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!