The pilot throws you into the deep end without a stake to hold onto. We meet best friends Rose (sarcastic, fierce, half-human guardian-in-training) and Lissa (sad, powerful, last of the royal Dragomir line) post–a mysterious car crash that killed their families. The show immediately diverges from the books: the Moroi court is now a brutalist, concrete-and-neon hellscape, and the hierarchy feels more Hunger Games than high school. Rose’s fight training—brutal, sweaty, and real. Worst moment: The rapid-fire exposition dumps (spirit, strigoi, bonds—it’s a lot). Verdict: Overwhelming but intriguing. Stick with it. Episode 2: "Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Spirit." Rating: 8/10
The Vampire Academy TV series is a bold, messy, adrenaline-fueled reboot that ditches the movie’s teen-soap tone for a CW-on-steroids meets Riverdale meets The Magicians vibe. It’s darker, funnier, more violent, and far more serialized than the books. It doesn’t work for every purist, but for those who wanted a grown-up, queer-normative, politically messy St. Vladimir’s, it’s a cult hit in waiting. Episode 1: "Welcome to St. Vladimir's" Rating: 7/10 vampire academy tv series episodes
The finale is chaos—in a good and bad way. A strigoi siege, a royal coup, Lissa tapping into dark spirit magic to save everyone, and a cliffhanger that literally ends with Rose impaled on a stake (yes, really). It’s ambitious, overstuffed, and clearly setting up a season 2 that never came (Peacock canceled it). For those who love messy finales, it’s a blast. For those who need closure, it’s infuriating. Lissa’s eyes going black as she resurrects Rose from death—chilling. Worst moment: The last two minutes introduce a brand-new villain with no payoff. Verdict: Frustrating but unforgettable. A perfect one-season wonder. Final Thoughts on the Full Series Score: 7.2/10 Vampire Academy the TV show is too smart for its target audience and too messy for critics. It takes risks—queer romances, body horror, political commentary on class—that the books only hinted at. The dialogue is razor-sharp, the cast is game (especially Sisi Stringer as Rose), and the visuals are stylishly grimy. But the pacing is erratic, and the cancellation cliffhanger stings. Watch it if: You like The Magicians , Legacies , or want a darker, gayer, angrier vampire show. Skip it if: You need a faithful adaptation or a tidy ending. The pilot throws you into the deep end