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
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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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