Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

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

Faves of 2011 so far - The Scenes & The Random

Over at the awesome Inkcrush, Nomes is doing a half yearly list of her favourite books so far.  They are 3 different lists The Books, The Charactersand The Scenes & The Random.  The books are any books you have read in 2011 so far regardless of what year they were published.  

the scenes
1. best first chapter

Stay by Deb Caletti ~ completely captivated instantly. Same with Divergent by Veronica Roth.


2. best climax -

Shadowfever books by Karen Marie Moning. Followed by Divergent by Veronica Roth.

3. best ending - 

Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

4. best plot twist/revelation (no spoilers!) - 

Any of the Fever books by Karen Marie Moning ~ such an unpredictable plot. 


5. scariest/most disturbing scene

Grace by Elizabeth Scott ~ Grace's world under the dictatorship of Keran Berj and life as an Angel, a suicide bomber.


6. steamiest scene (or sweetest/sexiest kiss award) -

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning ~ All I have to say is nekkid Barrons eating a mango and it dripping all over him O.o. Followed extremely closely by Saving June by Hannah Harrington ~ the hotel scene. Then Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler ~ the shower make out scene.

7. best swoon-worthy moment - 

Pg 219 of Saving June by Hannah Harrington. Don't want to spoil it for you but it made me melt.

8. biggest nail-biting moment - 

The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning again. Followed by Divergent by Veronica Roth.

9. most hilarious scene -

This Side of The Grave by Jeanine Frost where Kat talks about how there is only one fat part of Bones body *wink wink*. I couldn't stop laughing. I had to put the book down and walk away for a while and compose myself. Also Slice by Steven Herrick ~ the camping trip and so many more moments.


10. most heart-breaking/tear-jerker moment -

Sweethearts by Sara Zara ~ What happened to Jenna and Cameron when they were kids.  Followed by But I Love Him by Amanda Grace ~ Connor and Ann's relationship.

the random
1. fave first sentence

Fury by Shirley Marr. "My name is Eliza Boans and I am a murderer."

2. fave book title -

This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas - Simple, elegant and powerful like the book. 

3. fave reading experience (ie: created a great reading memory) - 

Reading It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han with Nomes of Inkcrush. We had a great time discussing all the swooning. Followed by Saving June by Hannah Harrington with Nomes again and Jess from Tales of Compendium.


4. book with the best food in it (made me so crazy-envious-hungry) - 

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton. ICE CREAM! Followed by the peanut butter scene in Saving June by Hannah Harrington (and I don't like peanut butter lol).


5. book with the most sensual weather (made you shiver/sweat) - 

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton. You felt like you were at the beach.


6. most embarrassing book cover (feeling sheepish in public) - 

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols. It makes it look like a tween book and well I am not a tween. Also Ten Things I Did (and probably shouldn't have) by Sarah Mylnowski. Too kissy for public!

7. can’t believe you waited this long to read the book (!) - 

Heist Society by Ally Carter and Graceling by Kristen Cashore. Both I had on my shelf for a year!


Thanks to Nomes for coming up with this awesome list. And sorry about the spacing again. Blogger troubles.

Faves of 2011 so far - The Characters

Over at the awesome Inkcrush, Nomes is doing a half yearly list of her favourite books so far.  They are 3 different lists The Books, The Charactersand The Scenes & The Random.  The books are any books you have read in 2011 so far regardless of what year they were published.  

Today we are talking about the characters.  Anybody can participate just make sure to visit Inkcrush.

1. best female POV -

Piper from Five Flavors of Dumb. Followed closely by Olivia from This Gorgeous Game and Leigh from Psych Major Syndrome.
2. best male POV -

Adam from Where She Went. Followed by Darcy from Slice and Noah from Invincible Summer.

3. Best couple <3 -

Will & Kate from Perfect You. Followed by Adam and Mia from Where She Went and Jake and Harper from Saving June.


4. who i so want to be best friends with -

Em, Lyd & Cassie from The Year of Secret Assignments. Followed by Leigh from Psych Major Syndrome and Chelesa from Past Perfect.

5. who I fell completely in love with (new literary crush) -

                        Nathan                           Jake                                  Patrick

                   Barrons                                    Four                                  Finn

Nomes this isn't very fair making me choose between my guys. So the best I can do is a top 6 for this year (in no particular order) Nathan from Psych Major Syndrome, Jake from Saving June, Barrons from Fever series, Four from Divergent, Finn from Stay and Patrick from Fixing Delilah. And instead of covers I put book boyfriends pictures.


6. worst (best) villain -

Ty from Stolen. He is not really a villain but I should of disliked him for what he did and I didn't.


7. best character twist (who you loved then hated or vice versa) -

Eliza from Fury. At first you think what a b#$ch. But I ended up loving her. One of the most memorable characters I have ever read.  


8. best kick-arse female -

Mackayla from Fever. Followed by Katsa from Graceling and Gabi from Waterfall.

9 best kick-arse male -

Barrons from Fever is definitely my top pick. Followed by Marcello from Waterfall and Po from Graceling

10. broke your heart the most -

Angel from Redeeming Love, Jenna and Cameron from Sweethearts and Ty from Stolen. 

11. best/worst character names -

Best - Darcy Franz Pele Walker from Slice.  That name just makes me smile. Followed by Four from Divergent and Hale from Heist Society. Worst Po from Graceling. It reminds me of the Teletubbies. Followed by Vlane from the Fever series.

BONUS: 5 fave covers (from books i have read)