Vampire Academy Books 1-3

I purchased these books after watching the film and getting the impression that there was a lot missing, lore wise and tonally. Hoo boy was I more correct than I realised. Firstly, whilst I think it's for marketing, calling it vampire academy is a bit of a misnomer as the plot isn't based on the school for the most part, and more than half the series takes place outside of school. So if that's putting you off, give it a try and remember the adage to not judge a book by its cover (or title). I found this series so refreshing for a YA/ vampire novel because the world building allows for more complex themes to emerge about class struggles, morality, life and death, revolution and slow change. It also builds on classic vampire lore in a way that gives logic to some elements and allows for a consistent plot without a convenient deus ex machina. No plot point comes cheaply and fits into a solid arc across all 6 books, with excellent set up and payoff. Expectations will be subverted and not for shock value, which is nice to see. The romance is nicely slotted into the plot, without it becoming the main focus, but at the same time really gives you something to root for. It's also refreshing to see a bond that is more realistic and explores the reality of loss and grief when love goes beyond idealistic infatuation (quite common in romance). The characters are well rounded with flaws that make them interesting and realistic. But most of all, there is great pacing that keeps you turning the pages waiting for the next part of the story, and makes you feel wholeheartedly for the characters, putting you right there in the story with them. It's not often this happens but I read all 6 books, 2,300 pages in 4 days, which is a mark of how the story draws you in.

I brought the the first 3 books together as a pack, so I am reviewing them all together, these books are so different from the normal vampire books, at first I thought it was slow to start of, I loved the feistiness of rose, she is brilliant, I love mason also, his loyal and funny and wow I love demetri. When the decanting thing happened with Mason I was gutted, cried for a white, then it got so good and I couldn't out it down, loved how Demetri's and Rose's relationship blossomed, I love him..... Book 3 had devastated me, I'm absolutely gutted what's happened, I don't see how the rest can be happy now, I cannot see the happy ending I so wish for these characters. Yet I am now going to buy the rest.... I need to know, I just only hope there is a miracle in the rest of the series that makes it all worthwhile

The individual books our pretty great value for money and as a set they are even better.I loved these books the first time around and I just had to purchase them on my Kindle. The second time reading them has not lessened my enjoyment any. Now let me just say that I am not in the target age group having passed thirty a handful of years ago. Again this fact has not decreased my enjoyment although it does make me a little unsettled that I support Rose and Dimitri in their relationship. I do feel that stigma, possibly more so now than the first time I read the series. Yet something about this couple just feels right. Admittedly I do have a weakness for forbidden love, but it's more than that.The concept is brilliant having good and bad vampires, both living and dead, and then having dhampir guardians. It's all so complex yet written in a way that's easy to follow. The characters themselves are great yet also flawed. There are times when their immaturity shows but not in an irritating way as with some YA books.The books had me in tears a number of times and on the edge of my seat for the majority. I can't wait to read the rest again, they are thoroughly compelling. Great work Richelle Mead.

Rose Hathaway knows her duty, protect Vasilissa Dragomir at all costs. That's why they left the school in the first place. Being dragged back wouldn't change anything, until it did. With the loss of friends and loved one's, suddenly things are different.Rose is a great character, probably the greatest in the whole book. She is sassy and isn't afraid to take risks to achieve the goals she desires.A must read for all lovers of the supernatural world

Favourite series of books, re-reading for the 4th time. Absolutely well worth a read. Characters are well developed, thought out and complex.

I have no idea how I put off reading this series. It's beautiful and powerful, heartbreaking, and I love it. Friendships and relationships are so good that I couldn't stop reading it.I feel such a connection to the characters that I'm hoping it changes with the next half of the books.

Absolutely amazing I can’t wait to read the 4-6. I have never been so hooked in a series. Love it

Brilliant!Exciting and tense at some points! Truly enjoyed reading these books (definitely recommend getting all three at once, you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run!) Enjoyed them so much I was finished after a week and cannot wait to get the next three. I would really recommend them to anyone who, like me, wants a good book they cannot put down.The sarcastic comments of Rose really make the series, and you will learn to love and hold dear all the characters in the book ( even if in the end you will end up with a broken heart)

This goes so beyond the silly adventures of a teenage girl. So much reality can be seen from this fiction. It’s incredible

Obvio me gustaron los libros por eso compre la novela grafica, espero saquen los otros 3 libros q faltan, los espero con ansias, la esperanza nunca muere jeje

Just love the Rose character.. Her stubbornness, courage, dark humor, wit and fears Love/Loyalty. Makes for an action pact series that you just cant stop reading even though you know that the faster you read the faster there story would end..... Just hope that @RichelleMead will take pity on us and wright more of Roses story....

Moi qui suis friande de ce genre de littérature je me suis cette fois ennuyée. Les héroïnes sont jeunes, c'est annoncé mais ça se confirme: elles manquent de profondeur et de surprise. D'ailleurs, c'est un peu le cas de tous les personnages. Trentenaires, passez votre chemin et laissez cette histoire pas très originale aux ados qui découvrent le genre.

Ich hab das Buch in einem Online-Reader nur durch Zufall angefangen zu lesen als ich Zeit totschlagen musste. Da ich von den Büchern vorher nie gehört hatte, erwartete ich dem Cover nach zu urteilen einfach einen 0815 Twilight-Abklatsch. Aber nach ein paar Seiten konnte ich dann irgendwie nicht mehr aufhören... =D.Die Story ist durchgehend spannend und glücklicherweise nicht Twilight-mäßig. Auch wenn es manchmal damit verglichen wird finde ich persönlich keine großartigen Parallelen dazu. Auch die Charaktere sind mir persönlich sehr viel sympathischer und v.a. nicht so weinerlich.Ich habe alle 6 Bände der Serie in zwei Wochen quasi "inhaliert" und sie auch schon einer Freundin weiterempfohlen, die die Sucht nun auch gepackt hat. Daher nur weiterzuempfehlen für alle die das Vampir-Genre mögen. Die 3 in 1 Kindle-Version ist preislich vor allem nicht zu schlagen.P.S.: Den Film der Anfang 2014 als Verfilmung des ersten Buches herauskam habe ich zum Glück erst nach dem Lesen der Bücher gesehen und finde ihn persönlich ziemlich schlecht gemacht und besetzt und nicht einmal im Ansatz mit dem Buch vergleichbar was den Spannungsbogen betrifft. Man sollte also auf keinen Fall vom Film auf die Bücher schließen falls man den Film ebenfalls nicht mochte.