When I first heard that the Vampire Academy book series by Richelle Mead was being made into a movie, I was excited but a little apprehensive. As I am sure all of the book followers were, I was concerned that they would change the story, or that the actors would not play the characters realistically. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it today. While there were obviously some parts that were cheesy enough to make my friend and I giggle in the theater, it was overall pretty good.

    Vampire Academy is the first movie based on a book series about a dhampir named Rose, who is trained at the prestigious boarding school, St. Vladimir’s, to become a guardian that protects the royal line of vampires, Moroi along with all other vampires. The story begins when her Moroi best friend is threatened by an unknown source.

    The casting for the main character Rose (who was played by Zoey Deutch) was spot on, and she was just as cool, sassy and independent as she was portrayed in the books. There were only a few events that occurred in the movie that did not happen in the book, but nothing that changed the plot of the original story.

    As the book also did, this movie made me laugh, especially at the beginning where Rose clarifies the ins-and-outs of being a vampire, and that vampires “definitely do not sparkle.”

    The only concern that I would have with this movie is that the director did not explain the intricate political system and relationships enough for people who have not read the book, and that the viewers may be confused when watching, especially when it comes to the certain types of vampires (there are three) and how two types are good, while the other is evil.

     Ultimately, I enjoyed the movie. I think it definitely is more of a “chick flick,” especially since the director was the same man who directed Mean Girls, but there is action in the movie that could appeal to all types of movie goers. I would definitely encourage people to see it, along with reading the book series if the movie sparks your interests. I would also encourage viewers and readers to get past the initial assumptions of the typical vampire movie, because it was very good.

    If you liked reading the Vampire Academy series, then you might also like reading The Selection series by Kiera Cass, which also involves action and politics.