Strict Pick: BLOODLINES, by Richelle Mead

Monday nights are my favorite night to work at the store, because that's the night (and afternoon) that we get to break open the boxes labeled STRICT ON SALE. These are the books that everyone (or at least some someones) are waiting for--the ones where the store gets fined if a single copy leaves early. Having always been someone who eagerly waits for the next installment from the authors I love, there's something that never ceases to be magical about being the first to handle their newest release, even if it does mean a slow closing to the store because there's a lot of work we have to do after we lock the door!

So I'm starting a new feature here, where each week, I'll give my pick for the must-read Strict On Sale book that week. If I've gotten my hands on an ARC, you'll get a full review--but some of the time, you'll just have to live with the fact that I'm bound by the SOS rules, too, and I haven't done more than just put the book on its display (which is the case this week).

My Strict Pick this week is BLOODLINES, by Richelle Mead. Now, everybody knows that vampire books are so glutting the market right now it's almost cliche. But in my opinion, there's always room for someone who is tweaking the same-old same-old in a unique and fresh way. BLOODLINES spins off the VAMPIRE ACADEMY universe, and will bring to fore some of the characters who played second-fiddle in the original series.

Here's what the publisher has to say:

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.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

As a writer and a reader, there's nothing I love more than staying in a good universe I've already grown to love. So for those who've fallen for the VA universe so far (and maybe those that haven't!),  this is the pick for you.

Bloodlines at Powell's
Bloodlines at Amazon
Bloodlines at Barnes & Noble