Review: Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead

Pages: 421

Publisher: Razorbill

Source: Library

Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge

Synopsis: Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning.

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Vampire Academy is one of my favourite series ever. They're some of the best escapes from reality and I never get tired of these books. That's why I was so sad when reading Last Sacrifice (which you could probably tell if you read my review of it). That being said, I wanted to read Bloodlines but had a long list of fears. I should not have worried.

Fear # 1) I worried I wouldn't like Sydney. I did. A lot. She was a capable, strong women and walked a very fine line. Sydney'a childhood kind of sucked and she barely had any fun. I enjoyed watching Sydney change and learn about her fears or when she felt awkward. I never thought I'd think that before since in Vampire Academy Syndey's aloof and helpful but a stickler to the rules. Seeing more of her really made me appreciate the complexity of her character.

Fear # 2) Adrian. I was so fearful of Adrian. I wanted him to be with Rose and the idea of Adrian with someone else just bugged me. This is the part that impressed me: Adrian was in pain. He was getting over Rose. Their romance meant something to him and he didn't get over her quickly. What I'm trying to say is that if he had, I would have been disappointed. This makes Adrian a more real character to me. I loved Adrian in Bloodlines, he's one of my favourite characters ever. I enjoyed reading about him and want more.

Fear # 3) What happened to all the other main characters we knew and loved? Rose, Lissa, Christian, Dimitri? Guess what, THEY'RE THERE. At least for a little while or mentioned here and there. And it's really not as weird as I thought it would be to read about Rose compared to reading as Rose. I liked it because now I feel like I know the story from more perspectives and a little bit more in depth.

Fear # 4) Boring plot. Well, I wasn't bored. Never. Bloodlines wasn't like Vampire Academy with lots of action everywhere, it was more "stuff happens" ish than that. There's less thrill but still a mystery. You still never want to stop reading. You still finish the last page hungry for more. There's still surprises, mysteries, twists and of course, trouble. It's just a different kind. There are new characters that are set up, as well as an addition to the mythology. Definitely more info on Alchemists.

My last thought was that even if I hadn't have read Vampire Academy, I still would have enjoyed Bloodlines. I did like Bloodlines a lot because of Vampire Academy though so I think the series still has a ways to go in establishing itself. I can't wait to see where the story goes. (I hope it's really long.) I'll also stop comparing the two series after this review, as they're both good in their own ways. I'm wavering between 4 and 4.5 so I'll round up. 4.5 stars!

**** & 1/2 *

Some Awesome Book Trailers

I was browsing Youtube and I saw these. Enjoy!



Dark Eden looks like a must read. I got a Shutter Island-esque feeling and I love Shutter Island so maybe I'll love Dark Eden.




I love how this trailer was done. I already want to read this book since I really like Bright Young Things. Overall, I waannt this book.




I know, I know, Bloodlines has already been released. I just had to post it since this was the first time I saw it and maybe some other fan will see it? Anyway, I loved the book and I like the trailer. I swear, these books should be a TV show!

Review: Last Sacrifice

Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 594 (Hardcover)
Source: Library
Synopsis:  She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

My review:

I need to say first of all that I love this series. Major huge fan girl  here. I'm not sure how objective I am or how helpful this review might be...

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Last Sacrifice begins like the other books in the series: with a bit of calm (or as much calm as there is in that world) while Rose sums what's happened and how she's in the latest mess. After that it's all action.

Rose has really grown as a character. In every book she's matured more and more. She's learnt what love is as the series continues, even more in Last Sacrifice. Yes, Rose does make a choice between Adrian and Dimitri. And I think she makes the right choice for her. Rose's relationship with Lissa also grows. They truly would do anything, even die for each other and all through the series their friendship and bond is there, growing stronger. Last Sacrifice shows both Rose and Lissa's strengths of character, but also their vulnerabilities.

The plot is truly phenomenal. Everything ties up from the past books, and it's obvious that the conclusion that happens is the one meant to be. It makes sense. Previous characters all take part in it. Little bits from the previous books' stories are all there. Was the ending satisfying? Yes, definitely for me. The important issues are solved with many plot twists: though I did suspect a couple of them, some of them were shocking. I'm still absorbing everything.


Was this a good conclusion to the series? Yes and no. It's definitely the perfect plac to end Rose's story, and the ideal place to begin other stories. Many plot lines haven't been concluded and I'm excited to see them in Bloodlines, the spinoff. To be honest, this doesn't feel like the end. With the spinoff, the world will continue and I'm sure we'll see (or at least hear) more of Rose and Lissa.

All in all, this Last Sacrifice is bittersweet. It's am ending in some ways, but a beginning in others. It's the perfect conclusion and leaves me satisfied, if not a tiny bit sad. It's like finishing the Harry Potter or Hunger Games series, you feel like you've lost something, but it's better since there's a spinoff. Due to the action, the intricate plot, the suspense, mystery, romance, and the fabulous characters, Last Sacrifice gets 5 stars,

*****

Bloodlines
I have to say, after reading Last Sacrifice, I'm even more excited to read Bloodlines. I now understand why some characters are chosen to have point of views, and I already miss the VA world. I have a feeling that this will be another fabulous, well-written series by Richelle Mead.

-P.E.