Sam@WLABB
Written on May 22, 2014
The first book in Richelle Mead's bestselling Bloodlines series, set in the world of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series - NOW A MAJOR SERIES ON SKY AND NOWTV.
SYDNEY PROTECTS VAMPIRE SECRETS - AND HUMAN LIVES.
Sydney belongs to a secret group who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the world of humans and vampires.
But when Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, she fears she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. What unfolds is far worse. The sister of Moroi queen Lissa Dragomir is in mortal danger, and goes into hiding. Now Sydney must act as her protector.
The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one . . .
'Exciting, empowering and un-put-downable.' MTV's Hollywood Crush
'We're suckers for it!' - Entertainment Weekly
Also available in the Bloodlines series:
Bloodlines (Book 1)
Bloodlines: The Golden Lily (Book 2)
Bloodlines: The Indigo Spell (Book 3)
Bloodlines: The Fiery Heart (Book 4)
*And don't miss: Bloodlines: Silver Shadows (Book 5)*
Discover where the story began in the bestselling Vampire Academy series:
Vampire Academy (Book 1)
Vampire Academy: Frostbite (Book 2)
Vampire Academy: Shadow Kiss (Book 3)
Vampire Academy: Blood Promise (Book 4)
Vampire Academy: Spirit Bound (Book 5)
Vampire Academy: Last Sacrifice (Book 6)
- ISBN10 0141337117
- ISBN13 9780141337111
- Publish Date 25 August 2011 (first published 1 August 2011)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 448
- Language English
Reviews
remuslynch
Written on Oct 15, 2013
kaeta
Written on Oct 6, 2013
Jordon
Written on Jun 12, 2013
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tellemonstar
Written on Apr 25, 2013
I enjoyed this. The vampire lore in Bloodlines is a little bit different to what I am used to, but the whole thing with the Alchemists is quite intriguing, and is what actually made me pick up the books in the first place.
Sydney is an interesting character – she’s very good at a lot of things but flawed enough that she seems realistic. The Alchemists seem sort of like a cult to me, and one that almost views itself better than any others, even the other humans that they are supposed to be protecting.
Adrian was interesting, and a good read – I like vampires who have a bit of personality and aren’t simply just bloodsucking bad guys. The vampires in Bloodlines are actually capable of thinking and emotions, even the Strigoi, although I imagine they are more interested in thinking of creative ways to eat you, as opposed to having a conversation. The class distinctions, and the ‘magic’ sides of the Moroi were quite intriguing as well.
Would recommend this to people who don’t like their vampires to be too gory or scary, but still vampireish.
RoXXie
Written on Aug 17, 2012
I was surprised about the whole outcome, even though I had a bad feeling about the Alchemist Keith. He seemed suspicious from the first moment he appeared on the book.
Now after all is figured out, what'll be next. Who will be the next enemy, traitor with the game face on?
notajammiedodger
Written on Jun 21, 2012
I didn't know whether this book was a 4 or a 5 for me. I have been so excited for this book for quite a while, and I have to say that it definitely lived up to all of my expectations.
Bloodlines is Richelle Mead's second series in the same world. We follow a few familiar characters, but a very different story. Bloodlines follows the story of alchemist, Sydney, who we met in the Vampire Academy series. Sydney isn't the only familiar face along the way. We also get to see some more of Adrian ;), Eddie, and Jill. Sydney is pulled from the comfort of her bed in the middle of the night to go into hiding with Jill.
I love Mead's writing. I loved the Vampire Academy series, so I was really excited for Bloodlines. Whenever I mention Vampire Academy to anyone, I get the standard groan about annoying vampire books, but then I have to explain that this is nothing like any of those other vampire books! They are amazing, unique, so different and original. Mead creates a beautifully written world and characters. They are so much fun to read about and be with.
When we met Sydney in Vampire Academy I loved her. I found her a really interesting person, I wanted to know more. Who was this girl that ate basically nothing, and could disintegrate dead strigoi bodies. It was really awsome getting to know her more, and seeing how much she had developed as a character. Throughout the course of this book we get to know Sydney a lot more than we ever did in Vampire Academy. When we first met her, Sydney was a little mysterious, we didn't really know anything about her. But fans be assured. If you were intrigued by Sydney, then you definitely won't be disappointed.
We also get to see how things are going for some of the other characters. How Eddie is dealing after the events that may turn his life around, how that will impact his future career as a Guardian. How Jill is coping with suddenly being royal and related to the new Queen at that.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bloodlines, I always enjoy Mead's writing. Fans of the Vampire Academy series will not be disappointed. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series, titles The Golden Lily.
This review is also on my blog The Confessions of a Book Nerd :)
Hixxup
Written on Nov 12, 2011
I really felt sorry for Jill she had loved Lee so well, and I had an inkling that it was him, that did what happened to those girls.
I'm very intrigued in Sydney's blood and why it's so potent to Strigoi and Morae. But I'm HIGLY intrigued with what is going on between her and Adrian... possible love match. Once she gets off her high horse and over her idiocy on morae and dhampirs can't wait until June now though
liz089
Written on Nov 9, 2011
After re-reading VA I kept itching towards this series, I have so much love for this world and it's inhabitants.. still very enjoyable 10 years later XD
Read 2011.
OMG this book was amazing !! I loved reading about these characters again (VA), and being in this world again. The story itself was exciting, and I couldn't stop reading it until I was finished ! It does suck that I have to wait for the next book.. I want to continue !!! Aaaggghhh
Jo
Written on Sep 11, 2011
I lapped the book up! However, although I read it in one day, I did have to get used to the difference. This is Sydney's story, not Rose's, and she's not as strong willed and angry as Rose can be, so although there were emotional highs and lows, it was a little less to do with immediate danger, and more to do with Sydnety's dislikes of certain people, worrying that she will fail, and going out of her mind trying to follow rules yet try to keep everyone happy - despite the fact hanging out with vampires isn't her favourite pasttime. Even so there is a big difference between the characters of Rose and Sydney, and their priorities - which makes the stories different - Bloodlines was still an amazing story!
I found it really fascinating finding out more about Sydney's life, and the role of Alchemists, and all the tricks they have up their sleaves. It's just so interesting to seethe science that they're work is based on. It's quite refreshing to have science play a bigger part in a world of myths. Yes, there's is another YA vampire series where there is a scientist, but it's different with Bloodlines. This is chemistry, mixing things together to get what you need. It's just a strange but cool way of separating the moroi from the alchemists - one used magic, one uses real, physical science. I just found the contrast really interesting.
But the science isn't the main focus, that is keeping Jill safe, and to do so, she hasn't come on her own. As well as Jill, we also get Eddie and, hurrah, Adrian! There are cameo appearances of some of the other characters we know, including Rose, but Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian are the main four we stick with. Jill is still a young, teenage Moroi girl, and wants to have a teenage life, but she's having enourmous trouble fitting in, is seriously underconfident, and feels that no-one relly cares about her, they just want to keep Lissa, who is now the Queen, safe - on top of trying to get used to the fact that they're related. Eddie is Jill's guardian, and is super vigilant, but still the nice guy we know from the previous series. And Adrian is his usual laid-back, snarky self, but he's also hurting a lot over wht happened with Rose. Despite this, I am so happy Adrian is back, because I absolutely love him! He just cracks me up!
Sydney isn't a guardian, so there's less fighting in this book that we're used to, but she is smart, so where it's a battle of the fists and stakes with Rose, it's a battle of the minds with Sydney, and whether she can out-smart those that need out-smarting. There is, however, a big, and quite disturbing, fight scene. Oooh, it was good! And worrying - as I said, Sydney isn't a guardian.
Now, I don't knbow if it's because I have read all the previous books and therefore know the signs, or just jknow the world enough, but two out of the three major plot revelations I guessed fairly early on. I don't know if it will be the same for other reasons, but they both just semed fairly obvious to me. That doesn't take away from how good the book is though; just because I already knew what these revelations would be, I didn't know how the characters would find out, what that would mean, and the consequences of finding them, so it was still really good watching the others figure things out. The third I had half right, I just didn't know the reasons for it. But I did shout at my book at least once saying, "Come one! It's so obvious!..." with frustration that the characters weren't as quick on the up-take as I had been. Still, as I said, it didn't make the book any less enjoyable.
In all honesty, Bloodlines isn't as heart-pumping exciting as the Vampire Academy series, but it's amazing nonetheless. It is the first book, so ground work is laid, and with a few hints throughout the novel make me believe that the book will get the whomp we've come to love. There are a fair few unanswered questions that I'm highly intrigued about! And the stirrings of possible feelings that you know are just going to cause all kinds of complications! Oh, I love it! I am just so excited to read the next novel, The Golden Lily, when it comes out next year. The wait makes me wish I hadn't read Bloodlines in one day! It will most definitely be worth the wait though! Mead has done it again, an amazingf start to what I can tell is going to be a brilliant series! I just have to get my hands on her adult series now!
From - fantasy book blog.