Book Review: Bloodlines

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: YA
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 3.5/5

Before I start, I'd like to warn that are mild spoilers in here, so if you really don't want to know anything, tread carefully.

I had low expectations for Bloodlines. That was mostly due to the fact that I firmly believed - and still do, though clearly with some significant change of heart - that no one can tell a tale about the Moroi world as enticingly as Rose.
I maintain that feeling, but even I, ever Rose's advocate, have to admit that Sydney was a more than worthy subsitute to the task, if not as funny as Rose.

Bloodlines has that Mead quality to it that just makes you want to keep reding, and reading, and reading... and I advise you to do just that: read it as much as you can.

I have a few confessions to make regarding the book, so let's get down to the juicy stuff.
First of all, it made me very, very confused. Having spent the last 4 (I like him in Frostbite) Vampire Academy books hating his guts (I was and always will be a die-hard Romitri fan haha) and heartily wishing he'd fall off the face of the earth and go on a binge with Mr. Horny-From-Down-Below himself, it was an entirely new experience to like - and even sympathize and feel sorry for - Adrian. That in and of itself would have taken me an entire book of 1000 pages for me to get used to. Instead, I had to make do with about 500 pages, not all of which were centered on him...
Which brings me to confession number two: Jill reminded me a hell of alot of her sister, Lissa, in the first few books; a spoilt little royal Moroi, used to getting what she wants, and not really caring about the others. Now, I know that's not true, and there were moments when the good old Jill came out of hiding, but mostly she annoyed me, though thankfully not as much as Lissa did.
Confession number three regards Rose. And what regards Rose, now regards Dimitri, too, much to my everlasting glee. I missed her. And couldn't help but applaud Mead's slyness in how she placed them in Bloodlines. It showed that masterful cleverness she has in keeping readers engaged. Placing Rose at the beginning ensured that all the VA fanbase followed through in the hopes of more Rose. Then she placed Dimitri right in the end (and I do mean RIGHT. IN. THE. END. Like, last line), making sure thoat same fanbase will go on to Golden Lily, even if they didn't love Bloodlines. Sly, Richelle.
Fourth and final confession is slightly less praiseworthy. I found the mysteries in the book easily spotted and far too easy for me to figure out, eons before poor Sydney did, which left me rolling my eyes at her when she finally did. Being Mead, I got used to expecting twists that were so absurdly impossible to predict, they always left me with my jaw on the floor. Not to say that when I figured out some of the things I wasn't shocked, but I have to say I expected more.

Nonetheless, I anxiously await The Golden Lily.
And while that one doesn't come, I recommed everyone: read Bloodlines. Syndey will take good care of your entertainment, suprising you with her wry humour no one could have guessed goody-two-shoes Sydney could ever have ;)