Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Review: Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

 Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

Published: August 23'd 2011
Publisher: Razorbill

Page Count: Hardback, 421
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Find the Author: WebsiteGood ReadsTwitterBlog

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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. - Good Reads
I was a little nervous about this book, because if I was going to be honest, which I'm about to be... I found Sydney to be a little too rigid and boring for me in Vampire Academy. I think my approval rating went up for her in The Last Sacrifice, but I had a difficult time imagining spending an entire book in her head. Thankfully I ignored that annoying little nag and read it, because I loved this book and I really liked Sydney. She's a character that is very easy to relate to and she it definitely flawed, but in a way that I can admire and sympathize with. 


One thing I noticed in Bloodlines was a definite change in Richelle Mead's writing. I'm not sure if Mead has simply grown as a writer or if it's the difference between Sydney and Rose's viewpoints and perhaps the previous books were just written "Rose style" or if it's simply a mixture of both style and growth. Either way, I really liked it. It kept me interested like the books in the Vampire Academy series, even though I had a good idea about who done it and wasn't in complete and utter shock when the baddie finally reared his head. I wouldn't say it was action packed out right, but it built up over the book. I kind of like that Bloodlines is more intellect based than in-your-face-ass-kicking all the time.


This book did have a few surprises in it that I couldn't figure out. For instance, the story about Keith's fake eye had me wondering the entire book without any idea... and THE LAST LINE OF THE BOOK! It left me with my mouth hanging open! I can't wait to see how that goes! 


Of course, I need to squee about Adrian. I love that boy. I can't get enough of him. I think him and I might even be SOULM8S! Here are some of my favourite Adrian quotes: 


"And that's more than enough. The only thing keeping me alive that he keeps a hefty supply of liquor on hand. But at the rate I'm going, that'll be gone by the weekend. Jesus Christ, I'm climbing the walls." His eyes fell on the cross at my neck. "Oh, Sorry. No offense to Jesus."
Micah showed up shortly thereafter and was happy to meet our other "brother". He shook Adrian's hand and smiled, "Now I see some family resemblance. I was starting to wonder if Jill was adopted, but you two kind of look like each other." "So does our mailman back in North Dakota," said Adrian. 


Overall, I totally and completely recommend this book. It's good stuff! I would suggest reading the entire Vampire Academy series before starting though, otherwise you'll be totally spoiled. But if you can live with that, READ THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 


                                 5 out 5 Hello Kitties!


8 comments

  1. I've been avoiding reading Bloodlines for the same reason as you. I just don't think Sydney will be the kind of MC I'll like. And you know how I feel about Adrian! But I haven't read a bad review so far so I think I'm just going to have to go for it! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  2. I haven't read any of the books from Vampire Academy series so obviously I can't pick this even if I wanted to. I should probably start from the beginning.

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  3. I thought you'd like Bloodlines! I actually bonded with Sydney; turns out she has a lot going on underneath that cool, calm exterior, and I found her easier to relate to than Rose. (I love Rose, but, you know, I'm not the kickass type in reality. LOL)

    Isn't the change in tone amazing? I think it showcases how well Mead has developed her characters - her "voice" when she writes as Sydney is SO different from when she writes as Rose. Impressive, I thought...

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  4. Okay, now you have me wanting to run to the bookstore just to find the book and flip to the very last line. I'm a cheater through and through and I usually read the back of the book first:) So glad you enjoyed this one, I can't wait to get to it!

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  5. I think I am one of the few people who hasn't read VA yet. It's not that I haven't wanted to read it - but after buying the series I loaned it out and only recently got it back. I really enjoyed Bloodlines though and can't wait to read VA. I'm curious to see the change in writing style that you mentioned.

    Bonnie @ HandsAndHome

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  6. @Lan I definitely suggest going for it! Adrian is fabulous in this book and Sydney is actually a really cool character! :)

    @Violet You should! It's a really good series, I think!

    @BJ Me too! That's exactly how I felt. Sydney was so easy to relate to and I liked her reactions, they felt so realistic! I know! It felt like I was reading something totally different. You can totally feel the differences in the voices!

    @Jenny Ahaha! :D IT IS SHOCKING! Let me tell you! I wasn't expecting it at all!

    @Bonnie Aww, yeah! I'd defintiely suggest reading it and seeing if you like it. I really love the series!

    Thank you all for the comments! <33

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  7. As you can probably figure out by the month long Bloodlines vs. Vampire Academy debate and giveaway we've been having over at Pretty In Fiction, I've read Bloodlines and loved it! I totally agree with you about how Bloodlines is a little more intellect based than VA, which totally fits its characters better. Although I did love that one scene near the end, you know the one I'm taking about.

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  8. @Jesse Yes, it definitely does. And it makes sense, I guess, because Rose was such a physical action type of character and Sydney is much more brainy and intellectual. Yeeeeah! I can't wait to see where that goes! January is so far away! Thanks for commenting! <3

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