4.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 06/12/2008

The story was a bit slow to begin with but a couple of chapters in it really picked up. Tells the story of a vampire school which is mostly in the back-ground as it focus's on Lissa & Rose & their friendship. Lissa is a royal Moroi vampire & Rose is a dhampir training to protect her best friend. the story mythology surrounds these 2 types of vampires & a strigori the worst kind of vampire. It tells of forbidden & unwanted love, bullying & a deep strong friendship. This friendship is the foundation for the story & endears you to the girls & their struggles. A great first part to the series. A very easy read. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 06/10/2009

It is just about impossible to avoid comparisons to Twilight so I'll get mine out of the way. While i enjoyed the Twilight series I found them to be awkwardly written (particularly Twilight itself)and the characters often came across as inconsistent. In terms of content Twilight was also relatively tame. Not so with VA. The story is tightly knit and cohesive. I didn't find it boring to start with at all and was hooked straight away. Rose is an excellent narrator, as she can sometimes see things from Lissa's point of view as well as her own. She isn't always likeable (though she is a teenager so maybe that goes with the territory :o) but Rose is very real. The story does deal with some heavy issues (sex, drinking, self-harm) but these are managed very well and are all integral to the plot. That said, I wouldn't let my 12-14 year old child read it, but would highly recommend it to anyone 15+ - including adults who enjoy Kresley Cole and JR Ward (they are basically why I read this in the first place). If you do buy this, factor in the cost of all four books (so far) because you'll definitely want to read the rest.

4.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 13/11/2008

If you liked Twilight and that whole series, youll love this one It's all about a vampire school and two girls who are best friends who get dragged back there after running away for a reason you will find out by reading. There are some steamy bits in it but not many, it has a strong plot and will drag you in. Suitable for girls between 12-18.

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 10/06/2011

I absoultey loved this book. I am a huge fan of vampire books but not one has got me wanting more and needing more. Richelle Mead has a way of writing that just hooks you in from the first word and leaves you wanting more!!! I own the entire Vampire Academy Series and recommend anyone out there to read this series and see for yourself!!!

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 16/11/2010

I am a devoted vampire novel fan so I thought I would add my two cents worth.

I bought this book based on it's 'blurb' - cause let's face it, that is the first thing we read when choosing a new novel.

I began reading with the preset thought that 'there is no way it will ever top Twilight'. However, after only a few chapters I found I was equally interested in this novel and soon became completely 'consumed'. Now, I just HAVE to pre-ordered the next book in the series so I can discover what happens. There isn't a minute to lose and I am now fully convinced - this series makes Twilight seem pointless.

TEAM VA all the way!

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 06/10/2010

Loved this book. It was a bit slow to begin with but I soon got into it.I accidently read the books out of order, but it didn't really matter. I found the series similar to Twilight in that it is designed for teenagers but it really appeals to everyone

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 16/08/2010

i love this books its about a boarding school called St Vladimir's Academy but it isn't a ordinary boarding school its were vampires and half vampires are educated in magic and half teen vamps are trained to protect full vampires. this story is about Rose Hathaway she is a Dhampir,Half humane and vampire, she is a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. As they have been one the run there finally taken back to St Vladimir's Academy were rose must begin training to protect lissa but her teacher and her start a forbidden romance but rose has to be careful as the Strigoi are after lissa how will she protect her best friend and the forbidden love she has for her teacher

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 19/05/2010

Been looking for something to read for some time, and came across this series. The moment i read it i was hooked! It is by far superior to many of the other vampire/creatures of the dark series out there. Fall in love with Rose and Lissa and Dimitri and journey with them through Vampire Academy! No doubt about it, Richelle Mead is a great author!

5.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 17/04/2010

Whoever thought Twilight was the BEST BOOK in writing were clearly wrong, especially when it comes to this series. After devouring the whole series of Vampire Academy so far, I realized Richelle Mead was a writing God. Seriously. She is. Some said this was a copy of Twilight but while adding a strong female heroine resembling something along the lines of Buffy, a hot Russian mentor who is clearly IS every girl's dream in a guy, and a plot that involved three different kinds of vampires (half, mortal, and immortal) have left me in awe and wanting MORE. All I can say is... LOVE. THIS. SERIES. And....BEST. BOOK. EVER!!!!!

4.0 out of 5 based on 29 reviews. – Customer review on 01/12/2009

A great read, although not as intense as the Twilight series, Vampire Academy is definitely a series for anyone who is captivated by the Vampire trend. Although the cover and name of the series my indicate books for a younger reader, it definitely is not. It is an all round great story and very addictive!