Book Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Book Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead 

“You're my flame in the dark. We chase away the shadows around each other.”

Book Synopsis:

 In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she struggles to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do.

Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch—a former Alchemist who the organization denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus’s help, Sydney realizes that the group she’s been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her special blood—or else she might be next.

Forging her own ways is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain—and following her heart—she’ll be able to finally figure out where she belongs.

 Book Review:

I think I’m one of the few out there, who’s loved Sydney from the beginning. I love her analytical and sharp mind. I found her social awkwardness endearing and hilarious, but in The Indigo Spell, Sydney comes into her own! She’s had a lot of changes and upheavals in her thinking, and I think she’s grown so much from the Sydney we met in the Vampire Academy series. Even though, I’ve always loved Adrian from the beginning, I never thought of him as viable boyfriend material. He was charismatic, but all over the place. In the Bloodlines series he’s grown so much, no longer is he the spoiled and pampered playboy. Not that he’s lost his mischievous edge, he just thinks of more than himself now. First and foremost, he thinks of Sydney: 

•“Well, you can think what you want, so long as you remember—no matter how ordinary things seem between us—I’m still here, still in love with you, and care about you more than any other guy, evil or otherwise, ever will.” 

 •“No one’s going to throw you around and get away with it,” said Adrian.

“What happened with us has nothing to do with you,” retorted Marcus. 

“Everything about her has to do with me.”—Adrian 

He was so sweet and protective over Sydney, I had a big smile on my face, and I was basically doing a happy dance throughout the book!

I’ll rate this one with:

****

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer 

Bloodlines : http://reviewsentertainment.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-bloodlines-by-rachelle-mead.html

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) : http://reviewsentertainment.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-golden-lily-by-richelle-mead.html

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Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Summary:

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.

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. Formerly 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 the 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 Brayden, 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?

Review:

In this installment, we pick up right where we left off in Bloodlines. The group is minus the traitorous Keith, with Sydney making points for handling the situation so well. Dimitri and Sonya have arrived to study spirit with Adrian. Both the vampire community and the Alchemists want to find out why, once a Strigoi is changed back into their original state, they will never be able to be turned back to Strigoi again. Sydney, Jill, and Eddie continue to attend Amberwood Prep as siblings but they have a new addition to assist in the protection of Jill: Angeline, the dhampir from the Keepers, a separatist group of Moroi, dhampir, and humans who don't care for the rules of the Moroi court. Angeline is a fun addition to their group, and I like how she mixes things up for Jill and Eddie! 

Richelle Mead really shines in character development, and this is my favorite part of this story. Sydney had come a long way since we first met her in VA. Her prejudices are slowly breaking down. She is finally seeing the Moroi, and dhampirs as people, not as evil, unnatural creatures. My favorite part of her growth, though, is that in relation to Adrian. To see them grow close, and lean on each other was a real pleasure. There are many moments of swoon and hilarity. Adrian is his usual wise-cracking self, and then Sydney can just be so clueless with social situations, you can't help but laugh. The best part with them is seeing how much they genuinely care for one another. I've always had a soft-spot for Adrian. In VA, he helped Rose so much without questions or strings attached (well, maybe a little bit of string!). But I always thought he went above and beyond for her, as well as Jill. He's even more of a sweetheart in this book. There were times I would be sighing, oh Adrian! I don't want to give anything away, but fans of "Sydrian" will not be disappointed.

"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth. And you don't even know it." 

And I have to give you this one too:

"Sage," he said. "What are you wearing?"

I sighed and stared down at the dress. 

"I know. It's red. Don't start. I'm tired of hearing about it."

"Funny," he said. 

"I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at it." 

This one was my personal favorite or maybe I am biased because of Adrian,

 I’d give it:

****

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer

Sequel to Bloodlines :http://reviewsentertainment.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-bloodlines-by-rachelle-mead.html

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Book Review: Bloodlines by Rachelle Mead

Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Summary :

Sydney’s blood is special. That’s because she’s an alchemist –one of the 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 the allegiances in question, her future is on 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 outside – and within – the school grounding. Now that they are in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

Review:

Bloodlines is a spin off from the Vampire Academy Series. As such some of VA’s secondary characters come back and take centre stage action here. This is also an entirely new plot line and not a continuation of the original story. Certainly a few key plot elements from the VA series are mentioned throughout the book and are of importance, but the book can be read irrespective of having followed Vampire Academy or not.

It is written in what has now become typical Richelle Mead style, i.e. intrigue intermingled with humour and romance. It is also designated for young adult readers, yet it is not restricted to just them. It does make an interesting and easy to follow plot line that can amuse and entertain whoever decides to pick it up.

I have to admit I was a little scared of this one. I really liked Vampire Academy and I didn't know if Mead could pull off a spin off, but let me reassure anybody who has doubts this book is awesome! This book is told from Sydney’s point of view. For those who don't remember she was the alchemist who helped Rose escape from prison. I liked Sydney in VA series but she always seemed a little cold. Well in this new series we get to find out why and I have to say that if I grew up like she did I would be pretty cold too. I really liked her voice and I will even go as far as saying that I liked her better than Rose. Sydney has her flaws of course but she is such a strong character that those are easy to overlook. The whole Alchemist world interests me and I think there will be some strong story lines to come. We also get to see several characters from VA and among them of course is Adrian. I will state for the record that I was Team Dimitri all the way but oh I have completely fallen for Adrian now. 

Vampire Academy fans will embrace the new story & new readers will become absorbed by Moroi and Strigoi culture, by the Alchemists’ sometimes medieval beliefs and by the simple thing that’s called life and it comes to challenge the much likeable characters.

 Bloodlines does not disappoint.It intrigues and excites and it does entertain. 

I’ll rate it with:

****

Vampire Academy : http://reviewsentertainment.blogspot.com/2013/12/vampire-academy-by-richelle-mead-plot.html

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer 

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Book Review: Vampire Academy By Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Plot: 

They suck at School!

Bloodlines are torched. Battle lines are drawn.

Prepare to be tested.

This story is about vampires! There are three kinds in this book;

A) Moroi: Mortal vampires who drink blood, eat food, age, reproduce and die. Also they are quite handy when it comes to magic.

B) Dhampir: Half-human and half-moroi; they have capabilities of both. Good reflexes, strong sight and hearing but no magic and blood drinking for them. 

C) Strigoi: These are the bad guys! Undead, Immortal,burning-in-the-sun type blood-suckers.

Summary:

17 year old Rose Hathaway is a dhampir and has been on run with her Moroi best friend, Lissa Dragomir (who is the last member of a vamp-royal family) for the last two years. Finally they are caught by the Guardians of St.Vladmir Academy and are taken back. They start studying but so many dangerous events occur that suggest that Lissa’s life is in danger. Also a new Guardian, Dimitri Belikov is assigned to Lissa and also becomes  Rose’s mentor. Sparks ignite between Dimitri and Rose which leads to further problems. In the midst of all these chaos, will Rose be able to find the difference between friend and foe? What is their secret past that forced them to flee from the safety of their school in the first place. Who wants Lissa gone? These questions can be answered only after reading the book till the very last page.

Review:

A whole school full of vampires! WOW that’s creepy and interesting! In Vampire Academy, Rose is a reckless and carefree girl who loves her bestfriend Lissa. Lissa is a cautious, kind and polite girl who doesn’t like holding a grudge against anyone. This friendship makes the plot more interesting..and the fact that they are connected to each other via a psychic bond. Rose is my favorite character in this book, she knows how to have fun and get in trouble but when it comes to Lissa, she has a really responsible and caring nature. Another thing that was quite interesting is Dimitri and Rose’s relationship. One word for it! WOW! I never thought I’d ever like a Russian guy but this one is so so good. He doesn’t say much but says everything through his silence. And the way he says ‘Roza’..Ahh, loved him! And teacher-student love story is quite an intriguing angle .

This book is so good, in fact this whole series is so good that I want to write each and everything. But what’s the fun in that? Real fun is in the mystery that this book offers. Read for yourself if you’re into vampires (not necessarily twilight, any kind will do). 

It’s being made into a movie too, coming in 2014, but I won’t discuss it here, the cast is deeply flawed so not much is expected from the movie. However, I assure you that book is great!

Rating :-    ****
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