The first book in a new YA series – set in the same world as Vampire Academy. Larger trade paperback edition.

“Spin off series takes place in the same universe as Vampire Academy. Same rules, same races. What happens here is that the side characters from Vampire Academy are now the main characters. And so the series will be following Sydney, Jill, Adrian, and Eddie”. Richelle Mead

Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an Alchemist – one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets – and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other Alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line. Jill Dragomir – the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir – is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding.

To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathising with vampires. And now she has to live with one. Threats, distractions and forbidden romance lurk both outside – and within – the school grounds. Now that they're in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

Review

“‘Bloodlines’ stands out from the crowded vampire genre because it's not centered on a human-vampire romance, which is considered quite repulsive. Sydney is very clear on the subject: ‘Humans and vampires can't be together! It's disgusting and wrong.’ Instead, ‘Bloodlines’ is about the complications of an old culture centered on old beliefs that doesn't necessarily translate to a new generation. While there are a few love stories throughout the book, the focus on Sydney's internal struggle is quite refreshing.” —Summer Moore, The Associated Press