The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased
Rating:  
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

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.
– Goodreads

Review:
Hello everyone, this review is from me as a ghost because I DIED when reading The Indigo Spell. While Richelle Mead is no stranger to evoking strong feelings from me (seriously, have you read Shadow Kiss?!), this latest installment of the Bloodlines series was a different type of monster. Don’t be surprised if this review is even more of rambling mess than usual because where to even start?! Paragraphs won’t suffice so here are some bullet points:

• Richelle Mead wasted no time in delivering the fun. I certainly did not expect to be grinning from ear to ear, as big as I was, within the first thirty pages, but there I was. This was a recurring theme throughout the rest of the book, too. Although Richelle Mead definitely knows how to write drama, what I love the most about her books is how she effortlessly infuses humor into them. I’ve felt sucker punched while reading her books, so I always go in with some trepidation, but I was basically a giddy mess reading The Indigo Spell.

• FAMILIAR FACES. As brief as their scenes may have been, I LOVED seeing favorites from Vampire Academy make a cameo. I love the current cast of characters so much, but the VA group definitely brings the fuzzy feeling of nostalgia.

• The mystery storyline had my suspicions all over the place. While some things played out like I thought they would, other directions took me by surprise. I must admit that the mysteries aren’t usually a highlight for me, but I actually enjoyed this one a lot because Sydney stepped up to the plate and is becoming quite the bad ass in her own way.

• Sydney’s character has grown so much and I love her more with each book. Beliefs that were once deeply rooted in her have evolved and, though she continues to struggle with what she was taught versus what she knows now, Sydney has become her own person away from the Alchemist teachings. At this point I fear re-education SO much, but I guess I’ll freak out more when (and if) that happens.

• The swoon! THE SWOON. I’ve been known to slam books shut when they fill me with rage, but Richelle Mead had me doing that with the tension between Adrian and Sydney. TOO HOT TO HANDLE. They make such a fantastic team, their banter was ridiculously good, and…THE KISSING. It was the stuff dreams are made of (for sure in Adrian’s case). They are the reason I am dead.

The Indigo Spell has it all AND THEN SOME. Drama, romance, mystery, the usual, and then also: new fraternities, dragons, pie, the return of the pirate skeleton and much, much more. This is my new favorite from Richelle Mead and I can’t wait to see how she tops this one when The Fiery Heart is released.

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased
Rating:  
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

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. – Goodreads

Review:
No one sends me into a near panic attack at the end of her books quite like Richelle Mead. Not only does she completely hook me into her vampire lore, and the mysteries each installment brings, but her characters? FAVORITES! I don’t even know where to start with this review so here is a quick breakdown of what I loved:

• 400+ pages? Psh, The Golden Lily just flew by! Even with some of the repetition of things I already know (yes, I am familiar with the difference between the Moroi and Strigoi, thank you), Richelle Mead kept me fully engaged as Sydney and the gang navigated through their new conflict.

• I love that the Bloodlines series, along with its characters, doesn’t read like a rehash of Vampire Academy. Sure, there are nods and familiar faces, but Bloodlines is following its own course and the character’s personalities are so individual and different.

• The humor. Richelle Mead has a vibrant cast and their dynamic is the best. Seriously, these kids are posing as family and some of the things that happen are hysterical. What a strange little family they are, ha! Richelle Mead offers the right amount of wit and lighthearted moments.

• The romance, ahhhhhh!! Guys, I was immediately on board with the idea of Sydney and Adrian in Bloodlines and…yes! These two have such a great connection, friendship, and I was pretty much squeeing all over the place during their interactions in this one. My emotions were a combination of “OMG!!!!!” and “LET ME DIE!” I love them something fierce. If that wasn’t enough, I love how Richelle Mead handled the romantic woes of the other characters, too. So much drama and I can’t wait to see how it continues to unfold!

• The characters went through so much development. It was especially great to see Sydney willing to explore new things and reconsider what she’s known her entire life as an Alchemist. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, and she has a long way to go, but the doors are open. Adrian also does some growing up and Richelle Mead allowed a glimpse into some of his darker moments. Don’t fret, he still has all his quips and charm, but he’s become such a layered character and I love it.

• The ending. My heart was racing, I was screaming inside, and then…it was over. WHY?! Richelle Mead delivered with the best of the highs and the lowest of the lows and you can bet I’ll be back to do it all over again in The Indigo Spell. Gahhhhhhh, I cannot wait!

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 432
Source: ARC from Comic-Con
Rating:  
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

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 human 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.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. 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 sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but 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. – Official Site

Review:
As a big fan of the Vampire Academy series, I was beyond excited when I snagged this at the Penguin booth at Comic-Con. I was really looking forward to getting more of Adrian (hello, fangirl here!) and Bloodlines delivered just that and then some!

I really enjoyed Sydney’s character in the first series, but stepping into her shoes here was a very refreshing experience. I liked her so much that I now have the urge to go through her scenes in the VA books to revisit her actions in those. She’s a lot more subdued than her predecessor, with a different kind of determination and strength, and I found it a lot easier to relate to her. She has her socially awkward moments, which only made her that much more endearing to me, she’s fiercely protective, and she’s amazing for putting up with the BS from her father and Keith (HAAAAAAATE). Plus, this girl holds her own with Adrian. We all know how unpredictable he can be, but she keeps up and even begins to ground him in reality a bit. Things between these two are going to get good!

Adrian, I missed you!!! He was my absolute favorite character from the Vampire Academy series and, though I obviously knew what would be the result of Rose’s relationship woes, his last scene in Last Sacrifice left a bitter taste in my mouth on his behalf. It was completely realistic, and I did love it, but his pain was also very palpable and…OUCH. Needless to say, I was thrilled that he would be involved in this spinoff series. Dimitri/Rose mentions would be inevitable, of course, but I liked the idea of him being the leading man and stepping out of their shadow. Adrian was in top form here, with his usual humor and charm. He’s obviously still broken over the Rose situation, but I liked seeing that he hasn’t closed off from everyone and there is SO much potential from him.

The two other characters that the book focuses on are Eddie and Jill, both familiar faces from the previous books. I can’t say I cared for them much before, but attachments are definitely forming now. The dynamic of them with Sydney and Adrian is so much fun and it’s only going to get more interesting from here. The mysteries didn’t have me hooked as much as I hoped — there was a certain degree of predictability there — but I’m sure this was only a taste of what’s to come and there were some other surprises along the way.

That ending! Oh, boy. It was 4AM when I finished the book, so my outward reaction was simply my jaw dropping, but inside I was basically screaming. Way to end the book with a bang, Richelle! The wait for The Golden Lily is torturing me already because I’m dying to know how things will play out, eeeeek! All in all, I’m so excited for the progress of this spinoff. It’s great to have a new perspective on this familiar world with some awesome characters.