Bloodlines Series

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3)

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Performance-enhancing Tattoos

Recommends for readers of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, House of Night series by P.C. Cast or Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine.

Summary: Sydney is an alchemist who uses her powers in the magical world's equivalent of the CIA. She covers up vampire and dhampir activity to protect innocent humans. Before she met Rose Hathaway, she believed vampires and dhampirs were demonic, something to be feared. Now that the vampire royal family is in danger, which side will Sydney choose to protect?

Review: Bloodlines takes place in the same world as the Vampire Academy series with some of the same characters. Do you need to read the other series first? I say, "Why wouldn't you?!?" I may be a bit biased as VA is my favorite book series of all time. I think everyone, everywhere should read them regardless if you go on to read Bloodlines.

Once you read VA, you will be compelled to read this series, though. I will tell you why in one word, "Adrian." Adrian is the bad boy love interest of the main character in VA. He is also in this series and has gone back to his bad boy ways. Plus, you may want to find out what happens in the political upheaval in the aftermath of Last Sacrifice.

Let's say you don't want to read VA, first. (Again, WHY NOT?) Then, you'll simply be starting a series surrounding the lives of the secret agents of the vampire/dhampir world who use magic to battle the forces of evil. Still interesting, right?

Sydney comes from a long line of alchemists. She grew up with a demanding father who wished for a boy. She has never been to a regular school, instead she was taught the art of alchemy at home.  Perhaps most important, Sydney is a sister who will do anything to protect her family. She takes her work seriously, and right now her work is protecting the vampire princess from assassination.

Bloodlines is full of mystery and action. It is light on love, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Sydney is the exact opposite of Rose. She is a logical introvert. Again, this is not necessarily bad. I've only read the first two books. The third, Indigo Spell, just came out and we still have three more books coming. I think Sydney has plenty of room for development. She's already adding more color to her wardrobe!

Sensitive Readers Beware: I consider this series to contain mature content in general. There may not be sex or offensive language (yet), but the tone is dark.  

Alcatraz Series by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians
Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones
Alcatraz versus the Knights of Crystallia
Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens

All by Brandon Sanderson

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Horn-rimmed Glasses

Recommends for readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Spiderwick Chronicles and perhaps The Chronicles of Narnia

Summary: Alcatraz Smedry has the unfortunate knack for breaking things. After receiving a mysterious gift at the home of yet another foster family, Alcatraz discovers his talent may not be so unfortunate after all. Follow Acatraz's anti-hero antics as he tries to stop the evil librarians from taking over the rest of the world with the aid of a family he never expected.

Review: The witty characters of Sanderson's Alcatraz series weave an imaginative tale of epic proportions spanning four books. From book one, we are introduced to the sarcastic and bewildered main character who must accept a family and a homeland he never knew existed. Our world is being run by evil librarians, while the Smedry clan hails from the Free Kingdoms. No one knows this of course, because librarians hold the power of information.

The first book of the series is by far my favorite. Although each book has its own strengths, I think the first is the funniest. Alcatraz is a bit like another orphan we know and love in that he doesn't quite believe in his talents and is famous beyond words in a parallel world. Yet, Alcatraz is both sneaky and snarky. He doesn't quite trust his family or its talents.

I wrote about the second book right after finishing it,

I don't know if I find the series so funny because I'm a librarian, or because it is simply funny. Alcatraz is quirky to say the least and perhaps a little insane at most. The action is, of course, superb with crazier traps and darker foes. I don't usually go for books with an unreliable narrator, but Alcatraz is just the right mix of deceit and truth. I find him endearing.

The entire series is well worth the read. Each book builds momentum with Alcatraz gaining confidence in his family, friends and himself.

Sensitive Readers Beware: I can't think of anything objectionable in the books. There is funny nudity in book four. Enjoy!