22 August 2011

Book Review: Vampire Academy Graphic Novel

Vampire Academy Graphic Novel
Illustrated by Emma Vieceli; Adapted by Leigh Dragoon
August 23, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill Penguin
Source: Publisher. Thank you! 
Rating: 4 out of 5
Recommended? Of course! 100%
Buy the Book: Amazon US | Amazon UK
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. - Goodreads Page
This is the first full graphic novel I have ever read, and now that I’ve read it I am dying to read more. The drawings are fantastic overall; I think Emma Vieceli has done a great job at bringing our favourite characters to life. The depth of the emotions shown was really striking, and I felt I didn’t even have to read the descriptions to know what the characters were feeling. 

The plot of the original 300+ page novel was condensed quite a bit, as expected, and as a result every single scene in the graphic novel holds some importance to the overall arc of the plot. I personally would have liked to have seen more of Dimitri and Rose, and their relationship developing, but I feel there was just enough to make me want them together already. 

Regarding the drawings, I thought most of the characters were brilliantly drawn. Dimitri was hot, as expected, but – dare I say – Christian was even hotter! I fell in love with him all over again in this book. Yum. His scenes were awesome and I also loved it when he was using his magic. That was also blazing hot. Excuse the pun. 

I would definitely recommend reading the novel by Richelle Mead first, if you haven’t done so already, as there is a lot more description and fleshing out of the plot and I think this is important to the story.

I applaud both Leigh Dragoon and Emma Vieceli for bringing my favourite series to life, so to speak. Overall they both did an amazing job! My only peeve is that my favourite quote was changed! “If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you.” Is one of my favourite quotes of all time, and I was a bit upset when it read as something else. I’m not sure how necessary the change was, but I would have much preferred it if they had left it in. But anyway, go and buy this book. It’s a must for your Vampire Academy collection!

5 comments:

  1. I haven't read a graphic novel either, but this one seems like a great one to start with! You especially made me curious about Christian's hotness, haha. Great review!

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  2. Great review. I'm getting the graphic novel in the mail soon from book depo, so I can't wait to read it! Looks great! The drawings look awesome.

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  3. Sounds interesting! Never read a graphic novel either so may try this at some point!

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  4. Not really what i pictured Dmitiri looking like but it's okay!

    Check out the GREAT GIVEAWAYS we have going on right now.

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  5. Stephanie - Thanks! Let me know what you think of it if you do pick it up. It's definitely a great read.

    Little_Dhampir91 - Thank you! I'll be sure to check out what you think of it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    Sam - I know, right? It's a great choice for your first go.

    Sash and Em - No, but I think everyone has such different images of Dimitri - and the rest of the characters - it would be hard to draw him perfectly ;) He's still hot though :D

    Amber.

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