Review: The Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead

Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 332
Format: Paperback
Release: First released in 2007, this version in 2009




St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - hidden away, it's a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's where the girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night time rituals. But most of all, staying alive.

Suspense and clichés

Vampire Academy is a thrilling first book in the Vampire Academy series, but the book has too many clichés.

Rose and Lissa are on the run from St Vladimir's Academy believing that Lissa is not safe at the school. Soon though, they are apprehended and brought back to the school. Rose is Lissa's best friend and bodyguard, and she must once again attend lectures to learn everything a dhampir must learn in order to be a good bodyguard.

Lissa and the other vampires are Moroi and they live in constant fear of being killed by the Strigoi, vampires that have crossed over to the dark side. Lissa and Rose share a special bond, and that is both good and bad when it comes to Lissa's safety.

I have heard so many great things about this series, so I needed to check it out. From the start I was sucked into the pages of this book. The book starts off with a very dramatic scene, and the drama continues on the next pages.

Richelle Mead have created an interesting world which, in some cases, looks a bit similar to Harry Potter's world. In both series there is a special school where the students learn magic and how to tackle evil forces outside of the school. There is also evil forces out to get some of the students at both the schools.

But there is a lot of differences between these series too. Some would say that the Vampire Academy never comes close to Harry Potter, and the VA - series is not suitable for the youngest kids. There are some references to sex here. The writing in both books also differs. Mead uses a lot of clichés, to many in my opinion. Sentences like this:

" His lips moved to mine, gentle at first, and then hard and hungry. His kiss consumed me"

is something I would expect to find in a paranormal romance book for adults. And it is oh, so cliché.

I like the characters though, and some of them have surprises for us. The suspense is kept throughout the book and the book was very entertaining.

I will keep on reading this series, but I hope Mead does not use that many clichés in the next installments.


Other reviews:
Love Vampires
YA Reads
Once Upon a Chapter

Review: Kisses from Hell

Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Format: Paperback
Pages: 262
Source: Review copy





















" From a fugitive vampire forced to trust a boy who might work for the group bent on destroying her, to the legendary romance of two immortals whose love compels them to risk everything, this exciting, heart-pounding collection brings new meaning to the words "love you forever." Whether you're into romances that are dark and moody or light and fun, these stories will quench that insatiable thirst for enchanting tales of the beautiful undead." ( Description from Amazon.co.uk)


Background:
"Kisses from Hell" is an anthology consisting of five short stories from Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy), Alyson Noël (The Immortals), Kristin Cast ( House of Night - series), Kelley Armstrong ( Darkest Powers - series) and Francesca Lia Block (Pretty Dead). All the stories revolve around love and vampires. Harper Collins has earlier published "Prom Nights from Hell" and "Love is Hell".

The Book:
"Kisses from Hell" starts with "Sunshine", written by Richelle Mead. The story is part of the universe Mead has created in the "Vampire Academy - series", and focuses on the romance between Eric and Rhea Dragomir, Lissa's parents. The story is well written, but for me it was a bit boring. I never got into it, and my mind kept dwelling on other things than the story I was reading. I suspect that I would have gotten more out of the story if I had read the Vampire Academy - series prior to it, and I will try to read the story again, when I have done that.

The next story is "Bring me to Life" by Alyson Noël. Danika, an American girl, is attending Sunderland Manor Art Academy in England, but the school is not quite what she expects. I am a big fan of Noël's writing and she didn't dissappoint me with "Bring me to Life" either. I loved the story and the atmosphere she creates in it. It is obvious that she is inspired by "Dracula" and "Wuthering Heights", two of my favorite novels. You have characters with names such as Bram and Earnshaw. I read this story late at night when the rain was pooring down outside, and that just added to the atmosphere in the story. I wish "Bring me to Life" was a whole novel, and not just a short story. I would really like to get to know Danika better.

"Above" is the name of Kristin Cast's story, and I have only one word for it: OMG! The story simply blew me away. It is dark, disturbing, bizarre, suspenseful, mysterious and depressing. But also poetic with some glimmers of light and hope. It reads like a poem, and you have to read between the lines to really understand what's going on. I have read the first book in the House of Night - series, but this was nothing like that. This story was spectacular. I want more. The best short story in this book and a story you either love or hate, I suppose.

Kelley Armstrong has written "Hunting Kat", about Katiana from the Darkest Powers series. I read this story while trying to decide if I should put the book away or not. I have the Darkest Powers - series on my shelf, but I have not read it yet and I am afraid this novel had some spoilers. Again, I think this is a read that is best suited for those who know Katiana's story from other books.

"Lilith" by Francesca Lia Block is the last story in the book. A dark tale about Paul Michael, who do not fit in at school and escapes into an imaginary world. One day, a new girl attends school. Her name is Lilith. This was a cute, and at the same time, dark story. I thought it was a bit short, even for a short story. I wanted to read more about Paul Michael and Lilith, and get to know them better. I didn't feel I got under their skin, so to speak.

I have mixed emotions about "Kisses from Hell". I loved two of the stories, but the others didn't appeal to me, but again I think that is because I do not know the series they are part of. I also would have liked the publisher to state that, for example, "Hunting Kat", is based upon another series by Kelley Armstrong so I could have avoided spoilers.

If the anthology only contained the stories by Noël and Cast, it would have gotten full score. But since I only liked two out of three stories, I am giving it 3 books.