Bloodlines #1: Bloodlines

Our beloved characters from a different view-point...don't we just love spin-offs! Anyways I present before you all my much awaited review of Bloodlines #1 Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, a spin-off series of the bestselling Vampire Academy series by the mentioned author.

Here is the summary of the book:

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy. 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. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning. 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.

As I already mentioned the Vampire Academy is finished so Bloodlines can be explained as a continuation of the same settings albeit with a new point of view. Easy enough to understand that while the Vampire Academy series focuses fully on the moroi vampires and the Dhampirs; Bloodlines focuses its centrifugal point a.k.a. POV on the alchemist, Sydney Sage.

It begins with Sydney who is well in hot waters regarding helping the ex-convict (not any longer) Rose escaping with Dimtri. She knows that an alchemist's job is not an easy life and you would be bogged down by a lot of prejudices prevalent in this business regarding the dhampirs or the moroi, which Sydney has come to realize are ill founded and baseless after spending so much time on the run with both Rose and Dimitri. She just wants her little sister Zoe to stay out this and keep her safe.

So in order to save her skin from punishment as well keep her sister Zoe out of this, she reluctantly agrees to a new mission alongside her enemy Keith Darnell. It can be sufficiently explanatory that there is no love lost between these two (no great past dealings if you ask me). The mission - help protect Jill Dragomir, whose life is in danger as she is the half sister of Queen Vasilisa "Lissa" Dragomir and it is customary that the ruling party has at least one family to support its rule...so queue the trouble from the opposed party. So Sydney, Eddie and Adrian must do all they can to keep a low profile over Jill in sunny Palm Springs. Well easier than done, too many problems and not only that but maybe Palm Springs is not all bright and sunny as it feels.

Bloodlines can be be seen as a tie-up-loose-ends type. We all know Rose, Dimitri, Lissa, Christian and the others got their happy ending but not Adrian (our hearts go out to him) so although bloodlines doesn't need the help of Vampire Academy series to help it stand cause it is good enough on its own. Also we see a lot of our favourite characters from Vampire Academy to sate our desires.

Sydney, is our protagonist here and she is as strong and brave as ever. She is very professional, she sees the horrors of society and well as of her job. She knows that in her line of work sometimes unholy alliances must be made in order to make things work.

Then, there is Adrian, we all know his vices, we know he loves Rose but sadly it is not possible and he must also do everything he can in order to grow out of it and help keep Jill safe. Adrian although is mostly seen as a careless royal who knows nothing but having fun and attacking liquor cabinets, also has his own moments. He can also be rather protective when he wants to be.

This book is a definite hit in my dictionary. Richelle Mead has laid out a perfect beginning for this wonderful series. And now I'm definitely excited for the next book "The Golden Lily".