ARC Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Author: Richelle Mead
Book: Bloodlines
Release: August 23, 2011
Series: Bloodlines 1
Reviewer: Mona Leigh
Source: Penguin Young Readers Group
Purchase: – Book DepositoryThe first book in Richelle Mead’s brand-new teen fiction series – set in the same world as Vampire Academy.
When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive – this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.
All right Vampire Academy fans, the time is upon us for the release of Richelle Mead’s latest offering, Bloodlines, and I got a sneak peek! There’s a lot I could say, but I’m not going to spoil the surprise—and what a surprise it is. Many of you (like me) are Team Adrian/Jill, and you’ll get to see their new relationship, but hold on to your hats ‘cause it’s going to blow you away. All sorts of romantic possibilities are dangled in front of us, and they’re more delicious than I anticipated. I can see fireworks on the horizon.
Adrian continues to grow and mature, but he’s still the same charming ne’er-do-well he always was. His character gets a lot of page time and we get to watch his metamorphosis from slacker-addict to semi-responsible adult. Although I liked the old Adrian, I think the new and improved Adrian will have me wrapped around his little finger.
Remember Sydney—the alchemist who helped Rose and Dimitri—well, this is her story and we get to know the real Sydney and what makes her tick. Eventually we learn why Abe “Zmey” Mazur was able to blackmail her so effectively that she jeopardized her job to help Rose escape jail. And what an interesting revelation it is!
As usual, the pacing is brisk and the subplots are simmering. The initial world building was taken care of in the Vampire Academy books, but now we have the world of the alchemists—rather strange and twisted, but well-constructed. Sydney is a bit of a conundrum. She’s been indoctrinated in the ways of the alchemists, intimidated by her father until she’s afraid of her own shadow, and yet, when you least expect it, she has fire and strength that bring surprising results.
Since we didn’t learn much about her from the earlier books, I was more than a little curious how this would play out, but her character arc continues here and I like the person she’s becoming. I can see this series following the success of the VA books, and I can’t wait to collect them all.
PS ~ Yes, you’ll get another peek at Dimitri. *wink*wink*
Also Reviewed By: – Good Books and Good Wine – Moonlight Book Reviews
Thanks Mona! I know you were so excited to get this! I have one question, you can mark it spoiler if you want. You know what my question always is:
Is it a cliff hanger ending?
:D Inquiring minds…
No. There are various possible story lines, but no cliffhangers. Everything will flow naturally from this book to the next without making us wait for the other shoe to drop. The next book should show Sydney finally coming into her own. And maybe falling in love.
Thanks! That’s good to know!
I never even thought about Jill/Adrian. I sort of figured it would be Sydney/Adrian and Jill/Eddie.
However, that is an interesting pairing and I am totally looking forward to The Golden Lily where hopefully there will be some kissing time!
You’re one of the few who didn’t think about Jill/Adrian…..But their pairing is one of the things that will blow you away, because there’s been no hints of what’s to come. And I’ll leave on that cryptic note. :)
Great review!
Thanks for the Winks! I am excited to read this series. I have high hopes for it!
[...] Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive – this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood. Read her review Here [...]
Simply wasting some time in between class on Ezine articles and I found your post. Not normally what I enjoy to read about, but it surely was well worth my time. Thanks.
Thanks for the review. I’m currently reading it.
Looks like yet another yummy read from Richelle Mead…can’t wait! Love Adrian ♥
I’m reading this now! I am so excited to see what happens! Thanks for the great review.
Finished reading it last week. It was AWESOME! And Eddie. *swoons* He’s my perfect and favorite knight in shining armour. *O*
I love Vampire Academy~ And I know this new series will be as awesome as VA! I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my (ever growing) ‘to be read’ list. :) thanks for the review!
Excellent! I read it already and absolutely loved it. :D
I can’t wait any longer for the book but unfortunately I’ll have to wait a bit longer! I’m now even more eager to read it.
I really want to read this, I have to wait till pay day thoguh, in 3 weeks time. I went a bit overboard this month with book buying
I couldn’t agree more about what you said about Bloodlines. I loved it. Even though I was Team Demitri all the way in the VA series, Adrian has a permanent place in my heart now.
Cannot wait to read it!
I was so happy this book had a lot to do with Adrian I LOVE him. HE seriously cracks me up. I loved the book and I love all of Richelle’s books, but I found this one to be very predictable, I didn’t mind though!
Great review! I’m so excited about this book…only problem is, I haven’t read the Vampire Academy series yet…everybody tells me I need to do that first! lol
Good review! I’m still patiently (not really) waiting to get my hands on it…
Can’t wait to start this series!
Great review! I can’t wait to read this book!!!! =)
Thanks for the review. I think I’ll miss VA Adrian, but I’m looking forward to seeing him mature.
Thanks for this review, I”m just waiting for my copy (our postal system is sooo slow), but I think it will be my new favourite series:))).
That’s awesome! SPOILER!! I think it will be Sydney/Adrian I love their relationship so far:) I was so happy for Adrian I think that he will end up with Sydney. He deserves happiness. I hope Eddie will end up with Jill. He was soooo sweet! I can’t say why cause that’s an even bigger spoiler;) I love your review:D it’s really really good.
awesome review :)
Never thought of an Adrian/Jill pairing.Great review.I can’t wait to read this
I loved your review! About Adrian/Jill IDK? :)
I am so excited to read this book. Can’t wait.
Great review! The book was awesome. I loved how the transition felt so natural, like we never left any of the characters!
Great review Mona. I can’t wait to read this book.
I love the book.It’s so so good.I love Adrian even more now.I read the book with a smile on my face because of him
Reading the review… I’ve GOT TO GET THIS BOOK!
I completely love Vampire Academy series and this review look was awesome. I can’t wait to read it!
awesome review! Thanks so much!
Rachel Leigh
I’m so glad you liked it! I can’t wait :)
I have been stalking this book and I am glad you enjoyed it. I would love the opportunity to read it. Thanks for sharing.
BLOODLINES sounds so exciting! I love the world of Vampire Academy, but I have to say that the world of the alchemists has me intrigued. I’m so excited to hear that we’ll be revisiting many old friends of ours from the Vampire Academy series. Can’t wait to read BLOODLINES!!
Thanks for the review!
I’m really excited to read Bloodlines! Hehehe
Yeeeey, Dimitri apears, hahaha
Great review thanks. Cant wait to read it!
great review :)
What a great review thank you for sharing Love Richelle Meads books!
Sounds really good! Ill have to add this to my TBR list!
I can’t wait to read this book!
I still have BLOODLINES on my reading list. I will find the time.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Dimitri? I’m so there!
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
Loved it! This was a great read!
I really enjoyed your review and I really loved the book. I can not wait for next summer to see what happens.
The ending was EPIC and I did not expect that at all :)
Hi! Coming from the richelle mead swag giveaway! Amazing review of Bloodlines, I’m currently reading it, so it didn’t spoil anything for me, can’t wait to keep reading! Good job! (:
vampyreprincess109(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved Adrian in the VA series so I’m happy to hear he is in this spin off. Can’t wait to read it!
this is quite interesting!
=)
Great review but I have not read this author yet .
I just finished read all the VA books and I’m excited about starting this series.
I’m in the middle of reading BLOODLINES right now, and it has a million secrets that I’m just dying to crack! Yes, BLOODLINES will be as fascinating as you said, I imagine. :)
I love the whole idea of this spinoff, I can’t wait to read it.
I´ve been meaning to start reading her Vampire Academy and this makes me want to start right away! =) I´m always on the lookout for a great new serie.
best wishes, Linda
Great review!
It’ll be difficult for me read something about vampires,alchemists and don’t see Rose as narrator.But I hope that I can enjoy Sydney in this book.
I can’t wait, I want to read it now !!
I agree with you, though the ending made me want to scream. Cliffhanger, once again!
I have yet to read this storyline, but will have to give it a try. I love her writing. :)
I love her other books so expect to fall head over heels for this one too.
All I have to say is that Richelle doesn’t know how to right a bad book. I’ve enjoyed every one of them.