Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Monday, September 12, 2011

Published by:  Penguin
Publication date:  23rd August, 2011
Source:  Thanks to publisher

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.

My Review: 

Favourite Quote:  "Takes a lot of tries before you hit perfection." He paused to reconsider that. "Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try." (Adrian)

Before starting Bloodlines I was in a reading slump.  No matter which book I tried nothing was really holding my attention.  But Bloodlines fixed that. I loved this book!  It was a incredible story that I couldn't get enough of.

Mead is one of my favourite authors.   Her writing is unbelievable.  Always intensely readable and fiercely entertaining.  Together with a plot that is full of tension and twists.  This series is a great mix of both the alchemist and vampires worlds.  And those two worlds could not be more different.

What I love about Mead's characters are that they are complicated.  No cardboard cut-outs of characters here.   I have to admit I wasn't sure if I was going to like Sydney as a main character.  She is so different from the kick-butt Rose (from Vampire Academy) who is one of my all time favourites.  But the more I read Bloodlines the more I liked Sydney.  She showed loyalty, courage, kindness and surprisingly strength.  I can definitely see her joining the ranks of my favourite characters.

Then you have Adrian.  I have always loved him in the Vampire Academy series and I am happy to see him play such a big role in this book.  He is charming, quick witted guy who is suffering from a broken heart.   At times I may have been a little tiny bit frustrated that he was playing the victim.  I know he is hurting (and I would love to make him all better *wink wink*) but it gets a little tired after a while.  So I was very happy that  as Bloodlines went on he started to show really growth and change as character and even had a hero moment or two.

Jill is such a sweet character.  One you want to hug.  I really connected with her and am looking forward to getting more of her story as this series goes on.  Then you have more some incredible secondary characters like Eddie from Vampire Academy and a bunch of newbies including Trey, Ms Terwillger and Micah.  As well as Abe who pops in every now and then and even a visit from Rose.

We all know how much I love a good romance in a story.  Well Bloodlines there is no romance yet but rather some delicious chemistry simmering.

And OH the ending!  Mead delivers her speciality - a knock-out ending that will leave you craving more. I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger as such but rather something that is going to leave you saying UH-OH this is going to be interesting.

Overall, Mead has delivered another novel that is nothing less than SUPERB.  Bloodlines is a must read!  Seriously run out and get a copy now!


Overall Rating:  5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Cover: 4/5

For more info:  Visit Richelle Mead's website or Between The Lines.

For more reviews:  Collections

46 comments:

Abbey said...

i've been seeing this book all over the place. sadly i havent read the whole Vampire acadamey series (i've read book 1 and 2 so far) so i'm not sure wether i should start this one yet. I like the sound of the story though and the simmering chemistry..
Oh and Adrian, yumm
great review Nic

Jules said...

I love when you get a book that really pulls you out of a slump.

I've been reading so many great things about this book, but I'm just about to start the VA series, which I want to read first.

Great review :D

Leanna Elle said...

Glad you loved this one so much. I loved that ending too, I just think that the characters of Sydney and Jill will take a while to grow on me.I need Adrian to get his spark back too!

Lisa said...

I can't wait to read this novel. I loved Adrian too in VA and was heartbroken by his ending. I'm glad he gets a reprieve in this series.

Jenny said...

Nic! I need this book immediately! I'm so glad Adrian has a big role in this one, as much as I love him, I couldn't imagine Rose not ending up with Dimitri, and now it's his turn in the limelight:) I can't wait to read this book and get to that sort-of cliffhanger ending!

Anonymous said...

EKE!! I cant wait to read this....I just finished the VA series so Im all ready for some more.....:)

Kristi The Book Faery said...

I loved this book! Glad to see you did, too.

We had a lot of the same thoughts about the book :o]

Great review, Nic!

Perfect quote!

Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) said...

FANTASTIC quote choice!

And is it alright to say I only want to read this just because Adrian is in it?! I have it sitting on my shelf, I need to pick it up REALLY soon!

I have to wait for romance...that sucks :( for Adrian, I can wait :)

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

No cliffie? *dances*

Oh this does sound delicious! I also need to read the VA books too. Oh I fail. I need to get on that so I can enjoy this one as much as you!

Jen (@ Jens Book Closet) said...

I did like this book, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I did love Sydney, but I would get frustrated with her at times. I think we are really seeing her develop and that eventually she'll be that character that I love who isn't afraid to tell the other Alchemists to screw off because she is doing the best she can and I SO can't wait for that moment. And Adrian still stands as one of my favorites. To me he is always playing the martyr and his character fit. It was fun to watch him grow toward the end. Plus, I love the aspects of Sydney that remind me of Rose. Okay, I'm done babbling. Excellent review, Nic. :D

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

YES! A simmering romance. Do you have any idea how delicious that sounds! :)

I haven't read the VA books yet, I know, for shame, but I do plan to soon. My sister loves the books and has been on me to read them. I wonder if she knows about this one. I'll have to tell her.

Thanks for the link to Adrian! I just had to go take a peek at him again and DAMN!

Glad you found something to pull you out of the slump. I could use something like that myself.

Savannah said...

OMG! There are no words for Adrian other than the fact that I love him! He is such a great characters. I am hoping that he gets his happy ending! Plus its good to read about Rose and Dimitri.

A.J. said...

I cannot wait for the next book! :D
Thanks for linking my review. ^^

Bailey said...

YAY! I loved this one too. I agree that Mead's writing is PHENOMENAL! =D

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

Oh, I'm so glad to be seeing so much love for this book! I can't wait to read it because Lord knows I loved VA! Fab review :)

A Canadian Girl said...

Can you believe I still haven't read this one?! I'm looking forward to meeting the new characters and reconnecting with the old ones. Besides getting more of Adrian, I'm most excited I think about seeing Abe from Sydney's POV since he scares the crap out of her. My fears about having Sydney as the narrator have really been soothed by all the favourable reviews I've read.

Jan von Harz said...

Wow a 5/5, I was planning on reading this since I missed out on the Vampire Academy, but then I read a review that had me rethinking it because of all the connections to Mead's first series. Now I am wondering if I should just give it a try and hope I am not lost. Great review

Unknown said...

I need something to pull me out of my reading slump. This one sounds like it will be just the thing - and I have a copy waiting for me now too!! Thanks for the review, Nic!

Jenny N. said...

I'm happy to see more of Adrian. The ending for me was one of those "NOOO!" moments where I realize its already the last page.

Aylee said...

I still need to read VA (I'm a little burnt out on vampires right now) but I'm really responding well to how you describe Mead's writing and characters. They sound excellent! ... I will get to it eventually.

Unknown said...

Hi new follower here who is a fellow Australian YA lover! Great review, I have this one in my to be read pile. I love the quote you have chosen!

Amy @ Following The Reader

Danielle Zappavigna said...

I loved this too, can't wait for the next one :-)

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