Monday, June 6, 2011

Bloodlines - Richelle Mead


I never finished the Vampire Academy books. Hell, I'm not even sure if I finished the first one, to be perfectly honest. I picked it up during the beginning of the vampire craze, and got so bored with vampires so fast I don't think I ever picked it back up. That being said, there is a big chance that I've both missed a lot of the nuances in this book that referenced the other series and spoiled the VA series for myself entirely. But after finishing Bloodlines, I can honestly say I'm okay with that.

Bloodlines is about Sydney, a girl who is part of the organization, alchemists, that is dedicated to protecting humans from vampires. Or at least keeping the peace between the two races, anyway. She was trained for her job in the organization since she was young, being the only alchemist picked out of her three sisters for the job. However, after helping Rose she was shamed and a new mission is the only way she can redeem herself and keep her little sister from having to take up the mantle of alchemist instead. She'll have to live with Jill, a living vampire, and her halfvampire guard in order to keep Jill safe and the current queen of the vampires on her throne. The only problem? In order to keep Jill safe, Sydney needs to go undercover at a high school boarding school in Palm Springs, a situation that suits neither of the two girls involved.

Before I started Bloodlines, my ideas on what to expect were mixed. On one hand, I vaguely remember trying to read VA and not finishing it. On the other, the line for this book was HUGE and ZenitaDee, a fellow blogger and friend of Lost Train of Thoughts, has been gushing over Richelle Mead for years. Plus, you know, I'm a sucker for some gorgeous cover art.

Having now finished Bloodlines, though, I'm really happy I gave it a chance! Despite not reading Vampire Academy, I didn't feel as though I was missing any important details, although ZenitaDee has informed me that I've probably got a tainted view of Rose, since Adrian is your main source of information about her in this particular book. I loved Sydney's character, loved how she struggled to fight against everything when it seemed like everyone and everything in her life was against her. I'm particularly fond of her ideology, although I'd sad to say I was reading this during a slow shift at work, and I don't have the exact quote. If I recall right, it was to the effect of "everyone has a choice. there are no victims here." I love how much of a hardass she comes off as.

One of the random aspects about the book that I particularly enjoyed was the idea of metal bound tattoos. Alchemists are given the same golden tattoo on their faces that gives them slight immunities and strengths while insuring they can't talk about alchemist matters to anybody outside of their circle of knowledge. There are several other tattoos that show up in the book as Sydney finds out about a special tattoo parlor that gives silver and copper tattoos that act as drugs or strength enhancers for a temporary amount of time. The whole system just sounds kind of awesome to me.

I liked Bloodlines a lot, and now that I've finished one of Mead's books and found out how good of a writer she is, I'll definitely see about picking up Vampire Academy and the following books in the series and trying to read it again. As far as Bloodlines goes, though, let's just say I've found out the biggest flaw in reading and reviewing ARCs: there's a much longer wait time until the next book in the series comes out. That being said, I'd recommend Bloodlines to anyone in the supernatural YA fansection, including those who haven't read Vampire Academy. Despite being in the same world, Bloodlines is the start of a spin-off series, and from what I've seen, VA isn't a requirement for enjoyment. If you like vampires, hardass female leads, or plotlines with twists to keep you on your game, pick up Bloodlines in your local bookstore when it comes out August 2011.

61 comments:

  1. Haha, I'm glad you approve, Zee.

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  2. Bloodlines sounds amazing.
    And I can imagine how you would get a skewed view of Rose from Adrian...
    Go. Read. Fall in love with Dimitri.

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  3. (: Amazing. I can't wait!!!

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  4. I loved the VA series and i can't wait to get my Adrian back bitter or not. All in all i really hope he'll end up with Sydney don't ask me why :P

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  5. I love VA! and I love Dimitri.
    Can't wait for bloodlines!

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  6. I'll be sure to pick them up, Sarah~! ^^

    Anonymous the second: Haha, I think I might support that too. We'll see, though. ^^

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  7. Yes. Read. Fall in love with Dimitri and his badassedness. Rose is badass too. Can't wait to read it! and Richelle Mead posted this on her Twitter ;)

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  8. Great Review!!! Please read vampire academy and the rest of the series i cant imagine reading bloodlines and not having gotten to know rose first. Trust me you won't regret it ;)

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  9. God, I know. I figured that out when I noticed my stat page explode. I think I'm still in shock. Amazing, delighted, giddy shock.
    Twitter is made of magic and glee.

    And I think I might have to read VA if only to figure out this Dimitri character you are all gushing about. He must be pretty awesome. ^^

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  10. Will you update your blog about your progress reading the vampire academy books? lol i dont know why but reading what someone thinks of the series after reading bloodlines first sounds really interesting to me :) anyways you're going to love dimitri!! hehe

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  11. One of the books in my waiting list. Do they ever stop making me wait? Lol.

    Anyway, I love badass female leads and I liked Sydney in VA being the Alchemist and all that. I also can't wait to read Adrian's POV. I feel bad for him in VA.

    Bloodlines! Can't wait!

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  12. Haha, yeah. I'd be happy to. Not sure if the reviews would be very interesting, since I imagine you know the books better than I do, but I'll keep a running log as I read them for you.

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  13. Myr: Just wait until AFTER you've read Bloodlines. Then you'll have to add the next book in the series to the waiting list and it starts all over!

    You guys make me want to read VA just because of this hinting about Adrian. <3

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  14. you will love Dimitri as much as Adrian, just in a different way :) super stoked about his book!! and ya the very beginning of Vampire Academy is kinda boring, but the ending is great and then the rest of the books are AMAZING <3

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  15. Dimitri put all other "vampire hotties" to shame...above & beyond the best male character in VA vamp books. The 1st cpl VA books are entertaining but it isn't until the 3rd I think it is that it get emotionally moving...from that point on, awesomeness :)

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  16. Anon, Turquoise: I'll keep that in mind and make sure I read to at least the fourth book, haha.

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  17. I love the entire 6-book VA series itself.. I picked up the first book and was finished with it as well as the next 4 within a week.. only to discover that I had misread the info when I researched the books and learned that the 6th book wouldnt come out to the Fall.. and it was only March.. But come fall I could not afford the book but instead got lucky and got it for xmas.. i was done in 2 days... Now I cannot wait to read Bloodlines.. and I definately love your reiew..
    -erica

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  18. you won't be able to put the books down after the 3rd book lol just saying, it gets super intense, and you'll get addicted!

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  19. Thanks, Erica. I'm glad I didn't let you down, then.
    And you guys are making me want to go run to my library now! If it weren't 11pm, I'd be there. D;

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  20. AHA told ya. Damn I need to get my shiz together. That's what we're doing tomorrow. Call me when you wake.

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  21. Isn't RIchelle Mead's writing magically genius? Shes one of my favorite author to go to for a good vampire story. I really am counting down the days till I get claws (hah pun...) into this book.

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  22. I agree with "Dimitri puts the other Vampire hotties to shame." He is a God!

    Well, Dimitri already had his happy ending though so I'm all ADRIAN for the win this time. Lol! Hmm? I've no problem with Sydney as the girl for him.. =)

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  24. I actually really loved Adrian and I was sad to read what happened to him. As much as I knew Rose would be with Dimitri because it was always hi
    , I was rooting for Adrian. I love him and I'm pretty sure he and Sydney will get together at some point as well. I've reread the VA series 3 times waiting for Bloodline to come out. Although I'm kind of sad that we won't be hearing a lot about Rose, Dimitri, Lissa, or Christian (who I also love!).

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  25. I lovee vampire academy!!!!!!!
    ThatSeries wass amazing!

    andd I cant wait til bloodlines comes out..!
    She is definitely one' of myy favorite authors

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  26. omg yes yes yes run do not walk and get all six books you will laugh, cry, and fall in love. I read the 6th book in just over 13 hours and then sighed cause there was no more lol VA series is beyond awesome! I am jealous though that you got to read Bloodlines already lol so glad you enjoyed it!

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  27. Zee: I've got nothing to do tomorrow after we do your tattoo, but I fully plan to enjoy my day off and sleep until 1. Just saying. >>

    Anon: I tend to root for the person I know won't get it too, in books. But it's definitely worth the wait. You won't be disappointed.

    Anon as well: Haha, I will. I may end up begging ZDee for her copies, if nothing else. And don't be jealous, haha, just be happy there's only a few more months until it'll be in your hands! And like I said, worth the wait. <3

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  28. I can hardly wait for it to come out, I love this series,

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  29. Awesome review. I'm a huge VA fan and this post has only made my anticipation for Bloodlines worse. Thank you. :)

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  30. OMG you have to read the VA books too, you will love it, Rose and Dimitri are such strong characters <3 I just hope they appear in Bloodlines too, I need more Dimitri in my life :D

    B.F.

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  31. Happy to be of service, Cfz. I hope you love it when you read it!

    And Anon, while I can't recall if Dimitri was particularly prevalent in Bloodlines, I can tell you that Rose pops up once or twice as a side character, and Adrian obviously mentions her a few times. ^^

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  32. Ok so the first Vampire Academy book I found hard to get thru but once you push thru it it's smooth sailing from there! I love the series. One of my faves! :)

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  33. Ha! You will love Dimitri MORE then Adrian!!!

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  34. That was a very nice review!
    After that I'll definitely buy bloodlines when it comes out :)

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  35. Should read Vampire Diaries anyway. Honestly don't understand how you could've put it down in the first place. Stupid humans.

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  36. I am a recent aussie VA fanatic. I read the whole series within two weeks and cried once it was over....its seems silly but I was so sad that the series ended. Only once I started reading Richelle Mead's blod daily did I find out 'Bloodlines' was being written and I was ecstatic. That is why I am so satistfied reading this review and knowing that it's going to be great.
    Thanks Abigail!!!!

    Tamika <3

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  37. Hi! I'm definitely a new follower! You have an interesting reviewing style, and btw i am so jealous that you haven't read vampire academy yet. You have so many hours filled with kick-ass awesomeness ahead of you)

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  38. how did you get to read it if it hasn't come out yet

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  39. I'll keep that in mind, Natalie.
    And I'm happy I haven't let you guys down with the review, haha.
    Anon, though, do you mean Vampire Academy? Or are you suggesting Vampire Diaries to me?
    Anon again: Again, glad to be of service. I really hope you enjoy it.
    Orhedea: I'm honored, haha. I hope I don't disappoint you with further reviews. Thank you. <3

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  40. well i can honestly say that i first read frost bite i was really taking by surprise of how rachille mead describe trhis whole other society of vapires and i was a twilight fan but i can say that now i am tore between team edward and team dimitri but in any case i will be so there to pick up my copy if bloodlines... but i am glad that ur reviw gave me more inside on the spin off and i think that u will really enjoy the whole series of vampire academy

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  41. Amazing review! I envy you so much for being able to read Bloodlines before August! :)

    Anyway! i've got a question :) is Bloolines full of action, suspense, romance...or just a mix? and the second one! did you read it pretty fast or you took your time? :o!

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  42. I'm happy I helped, Anon.

    Carolina: Haha, thanks. And don't worry, I'd say it's worth the wait.
    As far as your questions, romance isn't a big thing, probably because it's the first book, but there is some. There's a good bit of action, yeah, and there's actually a bit of a mystery aspect to the storyline, too. It was pretty cool. As far as reading, I read the first half pretty fast, but then I got to work and realized I had a slow five hour shift to read in, and only half of a book left, so I tried to read slow and make it last. So sort of both, I think.

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  43. YOU WILL LOVE DIMITRI HES LIKE AMAZING *DREAMY SIGH* :) thank you so much for this review i cant wait for bloodlines!! You should really read the other books and get to know rose better.. and dimitri and rose together are super bad ass lol:)
    -nina

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  44. It was a great review:) I can't wait to read Bloodlines. You were so lucky to get it sooner:).

    It's so funny that you have read it without reading Vampire Academy:)). I hope you will start to read it. It's a really marvellous series.
    I was the same as you.. I like vampires, but nowadays there are soo many vampire books, that I was totally tired of them. But my friends pushed me to read VA and it was one of the best decision I have ever made! I loved every words, every sentences and I was so sad when it has finished:(.

    My favourite was and is Adrian.. I was so sad about him in LS.. and I was so happy when I got information the he will be in Bloodlines:))).

    Kriszti from Hungary:)

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  45. so lucky!! I wish I where you! I want to know who the romance is about! But I assume you cant tell of course :) thank you so much for this review but now I will be whining like a maniac waiting for this book to come out haha...... I was wondering if you could give on a scale of 1-10 how much romance, action, and mystery was in the story but if you cant I understand. Do rose or Dimitri make an appearance in the story? Definitively read VA you will literally fall head over heels for Dimitri :)

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  46. Haha, I'll be sure to read them, Anon.

    Lupi: He definitely is, and I'm happy. He's a cool character. And I'm glad your friends pushed you into something good. ^^

    Anon:
    I can say that Rose does make an appearance, but I can't say much more than that, ;3
    Romance I can't rate because, while it was important to the story, I'm not sure if it was exactly...well, there isn't much I can say without spoiling it for you, to be honest.
    Action was a 6-7, though, and mystery was high, maybe a 9-10.
    Hope you enjoy it when it comes out!

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  47. Action and mystery were rated soo high - I'm really excited!!! Although Sydney wasn't any of my favourite charaters, but I'm really curious about her story.

    Romance.. this will be a serie.. we have enough time to get more romance:)))
    Adrian..♥♥

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  48. D: I havent finnished Last Sacrifice yet!! I need to know what happens to Dimitri and Rose!
    And yes, Dimitri is a GOD!

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  49. Who is Jill's half vamp guardian? Wondered if it's someone we know from VA.....

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  50. do you have anything about eddie

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  51. Oh my God, I'm so excited. :D

    Haha, I'm really looking forward to reading about Adrian and I really want to know if my guess that Adrian and Sydney become a couple is correct :D

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  52. geeee! awesum review :D cnt w8 fr d buk..!! dmitri <3

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  53. Lupi, yeah, I'm already wishing for a sequel. x3

    Anon: Sorry, can't answer that for you. ;3

    David: He makes an appearance. You'll see how. ^^

    Girl: I'm glad. And you'll have to wait and see, hehe.

    Anon: I'm glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy it when it comes out.

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  54. when you say an appearence how much is he in it

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  55. could you tell me i f mia from vampire academy is in it

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  56. could you tell me if zoe sydneys sister is just in the first chapter or plays a majour role

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  57. Sorry, guys, but I try not to spoil the story, and giving you specific information might do that. You'll just have to wait until you get the book to find out. x3

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  58. Bloodlines doesent sound as interesting as the VA series... >.> ...I wish Richelle Mead would make another book after "The Last Sacrifice" cause she kinda left me hanging on the end there... i think somthing should happen were the royal court rejects her for being queen or somthing... or a huge strigoi attack happens and they take Lissa or Rose, or mabey Christian turns Strigoi

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  59. Does dimitri appear in the book?
    I can't wait to read the book and i'm so excited right now because of this amazing review that you wrote.
    Is adrian with a broken heart in the book? I bet that is has jealous of rose with dimka..

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  60. Whens the next book come out after bloodlines??? Read it and loved it and is almost as gd as much as VA....I feel so sorry for Adrian though....

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