Vampire Academy

Book v Movie

A review

Link to Catalogue record for Vampire academy

Now, I have to be honest. I only read the book so I could do this blog. Well that’s how it started anyway. I have since finished book 1 and have already started book 2 (not for a blog).

As I’d watched the movie first I found myself comparing what was in the book to how it was in the movie. And for the most part I found that the book followed along with the movie (I know I know, its really the other way round).

I found this to be a fun and easy read. I also liked the new take on the vampire genre. In Vampire Academy we have good vampires (Moroi) and bad vampires (Strigoi). We also have half-vampire half-humans (Dhampirs). Moroi are mortal, live off feeders and harness earth magic AKA fire, earth, water, and air. Strigoi are immortal and feed off innocent humans and Moroi blood -and it is because of this that Dhampirs exist to protect the Moroi.

The main theme of the story is the friendship between Lissa (Moroi) and her best friend and Dhampir guardian-in-training Rose. They have been through more together than many Morori/Dhampir pairings and have complete trust in each other and draw off each other’s strengths.

We of course must have the teenage romance within the story as well and this is done beautifully. Christian Ozera is a nobody within the school being that both his parents chose to become Strigoi and he is ostracized because of this. However, Lissa sees past that and gets to know him, and likes him for him. It shows that anyone can like anyone and it doesn’t matter who or what they are. There is also the mutual attraction between Rose and Dimitri (ignoring the Teacher/Student aspect) and this is a heart breaking situation to be in due to the fact that their lives are dedicated to the protection of Moroi. Society dictates that they could never be together, with Dimitri telling Rose “If I let myself love you, I won’t throw myself in front of her. I’ll throw myself in front of you.” Naw!

Rose is a badass female role model. she also has growth. She starts of as reckless and headstrong, but has she understands her role as a Dhampir more you see her mature and become a badass warrior.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

Like most of my finds, I stumbled across this movie before I had read the book. I knew it was a book but watched the movie first.

And I loved it. I have re-watched it multiple times and really enjoyed getting to re-watch it again for this blog.

I found it rather fun and entertaining and watching without the book knowledge I didn’t think I lost too much of the story.

I thought the story was about Princess Lissa (Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir) and her struggle with her coming powers and those wanting to exploit her. I also loved the relationship Lissa had with her protector and best friend Rose. I found it a great best friend story. I would have liked the relationship between Rose and Dimitri explored more, but in talking with colleagues, I found that happens more in the books.

I understand they can only show so much in a 1.5 hr-ish movie!

I would have liked more scenes with Christian Ozera in them but that is more about my obsession with Dominic Sherwood (and Shadowhunters), although I did find him a really complex character and I was never sure who’s team he was on and whether he was really best for Lissa.

As a stand alone movie and would recommend it. You do not have to have read the books to enjoy it.

Having now read the book I can understand why book fans are not a fan of the movie. But like all book to movie adaptions you cannot get everything in (we do not talk of the Shadowhunters movie). But I think with the script and circumstances they had they did the best they could without making the movie too long.

I can’t wait to keep re-watching this movie.

Other books in the series