Sarah’s Comments (group member since Nov 10, 2010)

Sarah’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Up to Chapter 8 (pg 131)

I am not a fan of Angeline either. But I want to know more about her Keeper society. Speaking of Keith, I want to know more about the facility they sent him to. That first part with Keith really set up a juxtaposition of what he did versus what Sydney is doing. Because even though she still has an aversion to magic for the most part she is very friendly with the Moroi and dhampirs. They would have to have a worse punishment for her, because although Keith made a deal with Clarence and was selling his blood and saliva, he still didn't like the vampires.

There's something weird about Trey's cousin. Also, with Trey, he acted strangely when he saw Jill for the first time. If my prediction of him being a vampire hunter is correct then I think he knows what Jill is and maybe he's worried that Sydney is one too. Brayden is a good match for Sydney but what if there are ulterior motives for putting them together. He's knew so he might be in league with Trey. I'm getting a little ahead of myself. LOL.

Something else that was interesting was the person that stopped Sonya and Sydney when they got food for everyone. Sonya claims she doesn't know who that man is but he knows who she is. Fishy.

I feel so bad for Adrian. He's stuck doing something he really doesn't want to with a person he really hates (Dimitri) and Sydney seems to be his only escape but now she's interested in Brayden. I think it's subtle but you can tell that Adrian has feelings for Sydney, and Sydney really doesn't realize that what she feels sometimes for Adrian goes beyond friendly. It'll be interesting if they ever become a couple.

Mrs. T (I always forget how to spell her last name) has Sydney doing some interesting spell research, I wonder if those will come in handy later like the fire amulet did in the first book.

Starting Saturday Jan. 30th

Elise wrote: "The unraveling of events towards the end definitely surprised me some. I could tell that something was a little off with Lee, but I never would have suspected the outcome. I feel so bad for Jill, s..."

Mrs. Terwillinger definitely got more interesting by the end of the novel! I really want to know what's going on with her and her "coven".

I agree about the spirit magic and something weird going on with Sydney's blood. I can see that being a big part of the series as the books continue.

Saturday works great for me!

Ok so I'm finally finished.

I saw where things were going with the tattoos laced with vampire blood, the saliva was an interesting factor I didn't consider. I figured Keith was involved after the guy at the tattoo shop thought Sydney was in on it also.

I think there's still something going on with vampire hunters and I think Trey might be in on it.

Lee definitely came out of no where. I knew there was something a little off with him, but I really didn't think he'd be insane. I didn't think he'd end up being the bad guy.

The ending definitely makes me want to read the next one. I loved Dimitri in VA so I'm really excited that he's going to be a part of the next one.

When did you want to start the next one?

So I didn't read what you wrote for your page 251 update because I'm not quite there yet.

I'm on page 177, the beginning of Chapter 12. So far I'm just a little confused and I hope things get a little more cleared up and focused. I think the tattoos are really interesting and I wish they went into more about what the Alchemists actually do besides keeping humans protected from vampires. I feel like maybe Mrs. Terwilliger might be looking for more than just doing research. The fact that she wants all of the spells and ingredients seems suspicious to me.

Something weird is going on between Jill and Adrian too. I think there might be some kind of connection there that goes beyond friendly, but I don't mean romantically either. Since all vampires can control an element: air, water, earth and fire, with the rarer fifth one of spirit which Adrian happens to be adept in, I think maybe Adrian's spirit ability is some how linked to Jill. Maybe she's getting some of Adrian's feelings or spirit (I don't know how it works). She feels/looks hungover and Adrian is notorious for drinking. Jill gives Adrian permission to drink because it's the weekend and won't be a big deal. Adrian clearly has emotional issues, and Jill wakes up screaming or crying in the middle of the night. She can somehow know a lot of things about Adrian or his needs/wants with no real explanation, but Sydney thinks she's talking to him on the phone a lot. It's all very suspicious and interesting.

Micah is an interesting character too. I want to know why Eddie freaked about meeting him, but he's suddenly okay with him now. At first I thought there might be some kind of attraction on Eddie's part, but now I think it might be something else. I could be creating links and assumptions but maybe Micah has to do with the vampire hunters that killed Clarence's niece Tamara.

Keith, too, is a weird character. I don't like him and I think it's for most of the same reasons Sydney doesn't. He gives a lot of crap to Sydney for helping Jill and fraternizing with the vampires, but then he wants to act all helpful and sincere.

I'll post again once I've read some more. I noticed you rated it 3 stars and I was wondering if you still wanted to continue with the series after this one? I'm still interested no matter what I end up rating this one because I own all the books and I don't want them to go to waste. LOL.

Elise wrote: "Up to Chapter 4 (13%)

So, I kind of remember Sydney being in the Vampire Academy, but some of the things mentioned so far in this novel are not ringing any bells since it's been so long since I re..."

I'm almost to Chapter 4, so not quite as far as I've wanted to be. I remember liking Sydney in VA but it's been quite awhile since I've read the series. I, too, don't remember Abe Mazur that well, very vaguely recall someone being called a serpent for a nickname which was also mentioned in this novel. I think she's summarizing the important bits from VA as she goes so it's not so vital to have to reread the whole series. I felt bad for Sydney and that she's so misunderstood.

The only thing I can speculate about Keith's secret (which you might already know by know) is that he hurt someone either physically or something. Sydney repeats someone speaking to her asking her not to say anything. I don't think it's Zoe, but he's a big enough threat that she doesn't want her little sister around him. On the other hand, she's not so afraid of him that she won't be around him herself, she's not worried that he'll try to do to her whatever he did to the other person.

I thought Zoe would be sweet and appreciate Sydney, but as I was reading, when Sydney kind of puts down her sister's abilities I realized that as a bystander her sister would probably be upset by it. Even thought Sydney really has the best intentions. All of the pressure placed on them by their father it doesn't surprise me that Zoe was upset, she didn't meet her father's approval when she showed up and then Sydney kind of bashed her abilities. However, the fight was petty. Hopefully, Zoe will come around and realize what Sydney was trying to do.

I think it's interesting that they're trying to protect these vampires that they apparently hate. They have no problem trying to help them. But they get mad at Sydney when she helped Rose. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out. I'll check back in again when I reach where you next updated.

I'll be starting shortly and will post as soon as I can!!

Really excited to get into this!

How's the 23/24th? Or any time really. I'm not that busy.

Elise wrote: "Is anyone interested in doing a series buddy read of Bloodlines with me starting late January/early February? I've never read them but liked Vampire Academy so want to binge read the series now tha..."


I'd love to! I've had them for awhile and never got around to actually reading them!

Christina wrote: "Through the end of chapter 10:

Well, I certainly have a different opinion about Amara now. I couldn't stand her in the last book, but now I can see how difficult it would be having a father who t..."

I agree!! I don't know if Amara would really be that interested in an alliance. She seems a little more out for her own gain.

Olivia, I don't know what to make of her yet. It does seem a little too good to be true that she would want to suddenly help them. I am at the end of Chapter 13. I find the alliance between Magnus/Clea/Jonas to be rather interesting. It could work out for everyone, but we all know by now that nothing ever works out how it's supposed to.

Lucia has gotten to be all kinds of crazy.

I agree with the plot being a little bit on the slow side. It does jump around quite a bit. We'll see how it turns out.

Christina wrote: "Sarah wrote: "So I'm not quite as far as you yet (lots of family things/drama distracting me). I'm at the beginning of Chapter 3 (Cleo). I am just so excited to be back in this world again. I see w..."

Go for it!! I usually have more time for reading so I completely understand being wrapped up!

So I'm not quite as far as you yet (lots of family things/drama distracting me). I'm at the beginning of Chapter 3 (Cleo). I am just so excited to be back in this world again. I see what you mean about the little bits of information from the last book. I'm remembering a lot more although I'm a little spotty still on Felix. But Maybe that will come to light later.

I'll update again when I'm done with the next chunk I get the chance to read.

Lindsey wrote: "I think I might join in for this - I'm reading a bunch of other books (for work/classes) but I'm having trouble really getting into anything to read just for fun. I guess I'll be a late starter."

No worries! We haven't officially started yet!

Christina wrote: "My pre-order came in the mail today! I was hoping it would be delivered before lunch and it did! So I read the first three chapters while eating lunch today. Nothing mind-blowing happened yet. It's..."


Felix became a comrade of sorts with Jonas, but he was supposed to double cross him. He's an assassin, but I can't remember who he works for specifically. He helped Jonas & Friends find the stones of power. When they found out he was an enemy is when he fought Jonas, but I don't believe he really wanted to kill him. I think he wanted to leave his original group. That's largely what I remember about him. Also, that most of his lines were hilariously delivered and I enjoyed his personality.

I will be *crossing my fingers* hopefully starting this today!!

I love the cover! I mean all of the covers are beautiful, but this one I think is the best so far. I'm pretty sure it's Lucia on the front.

I was hoping to start it that night, but I actually didn't! lol I'm ok with waiting!

I love Colleen Hoover so I'm really exited for this one!

I'm excited to start this tomorrow!

I don't know if you're into audio books, but I listened to Gathering Darkness and it was phenomenal! The narration was great, and of course, the story! I read the other two in hardcover. I ended up giving them away and now I wish I had kept them!

So excited for this!