Take a photo of a barcode or cover
cheyfay1995 's review for:
Vampire Academy
by Richelle Mead
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 ⭐s
2.25 🌶️s
Vampire Academy is exactly what you want in a YA paranormal series—fast-paced, dramatic, and just the right amount of messy. Richelle Mead does a great job of building a world full of politics, danger, and supernatural rules without it feeling overwhelming. The whole Moroi/Strigoi/Dhampir setup is unique, and it makes the vampire genre feel fresh instead of recycled.
The real star, though, is the characters. Rose Hathaway is unapologetically bold, reckless, and sarcastic—basically the best kind of YA heroine—and her bond with Lissa gives the story real emotional depth. Add in Dimitri, the stoic, broody mentor who brings all the tension (you know the one 👀), and you’ve got enough drama and banter to keep the pages flying.
That said, it’s definitely a first book in a series. Some of the writing feels a little clunky, and a few plot points drag, but the potential is huge. It’s the kind of book where you finish and immediately want to dive into the next one.
Final Verdict: A fun, dramatic, and addictive start to a series that only gets better. Come for the vampires, stay for Rose’s sass and the deliciously slow-burn tension.
2.25 🌶️s
Vampire Academy is exactly what you want in a YA paranormal series—fast-paced, dramatic, and just the right amount of messy. Richelle Mead does a great job of building a world full of politics, danger, and supernatural rules without it feeling overwhelming. The whole Moroi/Strigoi/Dhampir setup is unique, and it makes the vampire genre feel fresh instead of recycled.
The real star, though, is the characters. Rose Hathaway is unapologetically bold, reckless, and sarcastic—basically the best kind of YA heroine—and her bond with Lissa gives the story real emotional depth. Add in Dimitri, the stoic, broody mentor who brings all the tension (you know the one 👀), and you’ve got enough drama and banter to keep the pages flying.
That said, it’s definitely a first book in a series. Some of the writing feels a little clunky, and a few plot points drag, but the potential is huge. It’s the kind of book where you finish and immediately want to dive into the next one.
Final Verdict: A fun, dramatic, and addictive start to a series that only gets better. Come for the vampires, stay for Rose’s sass and the deliciously slow-burn tension.