Vampire Academy
 Vampire Academy - book 1 | |
| Author | Richelle Mead |
|---|---|
| Genre | Young adult, Fantasy, Romance |
| Publisher | Penguin Group Razorbill |
Vampire Academy is a best selling series of six young-adult paranormal romance novels by American author Richelle Mead. It tells the story of Rosemarie "Rose" Hathaway, a seventeen-year-old Dhampir girl, who is training to be a bodyguard for her Moroi best friend, Vasilisa "Lissa" Dragomir. In the process of learning how to defeat Strigoi (the undead and evil vampires) in St. Vladimir's Academy, Rose finds herself caught in a forbidden romance with her handsome instructor, Dimitri Belikov, while having an unbreakable bond with Lissa.
The book is narrated from Rose's point of view. Having her mysterious bond, she can also see through Lissa's eyes, which enables her to read her mind and feelings.
The books
There are to be six books in the series, followed by a spin-off series consisting of six more books.[1] As of August 2010, there were more than 3.5 million copies of Vampire Academy books in print.[2]
Original series
- Vampire Academy, 2007, ISBN 978-1-59514-174-3
- Frostbite, 2008, ISBN 978-1-59514-175-0
- Shadow Kiss, 2008, ISBN 978-1-59514-197-2
- Blood Promise, 2009, ISBN 978-1-59514-198-9
- Spirit Bound, 2010, ISBN 978-1-59514-250-4
- Last Sacrifice[3]2010, ISBN 978-1-59514-250-5
Spin-off series
- Bloodlines[4], to be released August, 2011
The series made its first appearance on the New York Times Best Seller list at #4 with the release of Shadow Kiss.[5] It has since made the list with each new book release, including an appearance at #1 when Spirit Bound was released.[6]
Adaptations
Film
In June 2010, Preger Entertainment optioned the film rights to the Vampire Academy series[7]. On July 6, they announced that producer Don Murphy joined them to help bring the series to the big screen [8].
Graphic Novel
A graphic novel of the first Vampire Academy book is scheduled to be released in August, 2011.[9] According to a preview of the front cover, the graphic novel is adapted by Leigh Dragoon and illustrated by Emma Vieceli.[10]
Characters
Rosemarie "Rose" Hathaway - Rose is the seventeen-year-old, half-vampire half-human (Dhampir) protagonist of the Vampire Academy series and is best friends with Princess Lissa Dragomir. She died in the same accident as Lissa's parents and brother in the past, but Lissa unknowingly brought her back, making her a "Shadow-Kissed" Dhampir. Because of this, she has a one-sided connection (bond) to Lissa, allowing her to read Lissa's thoughts, sense her feelings and see through her eyes. Sarcastic and quick-witted, Rose is training to become Lissa's Guardian, while in the process of falling in love with her mentor, Dimitri Belikov. Rose is described as gorgeous with semi-exotic desert-princess features: big dark eyes, dark brown hair, and lightly tanned skin. She is 5'7' with an athletic but curvy figure, her birthday is at the end of March. She has a strained relationship with her mother, the famous Guardian Janine Hathaway. She is accused of murdering Queen Tatiana, in Spirit Bound.
Vasilisa "Lissa" Dragomir (Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir) - A seventeen-year-old Moroi princess and Rose Hathaway's best friend. Lissa is the last vampire in the Dragomir royal line, giving her the title "Princess." Her family, along with Rose, died in a car accident when she was fifteen, but Lissa unknowingly brought Rose back from the dead, creating a bond between them. Lissa is described as beautiful, with long, platinum blond hair and jade green eyes. Her element is the extremely rare "Spirit" like St.Vladimir's, which is a psychic element that comes from the mind and soul. Before she left the Academy, she was in a relationship with Aaron, who Mia Rinaldi started dating after Lissa left. She develops feelings for Christian Ozera in the first book and starts dating him later on in the first book.
Dimitri Belikov - He is a well-respected twenty-four year-old Dhampir of Russian origin, from Siberia, assigned to be Lissa's Guardian along with Rose. Dimitri has a slight Russian accent, and likes old western novels. He is 6'7", has brown eyes, shoulder length hair a few shades lighter than Rose's dark brown hair, and tanned skin. He is sometimes described as a 'god', referring to his reputation as one of the most 'badass' guardians around. He is also Rose's mentor and love interest. He returns Rose's feelings but attempts to stay out of a relationship with her for most of the series, since it would interfere with his guardian duties. He is turned Strigoi at the end of Shadow Kiss and is changed back by Lissa in Spirit Bound.
Christian Ozera - Lissa's primary love interest. He is an outcast because his parents (Lucas and Moira) were willingly to became Strigoi. He's a royal Moroi who holds radical ideas about fighting against Strigoi. He specializes in Fire magic. His physical appearance is described to be tall with black hair and winter blue eyes.
Adrian Ivashkov - A royal Moroi and great-nephew of the queen. He has brown messy but stylish hair, emerald green eyes, and high cheekbones; 6'2 to 6'4 tall. He, like Lissa, is a Spirit user and suffers the same side effects as she does. He numbs the effects by drinking alcohol and chain smoking. He and Lissa start to explore the different abilities Spirit users have. Adrian has the ability to "walk dreams", which he often uses to visit Rose. He falls in love with Rose, but hasn't been taken seriously because of his player ways.
Mason Ashford - a Dhampir who is one of Rose's best friends, and also a novice Guardian like her. He helps Rose out a lot throughout the series. He is interested in her romantically, and Rose eventually attempts a relationship with him, only to find it fall apart because of her unbreakable connection to Dimitri. He dies at the end of Frostbite and his ghost provides valuable information to Rose during Shadow Kiss.
Mia Rinaldi - A non-royal Moroi whose element is Water. Mia holds a grudge against Lissa (and by default, Rose) because of how Lissa's older brother, Andre, used her and broke her heart. She is described as having a soft face and curly blond hair that makes her look very young and almost doll-like. Her parents work for one of the royal families but she prefers to keep this a secret, though Mason found this out in "Vampire Academy" and told Rose. She became friends with Rose and Lissa in "Frostbite".
Eddie Castile - He is a Dhampir and is one of Rose's closest friends after the Spokane incident involving him, Rose, Mason, Christian, and Mia. He's loyal and after the book Frostbite it is told he matures a lot from Spokane. He was also the best friend of Mason Ashford.
Victor Dashkov - A royal Moroi with Sandovsky's Disease. He is Natalie's father and was a dear friend of Lissa's father. Due to his disease, he does not have a chance of ever becoming king of the Moroi. He was put in jail for torturing Lissa into curing his disease with Spirit.
Natalie Dashkov - A royal Moroi who specialized in earth magic, with jet-black hair and jade green eyes. She is very awkward among other royals and is known for talking a lot. She was once a good friend of Lissa's, but later becomes Strigoi to rescue her father, Victor, from the Academy's jail. Dimitri kills her in the first book after she tried to kill Rose.
Janine Hathaway - Rose Hathaway's legendary mother who is 5 feet tall, has curly auburn hair, brown eyes, and is very stern. She appears in the second book of the series. She is a very 'badass' Dhampir, according to her reputation, who has killed many Strigoi. Her relationship with Rose starts off very sketchy but improves throughout the series.
Abe Mazur - Rose Hathaway's father and a well-known Turkish mobster described as the 'knee cap breaking' type. His physical appearance is tall (like any other Moroi), slightly broad, dark haired and threatening. He is guarded by two Dhampirs and is known for making trades, blackmailing and other illegal businesses. He also has many connections in the Moroi world. He turns up in the fourth book while Rose is roaming the streets in Russia.
Sydney Sage - An alchemist who helps Rose find Dimitri's hometown in Russia, Baia. She is a human who knows a lot about Moroi and Dhampirs but dislikes them. She has many tricks and techniques in getting rid of Strigoi bodies and is also equipped with a special potion that can turn a dead Strigoi corpse into a fist size ball so it is unrecognizable. She explains a lot about alchemists to Rose but is strangely distant and uncomfortable in doing so. This is because alchemists do not like the 'evil creatures of the night'. However, after Rose and Sydney spend a lot of time together they start to get along quite well. She also appears in the spin-off series'.
Tasha Ozera - Natasha "Tasha" Ozera is Christian's aunt. She took care of Christian when his parents turned Strigoi. Has a scar across her face from the fight she put up when Christian's parents tried to turn him. Is interested romantically in Dimitri, and wanted to have a child with him, but he did not return the feelings, because of Rose. Her element, like Christian, is fire.
Avery Lazar- A royal Moroi who appears in Blood Promise when her father takes over as the academy's principal. She makes friends with Lissa and Adrian and expresses interest in Adrian, but after a while of being in Lissa's head, Rose determines that Avery is out to destroy her reputation by getting her to drink and thin down her spirit powers. Rose also figures out that Avery is a spirit user who wants to kill Lissa and make her shadow-kissed so that they could share a bond.
Jillian Mastrano -Jillian Mastrano is a Moroi, a water user. She attends St.Vladimir's. She is 14, has green eyes and brown hair. Her mother is a ballet dancer and they live in Denver. She meets Rose in Shadow Kiss, and asks her how to fight the old-fashioned way, but Rose declines to teach her, but Rose insists to ask Christian Ozera.When the Queen invites Lissa to go to Court, Lissa reluctantly brings Jill at Christian's request. Christian helps her learn to fight with her magic and at the Royal Courts introduces her to Mia, also a water user inclined on fighting. She calls out Lissa for drunkenly kissing Aaron, and when they return to the Academy, Christian was asking, but she didn't want to tell about the kiss, but there was no way out. She appears in Shadow Kiss and Blood Promise.
NO SPOILERS FROM LAST SACRIFICE(will be deleted)!
Minor characters
Eric Dragomir - Lissa's father.
Headmistress Kirova- Headmistress at St. Vladimir.
Headmaster Lazar- The new headmaster in Blood Promise, he has two children, Avery Lazar and Reed Lazar. He withdraws his position after her daughter's insanity caused by wielding the spirit leads to her hospitalization in a sanatorium.
Simon - Bonded to Avery Lazar. Also her guardian. It is said that Avery found Simon dying after a battle and made him shadow-kissed.
Reed Lazar - Bonded to Avery Lazar. Reed is known to be very non-social most of the time, when he does talk he's very rude. He appears in Blood Promise, when his father was the new Headmistress. Rumors said that Avery killed him, so that she could make him be shadow-kissed.
Ralf-Jackass
Jesse Zeklos -Jackass
Aaron- Lissa's ex-boyfriend
Viktoria Belikova- Dimitri's sister.
Olena Belikova- Dimitri's Mother.
Paul- Dimitri's nephew.
Sydney Sage- the Alchemist. Appears in Blood Promise and Last Sacrifice.
Yeva Belikova- Dimitri's Grandmother.
Karolina Belikova- Dimitri's sister.
Sonya Belikova- Dimitri's sister.
Victor Dashkov- Close friend to Lissa's father. The one who tortured Lissa for her to heal him of his disease. He has many appearances throughout the series. Rose kills him in Last Sacrifice.
Sonya Karp - Former teacher at St Vladimir's. Spirit user. Turned Strigoi. Appearers in Last Sacrifice. She is turned back to Moroi.
Oksana- Another spirit user. Appeared in Blood Promise.
Mark- Shadow-kissed by Oksana. Appeared in Blood Promise.
Arthur-Appears in Blood Promise. Known as an "unpromised" guardian.
Denis-Appears in Blood Promise. Known as an "unpromised" guardian.
Lev-Appears in Blood Promise. Known as an "unpromised" guardian.
Alberta Petrov- The captain of the guardian.
Queen Tatiana- Ruler of the Moroi. Killed in Spirit Bound, Rose gets accused of her murderer but she is in fact killed by Tasha Ozera. She also was said to have a secret relationship with Ambrose.
Pricilla Voda- The Queens closet friend. Appeared in Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, and Spirit Bound. Got killed by Strigois in Spirit Bound.
Grant - Lissa's new guardian. Appeared in Blood Promise and Spirit Bound. Killed by Strigois in Spirit Bound.
Selena- Lissa's new guardian. Appeared in Blood Promise, Spirit Bound and Last Sacrifice.
Daniella Ivashkova -Adrian's mother. She appears kind towards Rose and oddly accepting of her and Adrian's relationship. She is thought to be Queen Tatiana's Murderer.
Nikolai- He appears in Blood Promise. Viktoria's friend, although his feelings towards her are in fact romantic which she doesn't reciprocate.
Mikhail Tanner (aka Tomas Sanders) - Lover of Ms. Karp. He is very helpful in Spirit Bound and Last Sacrifice.
Lucas Ozera-Christian's Strigoi parent(father).
Moira Ozera - Christian's Strigoi parent(mother).
Andre Dragomir -Lissa's brother. Dated Mia Rinaldi and broke her heart making her turn very bitter.
Emil- A male guardian.
Yuri- A male guardian.
Jean- A female guardian.
Stan Alto- A male guardian, teacher at St. Vlad's. He and Rose often fought.
Celeste- A female guardian.
Stephen- A male guardian.
Ambrose - Male blood whore. Said to had a secret relationship with Queen Tatiana.
Rhonda - A psychic at the Moroi court. Aunt of Ambrose.
Dr. Olendzki - The vampire nurse.
Alice - Christian's favorite feeder.
Dierde - Rose's Moroi counselor.
Isaiah - An ancient, powerful Strigoi who kidnaps Rose, Mia, Christian, Eddie and Mason towards the end of FROSTBITE.
Elena - Isaiah's second-in-command, a recently 'awakened' strigoi.
Daniel- Guardian Rose protected on trials.
Robert Doru - Victor's half-brother, apparently the first moroi who restored a strigoi to its original form. He made his first appearance in Spirit Bound.
References
- ^ http://richellemead.com/faq/faq.htm#howmany
- ^ http://www.freep.com/article/20100808/ENT05/8080358/1362/ENT/Is-Michigan-born-authors-vampire-series
- ^ http://blue-succubus.livejournal.com/239064.html
- ^ http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/12/03/vampire-academy-spin-off-series/
- ^ New York Times Children's Books Bestseller Lists, 11/21/2008
- ^ New York Times Children's Books Bestseller Lists, 5/28/2010
- ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-york-times-bestselling-series-vampire-academy-staked-by-preger-entertainment-97386574.html
- ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118021371.html
- ^ http://www.freep.com/article/20100808/ENT05/8080358/1362/ENT/Is-Michigan-born-authors-vampire-series
- ^ http://blue-succubus.livejournal.com/249890.html