Vampire Academy

Turns out there are different kinds of vampires out in the world that we should be aware of if we're hoping to reach a ripe old age. There's your Strigoi - evil, nasty, and truly un-dead vampires...the kind we wish the stupid girl in those horror films would run from instead of just standing there screaming.

Then there's your Moroi - alive and gifted with unique magical abilities. I guess if you really want to pal around with a vampire, these are the ones to hang with, especially if your Moroi friend's magical gift involves chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches!

Finally, there's a group of half-vamps/half-humans known as the Dhampir, whose sworn duty it is to guard and protect the Moroi. These guys and gals are essentially the Secret Service of the vampire world.

Rose, a Dhampir, is Lissa's Guardian and even though the two have a deep personal and psychic connection, they discover that obligation and friendship often clash. Both girls find romance and heartbreak throughout the series, as they struggle to come to terms with the roles that were laid out for them at birth.

The next book in the series, Last Sacrifice, is due out in September 2010.

For grades 9 and up.