{Audiobook} Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #1
Narrator: Emily Shaffer
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publication Date: August 23rd, 2011
Source: Purchased Audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

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...

Well, I've certainly put this series on hold for long enough! I loved The Vampire Academy books. They are forever favorites of mine. I think for all this time, I've just been scared. I couldn't imagine any spin off could live up to my beloved VA books. I was wrong. Oh how very wrong I was. 

If you haven't read the Vampire Academy books yet, then shame on you and you probably should skip reading this review, because obviously there will be a bit of spoilers from the original series. Bloodlines follows Sydney. I forget what book you meet her in, but her character has always fascinated me. The whole Alchemist thing was interesting to me then, and still is. You get a front row seat to that world and you see all the inner workings. Which was so cool, because the VA books only touched on what Sydney does. 

Ahh, and then there is Adrian. We are only given Sydney's point of view, but Adrian is a prominent character. I liked him in VA, but I didn't love him. I always viewed him as a barrier between Rose being with Dimitri. Not that they didn't have other stuff in their way, but Adrian was just another obstacle. In the end, Adrian doesn't end up with Rose, thank goodness. He just wasn't right for her. 

I enjoyed all the characters in Bloodlines but Adrian by far is my favorite. There is so much more to him than I ever new. I'm currently about to finish the 3rd installment of Bloodlines as I am writing this and I can assure you that my love grows for him with every page. He's quite literally amazing. And funny! Like hysterical. Some of the things out of his mouth are hilarious. A lot of laugh loud moments for sure. 

I think that most Vampire Academy fans will enjoy this spin off. I wish I had taken a chance on it sooner. My only complaint is that book 1 lacks in the romance department, but rest assured, things heat up as the series continues!

As for the Narrator. She is awesome. I have to listen to the rest, because she really brings these characters to life. I was nervous because I saw an audible review complaining about her voice for Adrian being annoying, but I loved it. 

If you have been on the fence about trying these out, don't be!! get on it! :) 

Bravo!

About the author:

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Find Richelle:

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Labels: alchemist, bloodlines, reviews, richelle mead, spin off, vampire academy