Review: Bloodlines
08:00
By Richelle Mead
Source: Library, paperback
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires
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.
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.
After reading really enjoying the Vampire Academy series last summer, I was really excited to carry on with the world, and dive into Bloodlines. VA became one of my favourite series, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I expected this to be great. Though sadly, I was so disappointed. It really wasn’t as good as I hoped it to be, and to be honest, I wish I didn’t expect so much, so I wouldn’t feel as let down as I do now.
My main problem was Sydney. We were introduced to her in Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4), and I didn’t really mind her then (she didn’t have a massive storyline) - in Bloodlines though, I could barely stand her. She really let the book down for me, because the thing about her ‘not having any social skills’ just became boring, really quickly. It was cringe-worthy, and I just didn’t want to read about a bland character embarrassing herself!
Another thing I disliked about this book was that it seemed very similar to VA. It was set in a high school, though this time it was a normal, human high school. I felt like this could have been avoided (the reason for this setting was questionable anyway), and it just set the book up to be something that’s not a series in its own. I liked the vampire highschool, but a human highschool got a bit boring for me, because that's not what I came to read!
Though as the book progressed, I began to realise that I was enjoying it a lot more. After my original skepticism on the direction of the book (and this series), I was really happy to find that it was very different to what I expected. I didn’t like the continual focus on Sydney’s life at school, but I liked the mystery plot lines, and I enjoyed the way Sydney took things into her own hands. She showed her strengths in these bits, and although she is no Rose, I liked how she was independent and actually got stuff done!
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series, because I’m excited to see the direction it will go in. I don’t think I will enjoy it as much as VA, but I’d like to get into this world even more. I think it would be really interesting to find out more about the alchemists, so I look forward to reading more of it!
Hello! I'm D - a dog-loving feminist from the UK. You'll probably find me with my nose in a book or playing my clarinet
12 comments
I haven't read Vampire Academy yet, so I'm hesitant to read this series until I do. But I like the idea of putting alchemists in the same world of vampire, so hopefully I'll get this series one day! Great review!
ReplyDeleteErika @ Books, Stars, and the Pages in Between
Yeah, VA is much better, and I think it would make more sense if you read it first. I'd highly recommend you do, because it's one of my favourite series! Thanks :)
DeleteI totally agree, the focus on Sydney's school life was a bit detracting for me! But I loved the different plot lines, as well as how much more the Alchemist world was explored more in depth!
ReplyDeleteGeraldine @ Corralling Books
Yes, I totally agree! I liked how we founded out more about the Alchemist world, so I'm excited to read on, to find out even more about it!
DeleteThanks for the comment, Geraldine! :)
I haven't read Vampire Academy yet, but I felt sad knowing that this book is somewhat similar to VA. I personally dodge off reading anything that feels like similar to something, and full of clichès. I rarely read vampire paranormal stuff, and I thought this book was really great, but I guess it has lots of weaknesses that made you to not really enjoy it. :(
ReplyDeleteNice review, Denise! I'm sending you good luck for reading the next books of this series! :D
Fiona | A Girl Between the Pages
You've read this, but not VA? I haven't heard of many people who read this first! I think I would have a very different opinion if I read this series first, because I wouldn't be comparing it to VA so much.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks - I've heard the series picks up a bit, so hopefully I'll enjoy the rest a bit more :)
I really enjoyed Vampire Academy, but for some reason I have been so reluctant to read this... And for good reason, I guess. I never loved Sydney as a character in VA (who did, really), so that has really put me off with this. And it's set in high school? As if I'm not there already every single day. I definitely don't need to read about it, too XD
ReplyDeleteYeah, something about it always put me off a little, and now I can see why. I didn't like the idea of Sydney having her own whole series either! She was pretty annoying in VA. I know, too true! It's fun in contemporaries, but I don't want to read about homework when I'm meant to be doing my own! XD
DeleteThanks for the comment, Erin
I've never read Vampire Academy for some reason, but I read this synopsis and WOAH, it sounds cool. Although yes, bland characters with no social skills are quickly becoming hackneyed in YA. We definitely need more of other tropes!
ReplyDeleteI know! You should definitely read VA - it's an amazing series! I'm not sure on this series though... I'd say you should read it after VA if you want, but I'm not sure if it's a series worth reading. I agree - I'm getting a little bored!
DeleteI'm really sad to hear you didn't like it so much, although I totally get why. I just noticed I haven't even written a review for it back then but I remember that Sydney needs to grow on you. It takes a little time, because yes, at first she's awkward and can be a annoying/difficult but it gets better! :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the next books! Great review! <3
Yvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages
That's good to know! I hope she will, because she's the main reason I'm not loving this series. I have the next book from the library, so hopefully I'll enjoy it! Thanks for the comment! ☺
DeleteThanks for commenting! I read and respond to every comment, so make sure to check back to see my reply. Have a nice day! ☺♥