Reviews with content warning for Blood - Vampire Academy

Content Warnings: Self-harm [cutting], animal death/animal cruelty, blood, bullying, death, murder, suicidal ideations, violence, sexism, grief, torture, sexual harassment, sexual assault, age gap [17 and 24], toxic relationships, homophobia, sexual content, forced institutionalization, ableism, and stalking.

Decided it was time for a re-read ahead of binging through the new Peacock show.

A few summers ago I binged through the entire series, so fast, I could not remember what happened per book. Rereading at a slower pace while annotating, highlighting, and writing summaries every 50 pages was fun and will make it easier to remember in the future. 😅

We get a bit of a slow start as the girls are forced out of hiding and returned to the academy. As the girls attempt to readjust to living among their peers we slowly start to unravel the mystery of why they left while also being introduced to a few new mysteries.

This book was so much to reread and re-immerse myself in. I absolutely adore Rose and Lissa, the strong bond they share, and their fierce desire to protect each other. 💜

Content Warnings

filipacarvalho's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

whatizontheshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous fast-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? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

nxclx's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I personally may be biased in my rating, from nostalgia and all, but I personally think this is a great book, and maybe one of the best ones in the series (don't quote me on this it will probably change later). I think it sets up the story, the world, the characters, and the conflict perfectly and then follows through amazingly. Even knowing what happens before hand, I was still on the edge of my seat. I get there are some problematic parts, and if that bothers you, I get it. This book isn't for everyone. But it doesn't bother me. I'm so excited to read the rest of the series and finally finish it! LOOK AT THE CONTENT WARNINGS. It spoils the book a little but it's kinda necessary. You don't want to be surprised.

Content Warnings

iviarelle's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

2022

Early on I thought I would revise my original rating more, but having finished it... Not so much. It's very 2007, from the mutual crush on a teacher (though not followed through on) to the extremely awkward handling of self harm and depression, from the Not Like Other Girls to the style and structure of the plot itself.

It's not an unpleasant read but it needs the "aged like bread" warning before you head in. Some of it still looks fine but there's some faintly blue fuzz on one corner of the loaf.

Also, I'm endlessly amused by "I'll read more!" and then proceeding to read exactly 0 further pages in 6 years. This time maybe!

=====

2016

The pacing is a little bit off for me, but this book kept me reading to the end and I'll probably read more of the series which is more than I can say for some books!

Content Warnings

plumpaperbacks's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

[sixth read, March-April 2023]
It’s literally been four months since I finished my last VAU reread, but here I am again. I’m incapable of staying away from this series.

Although this is possibly the weakest book in the series and definitely my least favorite, there’s just something special about starting all over again. About coming back to Rose and Lissa when they’re seventeen, Rose still impulsive and not yet hardened by responsibility and trauma, Lissa still uncertain of how to wield the power she was born into. About watching Rose and Dimitri stumble into feelings for each other they know shouldn’t be there, but can’t resist.

It really is about the little things with these two. He bandages her hands when she hurts them. He plays with her hair—one of the very first intimate moments they have—and tells her not to cut it when she brings that up, because it’s one of his favorite parts of her. He does whatever he can to make sure she’s safe, she’s warm, she’s happy, because despite his best efforts, he’s falling in love with her. And no matter how many times I read it, it never gets old.

I am so completely normal about these two. Definitely not obsessed.

[fifth read, April 2022]
I take it back: these books aren’t trash. The writing can be cheesy at times, and there are occasionally scenes that make it quite obvious this was written in 2007, but despite that, they’re fun. And Mead’s vampires are definitely the most fleshed-out, unique ones I’ve ever seen.

There are two reasons this book has four stars: 1) there’s a lot of petty high school clique drama that I just don’t have patience for, and 2) it can be ableist at times, as it frequently uses a few offensive words, like “insane” and “crazy.” There’s also one instance (I think) where there’s mention of a saint “healing cripples.” I can cut it some slack because those words weren’t challenged then as they are now, but it still rubs me the wrong way.

However, despite those grievances, I still adore this book. VA is my comfort series, Rose and Dimitri my comfort characters. I love her sass and his thoughtfulness and their whole dynamic. Lissa and Christian are awesome too, but… Romitri supremacy. ❤️

[fourth read, June 2021]
Every time I reread these books, I love them a little more. They’re absolute trash in terms of writing quality, but they’re so much fun and definitely a comfort read for me. I mean, they cause me unbelievable amounts of pain, but they make me happy too. It (mostly) balances out.

Despite the bad writing, this is still one of the most unique vampire stories I’ve read. Mead’s world-building is interesting and clever without being overbearing.

The strongest part for me is definitely the characters. Even five years later, I still adore them. Rose and Lissa and Dimitri and Christian have my heart and ~~probably~~ always will. (2023 Liv: There is no “probably.” They absolutely will. The VA lifestyle isn’t a lifestyle one just stops living.)

I also love the romances, though one is minor and one isn’t official yet. Lissa and Christian are an adorable Moroi power couple and no one can change my mind. As for Rose and Dimitri, well… how did I ever not love them? Their chemistry shines through in small ways, even when Rose is trying to get over her crush and Dimitri is insisting that nothing can happen because it wouldn’t be right. They just fit together and they’re so freaking cute!!

I know that Rose being seventeen and/or Dimitri being her mentor makes some people uncomfortable and I respect that. Personally, I’m not really bothered by either of those things, because Mead wrote the relationship in such a respectful way. And I might be a little biased, since they’re one of my absolute favorite book ships. But anyway.

Long story short, I’m obsessed with this series and eager to continue rereading.

[third read in May 2020]
[second read in 2019]

[first read, June 2016]
I really enjoyed this book. It has to be one of the most unique takes on vampires I've ever read, and it was easy to understand. I will say that in the first, maybe, 10 chapters, there was some info-dumping, but it wasn't too bad. (2023 Liv: No, there wasn’t any info-dumping. I was so dumb when I was 15.)

Rose is one of my new favorite characters. I love her sassy, snarky, impulsive attitude, and her dedication to protecting Lissa. She has a tough time in the second half of this book, and I have to admire the way she handled it all.

The second half of this book was so action-packed, I really didn't want to put it down. There's a lot of surprises and betrayal revealed, and I just had to know more. The ending was especially intriguing, because all seemed to be fine, but with five more books in a series, it can't be. (Nope. Nothing is ever fine ‘round these parts.)

My only other issue was the relationship between Rose and Dimitri. I'm not sure what to call them, exactly. I'm totally fine with Dimitri mentoring her and them being friends, but their mutual want of more is what disturbed me. Rose is 17 and Dimitri is 24. It just feels wrong, even to a hopeless romantic like me. They've both come to terms with the fact that it can't happen and I'm thankful for that, but again, with five more books, I'm not sure that will last. (“iT juSt FeEls WrONg” I WAS SUCH AN IDIOT OHMYGOD)

Overall, though, I'm really glad I finally jumped on this bandwagon, and I'll definitely read Frostbite ASAP.

Content Warnings

getbrekked's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

More...