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. 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, uses her emerging gifts for good. 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. 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.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2007 Booklist

Gr 9 Up-Lissa and Rose, both 17, have a special bond, as is fitting for a vampire princess and her guardian-in-training, but theirs is closer than most. Lissa is Moroi-a race of living vampires that is persecuted by the deadly Strigoi, undead vampires that feed from and kill Lissa's kind. Rose is a dhampir-a half-vampire-half-human whose role is to guard the Moroi, at a time when both races are dwindling. Vampire opens with the girls on the lam from Montana's St. Vladimir's Academy. Lissa's power to heal is extremely rare and can drive one to madness. At the warning of a teacher, the pair run before Academy elders can take Lissa away to prevent her self-destruction. Through flashbacks and discussions between the girls, readers learn that while living among humans for two years, the Moroi teen illicitly sated her need for blood by feeding from Rose instead of from human donors. When the girls are caught and returned, they are watched closely, while hiding what happened when they were away. They discover attractions to those they should not be involved with and fight against suspicion and sinister forces that want to abuse Lissa's gift. All the while, their priorities and loyalty to each other are tested in the face of danger. This truly engaging and believable novel is on a par with Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" books (Little, Brown), but is more risqui. Fans of Melissa de la Cruz's "Blue Bloods" books (Hyperion) will enjoy this work.-Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.