Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines, #4) by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Publication date: November 19th, 2013
Number of pages: 420 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | The Book Depository


Sydney always believed that alchemists were born to protect vampire secrets and human lives - until she met Marcus and turned her back on everything she once knew.

But she's not free yet. When her sister Zoe arrives, Sydney can only tell her half-truths about her past. And with every word she risks exposure - and the fatal consequences.

Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney must choose her path once and for all. Even if that means harnessing her magical powers to destroy the way of life she was raised to defend..

In the newest Bloodlines installment, things are a little different when we not only have Sydney's POV, but also Adrian's. I thought this was gonna be great. I was excited for it, but that excitement soon died down a lot as soon as I started it.
I felt like I was reading a romance novel, it was as if the plot didn't exist.  The thing I loved about the VA series was that it had a bit of everything. Plot. Friendship and romance, and it doesn't overtake the series or plot, but with this book, Ugh.. it really did.

Sydney did not act like Sydney. And don't even get me started on Adrian. Yes, it was interesting to get inside his head and to find out more about his past and how he is dealing with the magic that comes with dealing with spirit, but it just was not what I was expecting. There are certain things in the book that I felt disgusted at and I felt my love for this couple dying down.

The things I did love were, interesting enough were the side characters. The Trey and Angeline and Eddie and Jill stuff.  It was subtle and gradual, unlike another couple in this book.
I adored both of those relationships and the progress they made in this book. I went from.. "Come on," to  "finally."  Angeline has grown up a ton over the last few books and that is saying something for the girl who went to fight Rose so she could marry Angeline's brother in Last Sacrifice, LOL.
Then we have Jill and Eddie, who never got to the point where they could get it right between them. Whether they never realized their feelings, or when they did, one of them was too stubborn to make a move. I was happy that things started happening, although I don't like the fact that Eddie has become a side character when I assumed he was meant to be a lead character.

The magic stuff was alright, but what I loved most of all was some surprise appearances by some of my favourite characters. This book was very predictable, I knew how it was gonna end way before now. There was just no excitement in it when you know what's gonna happen a few books back.
This series cannot hold a handle to VA in my opinion. I have now decided that while I do enjoy it (some books more than others) it just is lesser than how I feel toward the original series.  Can we like we back to Rose's POV in another spinoff? Thanks so much.

Anyway. I guess we'll see how Silver Shadows goes, but at this point, I am hoping this series is over sooner rather than later.

                                                                     3.5 Stars

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: August 16, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Number of Pages: 332
Format: Paperback
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St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a half human half vampire that is train to protect the full blooded vamps, the Moroi. Lissa is the only remaining member of her royal family line, which makes her a princess, and even more vulnerable, who is also Rose's best friend. Rose has swore to protect Lissa at all costs, which is the reason why they have been on the run from their boarding school for the past two years. But luck isn't on their side anymore, and they are being forced to go back to the one place Rose is certain Lissa isn't safe.

One of the things I love about this book is Ms. Mead just jumps into the story with little world building. It's just explained as it goes. It's the same with why Rose and Lissa had left the school and what was exactly going on. Yes it's almost frustrating you want to know what had happened. But I love guessing as the story goes. Now if you haven't read the series yet, I know what you are thinking, not another Twilight. I remember after reading Twilight, and way before even hearing about this, seeing the books in the bookstore (this is also before I really got into the paranormal genre) rolling my eyes and thinking it's a copy off of Twilight. You couldn't be more wrong. The vampires is a whole new category, and honestly I forget that they are vampires half the time.

Rose and Lissa's friendship is one of the best I've read. It takes real love and loyalty to put someone else needs above your own. To give up everything to protect them. It's just not one sided either. We get to see how Lissa will do anything to protect Rose's reputation. They each look out for each other and do what they believe is best for the other. They are truly sisters at heart, each other family.

What is an YA book without a lead guy that is drool worthy? This book is no exception. Dimitri, who is described as a god. One of the kickass Guardians around. He just so happens have to mentor Rose considering she is way behind in her training. We see a sort of a friendship develop between the two of them. It's not long before Rose realizes that she's crushing on her mentor, not to mention he's seven years older than her.

But through all the high school and romance drama, there's a danger lurking around. The same danger that caused them to go on the run, but this time there's no running away this time.

This book has it all; friendship, humor, love, danger, forbidden. Although the core of the book is Rose and Lissa's friendship, the connection between Rose and Dimitri can not be ignored. You will laugh, cry, and even scream. Not to mention such an addicting book. Even after re reading so many times and knowing what will happen I still can't put this book down. If you haven't checked out this series then do it ASAP.

Rating: 5/5

 

 

Review: Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods  (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Dutton
Publication date: June 4th
Number of pages: 464
Format: E-format via Netgalley
Preorder: Amazon | The Book Depository (Free Shipping)

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

I originally reviewed this when I receieved an arc for it, but a few months ago, I decided to buy the book and give it another shot thinking that maybe I was a little hasty with when I first read it.
I'm glad I did because I ended up liking it a lot more than I first did. Funny how those things can happen, right?

We're quickly introduced to Mae, who after the death of a friend (and maybe more than that?), one of the members of the miltary's most elite, gets sent to pick up someone who has been exiled because they need the experience and his talents for a case that only he can solve.  Mae doesn't know who he is or what it's concerning, doesn't know what he looks like either, so when she meets Justin at a party who saves her from a group of thugs, the two of them hit it off instantly...

Justin... I loved him. He isn't your normal hero, but then again, Richelle never does things the easy way, and so he has a complicated past, invisible friends and a prophecy if it ever comes to pass, it would spell no good things for him, and he would do anything he can to stop that from coming true.
But sometimes... not everything will go the way you wish or want it to... Justin knows this first hand.

Mae, I came to like her. She was strong with also a complicated past with a complicated family life she doesn't like to speak of. I felt she and Justin connected because of their common interests, their lonliness and their sad souls. I bet they never expected to meet again after their first encounter, but sometimes things are meant to be whether or not you want them to be.  I really adored the relationship between them.  It's not an easy one, and I have a feeling it's gonna be one that is a work-in-progress for the series.  They may have had some moments, but I wouldn't say they have a romance in this book. It's more like a beginning, but it can only envolve and progress from here on out.

The world-building was fascinating. The first time Richelle has done dystopia/sci fi, and I think I like it. It's certainly different, but I can't wait to see how the series folds and pans out in the next book, because the end certain sets things up nicely, especially where it comes Justin+Mae, plus Justin's little prophecy  he needs to be concerned with.

If you haven't given this a shot, then go ahead, you may end up being surprised.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Dulton Adult
Number of Pages: 448
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

I was a little hesitant to read this since I heard a lot of people gave it bad reviews and didn't like it. Not to mention I had forgot about the book, but I had saw it in Books a Million for half off, which I didn't take as a good sign for it to be marked that low so soon after it's released. But I love Richelle, and haven't found a book by her I didn't like.

If you've noticed I've tagged this book both as sci-fi and paranormal. Is that even possible? I couldn't decide what genre this book would fall under. At first it seems sci-fi, but as you get deeper in it, there's some paranormal aspects to it. Hence I put in both.

Right off the bat, this book is completely different from Mead's other works. It doesn't read like anything she's written, and it's in the third person. It had me wondering if the negative feedback was because the book was so different, fear of the unknown?  I do have to say there was a scene where Mae is remembering how she met her ex, it felt outplace and like it was just stuck in placement.

I really enjoyed the book. The world it is set in is interesting, and has more of a dystopian feel to it. The humor that is presented in all her other books was missing in this one. She keeps strong characters, and even a kick ass heroine.

I wouldn't say this is her best work. I didn't love it. But I really did enjoy it. And curious on how things will play out. More curious about Mae and her past. And I can't help but shipping her and Justin.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

Shadow Heir (Dark Swan #4) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages:390
Format: Paperback
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Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't—or won't—reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon—and risk the ultimate sacrifice. . .

  The conclusion to Mead's Dark Swan book picks up a few months after the last one left off. Eugenie is pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. And she has decided to have the babies, prophecy be damned. But there are those who will do anything to kill her unborn children even if that means killing Eugenie. Including Kiyo, ex lover and the father of her children. Which means she has has to avoid her home in Arizona, spending majority of her time in the Otherworld. Only going back to the human world for doctor appointments in Ohio. But when her secret hid out has been discover, Eugenie faces a difficult decision; she must leave everyone she knows and love behind and go in hiding.

The first half of the book is kind of uneventful. But once she has the twins, Roland comes to see her. There has been a winter blight to fall over majority of the kingdoms in the Otherworld. It doesn't take long for them to figure out that the Yew Land is behind it. Eugenie makes the difficult choice in leaving her babies behind, and with a team head to the Yew Land to save the other kingdoms, including Kiyo.

I loved that we found out Volusian's backstory. I hated that he ended up being banished. Yes he wanted to kill Eugenie, and was sick and twisted, but he was also very amusing. I loved the fact that the love triangle was non existence in this book.

And of course this wouldn't be a Mead book without some twists and turns. At the end Kiyo reveals a very surprising twist that made me very happy. But I wished Eugenie would of told Dorian. And the Storm King's heir turns out to be someone we weren't expecting. Which looking back it made sense. And at the beginning of the book there were hints. But this doesn't mean the twins are out of danger.

The only thing I hated about this book was that it didn't feel like an end to a series.  Things were left very open ended. It feels like there should be another book, which Mead has said she would love to do but doesn't have plans for the immediate future. I hope she doesn't wait too long.

Rating: 4/5

 

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

Iron Crowned (Dark Swan #3) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 375
Format: Paperback
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Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear...

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown's ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation - one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril...

Iron Crowned picks up where Thorn Queen left off. Eugenie and Dorian are not only back together as a couple, but are united in a war against Rowan Land and Queen Katrice. Desperate to end the war in a peaceful way, Eugenie hears stories of the legendary Iron Crown. A crown hidden somewhere and one must venture through mines of iron along with other obstacles to obtain it, not to mention the crown itself is made of iron. Dorian claims the crown has no real power, that it's just a symbol of the trails one goes through to get it. And that enough would make Katrice end the war. Not initially wanting to go after it, Dorian pushes her towards it. He even convinces her to take Kiyo with her, who even though isn't involved wants to see the war ended peacefully.

Getting the crown wasn't easy, but she realizes that Dorian had lied to her about the crown. Unable to trust his motivations anymore she breaks things off with him. And this is the one thing I hate about this series. The back and forth between Dorian and Kiyo. Not to mention she jumps right into bed with Kiyo after the breakup.

I really loved the fact that Jasmine has turned over a new leaf, or maybe not so. But the two have become closer and towards the end of the book Eugenie feels she can trust her enough to take off her cuffs and even takes her back to her house in the human world.

If you've read any other Mead's series you should noticed that the third book in the series is a heart breaker.  Not only does Eugenie find a way to end the war without anymore bloodshed, which is a big shock. At first reaction the twist at the end will make you gasp. But at the same time it's kind of foreseen, especially with earlier events in the book. Now fearing for her life from one man in her life she must seek protection from the other man. She's not entirely sure she can fully trust either one.

Rating: 4/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 21

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

Just finished re reading Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead. One of the things I love about adult urban fantasy is the humor you find in it.

Later, I would ask Shaya to help me compose a formal response to Katrice's letter, something a long the lines of "I am the Thorn Queen. Fuck Off.

Review: Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead

Thorn Queen (Dark Swan #2) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she's also become queen of the Thorn Land. It's hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one--except Eugenie--seems willing to find out why.
Eugenie has spilled plenty of fey blood in her time, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and nursing a very personal grudge. And the men in her life aren't making things any easier. Her boyfriend Kiyo is preoccupied with his pregnant ex, and sexy fey king Dorian always poses a dangerous distraction. With or without their help, Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in an unpredictable power she can barely control. Reluctant queen or not, Eugenie has sworn to do her duty--even if it means facing the darkest--and deadliest--side of her nature. . .

Eugenie can't deny her Otherworld heritage, having inherit a kingdom she didn't want. In which Eugenie's solution is to ignore all problems. She still pops in every now and then since she's connected to the land. But all other problems she lets her servants handle. Not to mention Eugenie has conflicting feelings about Kiyo and Maiween. Yes Kiyo claims to love Eugenie, but Maiween is the mother of his child. That's a connection that is hard to overcome. Traveling back to her castle from the baby shower she comes one of her villages, and she realizes how bad off her kingdom really is. Which makes her more involved. And to find out young gentry girls are being kidnapped from her kingdom.

In the process of looking for missing girls, her guards eventually find Jasmine, Eugenie's 15 year old half-sister, who is determined to get rid of Eugenie and have the Storm King's heir. Even for a re read the book is a big page turner. I began to hate Kiyo even more than I did in the first book, if that's even possible. Yes I understand he wants to be there for Maiween, but I don't understand why he needed to spend majority of his time with her before the baby was born. Not to mention when the baby was born it took him at least two days to contact Eugenie to let her know the baby was born. I don't really use love or connection like she has with Dorian. All I see between Eugenie and Kiyo is really good sex.

And it wouldn't be a book without some traumatic event. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read. But the fallout of the event brings about a war between the kingdoms. I wanted to shoot Kiyo for not standing up and being a man and doing everything he could to protect Eugenie.

Once again Richelle really hit the nail with this one. I can't wait to finish my re read.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Storm Born (Dark Swan #1) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 361
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants. . .
Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy—one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.
Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne'er-do-well, and the ones who don't want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her...

I know a few fans of Richelle Mead didn't like this series, and while trying to persuade a friend to give the first book another shot, in almost reverse it made me want to re read the series.

Meet Eugenie Markham, shaman that goes by the name Odile. She's was raised by her mom and her step father, and was taught that everything Otherworldy is evil and to hate everything.  The book starts off with a scene with a haunted shoe. Yes a shoe. I knew right from the beginning I would fall in love with this series, we see the same humor we've come to love and expect in a Mead book. All of a sudden the Otherwordly creatures knows Eugenie identity and are trying to get into her pants. Odd, but Eugenie ignores it for moment. Then Eugenie meets Kiyo, whom she believe is human. But after one night together she realizes he's much more than that. It's not long until she realizes he's half kitsune, giving him the ability to shift into a fox.

When Eugenie takes on a job to find a 15 year old girl, who has been kidnapped by a fey King, she ventures into the Otherworld with her body for the first time. There she meets King Dorian, who tells her a story about the Storm King. It's not long till Eugenie uncovers that not only is really half fey, but she's the Storm King's daughter. And there's a prophecy that says her first born will continue where Storm King left off and conquer the human world.

I think this is the first book, where who I ended up shifting took me by surprised. I didn't trust Kiyo from the first moment. There was just something untrustworthy about him, and you could tell he was hiding things from Eugenie. I just wished that she gave Dorian more of a chance in this book. All of the characters are awesome. Especially Volusian, even though he does want to kill Eugenie.

A few awesome quotes:

 “Yeah? What'd you name all those cats?"

Death, Famine, Pestilence, War, and Mr. Whiskers."

You named your cats after the riders of the apocal--wait. Mr. Whiskers?"

Well, there are only four horsemen.”

 “Oh, God. I’m trapped in the fucking Chronicles of Narnia."
"I’m sure that would be an amusing reference, if I understood it.”

 “You used your power to toss one rock at me?" he exclaimed, an almost comic note of incredulity in his voice.
"On the contrary," I heard Dorian say pleasantly. "I didn't use magic for that. I just threw it.”

 “I looked around at us all: me in my nightgown, Kiyo bare-chested, Dorian in his extravagant robes, and Tim in his Native getup. God, I muttered, standing up, we all look like the village people.”

 “Is he having a party?" "Dorian is a sociable king. He likes keeping people around him, mostly so he can mock them.”

 “Hey, Volusian, you haven't been checking me out, have you?"

He gave me his trademark bland stare. "I assure you, mistress, the only allure your bare flesh has for me is to remind me how easy it will be to slice open."

I laughed. If not for the fact he was actually serious, he'd be so much fun.”

 Honestly, I don't see how any fan of Mead could not love this series. It is an adult series, but the subject of rape is brought home numerous times. I know I've seen reviews where they say rape isn't handled right in the book. It's the eye of the beholder. You have to remember this is a different world than ours. And what Eugenie does, she knows that rape is a big possibility for her.

Rating: 5/5

 

Waiting on Wednesday [11]: The Fiery Heart....

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Expected release: November 19th, 2013


 Can I say that this needs to get into my hands ASAP? yes? I think we pretty much have the same thought, am I right?
I have a feeling this book is going to give me everything I want, and yet.. will break my heart. I think this will be the typical "third" book of the series, but the fourth.. and by that, I mean a dreaded cliffhanger and break my heart. Because, of course Richelle doesn't have her pairings too happy for very long until the very end.

Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Number of Pages: 401
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.


Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series 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.

AMAZING. Just perfection. Richelle Mead has never let me down with one of her books. I do have to admit, I wasn't a huge Adrian and Sydney shipper. Don't get me wrong I liked them, but this book sold me on them.

The book picks up not long after the second book left off. Sydney gets dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to perform a spell. Ms. Terwilliger needs a virgin to perform this spell and Sydney is the first one on the list. The results aren't that great. Ms. T sister's is a bad witch and now Sydney's life could be in danger.

Not to mention she still needs to find the mysterious Marcus Finch. He wasn't what I expect him to be. For some reason I thought he would be older. But nonetheless I fell in love with him. And he's not the only one that is running from the Alchemist, there are others with him. And he tells Sydney a shocking secret, the Alchemist's tattoo forces loyalty to the group and there's a way to break it. Even though Sydney is already questioning the Alchemist, but is she really ready to throw away her whole life and team up with Marcus and his group? Is there any truth to the claim that the Alchemist are working with the Warriors?

Early on in the book, Sydney along with two of her fellow Alchemists were invited to a vampire wedding. I had forgot that Sonya was planning a wedding. I was kind of hoping it was Rose and Dimitri or even Lissa and Christian. But I do love the small appearance of Rose and Dimitri, and even Abe. I know this series is about Sydney but I wish Rose would show up for more. In the Vampire Academy series I got the feeling that Sydney and Rose could really be great friends. And Abe. Oh Abe. Please show up more.

This book is filled with ton and tons of Adrian and Sydney scenes. I seriously couldn't get enough. Even though Sydney claims she doesn't, no CAN'T love Adrian, she can't seem to stay away from him. She even ends up with a hickey! There are tons of other swoon worthy moments between these two. But Jill's safety is still her number one priority, and when news surfaced that the Warriors are looking for Jill, Sydney demands more protection, and then covers up her uncharacteristic behavior by lying and saying she's afraid she can't handle being close to all these vampires. Just when we thought we could see our favorite couple happy, Sydney's world is turned upside down when the Alchemists sends her backup for the rest of the mission.

While I was reading a review, I was reminded that in all of Mead's other series, the third book usually ends in heartbreaking shock. While this one wasn't heartbreaking, the shock at the end was enough to leave your mouth hanging open.

Rating: 5/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 18

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

This week's teaser comes from The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead. There were too many awesome parts in this book, but this one made me laugh so hard and reminded me why I love Adrian.

“You're not as much of a lost cause as she was. I mean, with her, I had to overcome her deep, epic love with a Russian warlord. You and I just have to overcome hundreds of years' worth of deeply ingrained prejudice and taboo between our two races. Easy.” 

Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: February 12th, 2013
Number of pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository


Sydney Sage is 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.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she struggles to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch – a former Alchemist who the organisation denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus's help, Sydney realises that the group she's been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realises that her only hope is to embrace her special blood – or else she might be next.

Forging her own way is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain – and following her heart – she'll be able to finally figure out where she belongs.

Oh wow! What is there not to say about this book?

I think that there is no question about it. This is the best book come in the Bloodlines series. It gave you so much that you wanted, and more. And even things you didn't realized you wanted until they were right in front of your face.

Richelle has continued to kick butt in terms of these gorgeous characters. The mysterious plots and the continued budding romance between Adrian and Sydney.
I won't talk about them yet. Let me get to the other stuff before the gushing begins, k?

There is so much character growth for both Adrian and Sydney. I do wish that we had more things happen between Eddie and Jill, but I'd imagine that will be something that will grow throughout the rest of the series.
Sydney goes through a lot of things during the course of this novel. From sorting out how she feels toward Adrian, and how she should proceed with that. Denial. Guilt. Terror and fear. All these things applied when it came to Sydney, because for her.... falling for someone, a Moroi no less goes against everything she was taught to believe in. But the more she starts to discover about 'her own' people, the more her defenses drop to a degree where she lets what she feels inside her heart.
She just might start to believe... it may not be wrong at all, but all so very right..

Sydney also battles her ability to do magic. This is something nobody, even herself can understand. Why is she the only Alchemist to be able to have this ability? Is it something to do with who she is? There are still questions surrounding this discovery. But in this book, Sydney starts to understand that part of herself and come to slowly accept it more than she has the last two books. I would say she goes a long way to understanding that it is now a part of her, so might as well denying it.

We also get to meet the all mysterious Marcus Finch. He is someone who was mentioned by Clarence and was someone of a figure in the previous book, but in The Indigo Spell, Sydney finally tracks him down and that is where she makes many realizations and discoveries that may change more of her perspective of everything she knows. She will start to see things a little bit different after meeting someone who has purposely gone against their code, and broken the spell that holds the glue that sticks who they are together.
I wasn't sure what to think of him. Many others I know thought he might be involved in some kind of love triangle with Sydney and Adrian, but I never thought such a thing. I assumed his role in her life would be a bit more complicated than that, and more so have to do with who she is as a person. His role in making her believe the impossible goes a long way to progress her as a character.

Now for the romance.  OH YES. Ladies and Gents. There is so much love. Romance in this book. It's so gushing and romantic and all sorts of words I could use to describe it.
The progression of the relationship between Adrian and Sydney is my favourite part of this series. The moment they started to have small comments and interactions in Vampire Academy, I had a feeling that he might end up being her love interest in the spinoff. I knew that Richelle would give him his happy ending at some point, especially given the way that series ended for him. And boy was I glad that Sydney is indeed the girl for him. She makes him better, more than Rose ever did. With Sydney, Adrian wants to be better and not just to impress her. No. For himself. He wants to better his life and make something out of the person he is today. Sydney is just the key that makes that happen by being in his life.
I loved all the moments between them. It only added up to the most perfect ending in terms of where they stand with one another at the end of the book. Confessions. Realizations. Honest feelings. It's all happening guys.. and I couldn't be happier.

The first time I read VA, I wasn't much of an Adrian fan because I was Team Dimitri and I just didn't want him to come in between my otp, and I had no idea how Richelle would end the series. Yes, I felt bad for him, but he, I have come to understand is such a complicated character that it would take awhile until he found the right girl for him.
He is someone who has grown since he was first introduced. He was originally a party boy, who liked the flirt and have fun... and that changed into wanting to be better for Rose. Of course we know what happened there, and I think for good reason. I think he had to experience certain things during that series for him to come to this part of his life where he was ready to meet someone like Sydney. To be ready to change. That had to be his own doing and not because of someone else. Because of him. So yes, Adrian has changed and it has been amazing to witness him doing so throughout this series, and even more so in this book.

As for the ending... while it wasn't the kind of cliffhanger that Shadow Kiss was... I admit, I was expecting something big to happen, and while it did, it was such a relief it was not the kind of heartbreaking kind of ending.
I do have a feeling the heartbreak will come within the next book, The Fiery Heart. Come on. This is Richelle we are talking about, who is known for her heartbreaks and not giving the OTP a happy ending half way through the series, and that is where we are at. Book 3. Which means they won't get their HEA until book 6. Whatever these two will go through in the next 3 books, won't be easy.. but it shall be rewarding, that is one thing I am sure of.

Bring on The Fiery Heart!

Review: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: April10th, 2008
Number of pages: 327
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Rose Hathaway’s got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir’s on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians—including the legendary Janine Hathaway... Rose’s formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks. This year, St. Vladmir’s holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose—and her heart—are in more danger than she ever could have imagined.

In the second installment to this enticing series, Richelle Mead has done it again.

We follow the story of Rose as she battles love, hurt, loss and the journey of growing up. In this book, Rose has to go through many things that will change her. First is when she discovers the strigoi are aiming at closer to home.
After discovering a house full of murders, Rose begins to understand more about how the world works. She starts to grow up into someone to be reckoned with.

After parents and students scared after recent events, everyone heads to a ski lodge where it will help getting their minds off the attacks, but what happens there, well might as well be worse than anything Rose of her friends have ever encountered before.

This is yet another action-packed adventure for the ever-growing Rose Hathaway, as she battles her feelings for Dimitri, friendship with Mason and all the strange happenings that occur throughout the book.
We also get our first appearance by Adrian in this book. When I first read this, I wasn't a big fan of Adrian, but I now have come to have a new appreciation for him after seeing him as a main character in the Bloodlines series.
I can now see that things with him isn't what they appear to be. It's nice to go back and see things differently with a new pair of eyes.

We are also introduced to Rose's mother, who is a legend amongst the Guardians. She and Rose have an interesting sort of relationship. They are very alike whether they like to admit it or not, and not better the preferred word in this instant. But there was moments between them where you could tell Rose needed her mother, and some sweet moments that will go a long way into repairing their relationship. Of course, there are also 'other' moments where they get in each others faces, and it's usually not a pretty sight.

The end of this book.. will always make me bawl. It is one of those moments that you don't see coming and it will rip you heart into pieces. Heartbreaking, full of angst, bits of romance, mystery and intrigue. This book is sure a keeper and one you will keep thinking about even after you have closed the book.

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: August 16th, 2007
Number of pages: 332
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

2 girls. One bond. A whole lot of trouble.

This is the story of Rose, who is half human and half Mori (vampire). She and her best friend, Lissa, who happens to be a Moroi, which in normal talk is a living vampire, meaning they can die and have specific abilities, are on the run and have been for the past two years.
That soon stops and they are discovered by a guardian, a hot one nonetheless who then takes them back to the academy where they'll have to stay until the end of their education.

The girls, soon find themselves in some different situations of their own. Romantic and action-wise. There was a reason why they were on the run, and that very reason soon comes back to bite them to show that while you can run, you can't hide, and everything always comes out sooner or later.
Rose's life soon becomes complicated when she finds herself attracted to someone she should not be interested in for many reasons, but sometimes the heart does not listen to what your brain is telling you.

I really liked Rose as a protagonist. She is strong, independent. She can also get scared and vulnerable just like anyone. She doesn't want to rely on anyone, as she feels she has to do everything herself, I think it's because she hasn't had the usual upbringing, and didn't have that normal family type childhood it's probably hard for her to trust many people.

Lissa on the other hand. She has changed over the last few years with the death of her family. That would change anyone, it has made her more fearful and scared of things.
Until someone comes into her life that makes her feel alive again, to show her that it's okay to live and not focus on what could be, or what was.

A great first installment to a great series.

Verdict: 5/5

April's review of 'The Golden Lily' bye Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Number of Pages: 418
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

I absolutely loved Bloodlines. But with this one, I didn't have the same feeling. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. Put it wasn't one of those were I finished in a day because I couldn't put it down. I also feel like the only one that didn't automatically start shipping Adrian and Sydney before the first book came out. I do ship them, and ended up falling in love with them by the end of the book. What he said at the end on how he feels about her is exactly how he should feel, and what Rose at told him he should feel at the end of Last Sacrifice in the Vampire Academy series. I couldn't help but laugh on how clueless Sydney is though. Especially when Jill started acting like she develop a girl crush on Sydney, and she knows that sometimes Adrian's feelings comes on too strongly through the bond. 

I did enjoy seeing Sydney and Brayden together. I think he's exactly what she needed for her first boyfriend. Even though after the dance I started to like him less. At one point I did get a bad feeling about him and thought he was some kind of evil after her.

I wish there were more interaction with Dimitri and Adrian. I wanted some witty banter between them. And I'm hoping soon we'll able to see Sydney interact with Rose again. I loved that Sydney's eating habits reasons were pretty much confirmed, and hope to see that she sees beyond that. There's some twists throughout the book that give you the wow factor. Overall the book is an awesome read. 

Rating: 4/5   

 

Cover reveals for:: Gates of Paradise, The Indigo Spell & Sever

And so the covers keep coming. :P

This is the final book in the BLUE BLOODS series. :( I adore these books so much. I can't believe its ending..
So this is Sky and Jack on the cover. I wasn't sure at first because I didn't think Sky had short hair, but I guess she either cut it or.. has it tied back.

This is also the last of this series. I still need to read Fever, but this might be my favourite cover. Rhine just looks so pretty in it.

I'm guessing that's Sydney/Adrian and.. Marcus? I feel he will come into this book and play a significant role in the story.
Did anyone notice.... Sydney does not have her Lily tattoo?? Let the speculation go..

Jen's review of "The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

Publication date: June 12th, 2012

Publisher: Razor Bill / Penguin

Number of pages: 418

Format: Paperback

Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: Sydney Sage is 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.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

My review: This book has been on my anticipated books of 2012, and boy did it live up to expectations.

Even though not much time has passed between Bloodlines and The Golden Lily, the view Sydney has on the world she thought she knew has started to change rapidly.
She is just as stubborn as ever, but slowly but surely she is starting to see that not everything is as it appears, and what she thought it was.
The relationships she has with her friends also change and they become something like a family. She knows this is not what is meant to happen. All she should be doing is protecting Jill, but by spending time with her and with the others, her feelings start to get personal. Although, that is something she refuses to think about deeply, because if she does, she'll know that she could be in a lot of trouble.

Sydney is still trying to adjust to this kind of life. A life where not everything is black and white. Everything she knows is through facts and what she has grown up to believe, so when things start to challenge those facts, she just doesn't know what to do with that kind of information.

Adrian, oh, Adrian. What can I say? There was so much progression between him and Sydney, even to a point where you just want to lock them in a room together until they can kiss and live happily ever after. I know that's not possible though. Especially not in book 2, and if I know Richelle and the way she does her books... this is only the beginning of the heartbreak for these two. It's gonna be a long journey to get to a point where they are both ready for what is lurking between them.

He also had other things to deal with in this book. First there was Dimitri, which was a constant reminder that Rose choose Dimitri and not him, which I think is still hurting a little bit.. but not as much as it used to.
Then, there is his issues with his dad, which come into play and you see just how much Adrian has to deal with when it comes to his family.
All you want to do is hug him forever for everything he has been through and want to protect him from anything that hurts him. But hurt is part of life... it's how you get through it that matters the most.

Next we have Jill, Eddie, Micah and Angeline, which becomes some sort of love... square, LOL So much goes on between the four of them. Poor Jill, for someone so young she has been through hell and back in a short amount of time. It's obvious the way Eddie feels about her, and he reminds me of Dimitri in the early days of VA when it came to Rose.

The plot of the book I really enjoyed. It was something that hit close to home to Sydney especially. She is human and being told that she has magic isn't something she can accept. It's like out of her little box she has created for what is realistic and what isn't.
But I think she will slowly adjust to the truth. It won't be easy, but I think it's a matter of time before she understands just how special she really is.

There was also a few surprises and shocks I didn't see coming. Some people did, but I sometimes don't think about certain things before they happen.

I did feel there was some foreshadowing in this book that might happen in book 3.. and it might have something to do with this quote..

"If the woman i loved was locked away, i’d be doing everything in my power to reach her”
Some of my other favourite quotes are..

"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth."

“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.”

But perhaps the best part of al was that I, Sydney Katherine Sage, guilty of constantly analyzing the world around me, wel, I stopped thinking.

And it was glorious.

"When I’m around you, I want to be better because … wel, because it feels right. Because I want to. You make me want to become something greater than myself. I want to excel. You inspire me in every act, every word, every glance. I look at you, and you’re like … like light made into flesh."

Seriously. This book was better than I could have imagined. And of course, a cliffhanger to boot.. that brings your heart to the floor.

Oh man. The wait until the next book will be torchure.

I think... I just might love Adrian and Sydney as much as I loved Rose and Dimitri, and that is saying something.

                                      Rating: 5/5