Bloodlines

For those who haven't yet read the Vampire Academy series, I suggest you go read them and get some background information before you read Bloodlines. If not, this book will only be confusing and make no sense at all. As for VA fans,you will love this book!

This book started right off where Last Sacrifice left off. The background,the characters are basically the same, only it was told from Sydney's perspective instead of Rose's.

Sydney was the kind of obedient girl who has been told what to do all her life. The alchemists were taught that all Vampires and Dhampires alike are evil,soulless dark creatures. So when Sydney helped former criminal Rose and Dimitri escape,she had made the biggest mistake an alchemist could ever make. In order to redeem herself,she can't afford to screw up her latest assignment,that is to take care of Vasilisa's sister, Jill Dragomir. Jill needs to go into hiding because she is the key to overthrowing Vasilisa's thrown. For some unknown reason, Abe insisted Adrian to be on this “vacation” for who knows how long. Palm Springs is supposed to be a safe hideout for all of them, when in fact, the real danger awaits them there.

Unlike Rose who is filled with so much passion and energy, Sydney was more of a docile person. She always took orders without questioning and always swallow the blame for what she hadn't done. Surprisingly, I love her just as much as I love Rose.

For me, the highlights of this book are always the talks with Adrian Ivashkov. He was so humorous and sarcastic that I literally burst out laughing whenever he opened his mouth. I never thought I could like him more than Dimitri before I read Bloodlines.

Also unlike in the first VA novel when Rose and Dimitri simply get it on with, the romance in this series was slow. Real slow in fact. Some people may be bothered by this, but not me. When I reached the end of the book, I saw so much potential and promise in this series. I can't wait to read the second book,The Golden Lily.

How we got to know the supporting characters from the last books of VA much better, their motives, their thoughts and reactions...
once i've read the next book in this series i think i might need to go back and read VA again to enjoy my knew knowledge to the fullest

Sydney, reluctant to act as ever, but now we are learning why this is...

Emily performed so stellar that i am unable to find one performance that stood out simply because it all was so awesome

there was a lull in the middle, but it was appropiate and i didn't mind, but it did mean i wouldn't hear it all in one sitting...
also 12½ hours is a long time :)

be careful with this Narrator....
she performes so well i've actually considered buying other books merely to hear more of her voice

I really enjoyed the Vampire Academy series and am pleased to follow the exploits of these characters. I thought the story lagged in some ways. On one hand the plot wasn't as defined, but on the other, the villains were obvious. I found myself wishing for the ending.

I think a big problem for me was the narration. If I had listed to the other VA books by this narrator I might have been used to it but I stopped listening and read the others after the first book. It was so distracting and so wrong for some of the characters, especially Adrian. What type of horrible accent was that?? All the dialogue was delivered in staccato. It seemed like everyone was continually yelling at each other. Was it not possible for these people to have a normal voice? Even the simplest conversation sounded forced, intense and snarky even when the actual text didn't call for it.

I wish I had quit listening and just picked up the book.

I liked this book a lot, but it's not quite as good as Vampire Academy. Sydney doesn't quite match Rose as a lead character and the Alchemists aren't as interesting as the Guardians. On the bright side, Adrian shines as usual and the story really is quite fun.

Rating Emily Shaffer's performance in this title is extremely difficult. She did an excellent job telling the story and portraying the characters, but I do not think she should have narrated this book. This is not a continuation of Vampire Academy, but a completely new series, and it deserved a new reader. Sydney should have been given her own voice instead of being left with the voice of Rose Hathaway.

The reviews for this book were excellent. I wasn't impressed, but it was a worthwhile listen. I didn't feel the love story and found the main character mildly irritating. I didn't read Vampire Academy, so maybe I'm at a loss. This book doesn't stand on it's own, but it's mildly redeemable.

If any of you were like me, you did not care too much for Rose as a brazen heroine. I was really excited with Richelle Mead's new series, because I liked the overall layout of the world she created of Moroi vamps and damphirs and all. With this new series, we are introduced to a whole new vision into the world through the eyes of the alchemists, the fearful guardians between the world of the vamps and that of the humans. I loved how responsible and smart this heroine is! She doesn't have to beat everyone up to take charge of situations, and she is an excellent role model for all young girls! The only thing I didn't care for in this book was the lack of romance between Adrian. I understood it with all the heartache brought on by his breakup with Rose not to mention the fact that she seriously used him to further her own gains in the VA series, but that is neither here nor there. Bloodlines is an excellent spin off! I suggest everyone listen or read it!

It's a great continuation, even though there is a shift in the main characters. Rose was an awesome character and Sydney 's character has the same great potential!

She does a pretty good job usually. However at times it was hard to differentiate between characters, hence the reason I gave it a lower rating. With that said, it was still a pretty good listen.

Definitely worth the credit!

Let me start by saying that the Vampire Academy series is one of my absolute favorites of all time! I was so sad when the series ended, and not to crazy about a spin off series (because they rarely meet the standards set by the original story line!) that is, until I found out it would be following along with my dear Adrian Ivashkov.
Turns out Richelle Mead is one of a select few authors that can pull off a spin off and still capture her audience. Yes, the storyline in Bloodlines isn't quite as action packed and fast paced as Vampire Academy was; and there was more romance to be desired - but I think this first book has set up some great things to come in the series.
Adrian is still full of sarcastic wit, but now carries around an inner pain from the loss of Rose that affects everyone around him in some way or other. Sydney has to learn to deal with vampires up close and personal, along with confronting her past. This stress has her finding an ally in the unlikeliest of places.

I really enjoyed this book and will be moving on to The Golden Lily,
I can't get enough of Adrian, no matter what book he's in. ;)

Love this book. And the audio book is even better. The narrator was awesome. It's almost unbelievable it's only one person doing all the voices of different characters. A+

I loved the end fight. But I also loved Adrian's and Sydney's spirit dream, it was funny as he'll.

She always dose a good job.

Not inlove with the narrator. Voice is high pitched and very loud when doing the male voices. Really wish they had picked someone else. Had to keep adjusting my volume through out the book.