributes. However, I'm kind of over the whole vampire thing, and was fully prepared to hate this novel. Because when it comes to vampires I love Anne Rice, but that's pretty much where it ends. She writes these beautifully macabre beasts of novels and nothing can compare. But anyway, back to VA.
I was pulled into this novel immediately. I still don't fully understand all the social classes or the races, if you will, at least not yet, but it's very intriguing. I liked how there were various examples of friendships shown in the novels as well as family bonds and the appeal of power vs. the corruption that occasionally comes with that power. As I was reading the final pages, I was sad. Not only did I not want the book to end, I was sad that I'd have to wait until Monday to go to the library to read the next book. (I read the book Saturday, in one sitting).
I did like the character of Christian quite a bit. He's dark and brooding and he has an edge (see description of Dimitri above). Rose is by far my favorite character. I see a lot of my own characteristics in her (sarcasm, wit, weakness for foreign men). And, the hopeless romantic that I am, I am SO rooting for Rose and Dimitri to end up together. I know, I know, to be socially responsible and to do their jobs which they treat as the most important part of their lives they can be together. Which Dimitri sums up so heartbreakingly well in the final pages. No one spoil the series for me. I'm really thinking that they'll end up together, but then I always hope for the underdogs when it comes to love.
I was surprised though by how sexy the novel was. Not graphic sexually, but sexy in a sensual way. Which is not a complaint, more than I was expecting for a YA title for sure. I actually texted Matt and told him that I just finished one of the sexiest novels I've ever read. It's definitely not suited for the younger end of the spectrum of YA readers with the sexual content (unless the parent is prepared to answer questions) and the violent scenes (some of which are graphic). I'm not one that supports censorship at all, but I feel like there is a difference between censorship and age appropriate reading.
Okay, that's a lie. I was intrigued as soon as Dimitri was introduced, but then I have a thing for men who are described as dark, brooding, foreign and god-like. I fully support those attributes. However, I'm kind of over the whole vampire thing, and was fully prepared to hate this novel. Because when it comes to vampires I love Anne Rice, but that's pretty much where it ends. She writes these beautifully macabre beasts of novels and nothing can compare. But anyway, back to VA.
I was pulled into this novel immediately. I still don't fully understand all the social classes or the races, if you will, at least not yet, but it's very intriguing. I liked how there were various examples of friendships shown in the novels as well as family bonds and the appeal of power vs. the corruption that occasionally comes with that power. As I was reading the final pages, I was sad. Not only did I not want the book to end, I was sad that I'd have to wait until Monday to go to the library to read the next book. (I read the book Saturday, in one sitting).
I did like the character of Christian quite a bit. He's dark and brooding and he has an edge (see description of Dimitri above). Rose is by far my favorite character. I see a lot of my own characteristics in her (sarcasm, wit, weakness for foreign men). And, the hopeless romantic that I am, I am SO rooting for Rose and Dimitri to end up together. I know, I know, to be socially responsible and to do their jobs which they treat as the most important part of their lives they can be together. Which Dimitri sums up so heartbreakingly well in the final pages. No one spoil the series for me. I'm really thinking that they'll end up together, but then I always hope for the underdogs when it comes to love.
I was surprised though by how sexy the novel was. Not graphic sexually, but sexy in a sensual way. Which is not a complaint, more than I was expecting for a YA title for sure. I actually texted Matt and told him that I just finished one of the sexiest novels I've ever read. It's definitely not suited for the younger end of the spectrum of YA readers with the sexual content (unless the parent is prepared to answer questions) and the violent scenes (some of which are graphic). I'm not one that supports censorship at all, but I feel like there is a difference between censorship and age appropriate reading.
23kak85's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book, it was different than most vampire books out there.
kittycat2302's review against another edition
4.0
Read this today on the train! Fun, light reading made the time pass quickly. :-)
itskaitlin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
3.0
Starts slow and you sort of have to hate the main character - but it is a rare teen book that I don't hate the main character these days. She is completely contradictory in action and thought and a tramp besides. But the end of the book gets exciting, the action is fun paced and not completely predictable and it's a cool world. I'm definitely going to read the rest.
faithtrustpixiedust's review against another edition
4.0
I'm gonna start by saying that the movie is one of my favorite guilty pleasures, that I watch it almost regularly and have a blast every single time. Part of that is the sheer stupidity of much of the plot, as well as the actually sort of interesting and cool lore. Having now read the book, I can say that the movie was surprisingly accurate. Shame we didn't get the rest of the series.
Now, the book itself was great in the way reading Twilight was great: I already found the movie silly and enjoyable, so the book wasn't that much of a stretch, but there were some things that bothered me upon reflection.
First, we meet Professor Severus Snape—I mean Guardian Stan Alto—who publically ridicules Harry Potter—I mean Rose Hathaway—on her lack of Dhampir knowledge in a classroom setting. Then we hear tell of Professor Sybill Trelawney—I mean Sonya Karp—who was an eccentric teacher who said vaguely threatening and ominous things but was generally regarded as a bit of a joke to the students.
Second, Rose is an unlikable jerk. I've heard that this book has a great anti-slut-shaming message, but uh, where tho? Because all I see is that line when Mia is outed as a "slut":
So basically because Mia actually has sex and Rose doesn't, Rose is allowed to judge? Because Mia was born into a low position in life and had to work the system to get to where she was, even if it makes her a hypocrite, Rose has the right to throw it all in her face and push her down? Wtf? Whatever happened to "be the better man" or "common decency"?
Third, Vasilisa is the Avatar.
Now, the book itself was great in the way reading Twilight was great: I already found the movie silly and enjoyable, so the book wasn't that much of a stretch, but there were some things that bothered me upon reflection.
First, we meet Professor Severus Snape—I mean Guardian Stan Alto—who publically ridicules Harry Potter—I mean Rose Hathaway—on her lack of Dhampir knowledge in a classroom setting. Then we hear tell of Professor Sybill Trelawney—I mean Sonya Karp—who was an eccentric teacher who said vaguely threatening and ominous things but was generally regarded as a bit of a joke to the students.
Second, Rose is an unlikable jerk. I've heard that this book has a great anti-slut-shaming message, but uh, where tho? Because all I see is that line when Mia is outed as a "slut":
Mason: "You could start telling people if you wanted to. We could make a banner."
Rose: With as many times as Mia had called me a slut and a whore? Not a bad idea. "You got any markers and paper?"
So basically because Mia actually has sex and Rose doesn't, Rose is allowed to judge? Because Mia was born into a low position in life and had to work the system to get to where she was, even if it makes her a hypocrite, Rose has the right to throw it all in her face and push her down? Wtf? Whatever happened to "be the better man" or "common decency"?
Third, Vasilisa is the Avatar.