Review: Vampire Academy Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead

Reviewed by Gina

Date Read: February 8th, 2012

Date Published: August 23rd, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: Paperback

Pages: 144

Blurb: After two years on the run, best friends Rose and Lissa are caught and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, a private high school for vampires and half-bloods. It's filled with intrigue, danger - and even romance. Enter their dark, fascinating world through a new series of 144-page full-color graphic novels. The entire first Vampire Academy novel has been adapted for book one by Leigh Dragoon and overseen by Richelle Mead, while the beautiful art of acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli brings the story to life.

Review: Okay so this is my first EVER graphic novel...I know, kinda bad. But this was everything I expected and more. I read through it all in one sitting and I loved. If you are thinking of getting this graphic novel then make sure you’ve read the actual book first. But it was awesome.

So, Vampire Academy is about best friends Rose and Lissa and the book is told from Rose’s POV. Lissa is a Moroi, a mortal vampire, and Rose is a dhampir, half human – half Moroi, and she has been assigned to protect Lissa from Strigoi, evil immortal vampires who are pretty nasty. They’ve just been dragged back to the Academy and a series of events unfold around them and not all of them are good.

I am a big fan of the VA series and when I found out they had a graphic novel I knew I had to get it and I’m glad I did. The artwork for this is by a woman called Emma Vieceli and she is amazing and I loved the way she captured the characters. They are exactly how I pictured them. Rose is just amazing and the way she acted and her face expressions....It was like bringing Rose out of the book. She looked amazing! Dimitri....wow! I had been waiting to see what he looked like and I think my crush on him has deepened...I didn’t think that was possible but oh well. Definitely hot!! I didn’t exactly picture Lissa as how she was drawn though. I pictured her more graceful in a way and with shorter hair for some reason.

Seeing as though I am an artist I really appreciate the drawings in this book and they are great!! I’ve never really seen a lot of Manga/Anime work but I love this! Vampire Academy is beautifully captured and has intricate detail of the people and backgrounds.
The woman who adapted this novel, Leigh Draagon, did a great job with some of my favourite scenes!! I think my favourite parts were all the scenes between Rose and Dimitri but my all time favourite was with the necklace, so romantic and steamy. Also the end scene, the fighting with Christian and his awesome powers and Dimitri saving Rose from Natalie.

I know that when I’m having withdrawal symptoms I will pick up this book because I can see my favourite scenes right in front of me instead of having to read the 300-ish page book. This is a must for any VA fans and I can’t wait for Ma to come around when Frostbite is released.

Rating: 5 stars!!