Mini Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

The Ruby Circle
(Bloodlines #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: E-book
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Nahomi

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

4 stars out of 5 stars

        It’s bittersweet getting to the end of The Ruby Circle. I’m going to miss the characters, and all of their shenanigans. There is so much happening in this last installment of the Bloodline series; it made my head spin.

       I was glad to see Sydney recovering nicely after the all the trauma from in Silver Shadows. The pacing is a little slow in the beginning although it speeds fairly quickly. I have mixed feelings about everything that happened in this book. I was totally thrown for a loop with who ended up being the villain. I had many theories but I was way off.

      One of my favorite parts is that Sydney finally gets to kick ass. I am happy with her and Adrian’s ending. Although, I’m iffy about certain things that happened at the end, but I don’t want to give any spoilers. I will say though that I ship Eddie and Jill! I wish there was a story about these two! I’d read it in a heartbeat.

     After all was said and done The Ruby Circle was an enjoyable read. It was action packed and quick paced. Richelle Mead did a great job with this series.

Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows
(Bloodlines #5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: July 24, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

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 Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.
Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.
For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .
Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

4 stars out of 5 stars

Holy crap, this book you guys. I remember starting this book and quickly reading the beginning chapters so I can find out what happened after the ending of The Fiery Heart. We were left in a crazy cliffhanger and so I anxiously read this book hoping for some answers and resolution. And I got them, just not as quickly as I was hoping.

Silver Shadows take us on a crazy ride of emotions. Both Sydney and Adrian are dealing with the repercussion of being together and the people they fear the most learning about them. Sydney manages to retain some strength and hope, even though it was almost extinguished, in getting out of her situation. Adrian, on the other hand, he really disappointed me. He fell back to some of his old ways and I really did not understand it. I thought he was above it yet with Sydney gone, he is unable to remain strong for her in battling his demons.

Silver Shadows made me nervous at times because time and secrecy is important and precious so I was a nervous wrecked throughout most of the book. I was worried about Sydney, then I was worried how Adrian was going to help her, and how they were going to get themselves to safety. Richelle Mead played with my emotions with this book, especially in the end. I knew something was going to happen so I was prepared for the other shoe to drop but it didn't make it any easier knowing. I can't wait to see how Richelle wraps up the Bloodlines series and how she gives Sydney and Adrian their much needed happy ending.

Mini Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart
(Bloodlines #4)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Jenn

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the wolds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.
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.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars 

Oh my god. This book is my favorite from the Bloodlines series thus far. It had the wonderful surprise of Adrian's POV! I mentioned how I struggled with Sydney in the previous books and I was slowly learning to like her but with Adrian's POV thrown in the mix, this made The Fiery Heart all the better.

The ending for this book just about killed me. I knew something was happening on the Alchemist side, especially since they involved Sydney's sister. Sydney was busy juggling many responsibilities, tasks and Adrian and was unable to see the threat that came in the end. I am terrified at what will in the next book because Sydney showed us some pretty grim and scary stuff before involving the Alchemist. But knowing Sydney and the gang, I'm sure they'll make up some crazy and elaborate plan and get things done.

Richelle Mead has definitely upped her game with this book. I wish it happened sooner though and I didn't have to wait four books to fully get invested in the story and the characters. Silver Shadows, you're next!

Mini Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell
(Bloodlines #3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Jenn

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 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.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars 

The Indigo Spell was the book that turned around the Bloodlines series for me. Before The Indigo Spell, I was reluctant in continuing with the series. In reading this book, I finally became invested in the story and in its characters. It took me a while to get use to Sydney but I love seeing her in this book. I've enjoyed in finally getting to know the real Sydney and see her start questioning her Alchemist beliefs.

I really enjoyed this book but so far, I'm not as obsessed with this series and its characters as I am about the Vampire Academy books. I see a ton of readers obsessed with Adrian and how it just make the series for them but I just cannot relate. I do, however, am looking forward to see how this series progress. Both Sydney and Adrian's character growth has been awesome and I love when those two interact with each other. Onto The Fiery Heart!

Mini Review: The Golden Lily By Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily 
(Bloodlines #2) 
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

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. Alchemists 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. Formorly 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 her 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 Braydon, 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?

5 stars out of 5 stars 

I was aching to start The Golden Lily after I finished Bloodlines. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! The pacing is faster than in Bloodlines which really made the difference for me. I really like the elements of intrigue that the story has, which definitely kept me turning pages.

Sydney is so smart and resourceful, but man can she be socially awkward. At times she is so oblivious to certain situations that it’s endearing. I love to see how her character evolves throughout the novel. There is a noticeable difference from the Sydney we meet in Bloodlines to the Sydney in The Golden Lily.

I love the relationship between Adrian and Sydney! There is so much sexual tension between these two that you can cut it with a knife. Adrian definitely adds comedy to the story. I love to see Adrian interacting with all of the other characters. I was so excited about the old characters that are brought back in this book!!! I really enjoyed reading this story and I can’t wait to get my hands on The Indigo Spell!

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines 
(Bloodlines #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Nahomi

I wasn't free of my past, not yet.

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 humans 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 allegiences 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.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

        I was excited to start Bloodlines because I really loved the Vampire Academy series and I was dying to jump back into that world again. I was itching to read about Sydney and Adrian, and hopefully catch a glimpse of some of some of my favorite characters from the VA series. In that respect Bloodlines was on point, however it was really hard for me to get into the story.

       The pacing is so much slower than what I was used to in the VA series and it took me some time to get used to it. I know Sydney is a different character and analyzes everything, so I should have surmised that the stories pacing would be different too but I wasn't expecting it. At times the story was a little predictable but towards the end there was a plot twist that took me by surprise. The pacing also sped up which was great.

       I loved getting to read about Jill, Eddie, Adrian, Sydney and the rest of the gang. My love for these characters is what got me through the first part of the story. Sydney is a little ridged at the beginning but as the story progresses she undergoes tremendous character growth. It was a slow process getting to know her, but by the end I really liked Sydney and was rooting for her. Adrian is well, um Adrian charming, and out there like always. Although it was great to see him from Sydney’s perspective.

      By the end of the story I was hooked on the series and the characters and was definitely curious as to what would happen next. I can’t wait to see what Golden Lily has in store for me.