Review: Bloodlines

Title - Bloodlines
Author - Richelle Mead
Series or Standalone - Bloodlines #1
Genre - Young Adult Vampires
Publication - August 23rd 2011
(Goodreads) & (Amazon)
Rating 5 out of 5

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...

Review

I picked Bloodlines for my bingo group this week and I'm glad I did. Sydney is an alchemist for her family but she's not active currently do some trouble she got into with a dhampir (half vampire). Sydney is awakened one night, and informed that she will be going undercover to protect Jill a teenage vampire royal who had been attacked. Sydney is ready for college but now she's going to be repeating her senior year pretending to be the old sister of a vampire, so she can protect her from the Strigoi who are killing young Moroi woman.

Sydney and Jill are attending a human school in Palm Springs, trying to blend in but with Jill's tall willowy build it's not so easy for her. She's also having issues being out in the sun, which the mean girls use as an excuse to torment her. Thankfully Jill has her companion a spirit using Moroi Adrian who she shares a special connection with her. Jill also has a bodyguard on campus Eddie who pretends to be her older brother, so when a human boy takes an interest in Jill which is taboo in there world, Sydney needs to put a stop to it. While at school Sydney notices the football team is all getting steel grey tattoos which seem to be boosting their game. Soon having to save her friend who had just gotten a copper tattoo Sydney sets out to find out what is going on. With Adrian's help she may just be able to solve the mystery and keep Jill alive.

I haven't read any of Richelle Mead's books so I wasn't influenced by the characters in the other books that might be in this series. I liked Sydney she thinks like I do so for me it was easy to relate to her and I actually liked her character she's smart and I found her entertaining. I liked learning about the two types of vampires as well as the alchemist aspect I thought that was really fun. I wasn't sure what to expect since I've been hearing mixed reviews from lots of people but for me I enjoyed it if anything I think it's taken the spot of my favorite young adult vampire series. I'm tempted to check out its Vampire Academy but I'm not 100% sure yet. I found the story well written as well as the characters well developed which is a must in my book. I like how the book sucks you in right from the start with Sydney being dragged out of bed, for me that was the hooking moment. I also like the twists and turns though out the story I had moments where I thought I had it figured out only to find out I was way off. I think the chemistry between Sydney and Adrian has a lot of potential plus the whole alchemist and Moroi relationship I think it will be exciting for both of them but I could be wrong. Overall great first book in the series and I'm glad I have the next book because I want more.