Showing posts with label Bloodlines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bloodlines. Show all posts

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Rochelle Mead: Review


The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
Rochelle Mead
Published June 12th 2012 by Razorbill
Pick up your copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

Darkfallen's thoughts:
 
What can I say? Rochelle Mead knows how to write a series! Of course I am sure the whole reading world knows this already, but just in case you have been living under a rock, I thought I would say it. Lol

Sydney is trying to balance school and keep up her family facade in addition to keeping Jill safe, and well hidden. Not to mention there is a new villain in town. To top that off she is also trying to have a relationship with a real boy. Need less to say it isn't all working out so great. When things take a turn for the worse will Sydney be able to solve the problem? Or has she finally met her match?

I'm coming to love Sydney even more in this book. I feel like I am finally getting a look behind her perfect exterior for once. She isn't having an easy time with everything going on around her, I just wish she could break down and admit she needs a little help every once and a while. She still has her hang ups about the vampire world but I'm happy to see that the line between her and them seems to be blurring a bit for a change. She is finally starting to see that maybe the monsters aren't so bad and that some humans are the real monsters.

I also loved, LOVED Adrian. But then that's nothing new. I have a serious soft spot for that boy, and even when I was Team Dimitri, I still loved Adrian. And in this book was no exception. I just want to make him happy. And to see him happy when Sydney would open up to him really made me squee! I will have to kill Rochelle Mead if she doesn't hurry up and put those two together. I just want to see them in love with each other so bad. Adrian is just so damn sweet to her!!

Overall this was a great action packed sequel. I liked it better than the first book in this series, and I am finally getting used to Sydney's voice. Still I have to admit my heart misses Rose.
 


Lymi...
 



Thursday, August 11, 2011

Bloodlines by Rochelle Mead: Review & GIVEAWAY!!

Bloodlines (Bloodlines 1)
By Rochelle Mead
Expected publication August 23rd 2011 by RazorBill
Pre-order your copy today at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

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.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

As a HUGE fan of Vampire Academy I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book...so first off many, MANY thanks to the fine people at RazorBill for this ARC! I mean it....I LOVE you:))

For me this was a solid 4 stars. Actually at first it was even a little hard for me to connect with, but I think that is mainly because I was so used to Rose's voice, and probably because I connected with Rose. Whereas Rose was all gut instinct, take-action-now-clean-up-later, Sydney is more think, think, and THINK so more. She is very smart, and analytical. Nothing gets past her. So I think that is where I was feeling a bit unattached at first....because I am so NOT that kind of person. I am more like Rose ;) While it was nice to see how exactly Sydney's brain works, there were times when it felt over-explained if that makes sense.

But still....OMG....this book was good.

We learn so much about the Alchemist world that was left to the side in VA. It's nice to see the other side of things while still keeping the world I fell in love with there. I wasn't under the impression that Adrian was going to have such a big role in these books as he does but, am I ever so grateful. GAWD I still love that man....(and this from a girl that was team Dimitri) I am so super mondo glad that it looks like he might actually get a love interest that will treat him right...however it won't be easy, and there is already a hint of a love triangle, but I can't wait to see how that pans out.

In fear of giving to much away I just want to say that...YES I thought this book could have been a little better. Much like the first VA book it is kinda just setting up a lot of details for what I am sure is going to me a great series! I so can't wait for the next book:)There are a few concerns I have for the series though, and that it is going to be follow the exact flow of VA when it comes to relationships, and I would really like to see some change up.
Here is what I mean, but PLEASE these are just my predictions for how I see things going...nothing more

Adrian & Sydney= Rose & Dimitri (except for Adrian will win the triangle battle with Trey, leaving Trey the odd man out, but not until after a long heartbreaking battle, just like the Rose, Dimitri, Adrian relationship.)

Eddie & Jill= Lissa & Christian (again here is two people that shouldn't be together because of crossing social barriers, and this has NOT happened, I just see it going there

AGAIN this is simply how I see it heading, but in no way are these spoilers, and I so hope that I am wrong *winks*

Wanna get your hands on this ARC?
I know you do!
So here is what you have to do....

1.) This contest is open to followers only, so if your not already lost in the wastelands somewhere, join us!
2.) This contest is open to the US, Canada, & Europe residents.
3.) Wanna earn extra points? Tweeting, posting to Facebook, your blog, goodreads...all will earn ya extra point!
4.) Last, but certainly NOT least, fill out the form!







Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday



Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we just can't wait to get our sticky fingers on.



Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: August 23rd 2011
Synopsis from Goodreads:

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

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


We here at Paranormal Wastelands are super mondo excited about this book.



Greta: Go ahead *covers ears
Darkfallen: You sure?
Greta: What?
Darkfallen: I said are you sure?!!!
Greta: What? *uncovers ears
Darkfallen: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!
Greta: Ahhh, I told you to wait till my ears were covered!!


Oh snapples!!! Are you guys ready for this? Are you jumping up and down like a vampire cheerleader ready to sink her teeth into the quarterback? Cuz girly girls the wait is almost up!!



And to that we cheer



Must have NOWS!

We needs it!!
We wants it!!
We can't lives without it!!





Now that you've heard what our CAN'T WAIT book is... What's yours? Drop us a comment so we can find out what has you on pins and needles.






***and don't forget to check out the fabu contesst we have going on. Make sure to enter for your chance at a Forever prize pack (ending July 28th) and a signed arc of Always a Witch (ending August 1st)