Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:

After two years on the run, best friends Rose, half-human/half-vampire, and Lissa, a mortal vampire princess, are caught and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy. Up until then, Rose had kept Lissa safe from her enemies; school, however, brings both girls additional challenges and responsibilities. Rose is training to become Lissa's guardian - one to protect her from the Strigoi (undead vampires who are immortal and have no humanity). Lissa is in line to take over for Queen Tatiana queen of the vampires. Lissa is the only member left of her royal family line. Rose deals with her new trainer - Dimitri who was the one who captured them to bring them back to the Academy. She struggles with growing adoration for him as well as getting back into the swing of things at school. How they handle peer pressure, nasty gossip, new relationships, and anonymous threats may mean life or death. Likable narrator Rose hides doubts about her friend behind a tough exterior; orphan Lissa, while coping with difficult emotional issues such as depression and survivor's guilt after her whole family dies, uses her emerging gifts for good. The take on vampires in this book is unique and Rose is an extremely likeable character. You want to go on her life's journey with her....let's face it, you want to be her, even with all the stuff she has to go through. She is a strong personality and a strong fighter. Is Rose strong enough to protect Lissa from the Strigoi...and from herself?

Review: 10 out of 10.

Love this series. It was a toss up between this one and House of Night. They both have different view points on vampires and both of the main characters are extremely likable, but I may have to go with this one. Mead's absorbing, debut YA novel, the first in a new series, blends intricately detailed fantasy with a contemporary setting, teen-relevant issues, and a diverse, if sometimes sterotyped, cast of supporting characters (cute puppy dog red headed boy who likes Rose, who SPOILERS 'gasp' dies in front of her). Occasional steamy sex and a scattering of vulgar language demand mature readers, but teens able to handle the edgy elements will speed through this vamp story and anticipate the next installment. Love, love, love it. It makes me sad that there is only one book left that won't be here for a little while...

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Synopsis:
The story is told through the eyes of 16 year old Evie (short for Evelyn), who has worked with an international agency aiming to register and control " paranormals" since she was 8. Paranormals range from vampires to werewolves to hags and faeries. She knows her life isn't normal (after all, her best friend is a mermaid and her ex-boyfirend is a psycho faerie), and longs for the things she sees on her favorite high-school soap opera Easton Hieghts. When a mysterious shape-shifter named Lend breaks into the agency, Evie's world is turned upside down as she slowly realizes just how far from normal her life really is. Lend makes Evie realize that she too is a paranormal - she is a level 7 paranormal. The highest level she has ever met is level 6 (faeries). The level depends on how rare and useful a paranormal is. As she begins to fall for Lend who is imprisoned by the agency she works for, another being begins to kill paranormals. When the killer breaks into the agency (also where Evie lives), she and Lend escape and she is forced to free her ex-boyfriend from his binding contract with the agency. Evie and Lend go back to Lend's house where she learns from his parents and rogue paranormals that the agency she works for isn't what she thought it was. Evie learns what she is and who the villain is, but the girl who is killing paranormals is closer to Evie than she could've expected. Will she be able to take her down without going over to the darkside herself?

Review: 9 out of 10.
White writes with great flair and her plot is a breath of fresh air in an often stale paranormal young adult market. Evie's story is both funny and heartbreaking, full of great moments guaranteed to bring a smile to your face (such as when she gets excited over the prospect of seeing a locker at Lend's high school for the first time). I loved the story line with Evie working for an agency that 'tags and bags' paranormals and her journey of self discovery. Paranormalcy is the first in a trilogy, and I for one can't wait to see what White will produce next.