Bloodlines by 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.

I have been a huge fan of Richelle Mead ever since reading her Vampire Academy series and it was way back in book 2 (I believe) that I first fell in love with Adrian. That's why when I heard Bloodlines would be a spinoff of the VA books starring Adrian that I knew I had to read them. Adrian did not disappoint in these books either. Although I wish I got to see more of him throughout the story, he was still just as witty and charming as ever. He is also very flirtatious with Sydney, the alchemist who has been trained to detest vampires, and their budding relationship definitely has its moments of hilarity and sweetness.

I did enjoy Bloodlines, although not as much as the Vampire Academy books, but that just may be because its the first book in this series and things haven't gotten juicy yet. The story started off a little slow, and at times I was bored with the school in the beginning. I will say that I did enjoy reading Sydney's character more than I expected. Its a change from the hard determined kick-ass heroine that Rose is, but I liked the softer more cautious character that is Sydney.

There were some crazy twists and turns in the plotline and as always a great mystery of "whodunit" that left you guessing until the end. Richelle does a great job of keeping the secrets hidden until the last page, which is a true talent in book writing. I'm impressed that despite lacking the loved characters from the original series, that Richelle was able to create some new characters and bring in secondaries, and still make the reader invested in the story. Overall, I was satisfied with the story and am eager to see where the remaining books will take us.