Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines

(Bloodlines, #1)
By: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: Aug. 23, 2011
Genre: YA
Rating:

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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.

This is a spin-off series from Vampire Academy series. If you haven’t read that series yet and plan to don’t read my review. It will have spoilers in it.

 
 
I held off for so long on reading this book. I pre ordered a copy and then was nervous to read it when it finally came in the mail. Would I like it as much as VA? Even though I am not 100% in love with it, it has potential to steal my heart with the books to come.

Instead of sassy outspoken Rose as a narrator, you have timid, sheltered Sydney. She is sort of a pushover at first but gets her bearings as the story progresses. She is ordered to go into hiding with Jill, to keep her safe from further attacks on her life. Since Lissa needs one family member to remain queen and Jill is all the family she has left, the attacks have been directed at Jill, so that Lissa will be removed from the thrown. Eddie and Adrian join the ranks in this book and take the adventure to hot and sunny Palm Springs. (Which by the way is literally right around the corner for me). Jill, Sydney and Eddie enroll into a private school and try to fit in with the humans as best they can. Eddie becomes friends with his roommate, Micah, who reminds him of his old best bud Mason (who was killed in VA), Jill is actually making enemies with the girls at school when Micah shows interest in her and Sydney seems to be getting along fine. She makes friends with a pair of human girls…  one just so happens to be named Kristin (no one ever spells my name with an I, so I was thrilled by that).

I loved that part of the team was back but I wish that there was more Adrian and Eddie time. They were so carefree in VA and now Adrian is heartbroken over Rose and he literally mopes around the entire time. Eddie has gone from serious guardian to an extremely overprotective guardian. I also wish that there was more of a surprise to the conflicts that take place in the book. Right away I knew who was behind the attacks and what was going on. Whereas in previous VA books, where Dimitri gets attacked or when Mason dies, I didn’t get that same surprise reaction from this one.

However, I cannot wait to see what happens with the gang over time. I hope Adrian licks his wounds soon because I miss the snarky sarcastic guy he used to be, even though you see glimpses of it, it isn’t nearly enough. This book seemed more of an adjusting section for Sydney to get used to being around the moroi and their magic and a small process of healing for Adrian. Hopefully with the upcoming books everyone settles down with their feelings and they get back into the action.

“The only thing keeping me alive is that he keeps a hefty supple of liquor on hand. But at this rate I’m going, that’ll be gone by the weekend. Jesus Christ, I’m climbing walls here.” His eyes fell on the cross at my neck. “Oh. Sorry. No offense to Jesus.” -Adrian