'Vampire Academy' by Richelle Mead

(who doesn't love a good graphic novel?)

I first picked up my copy of "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead back in 2008. When everyone - including myself, was going through the "Twilight" phase. Don't get me wrong, it was a good time (I still have all my Twilight books and no shame)

I didn't think I'd like this series, to be honest. I was too in love with Edward and Bella's story to care about anyone else. That was until I discovered Dimitri and Rose. Needless to say I soon forgot about Bella and her moaning and groaning over the love of her life and fell head over heals in love with Rose Hathaway - badass strigoi hunter!

For those who don't know, this story is about best friends, Lissa Dragomir and Rose Hathaway - Lissa is a Moroi princess and Rose who is a Dhampir. To explain quickly, the Moroi are "good" vampires. Although they drink human blood to survive, they try to live as normally as possible. Unlike traditional vampires, the Moroi can die and they can each use one of the main elements - Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The Dhampir's are half-human, half-vampires. They are trained from a young age to protect the Moroi against the "evil" undead vampires, the Strigoi. They are more like the traditional vampires. They can't go out in sunlight. The live off blood and they are immortal.  You know, the normal vampire stuff.

Rose and Lissa live in St. Vladimir's Academy. This is where most of the story is set. I don't want to give too much away if you haven't read it but I would highly recommend it. It's an adventure packed story with badass vampire hunters, hilarious wit, and of course an epic love story (or two)