REVIEW {44} - SILVER SHADOWS by Richelle Mead

SILVER SHADOWS
Series: Bloodlines - Book #5
Author: Richelle Mead
My Rating: 3.50/5.00 | Goodreads Rating: 4.40/5.00
ADD TO GOODREADS

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

LIKES

• Sydney and Adrian's love for each other.
• Hopper - the dragon!
• Sydney and Adrian's relationship status - at the end of the book.
• How fast paced and full of action this book (and ultimately the entire series) is.
• How strong the bond of friendship is between Jill, Angelina, Eddie, Sydney, Neil, and Adrian. In a world where dhampirs and vampires do not have relationships (friendship or otherwise) with Alchemists, the way they've banded together and the loyalty towards each other is insane!
• Sydney's magic. I love this aspect of the book, I truly do!
• Carly Sage.
• Rowena.
• Jill's bond with Adrian - and her maturity.
• Jill and Eddie. Please, get together! I'm OTP'ing it! Jeddie? 
• Diversity in characters and lifestyles.

DISLIKES

• The Re-education center and the Alchemists.
• Queen Tatiana's voice in Adrian's head. (Curious to see what that's all about.)
• Adrian's negative Spirit attributes.
• Some parts that seem to lag and drag.
• The Alchemists. Did I already mention them? I hate them.

MY THOUGHTS: 

*I cannot promise that this is a spoiler-free review. If you haven't read the first 4 books of the series, I recommend not continuing with this review!*

 I have been obsessed with the Vampire Academy world from the first page of Vampire Academy, and when I found out that there was a spin-off series, it made my little vampire-loving heart leap with joy! So far, I've loved Sydney and Adrian's story, told throughout the Bloodlines series.With  every book, I've closed the cover and had the worst book hangover - desperately awaiting the next book to come out.

While I did enjoy the continuation of the story, I felt that this one was just a little stagnant. At the end of The Fiery Heart, Sydney was taken by the Alchemists for re-education, and Adrian is left fighting to find her. But in his spirit-wielding way, Adrian falls back into old habits at the start of Silver Shadows, and Sydney is wasting away in a dark cell, drugged until she admits she sinned, and is willing to undergo re-education to find her way back to the light. She is in this dark place both physically and emotionally - as it was her own sister, Zoe, who betrayed her, and her father who committed her to this place. She leaves her hopes of rescue in Adrian - who is back at Court, after his mother came to get him and bring him back after Jill contacted her. Back at Court, Adrian teams up with Nina - another Spirit user - who joins him in his drinking escapades, and makes sure he gets back to his room. She also has feelings for him.

Mostly, this book just starts to tie up the loose ends from the series, getting ready to end it all in just one more book.

While it ended on a cliffhanger in true Richelle Mead style, I found large chunks of this book leaning towards boring. Even though we get the typical unexpected - like what Sydney and Adrian do in the end - that I can say that I wasn't expecting AT ALL - for the most part it's Sydney in re-education, confirming what we already know - that she is a bad ass - and Adrian falling back into old drinking patterns and we follow him around Court while he parties. I don't feel like a lot happens, which I suppose being the last book before the finale, it can happen. 

I still love Mead's writing style, and her characters feel like they are really some of my BFFs. Her characters have such depth and emotion that it's hard not to get invested in them. Even though this was not one of my favorite books in the series, I still fully enjoyed it and I am so sad that when I read The Ruby Circle, that this series will be finished. I don't think I am ready for that!

Would I recommend it? Obviously, if you've read the first 4 books then YES you need to read it!

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {35} THE FIERY HEART by Richelle Mead

THE FIERY HEART
SERIES: Bloodlines | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Bloodlines #1, The Golden Lily #2, The Indigo Spell #3, Silver Shadows #5 (Release Date: 7/29/14)
AUTHOR: Richelle Mead
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: November 19th, 2013
EDITION: Hardcover, 438 pages
ACQUISITION: Own
CATEGORIES: Bloodlines, Richelle Mead, The Fiery Heart, 5 Star Rating, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Witches, Review, Love Triangles, 2013 Release, 2014 Read
RATING: 5.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.47/5.00
ADD TO GOODREADS

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

MY THOUGHTS: *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* Considering I have absolutely loved every book in this series so far, as well as the entire Vampire Academy series, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd absolutely adore this latest installment in the Bloodlines series as well.

Can I just take a minute to state the obvious, and tell you all what the best part of this book is? I can do it quickly in just three words. Ready? Sydney and Adrian. They are full steam ahead with their relationship - which we all know is totally not okay by Alchemists standards - but really, the heart wants what the heart wants and Sydney's wants, needs, has to have, Adrian.

This book follows suit with it's non-stop action and "Whoa did that just happen?" moments. We have all the regular players, plus a new dhampir named Neil, whom Jill and Angeline both are crushing on. But Neil's heart lies in a recently-restored-from-Strigoi named Olive. And besides - Angeline can't stop thinking about Trey (Yep, that Warriors of Light Trey), and Jill and Eddie are both interested in each other, but Eddie can't get over his feelings of not being good enough for a Princess. Luckily, Jill takes the first step towards showing Eddie she doesn't care if he's "just" a dhampir. 

The main theme of the book, is Sydney's continuing to help Marcus and the rebel ex-Alchemists, while juggling her job in Palm Springs in the midst of hiding her relationship with Adrian from her Little-Sister-Turned-Alchemist who is disgustingly loyal and obedient to their controlling Alchemist father. Sydney's magic use and training goes even further, when she joins a coven and starts working on her own formulas to make the ink Marcus needs to break the Golden Lily tattoos that Alchemists are given to control them.

Everything is going great - Sydney's able to hide her love for Adrian, keep Zoe under wraps, and make sure everything's running smoothly. That is she thinks everything is going great. Unfortunately, it's the person she loves nearly as much as Adrian who betrays her and causes her entire world to come crashing down.

I loved every minute we got to spend with Sydney and Adrian together. They are the textbook definition of opposites attract, and their dynamics work so well together. I usually do not like dual-narration in books, but I think Mead was able to wonderfully give Sydney and Adrian their own voices, and gave us the ability to see things from both of them - as well as what was going on with one when the other wasn't there. They both have their fair share of struggles and inner demons carried over from the previous books, but one challenge we experience with Adrian, is his choice to start taking medication to help control Spirit, after he is left to suffer the consequences of a "Spirit Hangover". He fights within himself to justify that the meds will help, and in true Adrian fashion, begins beating himself up when he needs Spirit and isn't able to access it because of the pills. One of my favorite Adrian-isms is his "Escape Plans" for himself and Sydney.

We see more of how controlling the Alchemists are when we spend time with Zoe. Sydney sees so much of her former self in her younger sister, and hopes she can help Zoe see that the Alchemist way of life isn't the best choice. Unfortunately, Zoe is under her father's mind-control, and ultimately causes the destruction of Sydney's life in Palm Springs, and that of everyone she loves and cares about. With the details of their parents divorce, we can see love isn't something the Alchemists tend to really consider being important. 

The Fiery Heart leaves us at a gnarly cliffhanger, which is Mead's M.O. We have Sydney in a "jail" cell being held captive by the Alchemists, who are ready to re-educate her; and Adrian and Jackie Terwilliger who are desperate to save her. I cannot wait to read Silver Shadows, number five in the series to see if Sydney and Adrian are able to find their way back to each other.

SIMILAR READS: Daylighters (The Morganville Vampires #15) by Rachel Caine | Revealed (House of Night #11) by P.C. Cast | The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa | Oblivion (Nevermore #3) by Kelly Creagh | Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L Armentrout

Happy Reading!

Laura

REVIEW {31} RETRO REVIEW {5} Frostbite by Richelle Mead

FROSTBITE

SERIES: Vampire Academy #2 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Vampire Academy #1; Shadow Kiss #3; Blood Promise #4; Spirit Bound #5; and Last Sacrifice #6; SPIN-OFF SERIES: Bloodlines | BOOKS IN THE SERIES:Bloodlines #1; The Golden Lily #2; The Indigo Spell #3; The Fiery Heart #4

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

PUBLISHED: April 10th 2008 by Razorbill

EDITION: Paperback, 327 pages

ACQUISITION: Library; Need to Own/Wishlist

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Vampires, Romance, Supernatural, Richelle Mead, Book 2 in Series, Vampire Academy Series, Razorbill, 4 Star Rating, Wishlist, Review, Retro Review

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.37/5.00

ADD TO GOODREADS

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed Vampire Academy, and when people started telling me that Frostbite was even better, I was psyched to read it... which I did, immediately after finishing book one. The most appealing aspects of these novels are the incredibly abundant amounts of action, and the insane emotions you feel from Rose. Rose is such a complex character, even though you seem to get her at face value, and you think there's just maybe two sides to Rose, you then finish book two, and you are like, nope! Rose is Rose, regardless of who she's interacting with; but she handles situations so differently. Every reaction that Rose has is so emotionally charged, and when she's put to the test she always manages to kick butt! Everything about this book was addicting and delicious, and I can see myself adding the entire series to my personal library, and will be rereading these too, because the re-readability is very high.

The story line as well is so captivating, it literally grabs you and doesn't let go. I would literally find myself doing things with the book clutched in my hands - cooking dinner, cleaning the house, etc. I did not want to put it down. There are momens where I was literally shocked at what Rose was put through, and awed at how amazingly she handles things. If you haven't read this series, and you love vampires - you need to go get it right now. Like. Right. Now. Immediately. Go.

SIMILAR READS: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine | Jealousy by Lili St. Crow | Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen | Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz | Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {30} RETRO REVIEW {4} Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

VAMPIRE ACADEMY

SERIES: Vampire Academy #1 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Frostbite #2; Shadow Kiss #3; Blood Promise #4; Spirit Bound #5; and Last Sacrifice #6; SPIN-OFF SERIES: Bloodlines | BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Bloodlines #1; The Golden Lily #2; The Indigo Spell #3; The Fiery Heart #4

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

PUBLISHED: August 16th 2007 by Razorbill

EDITION: Paperback, 332 pages

ACQUISITION: Own

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Review, Razorbill, 4 Stars, Vampire Academy Series, Richelle Mead

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.20/5.00

ADD TO GOODREADS

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

MY THOUGHTS: I went into this not really thinking I'd like it; but when I finished, I realized that I actually really enjoyed it! Like any first book, the beginning is a bit slower as it fills you in on everything that is going on, and explaining all of the characters, and story lines, etc.  I was even kind of annoyed with both Rose & Lissa when they first got back to the Academy. I had trouble connecting with Rose because I was reading her one way, and then we start to learn about how she used to be when they were previously at the Academy, so it was conflicting for me. But once I was into the bulk of the book I started seeing how kick-ass Rose Hathaway is! And Dimitri - YUM! The tension between Rose and Dimitiri is wonderful! And Christian, oh, Christian! Love the bad boys!!

What I liked as well is that there was ALWAYS something going on. There were very few, if any dull, slow moments. It was a very nicely paced story, in my opinion. I love the development of both Rose and Lissa's characters throughout the story; and the ending was pretty much perfect to lead us into the second book. The world that Mead has created is wonderful, and one you can easily visualize and spend lots of time in. 

[NOTE: This is actually an old review that I originally posted on my previous blog in 2011. I've since read and loved the entire series, and will be posting the reviews for the rest of the series in upcoming weeks.]

SIMILAR READS: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine | Betrayals by Lili St. Crow | Night World by L.J. Smith | Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen | Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Happy Reading!

Review {29} The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

THE INDIGO SPELL

SERIES: Bloodlines #3 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:  Bloodlines #1, The Golden Lily #2 The Fiery Heart #4

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

PUBLISHED: February 12th 2013 by Razorbill

ACQUIRED: Borrowed | Library [Need to Own]

EDITION: Hardcover, 1st Edition, 401 pages

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Witches, Review, Razorbill, February 2013 Release, Richelle Mead, Bloodlines Series, Vampire Academy, Five Star Rating

RATING: 5.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.49/5.00

ADD TO GOODREADS

WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS: In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series 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 THOUGHTS: As expected, I abso-freaking-lutely LOVED this book. Seriously, Vampire Academy & Bloodlines have to be at the top of my 'Favorite Series' List. Just when you wonder where the next book in the series is going to take you, you're suddenly transported into action and adventures you never thought possible. 

I was getting kind of aggravated with Sydney in this book, considering she was fighting her feelings for Adrian, yet leading him on. But, being Adrian, he knew she would eventually come around, and told her that he would love her "from afar" until she realized that she's totally in love with him. Let's just say by the end of the book I was happy with where their relationship is.

The Indigo Spell finds us back in Palm Springs and back in the lives of Sydney, Jill, Eddie, Angeline, and Adrian. The book opens with the wedding of Sonya and Mikhail, and then sweeps us back to the west coast. Sydney is able to track down the elusive ex-Alchemist, Marcus, and is surprised to find out who he is, and the group of people he's involved with. Marcus asks her to gather information for their group to help them someday take down the Alchemists, and Sydney agrees. Marcus also offers her the chance to break her tattoo, so that she cannot be compelled by the Alchemists. Intertwined in this, Sydney is still learning magic with Miss Terwilliger, and fighting her feelings for Adrian.

One of my favorite things about Richelle Mead's books, is that there really are no slow parts. There's pretty much something going on all the time on every page. There is such a vast array of characters too, that she wonderfully weaves their sub-stories into the main plot. She is absolutely amazing as an author, and I even find myself wondering if she would ever do another spin-off from Jill's point-of-view. I'd definitely read it!

One of my favorite things when reading, is to experience the protagonist's growths and changes along with them. The Sydney Sage we met back in the Vampire Academy books, to the Sydney here in the 3rd book of the Bloodlines Series are so different. The important things that make her who she is are still there, but she starts to question herself in this book. Who am I? What am I doing? And luckily, she figures out she is the person she is supposed to be. It's okay to love who your heart desires, and to want better for not only yourself but those around you. Sydney is such a wonderful, caring, loving person that it sometimes gets in the way of making herself happy. Luckily, she's starting to realize this.

There are basically three main worlds in this series that Mead has to intertwine- the vampires & dhampirs, the Alchemists, and then the magical world that Sydney's finding herself a part of. I guess maybe Marcus's group could almost be a fourth world. Wait - a fifth - the Warriors. Sheesh! And to keep these all interesting, fresh, and working in a way to involve all of them is quite a feat. I can't even think of anything else to say except to just gush over how freaking AMAZING this series is!

I am super stoked for The Fiery Heart. I literally want that book now! I'm so curious to see what happens and where our characters end up - especially with the cliffhanger we get at the end of The Indigo Spell... 

SIMILAR READS: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa | Fall of Night by Rachel Caine | With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent | Revealed by P.C. Cast | Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Happy Reading!

Cover Reveal {15} Gameboard of the Gods

Gameboard of the Gods
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Age of X #1
Publication Information: June 4th 2013 by Dutton Adult
Edition: Hardcover, 464 pages
Categories: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Romance
Add to Goodreads

What the Back of the Book Says: In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military's most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead's Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

My Thoughts: I know that this is actually an adult title, BUT come on, it's Richelle Mead! And really, that description sounds pretty awesome! I think the cover is great, it's super simple, a very limited amount of colors and very bare. I think it keeps a very mysterious air around the book and I am definitely going to be reading this one, will you?

Happy Reading!

Review {3} The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily
By: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #2
Other Books in the Series: Bloodlines #1; Vampire Academy #1-6
Published: June 12th 2012 by Razorbill
Edition: hardcover, 418 pages
Acquired: Library
Categories: Young Adult, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, 2nd Book in Series, Magic, Witches, Vampire Hunters
Rating: 5 Stars
*Review may contain spoilers.*

Add it on Goodreads

Review {2} Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines #1

Other Books In The Series: The Golden Lily #2; Vampire Academy Series #1-6

Published: August 23rd 2011 by Razorbill

Edition: Hardcover, 421 pages

Obtained: Library
Categories: Young Adult, Vampires, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy,  Suspense, Action
Rating: 4 Stars

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 Thoughts: I read all six books in the Vampire Academy series back-to-back and continued the trend with Bloodlines. I was happy to see Sydney Sage as the main character in the spin-off series, as well as familiar faces like Jill Dragomir, Adrian Ivashkov, and Eddie Castile. All secondary characters in Vampire Academy, they all get their own tiny spotlights in Bloodlines.

Sydney has quickly become one of my favorite characters of all time. Smart and sassy, Sydney craves knowledge and is loyal, devoted, and dedicated. She often puts herself last, and everyone else ahead of her own needs. She questions the ethics of the Alchemists, and wars within herself over her pledge to the Alchemists, and the vampires she's quickly forming friendships with.

The storyline works well for what is needed to build the basis for the series. Sometimes I found things to be a tiny bit predictable, but for the most part the story was fresh, and entertaining which is good. A spin-off series can easily fall flat, but Mead's easy-to-read writing style and engaging characters and plot keeps things moving and doesn't allow room for it to become stagnant.


One of the best story lines is that of Adrian and Jill. In Vampire Academy we saw Adrian as an immature, substance-abusing spirit user who had a whirlwind romance with Rose Hathaway that ended less than amicably when Dimitri Belikov was restored from Strigoi back to Dhampir and the two picked up where they'd left off... leaving Adrian heartbroken and reeling. For someone who easily slipped into old habits, what happened between himself and Jill now forces him to straighten up his act; no more drinking, no more random hookups with girls he barely knows. Adrian is probably one of my favorite characters and easily crush-worthy. I definitely feel the chemistry between Adrian and Sydney so I'm not going to lie - very curious to see if anything there pans out!


Another character I was glad to see more of, is Eddie Castile. Eddie's career has been downgraded because of his assisting Rose with releasing Victor Dashkov from prison. With no real guardian post, Eddie's sent to Palm Springs along with Sydney and Jill in order to pose as their "brother" and to be a guardian to Jill. Eddie is given a dorm room with a guy named Micah, who eerily resembles his dead best friend, Mason. Eddie also reveals to Sydney that he's crushing hardcore on Jill, but feels as a lowly dhampir with a tarnished record, he could never be a good match for a princess like Jill.


Jill is still dealing with the blow she was dealt in Last Sacrifice, the final installment in the Vampire Academy series. Jill is still trying to emotionally and internally deal with the fact that her mother had an affair with Eric Dragomir, Vasilisa Dragomir's father. Jill is still feeling like Lissa hates her, or only needed her to gain her position on the throne as the next Queen, and doesn't truly want anything to do with her. Jill also has her first taste at love with Lee Donahue, the son of Clarence Donahue - the only Moroi in Palm Springs who has seceded himself from the Court and lives a quiet life with his son. He is suffering from the loss of his niece, whom he is convinced was killed by vampire hunters - which I am curious to see if Mead will ever introduce vampire hunters into the series - would be kind of neat as long as it's kept unique! Lee ends up being someone that nobody expected, which leaves Jill brokenhearted.


Sydney is also dealing with the fact that she's currently not in favor with the alchemists, and nearly loses the assignment to her younger sister, Zoe, who she is determined to protect from the alchemist career. This drives a wedge between Sydney and Zoe, one that affects her greatly. Sydney feels like her relationship with Jill is similar to that of her relationship with her sister. Both are strained, and she desperately wants to correct them. Sydney is also to report to Keith, another alchemist whom she has a rocky past with. Keith and Sydney's older sister, Carly, had a relationship in the past, which ended when Keith raped Carly. Sydney makes a deal with Abe Mazur, which is hinted at in Vampire Academy, but is finally revealed in Bloodlines. Luckily at the end of the book, Keith gets what is due to him and I feel it was justified.

I also love how Sydney was able to create magic, which scares her to no end. Helping out Ms. Terwilliger, her history teacher who had a sneaking suspicion about Sydney, leads to this revelation. I can't wait to see how this progresses in the future. Sydney has a lot of internal struggles to muddle through.


The story line involving the students getting tattoos eerily resembling the golden lily tattoo emblazoned on Sydney's cheek raising many questions - especially when she finds out that the tattoos can make athletes faster and stronger, and even give you stamina and a huge high. Sydney begins to investigate this, which leads her back to Keith. When first reading this, I kind of didn't care for this whole idea. However; after digesting the book and letting it sink in, I actually think it's pretty cool! It'll be interesting to see where this story line leads us down the road in the future installments in the series.


My final words for Bloodlines: Incredible start to what I'm sure will be an action-packed, suspicion-raising, betrayal-filled wild ride!!


Buy Here: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble 

Author Info: Twitter  |  Website  |  Facebook

Add To: Goodreads  |  Shelfari



Happy Reading,
Laura