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Vampire Academy & Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead (VA group read September 2013)
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message 151:
by
Nicki
(new)
Jul 17, 2013 09:17AM
So I have read all six of the Vampire Academy books while I am have grown a little sick of the Rose/Dimitri love saga I think that I might actually like the Bloodlines series. I haven't tried them yet maybe I will next month or in September. I liked a lot of the other characters a lot more by the end of the series. I felt like I wanted to know more about Sydney or Eddie. Also I wanted to know what was going to happen with Mia or Jill. So I am hoping that Bloodlines is less starcrossed-tortured lovers and more adventure and intrigue. Hopefully executed a little more gracefully but overall Richelle Mead does have a fun way of telling a story.
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It's hard to say. I think Bloodlines doesn't have as much action because Sydney's strength is in using her brain. There are adventures of a different kind though.
I don't need the fighting aspect so much as the mental aspect. I loved the trials Lissa was going through because they were more mental and less physical. I also really liked Sydney's character throughout so I think I would do great with that story line.
For those who haven't read this yet, here's the link to the Dimitri PoV from the first time he met Rose : http://richellemead.com/dpov.htmThanks to Ash for pointing me to this.
Also, Ch1 of the Fiery Heart. I only read the first paragraph- I'm too excited to read it lol.http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/07/29/r...
I'm not reading that chapter(just yet) cause it will drive me nuts with anxiety for the whole book!I read Dimitri's Pov. I..... want to know what others think.
Carina wrote: "I'm not reading that chapter(just yet) cause it will drive me nuts with anxiety for the whole book!I read Dimitri's Pov. I..... want to know what others think."
I like it. Obviously nothing new about it, but it's evident that Richelle masters her characters. It made me believe that it was an excerpt of Dimitri's diary. It's so him!.
Well shit...I liked it, don't get me wrong. I like the different angle we got on the same introduction, but the voice? I don't know. I don't think it was Dimitri enough. Does that make sense?
I guess I'm just really bad at liking it when authors switch up PoVs like that. Specially after a series is over.
Hated it in the Dark Duet series. The only one I've loved, was KMM when she gave us the scene from Barrons PoV. And she said it was too damn hard being in his head and she'd never do it again.
The group read for September is now open. If you need to talk about any major plot points (minor story details don't need to be tagged), please use this code to put your text inside of a spoiler tag and make a note of whereabouts in the book you're talking about so people know if they've read far enough to be able to click on the tag :
message 160:
by
Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Sep 01, 2013 12:00AM)
(new)
For those who have read further on in the series and the following series Bloodlines, please be mindful of those participating in the discussion who are just now reading book 1.It can be hard to remember sometimes that certain characters who appear in Bloodlines are part of the conflict in VA and by mentioning them, it might be potentially spoiling a major plot resolution for Rose.
How did it already become the first?! I need to get on requesting this from the library! I'm super excited to be rereading it. :D
I think I'll start this next. I wasn't sure what to pick up after my current read, and I am a VA virgin. Been looking forward to this one.
great series! loved the ones ive read and can't wait for the next!
I thought VA was ok, but I have been assured that the rest of the series really picks up so I really want to make time to move on. I like that it was a different take on Vampires and their society and I really WANT to like it, lol. So I hope I get more into it!
message 165:
by
Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Sep 05, 2013 12:53PM)
(new)
I've said this before, but I thought book 1 was just okay when I read it for the first time. I rated it a very hesitant 3 stars and didn't understand why people were so crazy about the series.I only uprated it to a 4 on my second read after having read the series and understanding how important the book was to the rest of the story arc.
It really does get better. Book 2 is an improvement, but it doesn't get to a true level of greatness until book 3. Then it's just all kinds of awesome.
And books 3 through 6 read less fluffy/youthful because it moves away from the school setting, which is also a bonus.
Stacia, I agree completely. After I read the first book I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about but by Book Three I was pretty wrapped up in the story line. I'm excited to finish the series.I think "youthful fluff" is a good way to describe Book 1. The problems seemed like bad caricatures of high school: slut-shaming the girl that kisses more than one boy, crush on the hot young teacher, worried about my best friend finding love and not having time for me anymore, oh no the popular girl is mean, etc.
I think the paranormal element made them a little more interesting, but I wasn't disappointed to see them slowly disappear over the next two books.
I'm enjoying VA so far. I like the unusual bond between Rose and Lissa, and I know that'll be important later. I'm finding the background into the Moroi/Strigoi/Dhamphir thing a bit confusing, just because it seems like a lot of rules pertaining to their interactions, breeding, relationships, etc. Not uninteresting, just a lot of background. It does seem pretty "fluffy" with the drama so far, but I can see the potential ahead. Dimitri is a dark horse, and Rose is super spunky and doesn't seem to think there's anything she can't do-- no matter what she's told-- and I like that about her. Lissa seems nice enough, but kind of lackluster so far. No Strigoi appearances yet, but I imagine that's when things will explode. And, why did Rose and Lissa leave the Academy? I wonder...
I was confused about the whole moroi/dhampir/strigoi thing at first as well, but it'll make sense as the story goes on. VA is definitely one of my favorite YA series.
I am now starting Shadow Kiss, since I kept going after finishing VA. You're right, it all makes sense now. Frostbite was awesome, and it had me messy crying by the end. I can see why this series is a favorite of a lot of people.
Woo hoo! The feels just keep going now.
I thought the fourth book was a little weak for my own reasons but the first three are good. And that's coming from a guy who hates the whole vampire thing. I only read the first one because my friend said she would read a book of mine in return.The third book is probably the most intense IMO.
Fun stuff.
Butting in to add that Shadow Kiss was my turning point in the series. Definitely my favourite!
I think Stacia and I are few of the ones that consider book 4 one of our favs with book 3 if I'm not mistaken =)
Yes! I don't care how crazy it makes me look, book 4 is my favorite, with 3 and 5 coming in close behind.
So I've only ever read the first one and wasn't too impressed. I also went into it with some skepticism because I'm definitely not into the vampire genre, but a lot of people recommended it to me anyways. But according to this thread I should at least try up to book three. I think I had the same problems most people did with this one- too much sterotypical fluff. I'm not sure if I'll ever read the other ones, honestly. I just have too many books in my to read pile waiting to be read lol.
Paige wrote: "So I've only ever read the first one and wasn't too impressed. I also went into it with some skepticism because I'm definitely not into the vampire genre, but a lot of people recommended it to me a..."I was had the EXACT same thought when I finished the 1st book. I am on the 5th now and don't regret sticking with it (although I wasn't crazy about book 4) it is a really solid series, not one of my all time favorites but definitely enjoyable to read.
First books often go slower than the series as a whole. Give it a shot, it's definitely an awesome series! Cameron, hope you like book 5, it's my favorite one!
Cameron, hope you like book 5, it's my favorite one!"I do so far! I really like the pacing in this one, it doesn't take forever. I am a little farther than half way done.
Books 4 and 5 are my favorites!I started my reread last night! I'm surprised by how much I remembered (and forgot) about the story since it's been a few years. I'm definitely enjoying it again though!
Stacia ~ Admittedly Apathetic wrote: "So I have a question for all of you who have read Bloodlines. Did anyone else have the thought that it was strange how [spoilers removed]"
Had no problem at all with both your questions but now that you make me think about it, maybe yes it might not be totally realistic for Jill... I guess Richelle Meade is such a talented writer I just don't pick on things like that ;-)
I finished the first book last night. Enjoyed it, and since so many have said it gets better, I will continue reading. I have NOT read this thread, as I don't want any spoilers and I know the series has been completed for a bit, so I assume most have read the whole thing. Seriously bummed that continuing to read won't help with the "finish your series" challenge!
Emily wrote: "I finished the first book last night. Enjoyed it, and since so many have said it gets better, I will continue reading. I have NOT read this thread, as I don't want any spoilers and I know the ser..."The books definitely get better. Once the books get going you really start to like the characters a lot more. This is a book I never would have seen myself reading and now I am almost done with the last one.
Next up for me is book 4. I know that one was a favorite of Stacia and Carina, so I'm psyched to start it soon. I concur with Emily about being bummed the rest of the series won't count toward the end of the year challenge, but oh well. I'm going to be reading these anyway!
Amanda wrote: "Next up for me is book 4. I know that one was a favorite of Stacia and Carina, so I'm psyched to start it soon. I concur with Emily about being bummed the rest of the series won't count toward the ..."Book 4 was the only book of the series I didn't especially like. Hopefully that's just me though. Enjoy :)
What's so funny is that probably 95% of the people who read these books are woman who love with Dimitri (understandable) but being a guy I just think Rose is super hot and badass, would marry her in a heartbeat.
I could see that. Rose is definitely awesome. If I was into the ladies I think I would definitely want to get with Rose. Dimitri is also crush-worthy though... The hot, intense, honorable type. He's her teacher and he grounds her. I'd want him to be my teacher, for sure. ;)
Cameron wrote: "Paige wrote: "So I've only ever read the first one and wasn't too impressed. I also went into it with some skepticism because I'm definitely not into the vampire genre, but a lot of people recommen..."I'll have to at least give it one more try with book two then, although who knows when I'll ever get to it! I'm always suffering from an insurmountable to-be-read pile haha.
Amanda wrote: "I could see that. Rose is definitely awesome. If I was into the ladies I think I would definitely want to get with Rose. Dimitri is also crush-worthy though... The hot, intense, honorable type. He'..."It's that whole "honor/integrity" thing that really did it for me with him (okay and the hot/intense/protective thing too). I just think it's so rare to find characters like that in books. Usually, the strong/badass types are arrogant jerks.
Rose - yes, I love her too - in all of her brazen impetuousness. Even when she made mistakes, I would laugh to myself and think that she did the same thing I would have done at that age.
Paige, I hope you get the chance to someday. Book 1 really doesn't represent what the series becomes.
Anyway, I'm moving this topic back to the urban fantasy folder, where it will remain open for discussion.
VA/BLOODLINES is a gem for so many reasons but I'd say that if I had to go away with one it would be the fact that Richelle Meade gives us REAL, INSPIRING, STRONG and TRULY FLAWED FEMALE LEADS.And it is so nice to see them falling for anti-cliches guys. Both Dimitri and Adrian are unique.
I wasn't loving Bloodlines until I read
. That one was awesome
I just spent the last five days reading through the remaining five VA books, and I have to say that I liked them even better the second time around! I was an emotional wreck!Now I'm eager to finally get started on Bloodlines! :D
Tamanna wrote: "I wasn't loving Bloodlines until I read . That one was awesome"Indigo Spell was amazing! I can't wait to read Fiery Heart.
I love Adrian Ivashkov! SO much.
Fiery Heart was great! (I love Adrian Ivashkov too!)
I seriously have to read that book! Maybe around Christmas! :)
message 199:
by
Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Jan 13, 2014 02:21PM)
(new)
Why am I on the polar opposite end these days of the normal opinion? Sigh. It took me almost two months to finish Fiery Heart. I ended up loving the second half of the book, but thought the first half was so boring. Nothing really happened. (view spoiler) The action/adventure was pushed back to the end of the book, which surprised me, since it's normally a Mead staple.
Book 4 spoilers. I'm seriously pining for more Eddie time. (view spoiler)
I'm sad over the lack of Eddie time in favor of time with some of the newer characters who aren't as interesting.
From my review : Eddie : Is it too much to ask for more Eddie time? He's one of the actual characters who came over from VA, yet he is still background fodder. I know that Mead probably doesn't want to write Dimitri part deux, but when she teases me with phrases like Eddie was magnificent. I'd nearly forgotten that the adopted brother I joked and ate lunch with was a lethal warrior. or He was one of the most badass, capable guardians out there, but he couldn't believe that about himself, not when he kept seeing those failures laid at his feet. DOESN'T THAT SCREAM for more character time? We have another brooding person who wants to save the world and he's delegated to being the designated driver. It's wrong, I tell you.
Definitely agree about needing more Eddie.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Indigo Spell (other topics)The Indigo Spell (other topics)
Storm Born (other topics)
Succubus Blues (other topics)
The Fiery Heart (other topics)
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