Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (Young Adult, Paranormal)

August 2011, Razorbill

421 pages, paperback

Review copy

Young Adult, Paranormal 

Themes: vampires, boarding school, security protection, facing ideals that counter your beliefs, mean girls, tattoos, high level of threat, disobedience, friendship, some teen romance, some gross romance, humour.

Summary from Penguin
Sydney belongs to a secret group who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the world of humans and vampires. She protects vampire secrets - and human lives. 


But when Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle 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 sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one...

Nayuleska's reasons for loving Sydney...unlike Rose, in the Vampire Academy series Sydney isn't all that highly skilled in self defence, but she makes up for it in her courage to stand by her convictions and never letting go of something until the truth comes out. 

Is there another character who deserves a mention? Jill! I was hoping to see more of her after the VA series, and there's a fair smattering of Jill sections. She rebels in her own way, and I could see the similarities with her sister Lissa. 

How evil/nasty is the enemy? Evil vampires are evil, but try having a villain who is so sneaky no one knows how they are and they not only threaten Jill and Sydney, but lots of others in the vicinity too. 

Are there lots of plot twists and surprises? I thoroughly enjoyed how Sydney got in as much trouble as Rose had in VA. When Sydney stuffed up the potential consequences were catastrophic. I feared the story wouldn't end well, but the tables were turned and I finished the book in the same way I'd started it, with a smile on my face. 

One of my favourite parts was...when Sydney got her assignment because I really like Jill.

There is only one grade for this book - 10/10!

You can find out more about Richelle and all her books on her website. 

Suggested read: 

Make sure you read the series where all the action started, Vampire Academy (this is the old cover)