Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines, Book One

Publisher: Puffin

Format: Paperback

Published: 25^th August 2011

Number of Pages: 432

Book: For Review From Penguin*

Genre: Paranormal, Dark Romance, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Action, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Mild Swearing, Drinking

No Drug References

Author's Blog: Richelle Mead

Warning: Contains Spoilers From The Vampire Academy Series

Sydney protects vampire secrets – and human lives.

Sydney belongs to a secret group who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the world of humans and vampires.

But when Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, she fears she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway.  What unfolds is far worse.  The sister of Moroi queen Lissa Dragomir is in mortal danger, and goes into hiding.  Now Sydney must act as her protector.

The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathising with vampires.  And now she has to live with one…

Review:

Ever since Sydney Sage helped dhampir Rose Hathaway, she has been shunned by the rest of her secret organisation, the Alchemists.  Their goal being to protect humanity from vampires, associating with a half-vampire is not helping Sydney’s case.  So when a job pops up, Sydney sees a chance to redeem herself.  Until she finds out that it involves living with a Moroi.  And not just any old Moroi – Queen Vasilisa Dragomir’s younger sister and only relative, who is a being targeted by rebels.  This will not help Sydney rid herself of the name ‘vamp lover’…  Of course, it doesn’t help that darker goings-on are happening in their new home.  Ones that could prove to be deadly…

I have to admit, when I saw that a spin-off series of Vampire Academy was coming out, I thought: “Oh!  It’s not going to be the same – can’t be the same – without Rose!”  I was, of course, a total fool to doubt the brilliance of Richelle Mead.  Sure, I missed Rose.  But Bloodlines just blew me away completely.  The characters, the action, the humour, the plot, the setting… everything was just perfect!  I loved every single moment, just zooming through the book at break-neck speed.  And, as I read, I just thought how much I wanted the book to go on and on and on…  Yeah.  It was just that good!

Sydney was awesome.  Eighteen, an Alchemist, Sydney was smart, practical and… well, awesome!  When she first appeared in Blood Promise, I wasn’t too keen on her.  But I got past the suits and righteousness quickly and realised I really, really liked her.  She has this wonderful, dry kind of humour about her: she made me laugh – and grin – a lot.  She was also wonderfully bad in social situations – she really didn’t get people.  It was hilarious!  So, ok, Sydney wasn’t a kick-butt guardian like Rose.  But she was smart, funny and would do anything for the ones she cared about – die for them, fight for them.  And, in that way, she was very much like our dear Miss Hathaway.  Oh, and I loved Sydney, if you hadn’t gathered.

Now for the ‘supporting cast’.  Jill: I’ve always loved her!  She’s so full of energy and often nervous, but she’s just so cute!  And all rambly!  But, in the events preceding this book, she’d had to go through so much – it was terrible…  (Intrigued, yet?)  And then we have Adrian Ivashkov.  I have always loved Adrian Ivashkov.  Now, this is how it went down:   Adrian enters the cast.  And, instantly, I’m laughing.  He’s just that brilliant.  And, even better, underneath the sarcastic, snarky, I’m-so-wonderful exterior is someone who is damaged, but amazingly sweet and deep.  This is blatantly obvious whenever he’s around ‘Jailbait’ – Jill for those who haven’t read the books.  I love him!  Oh, and Eddie Castille makes an appearance!  I really liked Eddie – always have, ‘cause he’s sweet and brave, and very sarcastic when needed – which, basically, is whenever Adrian is involved.

I’ll end with a sort-of badguy.  An Alchemist.  Keith Darnell.  Grr.  Sydney didn’t like him – at all.  And I hated him from the moment he walked in.  He was smug, arrogant and just rubbed me the wrong way. 

Bloodlines was super-fast pace and exciting!  Even when there was no action, it was so, so addictive!  And, as usual with Richelle’s books, I guessed some of the more basic twists, but there were more where my guesses were way off mark.  Like out-of-the-park incorrect.

Really, it was so cool to see the problem – and world – from the Alchemists’ point-of-view.  It was amazing to see more into the Alchemist organisation, their secrets and mission.  Even if I didn’t entirely like all of their beliefs and strict social rules.

And, true to all Richelle’s novels, I felt so much throughout the book.  I laughed – a lot – I held my breath, I hoped, I smiled, I felt like crying…  How does she make me feel every.single emotion Sydney does?

I need The Golden Lily.  ASAP.  Now.  Its release honestly can’t come soon enough!  Bloodlines ended on one of the worst one-sentence cliffhangers ever!  And, in the sequel, can we look forward to a few new love triangles?  We’ll just have to wait and see…  But, I’m tellin’ you now, I am packing my bags and moving here, to this wonderful, wonderful world.  I don’t think I can wait until next year!  So…  Bye!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Vampire Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Parajunkee’s View)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review

Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead

Adapted By: Leigh Dragoon

Illustrated By: Emma Vieceli

Series: Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel, Book One

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: Paperback

Published: 23^rd August 2011

Number of Pages: 144

Book: For Review from Penguin*

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Dark Romance, Paranormal, Action, Magic, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Steamy Scene

No Alcohol, Drug References

Author's Blog: Richelle Mead

The international bestseller – as you’ve never seen it before…

Lissa Dragomir is a mortal vampire.  She must be protected at all times from the fiercest and most dangerous vampires of all – the ones who will never die.

Rose Hathaway is Lissa’s best friend  - and her bodyguard.

Now, after two years of illicit freedom, they’ve been dragged back inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir’s Academy.  The girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night-time rituals.

But above all, they must never let their guard down, lest the immortal vampires take Lissa – forever.

Review:

Rose and Lissa ran away from their school.  For two years, they remained hidden – from both the school’s guardians and the Strigoi – but now they’re being taken back.  All Rose wants to do is keep Lissa safe.  But more danger lurks inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir’s Academy...

Vampire Academy has got to be my favourite vampire series – ever.  So when I saw that there was a graphic novel coming out, I was so excited.  In my head, I saw a thing of wonders, with all my favourite characters brought to life.  I was almost certain that the real book was never going to be able to live up to my imagined one.  Boy, was I wrong.  It was even better!

The plotline was very much the same as that of the novel, although it was a lot shorter and faster – abrupt, almost.  I was just swept along, never let go.  Admittedly, a few of my favourite quotes and the odd scene were left out, but transferring them to graphic novel form would be hard, and I understand that.  Plus, all the important scenes are there, and even without reading the book, I know I would have completely understood everything and been one-hundred-per-cent hooked.  I just loved how all of Rose’s thoughts were laid out – Leigh Dragoon, the editor, did a wonderful job of picking her most important inner-musings and using them in a way that described everything.  So, let’s just say: I loved how the plot was adapted!

As for the artwork, well, it just blew me away!  All ‘my’ characters looked perfect.  Rose looked both fierce and vulnerable, which is exactly how I always saw her in the series.  Lissa is pale and strikingly beautiful.  Dimitri is hotness in a trench coat.  However, my favourite of the anime-bunch has got to be Christian.  He just looks perfect: beautiful, quiet and solitary.  And the Strigoi: really creepy and really scary.

Finally, another quick word on the characters: they were just like in the book.  And I don’t mean looks-wise.  This time, I’m talking about personalities.  Every single distinct characters’ personality from the series has been perfectly carried over into the graphic novel.  Rose was independent, snarky and protective.  Lissa was sweet, vulnerable and kind.  Dimitri was quiet, smart and God-like.  Christian was sarcastic and slightly haunted.  Even with just pictures, a few quotes and odd Rose-thoughts here and there, all these characters were alive, and just as they were in the book.  Personally, I thought that was really impressive – I’ve known graphic novel adaptations that have completely lost their characters in translation.

With beautiful illustrations, a fast pace and wonderful wording, Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel was everything I hoped for and more.  Dark, dangerous and at the same time sweet and entrancing, the storyline was just perfection.  I just adored seeing how magic looked, how the fighting looked…  It was just amazing!  I, for one, cannot wait for the next in this series – Frostbite – to come out next April.  April cannot come soon enough!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Vampire Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Parajunkee's View)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review

Vampire Academy – Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Penguin Razor Bill

Format: Paperback

Published: 2010

Number of Pages: 585

Book: Bought

Genre: Dark Romance, Action, Fantasy, YA

Paperback | Hardcover | Perfect Paperback

Warning: Contains Spoilers From Previous Books

It all comes down to now.

The Queen is dead and the Moroi world will never be the same.

Rose Hathaway is awaiting wrongful execution and there exists only one man who can stall this terrible fate.  Rose must look to both Dimitri and Adrian, the two great loves of her life, to find him.

With her best friend, Lissa, in a deadly struggle for the royal throne, the girls find themselves forced to rely upon enemies and questioning those they thought they could trust...

But what if true freedom means sacrificing the most important thing of all?

Each other.

Review:

All I can say is that I love this series – and I mean love it. 

Last Sacrifice was a little bitter-sweet; sweet because it was absolutely amazing and bitter because it’s the last one in the series told from Rose’s point of view.  Of course, there is a new spin-off series coming out soon – but not soon enough – about other characters from the books.  I have it on fairly good authority that we met them in Blood Promise...

Last Sacrifice started a few days after Spirit Bound finished – and after one of the most mind-blowing cliff-hangers ever.  Rose is in trouble, again, but for once she’s actually innocent.  She’s been accused of murdering Queen Tatiana, and the evidence is enough to get her locked up and awaiting trial – a trial that, if she’s found guilty, will lead to her execution... 

Rose is good-old Rose: brilliant, smart, sarcastic and just plain awesome.  Plus, she shows her weak sides; like how she’s completely incapable of sitting still and the fact that she’s claustrophobic.  All these teeny details make her so real, so unique.  I feel like I actually know her, like I’ve actually been there with her, like she’s actually my best friend.  Insane?  Probably.  That’s just how these books make me feel – Richelle Mead is just that good.  I’m honestly going to miss her, even though I know she isn’t real.

Dimitri’s back!  You guys have no idea how hard it was for me to keep the lid on that one.  Probably one of hardest things I’ve ever done.  But, he’s back, and I’m so happy!  You can tell that his time as a Strigoi has scarred him, but he’s stronger than ever.  And some of the scenes between Rose and him... some of the things they said... pure genius.  And Dimitri, well, you should know I’ve always been Team Dimka, Team Comrade.  I just love him, and I really liked seeing his slightly vulnerable side.

Lissa... I’ve always loved her.  Now though, well, wow.  She showed just how strong, how beautiful and how good she can be, and I loved her even more for it.  The complete selflessness she showed, and her protection for Rose has made her more amazing in my eyes than she’s ever been before.  She’s grown up, and I can hardly recognise her as the insecure girl who cut herself from the first book. 

Plus, the way Richelle Mead effortlessly links Lissa and Rose’s stories still amazes me.  I loved the way Rose let us have an inside peek at all the mayhem at the Royal Court, even while she was right in the middle of her own dilemmas. 

It’s really hard to know how to describe this book without giving anything away.  So, I’m going to say: it’s brilliant.  Action-packed, suspenseful, beautiful, funny, and absolutely amazing.  And, again, I was caught by surprise.  I honestly don’t remember a series that has caught me more off-balance that Vampire Academy has.  I loved the feeling: it made me need to read on – sometimes more than I felt I needed to sleep, eat or work. 

Also, I’ve fallen in love with every single character, and not just the main ones, but all of them.  Mia, Jill, Eddie, Mikhail, Sydney – everyone.  And the world Mead’s created... it’s one of my very favourite fictional worlds ever.  I would pack my bags and move there now if I could.  I don’t want to leave it, don’t want to leave Rose, but the coming of Bloodlines eases the blow a little.  It’s released in August – I think – and I’m counting down the days.

This series has made me feel everything: love, hate, fear, laughter, terrible sadness, joy, and almost belonging.  If you haven’t read this, you’re probably going to think I’m completely insane.  If you have, you’ll – hopefully – understand.  I know Vampire Academy is going to be one of the first books I pick up when I need to escape: a comfort book.  That may sound odd, but this book is so incredible I can’t praise it enough.  If you haven’t read it, read it right. now.  I mean it.  It definitely won’t disappoint. 

P.S. Quick note on the covers: I love the new red paperback (it's the one I have) and I love the hardback: very dramatic.  But... what's with the girl on the Perfect Paperback book?  Is she Rose?  Is she Lissa?  It's confusing!  What do you make of it?

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read This Book If You Liked:

Vampire Academy: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Dark Academy by Gabriella Poole

The Immortals Alyson Noel

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)
A-Z Reading Challenge (Hosted by Book Junky)

Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Vampire Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Parajunkee's View)

Teaser Tuesday (#2)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Here are the rules:

 

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Technically, I've already finished the book my Teaser's from... but it had such great quotes!  So, my Teaser Tuesday this week is from Vampire Academy: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead.  Enjoy!

Chapter One, Page 1

I don't like cages.

Chapter One, Page 10

I'm not supposed to die this way.  I'm not supposed to see it coming.  My death is not some appointment penciled in on a calender.

Chapter Four, Page 53

"Oh Lord.  You're the one who's been doling out C4."

"You make it sound so easy," he said with a frown.  "That stuff's hard to get a hold of."

  

Chapter Four, Page 54

“Ah, my daughter,” he said. “Eighteen, and already you’ve been accused of murder, aided felons, and acquired a death count higher than most guardians will ever see.” He paused. “I couldn’t be prouder.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine, Page 466

What  I did... What I did was unforgivable."

 

Chapter Thiry-Two, Page 522

"What’s going on?” he demanded.
“The usual, old man,” I replied cheerily. “Danger, insane plans... you know, the stuff that runs in our family."

Chapter Thirty-Two, Pages 527-528

'What I'd like to know is: who in the world are you?'

'I'm Rose Hathaway.'

I'm so, so, so sad that the series from Rose's POV is over.  Buut...  Bloodlines is out soon, so I don't have to leave the world just yet - thankfully.

Hope you liked the teasers, and my review of Last Sacrifice will be posted later today.  Anyone else have any teasers?

Chapter Eleven, Page 177

"Hey, enjoy where you're at, remember? Not where you can't go."

He reluctantly shut the book and dragged his eyes away from it. "How'd you get so wise?" he teased.

"I had a good teacher."

Chapter Twelve, Page 190

"Having your own, um, cave at eighteen is pretty cool." It would have been cooler still with electricity, Internet, and plumbing, but there was no need to bring that up.

 

Ah, loved this book.  And you can read my review: here.  If you haven't read this series, read it now.  And I mean right-this-second now.  It's worth it and definately will not let you down!

Vampire Academy – Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Penguin Razor Bill

Format: Paperback

Published: 2010

Number of Pages: 480

Book: Bought

Genre: Dark Romance, Action, Fantasy, YA

Old Paperback | Hardcover | New Paperback

Warning: Contains Spoilers From Previous Books

Rose’s life will never be her own.

Rose Hathaway has been outrunning death ever since she swore to be the protector of her best friend, Lissa, no matter what.

She’s finally made it back to the haven of St. Vladimir’s but with Dimitri, the boy she once loved, stalking her, Rose can only run so far.

She failed to kill him when she had a chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true.  Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her.  And if Rose won’t join him, he won’t rest until he has silenced her... forever.

Review:

I honestly don’t know what to say about this other than Richelle Mead has done it again.  She’s created another book that made me go on an emotional-rollercoaster, and race to get to the end.  But this is the penultimate in the series from the POV of Rose!  So, at the same time, I really, really didn’t want to finish!  I think I’m a Vampire Academy addict.

It picks up where Blood Promise finished: Rose is back at the relative-safety of St. Vladimir’s; back with Lissa.  It’s graduation, which means leaving school and having to go out into the real world.  But, unlike she thought, Rose hasn’t killed Dimitri.  And now he’s stalking her.  She knows that leaving the academy and its magical wards that keep the undead, evil Strigoi out. 

 So: Dimitri is after Rose; she’s promised Adrian that she’ll give their relationship a real try, even though she knows that she still loves Dimitri; and on top of it all, there’s the huge problem of whether all of Rose’s antics have damaged her chances of being assigned to Lissa as her guardian...

And, of course, there are the usual mad-Rose schemes - actually, they're even more insane than normal.  One of them is her plan to 'save' Dimitri, and she's prepared to go to any lengths to do it...  But, I can't say anymore without giving the story away, so you'll just have to read it.

Back to the review; overall: amazing.

Once again, I have to say how much I love Rose.  She’s brilliant.  I can’t say what it is about her, but she’s got to be one of my favourite heroines ever.  Sassy, smart-mouthed, and badass, she takes everything on with a snarky comment or two.  But, underneath all the sarcasm, it’s obvious that’s had to mature a lot.  After everything she’s seen and done... well, I think it’s changed her forever, and her heart has definitely been broken once or twice.  And yet, even then, she’s funny and strong.  I have no idea how she does it, but I love her for it!  It’s impossible not to.

As for Lissa and Christian, well, they obviously still love each other, but after all the mayhem Avery caused in Blood Promise, they broke up.  It broke my heart: they’re perfect together!  But, Lissa, of course, is sweet and strong as ever, fitting in perfectly with both Academy and Royal Court life.  Lissa always seemed to be a little... unstable, I guess is the word, constantly leaning on Rose.  Now, she's absolutely brilliant, grown-up, living up to her royal heritage and Rose even leans on her at times.

Now, Adrian: I love him.  Even knowing that Rose ran over to Russia for Dimitri, he still loves her – and I mean really loves her.  He’s so sweet, and you can see how hard he tries to change for Rose.  And, despite all the effects spirit has on him, he is a really good guy.  Plus, he’s grown up too, all for Rose.  Though, he does still have his sarcastic moments, which I love.  Did I mention how sweet he was?

Again, written absolutely brilliantly, and just as addictive as ever, Spirit Bound definitely didn’t let me down.  Actually, parts of the plot were complete surprises to me – and I’m normally really good at guessing twists.  I’m not ashamed to say that it made me cry again, before making me laugh the next minute. 

I love this series, and it’s become one of my favourite ever: I really, really don’t want it to end!  So, we have tears, laughter, twists, sarcasm, surprises, unbelievable cliffhangers and incredible characters.  Completely extraordinary, I honestly can’t recommend it enough.  I swear, this series just seems to get better and better as it goes along.  Honestly can’t wait for Last Sacrifice, even if it does mean no more Rose: I just need to know what happens next!

I’m off to fetch my copy of Last Sacrifice now.

Quick note on the cover: I love the new paperback, mainly because of the little quote on it: 'That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...'  But I do love the hardcover, though I'm not entirely sure who it's meant to be...?  What do you think?

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Vampire Academy: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Vampire Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Parajunkee's View)