Book Review: Vampire Academy

Title: Vampire Academy series
Author: Richelle Mead

This review has been a long time coming. Now let me start off by saying I was one of those who weren’t swayed by the “Vampire” phenomenon. Yes, I read the Twilight series. Did I enjoy them? Hell yes, they are fun and easy to read. But then having a million people gush about them to me? Well, let’s just say that it deterred me from reading another vampire book for a long time. Then load and behold, my co-worker plops down the entire Vampire Academy series on my desk. *Plop* Here are six books that you need to read! I looked at the covers, was not impressed, and looked up at her giving me the stink eye. I gulped and shook my head, but didn’t have the courage to say no to her so I picked up the first one.

I devoured it.

I threw the first one to the side, and picked up the second one. Then threw that to the side and started reading the third. The pattern continued until I finished reading all six books in a matter of five days (Note: The first two books are roughly around 300 pages each, the rest of the series range from 400-600 pages). Did I have a life during this reading binge? No, probably not, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was that I had to follow this kick-ass character, Rose, from beginning to end. Strong, independent, and snarky — Rose was a girl after my own heart. I won’t go on to explain the book because I won’t do it justice. I don’t even know what I would say that would convey my enthusiasm of it all. These YA books convinced me to take back my earlier retraction of how vampires are not that cool, and even launched me on to my next marathon — watching two seasons of Vampire Diaries. Yes, I just became that girl. *Kicks chair*

But seriously, after reading The Hunger Games and Vampire Academy, I’m in search of more kick-ass YA female protagonists. We need more of them! They need to come flood our world because weak female characters (like a certain someone I won’t name) is just not cutting it. I need my heroine to go out there, kick major butt, and take control of her own destiny. Bottom line:  If you absolutely had to read another vampire series after Twilight, I definitely recommend Vampire Academy.

– Jane