Adapted By: Leigh Dragoon
Illustrated By: Emma Vieceli
Series: Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel, Book One
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Paperback
Published: 23rd August 2011
Number of Pages: 144
Book: For Review from Penguin*
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Dark Romance, Paranormal, Action, Magic, YA
Recommended Age: 13+
Contains: Violence, Death, Steamy Scene
No Alcohol, Drug References
Author's Blog: Richelle Mead
The international bestseller – as you’ve never seen it before…
Lissa Dragomir is a mortal vampire. She must be protected at all times from the fiercest and most dangerous vampires of all – the ones who will never die.
Rose Hathaway is Lissa’s best friend - and her bodyguard.
Now, after two years of illicit freedom, they’ve been dragged back inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir’s Academy. The girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night-time rituals.
But above all, they must never let their guard down, lest the immortal vampires take Lissa – forever.
Review:Rose and Lissa ran away from their school. For two years, they remained hidden – from both the school’s guardians and the Strigoi – but now they’re being taken back. All Rose wants to do is keep Lissa safe. But more danger lurks inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir’s Academy...
Vampire Academy has got to be my favourite vampire series – ever. So when I saw that there was a graphic novel coming out, I was so excited. In my head, I saw a thing of wonders, with all my favourite characters brought to life. I was almost certain that the real book was never going to be able to live up to my imagined one. Boy, was I wrong. It was even better!
The plotline was very much the same as that of the novel, although it was a lot shorter and faster – abrupt, almost. I was just swept along, never let go. Admittedly, a few of my favourite quotes and the odd scene were left out, but transferring them to graphic novel form would be hard, and I understand that. Plus, all the important scenes are there, and even without reading the book, I know I would have completely understood everything and been one-hundred-per-cent hooked. I just loved how all of Rose’s thoughts were laid out – Leigh Dragoon, the editor, did a wonderful job of picking her most important inner-musings and using them in a way that described everything. So, let’s just say: I loved how the plot was adapted!
As for the artwork, well, it just blew me away! All ‘my’ characters looked perfect. Rose looked both fierce and vulnerable, which is exactly how I always saw her in the series. Lissa is pale and strikingly beautiful. Dimitri is hotness in a trench coat. However, my favourite of the anime-bunch has got to be Christian. He just looks perfect: beautiful, quiet and solitary. And the Strigoi: really creepy and really scary.
Finally, another quick word on the characters: they were just like in the book. And I don’t mean looks-wise. This time, I’m talking about personalities. Every single distinct characters’ personality from the series has been perfectly carried over into the graphic novel. Rose was independent, snarky and protective. Lissa was sweet, vulnerable and kind. Dimitri was quiet, smart and God-like. Christian was sarcastic and slightly haunted. Even with just pictures, a few quotes and odd Rose-thoughts here and there, all these characters were alive, and just as they were in the book. Personally, I thought that was really impressive – I’ve known graphic novel adaptations that have completely lost their characters in translation.
With beautiful illustrations, a fast pace and wonderful wording, Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel was everything I hoped for and more. Dark, dangerous and at the same time sweet and entrancing, the storyline was just perfection. I just adored seeing how magic looked, how the fighting looked… It was just amazing! I, for one, cannot wait for the next in this series – Frostbite – to come out next April. April cannot come soon enough!
Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5
4½ Out of 5
Read this book if you liked:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey
Challenges It's Taking Part In:
Vampire Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Parajunkee's View)
Happy Reading
Megan
* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review
5 comments:
Great review! :) I'm very jealous that you have this! Haha.
I've been trying to convince my boyfriend to buy me it because I'm low on cash just now, but he's not for having it! =P
Shaunna
x
Do you think they make these graphic novels-from-existing-novels for people who have already read the books, or people who haven't? Having already bought and read the book, I can't justify buying it again because now there are pictures.
I sort of wish they'd keep the genres seperate. I love both books and graphic novels, but there's no reason I can think of to make the same story into both.
I can't believe they've made this into a graphic novel - I had no idea!
I am glad graphic novels are becoming more popular though.
Shaunna: Thanks! Good luck with convincing the boyfriend! :D
Hey Lady!: Umm. Both? Well, some kids are reluctant readers, and graphic novels are sometimes the things that get them into real books. On the other hand, I was desperate for this one, and I have the written one. So, maybe both. :D
Hanna: Cool, right?! Me too. I think it's great that there are more out there! XD
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