Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 421
Publisher: Razor Pill (Penguin), 2011 Hardcover

Goodreads summary:
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 summary:

First, let me state immediatly that if you haven't yet read Last Sacrifce and plan on doing so, do not read this book. I know that it stands apart from Vampire Academy, but it often goes back to what happens in that book. So that would be some major spoilage.

Secondly, I don't think you actually have to read the Vampire Academy series to read this book. As I just said, it does tell you the vital things that happened in the last series so that you understand what happened, but you just won't get that connection to the characters, since most were introduced through out VA.

Now, let's get this review started shall we?

Definitely better than I was hoping! But then again, I kind of had set it at a low standard to begin with. Not that Richelle Mead's writing is bad, it's just that I didn't think anything would be as good as the Vampire Academy again.

I'm so glad I was proved wrong!

The writing was excellent, once more drawing you into the mystery of what was happening. The book engulfs your attention, making you turn the page over and over again until you reach the end. It was wonderful!

The characters definitely played a part in it. Since most were reaccuring characters, I already had that bond with them. Their personalities weren't much different that Vampire Academy, so it wasn't liking they had been rewritten completley. Of course, actions and events change a person in real life, so they were a tiny bit different from the Vampire Academy series.

Eddie, continues to be my favorite! Though now he's a bit more serious.

Jill, Oh you'll love (or not) the plot twist in this one with her.

Adrian, still in love with him. Though possibly now even more! Alas, his heart still seems to be yearning for Rose. But I wonder if that will change soon.

Sydney! The main character of this story, she's by far the most interesting. Her conflicts seem so real, the eternal battle she has with what she knows and with what she grew up with. I feel like this happens often, in the real world and mostly with religion. I have the conflict myself at times, which makes it so much more interesting and personal.

The plot: interesting, though it would seem to have been done before. But of course, the little things Richelle Mead adds to the story makes it interesting and unique in its own way. The setting is great! I always wondered how they would fit in. The problem, interesting.

The new characters are some you're going to love and hate! Just as its meant to be. They're great, and I can't wait for all of you to enjoy them!

Overall: It was a good book, well written and definitley something all Vampire Academy readers will enjoy.

Rating: 4.3/5

Did I fall in love with the book: No, but close.
Would I reccommend it for someone else: Yes! Especially if you read VA.

Here's the book trailer for it. When I first saw it, I thought they were making a TV show. Then I kind of freaked out. So enjoy the USA TV Spot.