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A review by gothiclibrarian
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
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.