Admittedly, I took a long time to read this book because the beginning was really slow for me. I had a hard time grasping all the new terms, moroi, dhampir, strigoi, etc, and I spent more time trying to figure who was what than on the actual plot itself. 
 The book, most of the time anyway, is set in St. Vladimir's Academy which is 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... 
 I'd have to say, it certainly was interesting to slowly unravel the reason why Rose and Lissa left in the first place and there were certain twists and turns in the story that kept it from becoming yet another YA vampire novel. One thing that I noticed, take away the vampires, and really, St. Vladimir's Academy is just another high-school. There's cliques, bitches, backstabbing and the like. Bear in mind though, this book does have mentions of "bad words", such as blood-whores (that's a reason for this as well) and tons of sexual innuendos and references, mostly from Rose, who's a smart mouth. 
 As for Rose and Lissa's relationship/friendship, while I get that Rose is very protective of her and wants to keep her safe, I can't help but feel that their relationship mirrors an abusive one. Rose just seems to be telling Lissa what to do and how to do it and who to hang out with and who she shouldn't. While Lissa doesn't always listen to Rose, it was still a little uneasy for my liking. However, stifling relationship aside, one can really sense the strong bond the two girls have for each other, judging from the numerous times each girl tries to save the others. 
 Lastly, and possibly the most shallow reason why I will keep on reading this series is, wait for it, DIMITRI. I am well aware of many fans' adoration of Dimitri and Rose as a couple, and really, the attraction they have for each other is evident from the moment they met. I won't say I'm a shipper just yet but I am most certainly not opposed to reading their relationship develop. Moreover, I too am aware of the "dream actor" for Dimitri Belakov is Ben Barnes and he's one of favorite actors. Also, it doesn't help my obsession that Ben Barnes has played a Russian character on screen before and can sport a Russian accent. In any case, I would say that judging from this first book, Vampire Academy is a series that is worth following (for now). :D