Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

I know, I know... Vampires. WAY overdone. But, I have been watching The Vampire Diaries (thanks a lot for getting me hooked, Chaleese and Brittany...) and I liked that this vampire series was actually fairly close in theory. I like that it's a little less "Twilight" and a little more hardcore vampire.

I liked Rose more than I liked Lissa. Probably because Lissa was more the damsel in distress that I don't care for, and Rose was... fierce. Who knew someone with a gentle name like "Rose" would be so quick to beat you to a pulp, huh?

It was a bit slow-going at first, but once you get past Vampire 101, it picks up. And there is a pretty big twist at the end-- I usually can figure them out, but not this one. I love little surprises like that. :)

Dimitri--yum. Christian--yum. What would a vampire series be without devastatingly-hot-sounding guys?

There was some language in it, but it wasn't so much that it was very distracting. These are definitely worth checking out if you aren't vampired-out.

Happy Reading!