Bloodlines (book 1)

A slow, and at times tediously childish read. It felt like it was written for a younger audience than the VA series, which even years later and no longer a teenager I liked, this however didn’t feel age appropriate. I only read this to see some insight into life for rose and dimitri after last sacrifice but there are only tiny, dreadfully forced, cameos.I’m writing this review after reading the whole of this series, so would say it only gets interesting at around book 4, so would recommend starting there!Sydney and the plots that follow the first couple of books just fall a little flat, not feeling well thought out in the way VA was.

Bloodlines is a spin-off series of the vampire academy series in which the alchemist Sydney has to look after Jill because she is being hunted by assassins trying to stop Lissa staying Queen. Also girls are being murdered and there tattoo which have unique powers.I really like Sydney's character and while both rose and Sydney are both protective and loyal, Sydney likes to think before acting and enjoys learning new things which I can really relate to.I'm really glad some of our favourite characters return such as Jill and Eddie but it was also good to meet new ones like Keith and Trey. However was I am really happy about is that Adrian is back, although I always thought Rose should be with Demitri, I really hope Adrian his happily ever after.I also like how the romance in this series is slower and more realistic than most YA paranormal romances, and while there was not much romance in this book there is a lot of potential.Although it is a bit slower than the vampire academy series it was brilliant and kept on making you guess what was going on and who the bad guys are. I would recommend Bloodlines to anyone who likes or loves the vampire academy series.

WOW! What a fantastic start to a series that is undoubtedly going to be phenomenal. I absolutely devoured it!I'll attempt to explain to you why you should read this in a more coherent manner from now on. I was more than apprehensive about this one, after having loved the story and characters of Richelle Mead's previous series "Vampire Academy" because I thought any future series just couldn't match up. I was so wrong.The world we're used to revolves around Rose and Lissa but not anymore! Now we're re-introduced to Sydney - an alchemist from the previous series. Sydney protects vampire secrets and human lives by acting as a sort of bridge between the human world and the vampires hiding in it. This time Sydney is asked to help the sister of the Moroi (good-vampire) queen by acting as her protector and now she has to live with her to keep her cover.Rose has some real competition for favourite character after this amazing book. Rose and Syndey couldn't be more different with Sydney's insecurities and almost human nature but I just loved her.Give this a read, you'll really be missing out if you don't.

In this spinoff from the utterly brilliant  Vampire Academy  series, we move away from Rose, Dimitri and Lissa, and follow Jill, Eddie and Sydney to a new school in Palm Springs. With `new girl' syndrome to contend with, a strange tattoo parlour, and a series of murders, Sydney has her work cut out for her.Mead writes really well but I have to say that this book, while good, lacks the power and intensity of the original series. None of the characters have the sheer charisma of Rose who steals the show even in her brief walk-on cameo. I really wanted to know what was happening back at Court with Lissa and Rose, and found it frustrating that this was ignored.So I thought I wasn't going to get hooked on this new series - until that last line! Now I have to read the next book... Vampire Academy

First of all i would recommend you to read the Vampire Academy series before starting this book.Having read all the previous Vampire Academy books, i was eager for this spin off book to come out, though at times, also a little wary. Nevertheless, i pre-ordered it and am happy to admit that it lived up to the expectations of VA and of what i had in my head. :DThe plot for the story had many twists and turns that made you read on in anticipation. There was never a dull moment and many interesting revelations to read.Although Sydney is the complete opposite to Rose, she was still a refreshing character to read. Calm and collected and i loved how her mind worked through situations. Rose and Dimitri are mentioned throughout the book in case you, like me, felt a little bit sad without them. Although i'm always and forever going to be on Team Dimitri, it brought a smile to my face to read more about Adrian and his witty remarks.Jill is the same lovable character we first met in Shadow Kiss and now we get to see how her character develops after becoming 'princess'. Eddie is such a sweet guy that you want to take away all the pain he's suffered.I have to say that the cliffhanger for this book made me cry out in happiness and then frustration at having it end there and now i will be waiting impatiently for June 2012 for the sequel to come out.A great read and will not disappoint you.