Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Release Date: 8/23/11
Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: 432
Overall: 

Blood doesn't lie...

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...

Over the years, I've prided myself as being a huge fan of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. Even now, years after its end, I enjoy reading about Rose and Dimitri and the gang. However, because I am such a big fan of Rose, I've been hesitant to start reading Bloodlines. I'm ashamed to say this book has been sitting in my closet next to my other books gathering dust. I didn't want to read unless it was about Rose and Dimitri and if I'm being honest, I always believed Adrian was meant for Rose. Which doesn't make sense because I love Rose with Dimitri...and see? Here I go, getting caught up with the VA series. Anyway, bottom line, I didn't find the idea of Adrian and Sydney as a couple appealing, which was obviously going to happen in the Bloodlines Series. But! Here I am now, giving in, only because I know The Golden Lily is coming out on Tuesday, and I want to be excited. Also, Richelle Mead is coming to Houston, therefore I must have myself prepared! So, now on with my opinion of Bloodlines...

Like I said, I wasn't sure how I'd take this book because of my bias, but once again Richelle Mead has concocted a masterpiece. She has such a way of writing that it feels like you're actually listening to someone tell you the story. It's a simplistic way of writing that is entertaining and welcoming. It's not hard to read at all, but instead very easy to get into the book and get lost in the world of Moroi, dhampirs, Strigoi and alchemists.

I have to say that I also enjoyed Sydney's point of view. Having read a lot of reviews on this book before reading the actual book, I knew others had seen a drastic change between Rose and Sydney as narrators. I have to say I agree with them. While Rose acts before thinking things through, Sydney spends most of her time analyzing her actions and the consequences ahead. While this was a big change, it wasn't a bad one. I found myself getting used to Sydney right away, and I liked that she was chosen as the narrator for this spin-off series. She's more interesting than I thought she would be, having only gotten a taste of her character from the Vampire Academy Series. It's interesting seeing another side of the Vampire Academy world, and I look forward to reading The Golden Lily.

As for the plot, I thought it was well planned out and I was surprised at how this book pulled a fast one on me. Very rarely does a book involving mystery actually keep me guessing at who the culprit is, yet this book was able to do so. And, just when I thought the mystery was solved, a twist was thrown at me and I was left wondering what the heck was going on. But what else should I have expected from Richelle Mead? I will never stop giving this author compliments because she is such a master at writing books!

Last but not least, I must mention the characters. Adrian, who I thought I knew in depth from reading about him in the VA series, is not as one-sided as he appeared to be. Yes, he is hilarious and has the almost child-like ability to make light of any situation, but in Bloodlines we see that he is capable of being hurt and brought down. Thankfully, his emotional scars from the VA series are healing slowly, but surely...at least until the last chapter. And then there's Eddie, Jill, and the new characters that are introduced, like Micah, Keith, and Lee. I was surprised by Jill in this novel. Because of the little time she was given in Richelle's earlier books, I didn't know what to think of her, but this book went into depth about her character, and I've come to like her a lot. I had always liked Eddie, but I like his character even more now, having seen the growth of his character through the process of becoming a guardian. The secondary characters all fit into the story well and all play a crucial part in the plot. It's nice to see it all play out. I also liked the angle of Micah being roommates with Eddie. His striking resemblance to Mason brought a sad smile to my face.

The one thing though that stuck out to me the most is the development of the character relationships. I can't mention how much I really liked the relationships between each of the characters. While they're not all completely friendly yet, because of certain complications, it was a pleasure to see them grow together.

Bloodlines was a happy surprise. I didn't expect myself to like this book as much as I did because of my loyalty to The Vampire Academy series, but I think I've come to the conclusions that I will enjoy any of Richelle Mead's books. She's just that good. The Golden Lily comes out this Tuesday and you can bet that I'll be at Barnes and Noble buying a copy as soon as I can.

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Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Well, since I was on vacation over Christmas break, I had NO TIME to read AT ALL! It was horrid. You have no idea how boring it was without my books. So, to make up for it, here is a review of the next book in the Evernight Series.

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Release Date: March 2010
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages:
Overall:

So many things happen in this book, it's almost hard to keep up! The twists and turns are intense and make you want to jump up and down some times. The changes in this book assure that there will be some very big problems in the next book, and the cliff hanger you're left with will make you want to get your hands on Afterlife as fast as you can.

What I love about this book is that it surprised me. I wasn't expecting the events of Bianca and Lucas' lives to unravel the way that it did. Claudia Gray pulled a fast one on me, and I'm happy she did! Usually it's easy to predict where the author is going to take the story next, and with this one, I was completely wrong. So, be prepared for a big twist (or twists) at the end.

The romance was still there of course, and I felt it was what held the story, and the characters, together. If the romance was excluded, I don't think Bianca and Lucas would be able to keep going as they did. The both of them would even say thay were doing what they were doing for...love. And disappointingly, in this book, I didn't feel like their romance was as strong as it was in the previous books, but maybe it was just me.

Another thing that I didn't like was that the story seemed disjointed and chunky in some parts. Like, a part in the story, or a scene, wouldn't end smoothly, and the next would start too suddenly. Parts just didn't fit. Also, it seemed that every moment, something tragic was happening. I mean, I can handle one big twist at the end, but two or three? It gets to be too much after a while. Thankfully, it wasn't too hard to ignore the things that were bugging me, and replace them with the exciting aspects because I really like this series, and I really liked this book as well.

Astonishing, suspenseful, and creative, Hourglass will shock you. It has definitely surpassed anything I've read by Claudia Gray. The ending of the third book in the series will leave you gasping for more. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Afterlife.

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Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block

Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block

Release Date: August 25, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 195
Overall:

Charlotte Emerson seems to have the perfect existence. She is enviably beautiful and lives alone in a mansion full of treasures and beautiful clothes, perched atop the cliffs of the Pacific Palisades. But Charlotte has been lonely and dead for almost a century. Now she might get a second chance at life.

I am so glad that I read this Francesca Lia Block book before any other of hers, because now I am majorly impressed and will go into reading her previous work optimistically.

Pretty Dead was a lot more than I thought it would be. The book itself isn't very long, and usually that's a put down for me. However, this book didn't need to be long to be entertaining and skillfully created. The writing was probably one of my favorite aspects. It was detailed, , and just plain beautiful.

The intricate and delicate love in this novel was a new thing to me. Most vampire novels consist of a female or male entering a new environment and catching the eye of the vampire, but in this novel, it was completely different. The main character, Charlotte, did have to move a lot, but that was to explore and for necessary purposes regarding her ageless body. The process in this novel was almost reversed. Instead of the main character becoming or developing vampire powers, she begins to lose them.

It's quite interesting to read about her previous years and experiences as well. I just about loved everything in this book! I'm so joyed to have read such an enticing book! I recommend this to everyone, if you love vampires or not.

Pretty Dead is a beautiful story about regret, loss, love and hope for a better life.

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Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Release Date: August 25, 2009
Publisher: Penguin/Razorbill Books
Pages: 512
Overall:


Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?
 
Though I didn't receive this book for review, I wanted to share my thoughts on it anyway. Why? Because Richelle Mead is my favorite author and her writing is just so amazing! The witty remarks she comes up with for her characters, the unexpected twists, and the deep emotional thrill that I always feel while reading her novels all show her true talent.

In Shadow Kiss, we were left with a huge cliffhanger. Someone that was truly important to the story died, and the effects after that were major. Now, in Blood Promise, it seems that even more eventful things are occuring.

The writing was just as wonderful as the previous in the series and the plot was just to die for. There were so many twists I was not expecting! Rose met some new characters and made new friends. I only hope that we'll see more of these new people in the next two books.

The main thing that I loved in the whole series was the romance. Particularly Rose and Dimitri. Their relationship in this book was hard to read about, because it wasn't really true. And those of you who have read the book know why. Rose was almost under a spell when she was with him, and shattered under his touch, making it impossible to counteract his actions. I did however enjoy the little romance between Adrian and Rose at the end. I have a feeling that they'll get closer in the next book :)

Blood Promise was thrilling. I am very anxious to read Spirit Bound! I have to know what happens next.

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Bite Me by Melissa Francis

Bite Me by Melissa Francis

Release Date: July 28, 2009

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 304

Overall:

AJ Ashe isn't a typical seventeen-year-old vampire (as if there is such a thing as ‘typical!’) Her ex-boyfriend is now her stepbrother. Her two BFFs are in a huge fight and AJ’s caught in the middle. She's totally framed for cheating on a Lit test. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. Like that's fair. What ever happened to the good old days when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her fetish for necks?

Bite Me is a wonderful debut from an author I'll be keeping my eye on, Melissa Francis. The witty dialogue and compelling plot she has produced prove that she knows what she's doing.

This novel was some-what a part of the romance genre. I liked the coupling in the novel, but didn't like the situation of it. AJ and her ex are just recently step-siblings and are still in love with each other. At first, the sibling factor added a new twist and I thought that maybe something would happen, like their parents' relationship failing, and they would reunite. The outcome of their relationship disappointed me, but didn't. I'm left wondering what will happen in the next book, Love Sucks; it already sounds promising considering the word 'love' in the title.

The action in the novel was suspenseful, and I gobbled it up. The big and evil event that AJ must live through is nail-biting. I was shocked at what was happening while I was reading it. I had suspected two people to be guilty of the set-ups fixated around AJ, but was proven wrong. It was one of the characters I least expected! Rarely is it that I cannot guess the endings of books. It was a delight to be surprised.

While the writing wasn't anything wondrous, I was still consumed by the story. As I said, I'll be waiting for the release of Love Sucks.

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The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

I am once again impressed by Melissa's skills! THE VAN ALEN LEGACY just might be my favorite of the series!

Since there is no synopsis up on the web, I'll just explain a couple of things. After the death of Sky's grandfather, the Committee is lost. With Jack and Mimi Force's father gone, they have no one to lead. And when Bliss' father steps forward, everyone is happy with the decision, but when a note from an anonymous sender pops up, regretful thinking prevents him from landing the position.

I like to think of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY as the turning point in the series, even though the next book in the series hasn't been released yet. So many things change and happen that it's hard not the think of it as the turning point. Ties are broken, friendships are put first, and shockers are sure to surprise.

Romance is one of my favorite things about this series. I've given up on choosing sides. Jack or Oliver? I love them both! I was hoping that this book would confirm who Schuyler chooses, and thankfully it does! The decision she made isn't disappointing, but will surely cause trouble in the future. I'm anxious to see what will happen next.

THE VAN ALEN LEGACY is full of twists and turns, unexpected romances, and unbelievable details. I can't wait at all for MISGUIDED ANGEL,the next in the series.

Ratings:

Writing: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Revelations Giveaway!

To win a SIGNED copy of Melissa de la Cruz's latest novel, REVELATIONS, just post a comment here! For extra entries, see below:

+1 if you comment on my review of Revelations here.
+2 for following
+3 for blogging/twittering/etc. about this contest(must post a link for is to count.)

ENDS July 3rd!!! OPEN TO US ONLY!

GO!

Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz

Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They're powerful, they're famous... they're undead.

Schuyler Van Alen’s blood legacy has just been called into question - is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.

When one of the Gates of Hell is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

REVELATIONS is a great way to continue the Blue Bloods series. It's just as great, if not better, as the two prequels.

A lot of life changing things for the Blue Bloods happen in REVELATIONS. Lives are lost, ties are broken, and loves are lied to, but most importantly: the Silver Bloods are uprising. REVELATIONS is probably the most important book in the series so far, and a lot of changes are in store for the Blue Bloods.

I was very satisfied with this one, for many reasons. The romance between the characters is one of them. In my review for MASQUERADE, I said that I was for Oliver and Schuyler...that has changed again. There are just so many reasons why I love Oliver for Schuyler and why I love Jack for Schuyler! Schuyler's decision, in the end, forces her to lie to one of these boys and because of this, she must stay with the other one. More difficulties are sure to come.

Another reason is that there are so many twists and turns! I wasn't expecting a lot of things to happen, and when they did I was shocked, my eyes were glued to the page. At the end of the book, I stopped for a second and asked myself Did that really happen? I was tempted to reread and make sure. I love it when books surprise me or catch me off guard, and REVELATIONS definitely did that.

If I didn't have THE VAN ALEN LEGACY, I don't know what I'd do till October. If you haven't read the series, I am urging you to do so. You won't be disappointed.

Ratings:

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 3/5

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler Van Alen is starting to get more comfortable with her newfound vampire powers, but she still has many unanswered questions. A trip to Italy in search of her grandfather only serves to make things more confusing. What secrets are the leaders of The Committee hiding? Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the famous Four Hundred Ball. In true Blue Blood fashion, the ball is totally fab, complete with masks-and hidden behind this masquerade is a revelation that will change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

MASQUERADE is a great sequel to BLUE BLOODS, and it really got me more interested in the series.

One thing I love about the Blue Bloods series is that they're well written, and nothing in the books seem to bore me. And I like how the whole book isn't just based on the Committee or the deaths of the Blue Bloods. I like how it's based on fashion as well, and I like reading about the photoshoots and go-sees that Bliss and Schuyler go to. But mostly, I like that the series is different.

Something that I didn't mention in the review of BLUE BLOODS was that I loved that the book was told from an omniscient point of view. If we weren't able to read each character's point of view, I think the story would be incomplete and we wouldn't know secrets that each character keeps. And I like knowing secrets.

Even though I do enjoy reading about every character, I have to say I'm most interested in Schuyler's story. And I'm forever contemplating who I like better for her. Her best friend, Oliver, who always takes care of her and always says the right thing, or Jack Force, who is bound to Mimi and forbidden. After reading the first book, I was all the way for Jack, but now I think I'm for Oliver, but that will probably change a couple of times.

A lot of important things happen in MASQUERADE, and you won't want to miss out on reading the juicy details. I can't wait to review REVELATIONS!

Ratings:

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 4/5 (I love the cover of this one! Masquerade masks are always interesting to look at.)

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler Van Alen is confused about what is happening to her. Her veins are starting to turn blue, and she's starting to crave raw meat. Soon, her world is thrust into an intricate maze of secret societies and bitter intrigue. Schuyler has never been a part of the trendy crowd at her prestigious New York private school. Now, all of a sudden, Jack Force, the most popular guy in school, is showing an interest in her. And when one of the popular girls is found dead, Schuyler and Jack are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Schuyler wants to find out the secrets of the mysterious Blue Bloods. But is she putting herself in danger? Melissa de la Cruz's vampire mythology, set against the glitzy backdrop of New York City, is a juicy and intoxicating read.

BLUE BLOODS was a book I had overlooked so many times, dismissing it for no apparent reason, and now that I've read it, I am asking myself why I never picked it up before. It's a different type of vampire book, and I like that.

The main character, Schuyler, is easily likable. She's different and I like that. She's shy to her emotions and is willing to fight for what she believes in. And I really like how she handled the situation that becomes shown at the end of the book. And Oliver, her best friend, is really good to her. Their relationship is a little different than most friendships, but I like that it's abnormal.

The only thing that bugged me to the bone is Jack and Mimi's bond. In most books, I'm okay with reading about the main character's crush having another lover, but, in this book, it makes me want to throw things. I have no idea why. I just can't ignore the connection between Schuyler and Jack, and I really want them to be together.

BLUE BLOODS is an easily enjoyable and fast read. Only thing is, nothing really seemed to stick in my mind except the main events. I wouldn't recommend this to all, even though I liked it.

Ratings:

Writing: 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 3/5

Vamped by Lucienne Diver

Vamped has more than just a pretty cover, its got a great story to it, too! And it was exactly what I needed. It had the perfect amount of romance, suspense, and humor! It was a really easy flowing read, and not once was I confused. It got straight to the point and I love that.

Honestly, Vamped was not what I expected it to be...in a good way. Unlike other vampire series, romance was not the main point of this one, and Lucienne's interpretation of a vampire realm was quite unique. She really put a lot of thought into the roles of her vampire characters and you could definitely tell.

The writing and story was easy flowing and kept me hooked, I really had a hard time putting this one down without thinking about it. The action scene towards the end was vivid and I could almost feel the death drifting off the page, it was written amazingly.

I'm glad I got Vamped, it got me hyped up for more from Lucienne Diver and more from her series. Glad I got this one! I recommend it to any vampire lover, and to those looking for something creative and fresh!

Ratings:

Writing: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Stargazer by Claudia Gray + Hourglass Cover!

Stargazer returns to Bianca's story a few months later. Both she and Lucas will stop at nothing to see each other again—even if it means living a life of secrets and lies. But even as Bianca finds herself torn between two worlds, she soon discovers they aren't the only ones keeping secrets. Will powerful forces within Evernight Academy keep her from deciding her own fate, or claim her forever?

Stargazer was a fantastic follow up to its previous, Evernight. I was even lucky enough to get a copy early from the sweetest author I have come to know, even though I don't, Claudia Gray. It was even signed!

The story begins months after the last one left off. And Bianca and Lucas are needing each other more than ever. With the help of their friends they're finally able to meet up again, but it might not be the perfect time, seeing as how Bianca's having some major problems.

Usually after reading the first novel of a series you get an understanding of who the characters are, then in the following books, you know exactly who they are and how they act. In Stargazer this is proven at many points, but in others it's completely different. It's different because the majority of the characters undergo transformations.

Balthazar plays a bigger role in this one and I'm happy for that, because he intrigued me from the beginning. In Evernight, we just got a glimpse of who he is, but in Stargazer we journey deeper into his mind, and in one scene we actually get a taste of his thoughts.

Some haunting details of Racquel's past are revealed as Bianca ventures further into Evernight's past, trying to unveil the reason why humans are allowed to attend Evernight Academy again. Vic didn't really change at all, and I love him for that, because his character is just fine. He's unique.

Lucas is the same throughout the novel, with a hint of jealousy. He doesn't change until the end of the book when he realizes something he should have put into perspective since the beginning.

And my favorite female Bianca, is the same strong female that she was in Evernight, taking risks and proving herself.

Stargazer was amazing. I loved every line of it, and was sad to see it end, but now I'm on the edge of my seat, waiting for Hourglass to hit the shelves. Cover can be seen below.

This is the Hourglass cover! Isn't it gorgeous? It just gets me so excited, I want to dance around in circles!