Bloodlines By: Richelle Mead

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.

Starting out let me just say that I am a huge fan of the Vampire Academy Series.  If you haven't already read that series read it first then read this book.  She doesn't explain the world or situations that happened in Vampire Academy when mentioned in this book. 

P.S.  MY REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS TO VAMPIRE ACADEMY.  READ THAT SERIES NOW BEFORE I GIVE AWAY THE ENDING IN MY REVIEW.  :-)

Sydney is our main character for this story.  She has been put on assignment from the Alchemist council to act as a body guard for Jill.  Off she goes to California to spend all day and all night with a vampire.  Most alchemists would not be able to do this because of an extreme hatred for vampires.  Sydney isn't excited about this assignment but at least she has more experience with being surrounded by vampires and their protectors.

Once set up at a private school she mostly deals with minor issues like keeping Jill out of the sun too much and getting a feeding schedule that everyone can work with.  As she gains more friends in the school she hears about these "Magic" tattoos that give you strength or a euphoric feeling.  Concerned that someone must have alchemist information and is using it on the general public she starts an investigation into these tattoos, all while trying to protect Jill, make friends for the first time in her life and don't forget about the needy Adrian and trying to stay on the good side of Alchemist council members. 

I really liked Sydney in the first series and I am glad that we get to see things from her point of view this time.  She has always been home-schooled so her social skills are a bit lacking so it is fun to watch her experience high school for the first time.  She is also very good at what she does for a living and it shows in every action she takes.  She is very organized and precise in class, with school mates and with Jill and the other vampires.

The other vampires and the guardian are all from Vampire Academy as well and I have to say that I am a HUGE Adrian fan.  I fell in love with him in Vampire Academy and my heart broke along with his in Last Sacrifice.  He is a rich, attractive man that hasn't had to do much of anything because of his familial relations to the royal family.  He has a great sense of humor and he is a true friend.  There is really nothing he wouldn't do to help someone out.  I really liked his relationships with both Sydney and Jill. With Jill it felt like he was a perfect big brother kind of character.  He truly cared for her and always tried to listen to her and help her with what she needed.  With Sydney we got to see more of his sense of humor and spunky-ness.  He was quite the tease and at the same time he would act like a complete baby needing help with the smallest of tasks.

This was a great read and I can't wait for book two of this series to be released.  Note:  This book didn't move as fast as Vampire Academy and that took a little time to get used to.