Book Review: Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

Summary: 

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Release Date:  August 23, 2011

Age Group:  Young Adult

Publisher: Razorbill

Source: Purchased

Review:

I had this book for a month before I finally gave in and read it.  I was trying to wait until there were two books released in the Bloodlines series before reading the first book.  I am so tired of being in the middle of so many series!  I was also afraid that Bloodlines wouldn't measure up to Last Sacrifice--really, could that book have been any better?!  But, I am happy to report that Bloodlines is a great book in its own right.  I sped through this 421-page book in two days---which is saying a lot when you work and have a five-month old baby.  

Let me just confess that the main reason why I finally decided to read Bloodlines now is that I wanted a glimpse of Rose and Dimitri's happily ever after.  I had to know how they were doing!  And Richelle Mead does not disappoint on that score.  We get a cameo from Rose within the first 50 or so pages.  Yeah!   

I was dubious as to Sydney's ability to carry an entire book.  I never got to know her that well in Vampire Academy, although I liked what I did know about her.  But, she always felt a little dull to me.  Maybe a little dry.  I worried that I would miss Rose as a narrator.  I love Rose's view on life and her take-charge personality.  But, I ended up really liking Sydney.  She thinks the same way as Rose about a lot of things, but has a totally different personality.  She has always played by the rules and constantly seeks others' approval.  Sydney is smart, but very cautious.  She always does the right thing, often at her own expense.  She doesn't have a fun life or any time for herself, and did not have a true childhood.  She grew up knowing she would be an alchemist and has devoted her life to her craft.  

But, as my dad would say, you have to watch those quiet ones.  Sydney ended up having a lot more gumption than I expected.  She just expresses it differently.  I loved her revenge on her sister's attacker!  

One thing that bothered me about Bloodlines was the emphasis on body image.  I like to read about positive body image in YA literature.  But, Sydney's true distress over having to get a size four school uniform was disturbing to me.  She was so set on being a size two that she starting restricting her diet.  Now, we know that the Moroi girls are unnaturally skinny.  So why does Sydney keep comparing herself to them?  There is one part at the end of the book wehre Adrian is giving Sydney a compliment, and he offhandedly tells her that she could stand to gain a few pounds.  Sydney's excitement over this backhanded compliment really bothered me.  I'd like to read about a YA heroine who is a little bigger and has a positive body image.  Why can't we make Sydney a size 6 or bigger and have her be proud of herself the way she is? 

My favorite thing about Bloodlines was seeing the vampire world through Sydney's eyes.  She has such a different take on things than Rose.  I loved that the book starts with action, being set in the Vampire Academy world, there is no unnecessary world-building.  I thought that Bloodlines was a better series debut than Vampire Academy.   I really cannot wait for the next book---that last line really has me worked into a tizzy!  Come on, May 2012! 

So, everyone, you have to help me convince Natalie to read this book!  She is stuck on Rose and Dimitri and says she will not start the Bloodlines series until there are at least three books out.  Help me convince her not to wait on this great book!