#jill mastrano

[rinadragomir]

VAMPIRE ACADEMY PORTRAITS

(Book version)

Yay I'm officially returning to my home fandom cause the show starts pretty soon and even tho I know it's gonna be a piece of trash I'm weak and I'm gonna watch🥲 and since I'm really invested in these books once again I'm ready to make lots of content so who wants to be on my taglist?🌝

#va #vampire academy #rose hathaway #dimitri belikov #lissa dragomir #christian ozera #adrian ivashkov #sydney sage #eddie castile #jill mastrano #mason ashford #abe mazur

[allaboutthedrama]

I know that I'm pretty late to the conversation, but I've just reread all of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines (possibly for The Untitled Jill Project) and it's the first time I've reread the VA series in years.

I'm just thinking about how, in my opinion, the quality of the VA series improved as we got into the last few books, and with Bloodlines, I think the reverse sort of happened. Spoilers for both series ahead. (Yeah, the last book came out nine years ago, but you never know.)

I think I hadn't realized how cohesive the ending of Last Sacrifice was. Details from as far back as the first book came up and were very relevant. The political plotline came together in a really tight way, Sonya Karp turned out the be Chekov's spirit user, we got more world-building details, the antagonists had complex and convoluted motivations, and even when there were plot threads left dangling, those actually served a purpose. I loved the part where Adrian pointed out to Rose that her actions had consequences and even though she had gotten what she wanted, not everything else was resolved, so people like Eddie and Sydney and Jill were left in bad situations, and she was partly responsible. It created a little more moral ambiguity, which I really enjoyed, especially since YA tends to like the very neat endings where everything winds up happily ever after.

The Vampire Academy books improved the deeper into the series you got. And, although I love Bloodlines, I do think that the first three books are much stronger than the last three. Which is a shame, because the series has so much potential.

I think Mead is at her best when she's writing something of a mystery. Last Sacrifice obviously comes to mind (they're solving a murder mystery, after all). Bloodlines had that, with the tattoos, Lee, and Keith being shady all building up to a really exciting climax. The Golden Lily wasn't quite as much of one, but the clues leading up to the reveal of the Warriors were well-placed. Indigo Spell went straight back into mystery territory, trying to find Jackie's sister. And then The Fiery Heart is where, in my opinion, things start to falter. There's a lot of interesting worldbuilding information introduced, with the new details about spirit and magic coming up, and it was fun to get into Adrian's head, but it definitely felt like this supernatural romance was shifting to become a lot more romance and a lot less concerned with the supernatural. But that's not such a big deal. It's the middle of the series, we're building tension, Re-Education has been a threat hanging over Sydney since page one of Bloodlines and we're finally seeing that fear pay off.

But then we get to Silver Shadows, and while I guess figuring out where Sydney is could be a mystery, it doesn't really resonate the way 'who killed the queen' does, in my opinion. Sydney's arc in Re-Education is great, and I do like the way the books deal with Adrian's mental health issues, but some of Adrian's chapters felt more like filler. And a bigger issue, imo, was that this was when we really started to lose the side characters. Some of my favorite parts of the first few books were characters like Jill, Eddie, Trey, and Angeline, and then the ensemble atmosphere was largely gone, because Sydney was in Re-Education and Adrian left Palm Springs. The final fight and flight sequence was really good, though, so I had high hopes going into The Ruby Circle.

The Ruby Circle is probably my least favorite of the books between both of the series, and I think that's a shame, since it's the finale. We'd just had a 'kidnapped character' arc, so I think there was less emphasis on describing everyone's reactions. We saw the biggest reaction from Eddie, but as a result, he got kind of flattened out from the really well-rounded character he'd been from the back half of the VA books and the first part of Bloodlines.

The Ruby Circle could have been a really good mystery, with lots of twists that tied up a lot of the lingering questions from the series. Except that a lot of threads from the rest of the series were dropped and didn't resurface. They never caught whoever was behind the assassination attempt on Jill. I don't think we even got an official resolution on whether Lissa managed to change the quorum law. The political plots that were integral to VA weren't significant in Bloodlines, despite it all starting because of a politically motivated assassination. We also never got a resolution on the rogue spirit user who turned Lee back from being Strigoi, or the spirit users who had been sent to the psychiatric facility in Tarasov (the prison from Spirit Bound). We never found Robert Duro. The bond itself was somewhat discarded, too, whenever it wasn't immediately useful for a plot point. Instead, we just got a scavenger hunt across the country, a few fight scenes where the protagonists were pretty much guaranteed to win, and a final showdown with a magic barrier that, as we learn after, would have dropped down on its own in a few hours for them to bring Jill food, anyways.

I obviously still like the series, since I'm rereading it and talking about it nine years after the fact. But I think that there were a lot of opportunities to continue plots from VA that were lost, even when they should have been brought back into the story.

If anyone has made it this far, I suppose I should throw in a pitch for The Untitled Jill Project, which will be my attempt to rewrite the Bloodlines series from Jill's perspective, because I think there's still a lot more story to be told. I haven't got it all mapped out, but I intend to at least tie up some of the narrative loose ends I mentioned that bothered me about the series in that story. I might write up another post here soon about how Jill's characterization also suffered as Bloodlines went on, if anyone's interested.

Anyways, if anyone has any strong opinions on what I said (agreeing or disagreeing) please let me know! I'd love to talk about the series with people, since no one in my real life has read it, and I'm curious to know what the rest of the fandom thinks about how the narrative progressed in Bloodlines.

#Vampire Academy #Vampire Academy books #Bloodlines (Richelle Mead) #Eddie Castile #Sydney Sage #Adrian Ivashkov #Jill Dragomir #Jillian Dragomir #Jill Mastrano #The Untitled Jill Project #Rose Hathaway

[retiredficwriter]

sydney filling in the role of older sister to jill when lissa kept avoiding her once they found out they were related. jill filling in the role of younger sister to sydney when sydney and zoe left on such bad terms

adrian being the only one who knows about mason’s death at the beginning of bloodlines and how much that impacted eddie. and how he knows why eddie is so devoted on protecting jill. because he failed once and now he has a chance to redeem himself and not have her end up like mason. when eddie figured out sydrian were in a secret relationship, he kept it to himself because he knew the implications it would lead to both of them.

eddie and sydney growing up internalizing the expectations of their jobs. both put everyone’s needs beyond their own because that’s what they were taught their whole life. they feel the need to be the problem-solvers, the heroes to everyone.

adrian looking after jill long before she was revealed to be a dragomir. he was probably her only friend at court, since he also feels like an outsider at court. then when jill has the bond, she understands adrian's actions and feelings.

sydney and adrian related to the expectations set by their families and friends. how they are the only one who sees the other's true self underneath the masks they put on for the rest of the world. they hold each other accountable for their mistakes and encourage to do better. they are each other cheerleader's. they grow together.

eddie and jill going through so much at such younger age and are both survivors. how eddie admires jill for her strength even before she became more confident, and how jill feels the same with eddie. how jill knows eddie so much, his devotion to protecting others, that she “freed” him from his duty to be her guardian to save sydney from re-education.

despite all their differences and all the reasons why they shouldn’t work out as family and friends, they proved everyone wrong.

#bloodlines #richelle mead #sydney sage #adrian ivashkov #eddie castile #jill mastrano #yes I KNOW I LEFT OUT TREY AND ANGELINE #I STILL LOVE THEM AND THEY ARE PART OF THE MELROSE FAM OKAY? #there’s just something about book 1 and the start of their found family that makes me nostalgic and emotional #how they all mirror each other and complete each other #all of them make me insane #my rambles

[jetsteelyourheart]

Bloodlines Book 2 The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Illustration of everyone at Halloween

Everyone's response to seeing Sydney in the Dress:

Jill:

Her mouth opened to speak and then just hung there in silence when she saw me.

...

"It's red," I told her. In case it wasn't obvious, I added: "I never wear red."

"I know," she said, wide-eyed. "But you should. It looks amazing on you. You should burn all your gray and brown clothes."

Eddie:

Then he flicked his gaze over to me and did a double-take. His expression wasn't love-struck so much as dumbfounded.

...

"Too bad we're 'related.' I'd ask you guys to dance."

Trey:

"Whoa, Melbourne. Where have you been hiding?" Trey strolled over to us and began liberally filling a cup with the fluorescent green punch. "You look badass. And hot."

Adrian:

He turned his head toward me and froze. I had never seen him so still-- or so quiet. His shock was thorough and intense that he actually dropped his cigarette.

...

He slowly sat up, eyes wide. He slid off the hood and didn't seem to leave any marks. Obviously I'd have to check it later. "Sage," he said. "What are you wearing?"

I sighed and stared down at the dress. "I know. It's red. Don't start. I'm tired of hearing about it."

"Funny," he said. "I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at it."

Adrian, Brayden, Sydney, Jill, Micah, Eddie, Angeline, Trey

Bonus Brayden

Brayden:

He was waiting for me to say something. "Mine's not entirely, um, accurate either."

Brayden studied the red dress in a very clinical way. "No," he agreed. "Not at all. Well, the cut's not that far off, I suppose." He thought for several moments more. "But I still think it's very pretty on you

#bloodlines #adrian ivashkov #sydney sage #sydrian #vampire academy #posts by me #bookclub #eddie castile #jill mastrano #jill dragomir #angeline dawes #brayden cartright #trey juarez #richelle mead #Illustrating Bloodlines the Series

[yikuaidanggao]

How Adrian, Jill, Eddie and others see Sydney:

Meanwhile Sydney :

#va bloodlines #sydney sage #adrian ivashkov #jill mastrano #eddie castile #sydrian #vampire academy

[ebbilayart]

"To my surprise, Eddie's expression was adoring too, along with something else."

Wanted to draw this scene as soon as I read it because they're literally the most adorable thing in the world I think

#my art #bloodlines #jill mastrano #eddie castile #richelle mead #sydney sage #vampire academy

[sydneysageivashkov]

early leaks saying sydney would be in the season finale, julie plec saying to ask again about sydrian in season two, rose not being there when adrian is introduced because she's busy making out with dimitri, eddie starting to get more focus, the show introducing the concept of quorum and the need for a secret dragomir early

#vampire academy #sydrian #vatv #vatv spoilers #vampire academy spoilers #bloodlines #adrian ivashkov #sydney sage #jill mastrano #eddie castile

[authorgirl1111]

Sydney is justified in being uncomfortable having a fifteen year old privy to her private moments with Adrian. IDK if running was the answer but... I can understand her desire to just... not want that.

#sydney sage #Sydrian #adrian ivashkov #jill mastrano #vampire academy #bloodlines

[inprogress-predicament]

Incorrect Bloodlines Quotes

Eddie: Where's Adrian? Angeline: I'm sure he'll be here. He wouldn't miss a chance to pop in, bemoan his life and traumatize Sydney somehow. Jill: One day he is going to run out of ways to shock people. Adrian, barging in with Sydney: Hello everyone, I have some news. We're getting married! Jill: But its not going to be today.

#vampire academy #bloodlines #eddie castile #angeline dawes #jill mastrano #jill dragomir #adrian ivashkov #sydeny sage #incorrect quotes #source: community #sydrian

[luxincarne]

Jill: I told Sydney her ears flush when she lies.

Eddie: Why?

Jill: Look.

Jill: Hey Sydney! Do you love us?

Sydney, covering her ears: No!

Eddie:

#sydney sage #jill mastrano #eddie castile #bloodlines #incorrect quotes #crack #text #mine

[wendyliddel]

If we ever get the Bloodlines series on screen, I want them to have the scene where Eddie is like “I’m sure we can order a pizza without Sydney”, but I want it to flash to like 20 minutes later, and they’re still arguing over toppings, what type of crust to get, sides, etc. 

#vampire academy #bloodlines #sydney sage #eddie castile #jill mastrano

[easily-distracted-ivashkov]

Adrian: I slept for almost 12 hours but I might still be tired so lets go for 12 more just incase.

Sydney: Adrian, that's a coma.

Adrian: Sounds festive

#adrian ivashkov #sydney sage #sydrian #vampire academy #rose hathaway #dimitri belikov #eddie castile #romitri #christian ozera #jill mastrano #lissa dragomir #bloodlines

[allaboutthedrama]

I'm curious about how active the Vampire Academy book fandom still is. Specifically, if anyone out there would be interested in reading a retelling of the Bloodlines series from Jill's POV? I've been rereading the books and felt inspired, but I'm not sure if there's anyone else who would want to read it? If you think you might, please interact with this post or send me a telegraph or something, idk how the kids are doing it these days.

#Vampire Academy books #Vampire Academy #Bloodlines (Richelle Mead) #Jill Mastrano #Jillian Mastrano #Jill Dragomir #Jillian Dragomir #Sydney Sage #Adrian Ivashkov #Sydrian #Eddie Castile #Rose Hathaway #Dimitri Belikov #Bloodlines

[retiredficwriter]

jill doesn’t deserve the hate she gets from this fandom

#vampire academy #bloodlines #jill mastrano #this is a jill mastrano dragomir apologist blog #my rambles

[jetsteelyourheart]

All of my Book 2 The Golden Lily fanart from Richelle Mead's Bloodlines series :) Finally finished all the stuff I started. I need to do more weird group scenes because I love them every time I make them

Group Shot at Spencer's Cafe: Sydney, Adrian, Eddie, Jill, Angeline in the foreground, Sonya, Dimitri, Jackie, Trey & Brandon Brayson Braden Brayden in the back

My fave underrated Sydrian scene, after Sonya and Sydney are attacked by the Warriors of Light for the first time and a drunk Adrian tenderly wipes blood from her cheek while she cries into his chest

Halloween Dance image (not totally accurate, obviously) Adrian in the foreground (Werewolf Costume), And then Bradley Brayden (Greek Man), Sydney(Greek Goddess), Jill (Fairy), Micah (Peter Pan), Eddie("The Phantom"), Angeline (Masquerade & Hotpants) & Trey (Bedsheet)

The Red Dress Scene (Sydriannnn)

The Malachai Wolfe School of Defense. Why isn't there more fan art of Malachai Wolfe and his 13 Chihuahuas? alt title, Adrian and the very sudden boner Image shows Sydney jumping Adrian with Malachai in the back giving a thumbs up with the 13 chihuahuas scattered in the back

Sydrian First Kiss <3 I know this scene doesn't happen at night, but I also don't care.

I hope my art is ok for y'all in the smol fandom

#sydrian #vampire academy #bloodlines #the golden lily #adrian ivashkov #posts by me #sydney sage #bookclub #fan art #richelle mead #please love them your honor #this one might be my favorite #or all the books in the series #jill mastrano #jill dragomir #eddie castile #angeline dawes #trey juarez

[princ3ssjillyb3an]

hi!! i'm not really sure what to write for my first post. i guess i can introduce myself!

you can call me jillybean! my sister told me you shouldn't share how old you are on the internet so i won't do that. my favorite things are fashion design and swimming. i can't do that much right now though because i just moved to the desert. it's so hot and dry here. which stinks. :(

i'm starting at a new school soon and honestly i'm really nervous. i won't know anyone there except my siblings and i don't really know what to expect. i'll definitely keep you all updated.

thanks for listening! byeeee!! <3

#jill mastrano