Bloodlines is the first book in a new series by Richelle Mead which is a spin off of The Vampire Academy series, written by the same author.
Picking up a few months after the last Vampire Academy book Last Sacrifice left off, Alchemist Sydney Sage is still in a bit of trouble after helping Dhampir Rose Hathaway escape wrongful conviction. The Alchemist have enlisted Sydney’s services, she is to act as guardian to Princess Jill Dragomir sister to the newly elected Moroi Queen, while she is in hiding after the latest attempt on her life. She is to be Jill’ sister and roommate while undercover attending the Amberwood Prep school in Palm Springs. While the Alchemist frown upon close relations with the vampires Sydney is left with little choice if she wants to have her reputation restored to good standing in her community. Sydney is once again thrown together with the Vampires and the Dhampir’s in an effort to keep the Moroi from civil war. Sydney is just beginning to realize what kind of drama, distractions & dangers she signed up for.
I loved this book, it’s not the action packed adventure that was the vampire academy, but seeing as it revolves around the alchemist Sydney Sage I hardly expected it to, I knew it would be more intellect based rather than ass kicking heroine based. I enjoyed watching her evolution and her walls start to come down as she builds relationships with her charges. I was happy to see Adrian back he was just way too much fun to keep away and I enjoy the banter between him & Sydney. I can’t wait to see where she goes with those two!
I give this book a 4 out of 5 rating
Originally Posted July 27, 2012
The Golden Lily is the second book in the Bloodline series by Richelle Mead, a spin off of The Vampire Academy series.
Alchemist Sydney Sage isn’t just another pretty face, she is wicked smart and one of a select few that know the where a bouts of the Moroi princess Jill Dragomir. In charge of keeping the princess safe from Moroi civil unrest. Sydney has her work cut out for her. Hidden away at the Amberwood Prep School in Palm Springs Sydney has to contend with Spirit bonds, forbidden relationship woes, and playing chauffeur to her “siblings”. Things are still a little crazy from the Strigoi attack and they have brought to town a few old friends to try and figure out the mystery. With them follows a new danger a crazy sect of vampire hunters that leaves them all in danger. Keeping their whereabouts secret just keeps getting more and more difficult and dangerous with each passing day and Sydney finds herself questioning where her loyalties lie.
I love Sydney; I love the fact that she is so smart she is stupid sometimes especially when it comes to human/vampire/dhampir behavior. Sydney is starting to question some of her teachings and belief systems realizing that not everything is black and white, and even though it terrifies her working closely with the professor is opening her up to a lot of scary possibilities that she really has a hard time wrestling her own moralities with in order to save someone she know is innocent. I am so happy with the direction that this series is taking and I can’t wait for the third in the Bloodlines series.
I give this a 4 out of 5 star rating.
Originally Posted July 27, 2012
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.
I waited for what seemed like forever to read this book, with all the facebook hype etc I was really excited to find out who exactly Marcus Finch is and what role he plays in the warrior/alchemist world, and the rebellion against them. I was a little disappointed there I think that there is a lot of promise with the character that will maybe be developed later in the series. Sydney is experiencing all sorts of upheaval in this latest addition to the series, and her feeling and her beliefs are at war with what is right and what is true in her heart. She is questioning her very up bring and the alchemist society in which she was raised, she is no longer trusting blinding but quietly asking questions and searching for answers that may get her into trouble. Sydney is also learning to embrace her magical abilities as much as it makes her uncomfortable if it will save someone from a hideous fate, she must embrace her talent before a power hungry witch that is targeting young witches finds her. I am pleasantly surprised to see Sydney turning into quite the bad ass rebel its fun to see her progression from the Sydney Sage that we first met in the Vampire Academy series. I really enjoyed the flow of this book. I finished it within a few days I think fans of the Vampire Academy series will really enjoy this new addition to the spin off Bloodlines series.
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 star rating.
You can purchase a copy of Richelle Meads The Indigo Spell at any retail store that sells books. Be sure to check out her other titles while your there.
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.
I should really stop reading series until they are completely finished cause I go crazy waiting for the next book to come out. I have waited for what seems like forever for this book to come out and then had so many other books on the go that I had to wait a bit beforeI could hide away from everyone and get into it. Sydney is having a hard time balancing her time with Adrian and hiding her true feelings for her friends now that her sister Zoe is living with her. Zoe is just like Sydney used to be she has a lot of the Alchemists hang ups about the Mori and the Dahmpirs. Sydney has to walk a fine line to balance her two worlds and not be caught or found out, she is still learning magic and thinks she may have found a solution to breaking the Alchemist tatoo permanetly. That is until she is betrayed and captured by the Alchemist. I really like Adrianne character he is fun but flawed he doesn't see himself as anything exceptional and struggles with all his addictions. He is extremely smart but doesn't give himeself nearly enough credit. Sydney is finally starting to relax a bit but still has a few deep seeded fears from her past that sneak in evey now and again. Its all about balance and Adrianne and Sydney are trying really hard to make it work through the ups and downs that come with the use of spirit to trying to balance a relationship that you are hidding from everyone including your friends . I love the two of them together and I can't wait to see how they work this out cause i'm guessing that getting away from the alchemist is going to be a s@*t show, and I can't wait to read it, the release date is definetly too far away.
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 star rating
You can buy the Fiery Heart at any major retailer online or in stores