Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  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.

My Thought:  I LOVED this book!  I loved the Vampire Academy series and this one lived up to my expectations too!  A must read in my opinion!

Sydney takes a job hiding the Moroi princess Jill so her sister Zoe isn't made to live the life of an alchemist.  Well, and Sydney wants to gain the approval of both the Alchemists and her father after helping out Rose in the last Vampire Academy book.

Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian are sent to Palm Springs, CA.  It is pretty much safe as the Strigoi hate the sunshine.  They enroll in a prestigious private school and try to lay low.  Except when you are a vampire, a guardian and an Alchemist, laying low isn't really easy.

Sydney uncovers a crazy scheme with tattoos and knows it's her chance to prove herself to her father again.  She is working on getting all the evidence she needs as well as trying to keep Jill safe.  She's also trying to find out who is killing young girls, human and Moroi alike.  She's a busy girl. 

There were some great twists in the story but I was able to figure out who was behind the tattoo scheme and eventually who was behind the murders of the girls.  It wasn't hard to predict so I was wishing there was a little more mystery there. 

I did love how there were still characters from Vampire Academy.  Rose made an appearance as did Dimitri.  I loved Adrian in Vampire Academy so was so happy to see him in this series. Jill is obviously a major character but Lissa was mentioned numerous times as well.  It made the ending of Vampire Academy a little easier to take! 

Sydney is a great character.  She is strong but has her flaws and insecurities.  She really wants to please her father but almost too much.  I felt like she should take some risks and tell him what he could do with himself.  I love her interactions with Adrian.  I am hoping that eventually there will be a romance there as they seem to be made for each other.

Jill was a little too quiet and timid for my liking.  I felt like she shouldn't care so much about being different and try to make friends.  Sometimes she had a little too much "pity party" going on but towards the end I could see her confidence blooming.

I really did enjoy this book!  Mead has a way of writing that makes you feel that you are right there with the characters.  They are all so vivid and real you feel like they are your friends.  I cannot wait to read more from her!