Sydney differs as a main character from Rose in that she is vulnerable. However, I bet as part of the larger picture it is fine. I don’t have a problem with that, however, I feel like Bloodlines isn’t able to stand on it’s own. There’s a larger problem presented at the beginning that never gets solved, and it’s obvious we will have to wait til the second book. However, I will say that Bloodlines absolutely has that first in a series feel to it. The pace is relatively fast, I mean I spent half the book wondering what exactly alchemist Keith had done, it’s not spelled out until the last one third. The writing in Bloodlines by Richelle Mead is what I have come to expect, words that keep my pages turning deep into the night. As per usual, adventures ensue featuring some of my favorite side characters from Vampire Academy, namely Adrian Ivashkov and Eddie Castile.

However, Sydney is woken in the middle of the night to the news that she will be posing as Jill Mastrano’s (illegitimate sister of Queen Vasilissa’s) sister at a boarding school in Palm Springs, California. Her career is jeopardized, to the point where she may have to go to a re-education center and be brainwashed into hating vampires again. Read at your own peril.Īfter helping rogue dhampir Rose Hathaway evade justice, Sydney Sage is in serious trouble with the alchemists.

FYI this review ofÂ BloodlinesÂ by Richelle MeadÂ contains spoilers for the Vampire Academy series.