It Runs in the Family: How to Be a Vampire Protector

My sister Melissa is back this week with another review for you all! Mel reads a lot of paranormal YA, as well as NA novels, so she'll be posting about books that I might not necessarily read (or haven't gotten to just yet). This week, she tackles the first three novels of the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. While I do intend to read this series this year (along with Rachel), Mel has beat me to it - and you can see her thoughts below.

Vampire Academy // Frostbite // Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy #1-3

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: August 16, 2007 // April 10, 2008 // November 13, 2008

Source/Format: Bought/Kindle e-book

+ The Story: If you’re thinking Edward & Bella right off the bat, think again. The Vampire Academy series, once you start reading the books – will not remind you of Twilight at all. I mean you’ve got the romance factor, sure, but if anything, there’s more kick-ass action involved and less (actually, NO) sparkling vampires. Plus there’s the fact that vampires (the moroi, at least) have power over the elements – water, fire, air or earth. There are chosen few who have special abilities – over spirit. But that’s something you’ll just have to read about for yourself. I will say this though – that kind of power is freakishly amazing, but risky. 

With the first book, we are basically introduced to the world of the Vampire Academy. We’ve got the moroi, who are considered royalty even though some of them are actually non-royal. Basically they’re the higher species and because they are vulnerable to the strigoi, murderously blood-thirsty immortal vampires who are out to increase their evil numbers, they need to be protected. That’s where the dhampir (half-moroi) come in. Some train to become guardians (while some become blood whores, but I refuse to think about that). Our main character is the beautiful Rose. She’s training to become the guardian of her best friend Lissa, who is a royal moroi. While this may sound like a plan set in stone, there’s more to these two that meets the eye. As we go along for the ride with the next few books, you’ll realize that danger seems to follow them wherever they go. Lissa’s never safe, not even from her own kind or herself. And Rose? Well, she’ll never let anything bad happen – not if she has any say in it. But what if she doesn’t… shadow-kissed and all, can she really fight against the darkness looming around them both or will it consume her first? 

+ The Main Man: While the first three books aren’t particularly centered on the romance factor, we’ve got to talk about Dimitri – Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. He’s an older guardian who at the very beginning is assigned to give Rose some extra training. Little did they know that between practicing fighting stances and strigoi takedowns, it ignites a different kind of passion – for each other. Both try to hold back, knowing very well it could ruin their guardian duties, but when someone tries to exploit what they have, it only becomes more evident how much they care about each other. Pretty soon, there’s no use trying to fight against it. By the time you reach the third book, especially its last few chapters where the stakes become higher than ever, this relationship becomes more important than it ever was, and Rose has to decide whether or not she is willing to risk it all for him. 

+ Rose Hathaway: If there were one word in the entire English vocabulary that would describe this woman, it would be… badass. Not only can she hold her own in a fight, verbal or physical take your pick, but she also has this fearlessness about her, one that you wish you had yourself. Her determination and passion are quite contagious. I’m not saying she’s perfect, because she does act childish one too many times and has the tendency to act before she thinks, but really – it’s her ferocity, her resilient personality and the fact that she’s willing to do anything and everything for her best friend, that makes her a great heroine. 

+ The Unforgettable Lines 

“The greatest and most powerful revolutions often start very quietly, hidden in the shadows” 

“If I let myself love you, I won’t throw myself in front of her. I’ll throw myself in front of you.” 

“Life and death were so unpredictable. So close to each other. We existed moment to moment, never knowing who would be the next to leave this world.” 

So far, so good – that’s what I would say. The Vampire Academy series (at least the first three books) have enough intrigue, mystery and action that I’m excited to find out what happens next. Plus I’m a sucker for love – and if you’ve read the third book already, you’ll know what I mean when I say that I can’t just let it (them) end there.