Bleeding Hearts (Drake Chronicles #4) — Alyxandra Harvey
As vampires from all over the world descend on the Drake farm for the Blood Moon gathering, security is ramped up. Lucy has been temporarily banned, for her own safety—and to allow Solange some time to adjust to her new existence. But their enemies realize how much Lucy means to the family, and plan to abduct her to use her for leverage against the new royal family. Instead, Lucy’s cousin Christabel is kidnapped by mistake—and Connor Drake immediately heads off in pursuit, but isn’t in time to prevent Christabel’s infection by the Hel Blar. He can’t save her human life, but he can still try to save her new vampire life, and is willing to put his own life on the line for the girl he has grown to care so much about. Can he save Christabel, the Blood Moon, and his mother’s newly forged Vampire Alliance?
Pages: 289
Publication Date: December 2012 (US)
Publisher: Walker Books
Challenge: N/A
Rating : 
Teaser Quote: “Okay, yes, I have watched every episode of every Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Stargate ever created, but I have never owned a Star Trek T-shirt. Just saying.“
Bloodlines – Richelle Mead
“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.”
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When the stunning conclusion to the Vampire Academy series was released late last year fans of the series were then hit with the realization that that. was. it. No more VA! Nooo! How? What about Adrian?
But wait! There was more to come. The spin-off series, Bloodlines was announced and fans let out a collective sigh of relief – even though it wouldn’t be from Rose’s perspective we wouldn’t be completely leaving the world of Moroi and dhampirs behind.
The series centres on the alchemist, Sydney, who was a relatively minor character in the VA series but steps into the forefront in Bloodlines. Along with Adrian, Jill and Eddie they’re faced with a whole new challenge – someone wants Jill dead. With her out of the way, Lissa would lose her crown and be ineligible for the throne. In order to keep her safe the guardians relocate her to Amberwood prep, a boarding school in California, with Sydney posing as her sister and Eddie as guardian. And Adrian? As always he has his own agenda.
Those who may not have read the Vampire Academy series could probably still read the series and find it enjoyable but would miss out on why certain issues are such a problem – such as who is Lissa? And why do we like her so much to want her to stay as Queen? That type of background knowledge can only be found through reading the VA series.
As expected, Richelle Mead’s writing completely sucks you into the story. The storyline in Bloodlines is definitely interesting, detailed and complex with so many twists and turns, it’s obvious how completely well thought out everything is. I was disappointed however to find some plot points a bit predictable, or rather, I figured it out before it all happened. A few things resolved themselves quite quickly but I have a feeling we’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to complications for this series.
While reading it it’s obvious that Sydney is definitely not Rose. Though I still liked her, Sydney’s composure and logical thinking is a complete contrast to Rose which makes her a little less….fun to read. There’s definitely a spark in her though and her compassion and cleverness made her incredibly likeable. Finding out more about her back story was also great since you then understood her reasoning for her actions so much better.
Then there’s Jill – she’s young, she’s struggling to adjust to her new lifestyle and still coming to terms with having Lissa as a sister, who hasn’t been completely excited by having a new sibling. I didn’t really like Jill much but she might grow on me…maybe.
Adrian, ah Adrian! He was as always his charming self but it’s obvious he’s still hung up on Rose which at times was frustrating to see, plus he clearly has a bit of growing up to do. As a whole he completely added to the story so well (how could he not, it’s ADRIAN), his snark helped to lift the scenes that might’ve otherwise come across as a bit uneventful.
Eddie remained more in the background in this particular book but I’m really hoping to see more of him in the next one.
For those wondering, yes, Rose, Lissa and Dimitri do make cameo appearances – it was SO good to see them on the page again.
There wasn’t much in the way of a love plot in this book, though there was a lot of talk before it’s release that seemed to be pointing at something romantic for Adrian, but it doesn’t come up in the book.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Richelle Mead book without a completely huge OH EM GEE moment right at the very end which left me completely surprised and dyyyyying for the next installment.
I didn’t love it as much as Vampire Academy, but that doesn’t mean the series won’t improve or that this series isn’t worth starting – it definitely is.
Richelle Mead, make no mistake, I love you like a fat kid loves cake……but I’m giving this one a…a…….4!
Pages: 421
Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Penguin
Challenge: n/a
Rating: :
Teaser Quote: “They’re waiting for you. Go on in.” Adrian leaned close to Keith’s ear and spoke in an ominous voice. “If.You.Dare.” He poked Keith’s shoulder and gave a “Muhahaha” kind of monster laugh.”
Under the Never Sky — Veronica Rossi
Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.
As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.
They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love – one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.
Aria was raised in Reverie, a small Pod that protects her and a few thousand other Dwellers from the outside world. Living in such an enclosed space was stifling, so the Realms were created as a means of distraction and entertainment. In the Realms, Dwellers can live out their wildest dreams and fantasies, free from fear, pain, and sickness. Reverie and the Realms are the only life Aria has ever known, until she’s left for dead in the outside world. There, Perry finds Aria just as the hovers that deposited her abduct his nephew. Though every fiber of his being rebels against the idea, Perry realizes that the only way to get Talon back is to team up with Aria, if he can manage not to kill her long enough for her to help him.
From the very beginning, I wanted to like Under the Never Sky. It’s unlike any dystopian novel I’ve read so far. It’s intriguing, the plot is unbelievably unique, the tantalizing descriptions are fresh, and the chapters shift between Aria’s and Perry’s points of views, providing insight into both their worlds. But for some reason, I didn’t fall right into it. The beginning chapters felt kind of forced and disjointed to me. I liked the world Rossi was creating, but I didn’t love the characters. And then Aria was thrown out of Reverie and it was like a flip switched into my mind. Everything fell into place; I was riveted.
While I loved the crazy-interesting and intricate world Rossi created, the characters really stole the show for me. At first, Aria didn’t stand out to me. She seemed nice enough, but I was far more interested in Perry, the complicated Savage. He had so many different sides to his personality and I loved seeing how certain characters brought out certain aspects of that personality. As Aria and Perry grew more comfortable around each other, Aria opened up. I saw how brave and selfless and funny she could be. As the two got to know each other, they truly brought out the best in each other. The development of their relationship was fascinating and gripping, especially given the fact that we could experience it through both of their eyes.
Then there was Roar, one of Perry’s closest friends. He stole my heart from the second he opened his mouth. He was just so, so amazing. I wanted to cuddle with him. I still want to cuddle with him. And he did a great job of managing the awkardness between Aria and Perry. But the amazing supporting cast didn’t stop there. Cinder and Marron also brought a smile to my face, just because they had such distinct personalities. Every character really leaped off the page for me so that I felt like I was experiencing Under the Never Sky in 3D.
Beside the phenomenal character development, the book is very plot-driven. There was a sense of urgency and suspense to it that kept me eagerly flipping pages. Not to mention the top-notch world-building. Rossi’s explanation of both societies is clear and fully detailed, providing excellent imagery and a logical back-story. Under the Never Sky is a remarkable debut, proving that Veronica Rossi is an author to look out for.
Pages: 400
Publication Date: January 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Challenge: Debut Author
Rating :
Teaser Quote: “It’s time, Perry.” He let her go. She took a step back, taking in his face one last time. His green eyes. The bend in his nose and the scars on his cheek. All the tiny imperfections that made him beautiful. Without a word, she turned and made her way downhill.
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