Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penquin Group
Copyright 2011 by Richelle Mead
Richelle Mead’s Website
Richelle’s Facebook
Richelle’s Twitter
Bloodlines Goodread

Synopsis:

The 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.

I loved the Vampire Academy series so it stands to reason I would love Bloodlines, right. Absolutely! Of course, I love Adrian Ivashkov, and I truly wanted him to end up with Rose…but I lost that battle. So, hopefully something better will work out for him in the new series. See the seriously hot trailer HERE.

Richelle did an excellent job of writing the perfect spin-off. She included characters I loved before and added characters that I loved to hate.

As always, here is a character profile for you:

• Sydney Melrose – The alchemist who helped Rose escape when she was suspected of murdering the Queen. She has been in trouble for being a “vamp lover” and is now given a second chance to clear her name and reclaim her status as family alchemist. Tolerating living with a Moroi and hanging out with a damphir may prove to be the easiest thing about this assignment.
• Jill Dragomir – Is the only family of Vasillisa Dragomir, the new Moroi Queen. Moroi law states the queen must have at least one living relative to hold her position. This law puts Jill in danger from those rebelling against Queen Dragomir, including some of her own people.
• Keith Darnell – Is the Palm Spring’s resident Alchemist. He will help Sydney with her mission by being her “liason.” He and Sydney have quite a past.
• Adrian Ivashkov – One of my favorite bad boys in all of paranormal, but definitely my favorite bad boy in all of Vampire Academy. Now, he and his wild ways have won my heart again in Bloodlines and then broke my heart. He is sarcastic, snarky, broken, and caring (in his own way). I was surprised at his role in this book. Certainly not what I expecting.
• Abe Mazur – Another awesome character from Vampire Academy…or not. Honestly, I like Abe, I don’t trust him, but I like him.
• Eddie Castile – Also from Vampire Academy. He is sent to Palm Springs to be Jill’s Dhampir Guardian.
• The infamous Rose Hathaway makes a couple of appearances in Bloodlines.
• Clarence Donahue – Is a moroi who will provide Jill with a feeder and open his house to Adrian.
• Lee Donahue – The son of Clarence. Love interest of Jill…and many other surprising things.

Ah, I love Richelle and everything she writes. Her characters are amazing with real teenage problems mixed with otherworldly problems. Her settings are dynamic, allowing for a multitude of events to occur. Emotions of love, hate, love-hate, lust, pleasure, pain and sometimes pure animosity emanate from her writing.

I think that Bloodlines may hold a different meaning for each person that reads it. For me…I believe it is a need to overcome prejudices and learn to get along with people of all “races.” Alchemist hold an interesting place in Richelle’s world. They are born and raised to believe that all vampires are evil and that the magic they possess is unnatural. Sydney suffers much antagonizing from other Alchemist because she helps the wrong team (Moroi and Dhampirs).


Her tolerance of these paranormal creatures may be just the thing that her enemies need to get rid of her for good. There are things happening in Palm Springs that have nothing to do with vampire politics and Sydney is just the person to uncover these exploitations. Between Jill’s possible impending death and Sydney’s detective work, Palm Spring’s is becoming quite dangerous for humans, Moroi, Dhampirs, and Alchemist. No one is safe.


The pace of Bloodlines was perfect. I had set a time limit for reading yesterday and when it was up…I couldn’t just put the book up…I mean I was at one of my favorite scenes -

“They’re waiting for you. Go on in.” Adrian leaned close to Keith’s ear and spoke in an ominous voice. “If. You. Dare.” he poked Keith’s shoulder and gave a “Muhahaha” kind of monster laugh.

“…Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But it’d be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.” – Adrain

Adrian’s new research partner stepped through the door, and I knew the uneasy peace we’d just established in Palm Springs was about to shatter. – Sydney

Some characters I didn’t mention but hope to see more of…Micah, Trey, Kristin, Julia, and Ms.Terwilliger