wildwhuck's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about 100 pages too long (which seems to be a problem for Ms Mead). It takes a long time to set up plot lines and could have done with some editing. I like how Sydney and Adrain's love story is evolving much better than Rose and Demitri. I wish there was more Jill in the story, but seeing how this is told from Syndey's perspective doubt that would happen.
octagonal's review against another edition
5.0
Original review: I really love Sydney and Adrian, and I'm so excited for the rest of this series. I can't wait to see these characters grow and become the epic team you know they'll be.
Reread review: I enjoyed this even more this time, after having just finished rereading the VA series. Poor Adrian bb... I think this book is necessary, as a reader, to help you get over the Adrian Situation. Because while I am all dreamy eyes about Rose and Dimitri, I do feel quite a bit of reader guilt over Adrian. SO, yes, this book. And the shippiness and the adorableness of it all. UGH, MY HEART. Also, Sydney is amazing.
Original ready: Aug 2011
Reread: March 2012
Reread review: I enjoyed this even more this time, after having just finished rereading the VA series. Poor Adrian bb... I think this book is necessary, as a reader, to help you get over the Adrian Situation. Because while I am all dreamy eyes about Rose and Dimitri, I do feel quite a bit of reader guilt over Adrian. SO, yes, this book. And the shippiness and the adorableness of it all. UGH, MY HEART. Also, Sydney is amazing.
Original ready: Aug 2011
Reread: March 2012
goodbetterbetsy's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read any of the Vampire Academy books yet and even though Bloodlines is the start of a new spin-off series, I just feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the other series first.
raviel's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
__________
Reread 15/10/16
Literally rereading for the purpose of reviewing. I only read VA so I could start this series. And then I had a lot of problems with VA, the majority of which was how a certain character treated all the main characters in this book. So naturally I was excited they were all going to get away from that particular character.
There might be some ranting in here so I'm putting the whole thing as a spoiler.
In retrospect, I don't know how I managed to get through VA without banging my head against a wall. Well I did skim a bit, since I was excited for Bloodlines, and I couldn't wait for VA to end. I was just so done with Rose's drama. She was far from a kick-ass heroine, she is one of the most abusive characters who is highly romanticised as a strong female protagonist. For reference: Exhibit A
“Brilliant? You think I’m brilliant?” He threw his hands skyward. “You hear that, world? Sage says I’m brilliant.”
“That’s not what I said!”
I loved the Palm Springs gang. Truly. This was the story they deserved. To get away from all the shit storm at court, and away from the people that don't care about them, except when it serves their needs, and just be free of all that drama and toxicity.
These people, who all had their world turned topsy-turvy by the same person, these people who were mistreated, and sidelined for someone else's happiness, finally came together, and became a freaking family. They created something out of nothing. And this, right here, was what I loved the most about Bloodlines.
I loved watching Sydney go from being extensively uncomfortable around the Moroi to caring about her little family.
Keith was just bringing the glass to his lips when Adrian said, “Mmm. O positive, my favorite.”
Keith sprayed out the wine he’d just drunk and promptly started coughing. I was relieved that none got on me. Jill burst into giggles, and Clarence stared at his glass wonderingly.
“Is it? I thought it was a cabernet sauvignon.”
“So it is,” said Adrian, straight-faced. “My mistake.”
Keith gave Adrian a tight smile, like he too thought it was a funny joke, but I wasn’t fooled.
Adrian.... out here... getting back at Keith.... for Sydney... beautiful.
Anyways, I know some people didn't like Sydney, because compared to Rose she wasn't as kick-ass or whatever, but Rose wasn't any of that for me lmao, she was the worst, so whatever.
I loved Sydney in this. I loved seeing her struggling, yet continuing to fight back against the anti-vampire brainwashing she's been subjected to her whole life. Fighting against everything she knows, everything she's ever believed in, to overcome that kind of thing and think for herself, decide for herself, and make her own choices, despite what the Alchemists were feeding her. I liked Sydney in VA, I thought she was really interesting, and it was so different reading the book from her own p.o.v, but definitely worth it.
People didn’t believe in him very often. They had low expectations of him, so he did as well.
It was refreshing to see someone trying to understand Adrian for who he really was, (instead of... you know... using his vices against him (remember that contract in Blood Promise lmAo wtf), because nothing is worse than drinking and smoking, I'm sure.)
Adrian is someone I can personally relate to, when it comes to meeting expectations and feeling caged in by how you are, and how others expect/or want to see you. No one in VA seemed to understand this about him, it's great to see him around people who actually give a damn, and care about him. I'm glad he's found a sister in Jill, and her a brother.
I didn't like how everyone treated her in VA, especially after the secret came out about who Jill really was, and sure, it's a big deal, but she's still a young teen, and no one cared to ask her how she felt or what she wanted.
And I'm also pissed that no one except Eddie went to save her lmao.
“I mean, you’re obviously important. Everyone’s gone to a lot of trouble to keep you safe here.”
“But is it for me?” asked Jill. “Or is it to help Lissa keep the throne? She’s hardly spoken to me since she found out we were sisters.”
Uh, hello??? No one's given her or me any reason to think otherwise.
Keep this precious family away from court.
“My God, Sage. Your eyes. How have I never noticed them?”
That uncomfortable feeling was spreading over me again. “What about them?”
“The color,” he breathed. “When you stand in the light. They’re amazing . . . like molten gold. I could paint those . . .” He reached toward me but then pulled back. “They’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.”
bYE.
__________
Reread 15/10/16
Literally rereading for the purpose of reviewing. I only read VA so I could start this series. And then I had a lot of problems with VA, the majority of which was how a certain character treated all the main characters in this book. So naturally I was excited they were all going to get away from that particular character.
There might be some ranting in here so I'm putting the whole thing as a spoiler.
Spoiler
Anyways, I feel like I should preface this by actually acknowledging my issues with VA, or specifically, my anti Rose Hathaway sentiments.In retrospect, I don't know how I managed to get through VA without banging my head against a wall. Well I did skim a bit, since I was excited for Bloodlines, and I couldn't wait for VA to end. I was just so done with Rose's drama. She was far from a kick-ass heroine, she is one of the most abusive characters who is highly romanticised as a strong female protagonist. For reference: Exhibit A
“Brilliant? You think I’m brilliant?” He threw his hands skyward. “You hear that, world? Sage says I’m brilliant.”
“That’s not what I said!”
I loved the Palm Springs gang. Truly. This was the story they deserved. To get away from all the shit storm at court, and away from the people that don't care about them, except when it serves their needs, and just be free of all that drama and toxicity.
These people, who all had their world turned topsy-turvy by the same person, these people who were mistreated, and sidelined for someone else's happiness, finally came together, and became a freaking family. They created something out of nothing. And this, right here, was what I loved the most about Bloodlines.
I loved watching Sydney go from being extensively uncomfortable around the Moroi to caring about her little family.
Keith was just bringing the glass to his lips when Adrian said, “Mmm. O positive, my favorite.”
Keith sprayed out the wine he’d just drunk and promptly started coughing. I was relieved that none got on me. Jill burst into giggles, and Clarence stared at his glass wonderingly.
“Is it? I thought it was a cabernet sauvignon.”
“So it is,” said Adrian, straight-faced. “My mistake.”
Keith gave Adrian a tight smile, like he too thought it was a funny joke, but I wasn’t fooled.
Adrian.... out here... getting back at Keith.... for Sydney... beautiful.
Anyways, I know some people didn't like Sydney, because compared to Rose she wasn't as kick-ass or whatever, but Rose wasn't any of that for me lmao, she was the worst, so whatever.
I loved Sydney in this. I loved seeing her struggling, yet continuing to fight back against the anti-vampire brainwashing she's been subjected to her whole life. Fighting against everything she knows, everything she's ever believed in, to overcome that kind of thing and think for herself, decide for herself, and make her own choices, despite what the Alchemists were feeding her. I liked Sydney in VA, I thought she was really interesting, and it was so different reading the book from her own p.o.v, but definitely worth it.
People didn’t believe in him very often. They had low expectations of him, so he did as well.
It was refreshing to see someone trying to understand Adrian for who he really was, (instead of... you know... using his vices against him (remember that contract in Blood Promise lmAo wtf), because nothing is worse than drinking and smoking, I'm sure.)
Adrian is someone I can personally relate to, when it comes to meeting expectations and feeling caged in by how you are, and how others expect/or want to see you. No one in VA seemed to understand this about him, it's great to see him around people who actually give a damn, and care about him. I'm glad he's found a sister in Jill, and her a brother.
I didn't like how everyone treated her in VA, especially after the secret came out about who Jill really was, and sure, it's a big deal, but she's still a young teen, and no one cared to ask her how she felt or what she wanted.
And I'm also pissed that no one except Eddie went to save her lmao.
“I mean, you’re obviously important. Everyone’s gone to a lot of trouble to keep you safe here.”
“But is it for me?” asked Jill. “Or is it to help Lissa keep the throne? She’s hardly spoken to me since she found out we were sisters.”
Uh, hello??? No one's given her or me any reason to think otherwise.
Keep this precious family away from court.
“My God, Sage. Your eyes. How have I never noticed them?”
That uncomfortable feeling was spreading over me again. “What about them?”
“The color,” he breathed. “When you stand in the light. They’re amazing . . . like molten gold. I could paint those . . .” He reached toward me but then pulled back. “They’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.”
bYE.
carlyroth10's review against another edition
4.0
okok hear me out: this may be better than [b:Vampire Academy|345627|Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)|Richelle Mead|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361098973l/345627._SY75_.jpg|335933]. Not that I didn't love Vamp Acad and not that I didn't love Rose and Dimitri, but this one I just know is going in a better direction with the romance. CONTROVERSIAL I KNOW! Rose and Dimitri will forever be iconic but this duo just might, maybe, a teeny weeny tiny bit be better. I will say this one was very predictable, but if you are reading this for the thriller aspect and not the romance/drama then you are just a psychopath who has very low standards and have stumbled into the wrong genre.
kayleenconnor's review against another edition
1.0
I got halfway through this and I just can’t finish it. There is nothing of value with these characters, all one dimensional. Probably one of the worst things I’ve ever tried to read. To get halfway through a book with absolutely nothing going on. Not worth the time wasted.
stygianvixen's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing book and a great addition to the series. I enjoyed reading the book because following Sydney is so different than Rose. The story is filled with wonderful twists and so much new stuff and yet it had enough of the Vampire Academy world to make it a satisfying read. I cannot wait for the next book because the ending to this one made me extremely excited! Read it and you will not be disappointed :)
Although I am not "Team Adrian" or whatever you like to call it, I enjoyed him still being involved. The ending has me excited though!
Although I am not "Team Adrian" or whatever you like to call it, I enjoyed him still being involved. The ending has me excited though!