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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
* I received a copy through Goodreads First Reads
Also posted on Rally The Readers.
The gang is finally back, and not a moment too soon. I only read Bloodlines a few months ago, but it seemed like I’d gone ages without a new Adrian quip. After finishing the Vampire Academy books, I couldn’t really picture the character combination of Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian working in Bloodlines, but I should know much better than to question Richelle Mead’s genius. Those four are brilliant together, and their relationship only strengthens in The Golden Lily. They may be posing as a family as part of their cover story, but they truly have become one.
What struck me the most upon finishing this book was how much the characters had grown, especially Sydney. I was pleasantly surprised by her engaging narrative voice in Bloodlines, and she really establishes herself as a heroine in The Golden Lily. We know that she’s super intelligent and fiercely dedicated to her Alchemist work, but we haven’t seen much of the person behind that stoic professional exterior until now. It was a lot of fun watching Sydney let her hair down a little at last and enjoy life outside of her job. Sometimes she feels guilty for doing so, just as she feels guilty over how much she’s come to care for her vampire companions. Sydney’s struggle to reconcile the Alchemists’ teachings with her loyalty to her friends increasingly makes her question the accuracy of the Alchemists’ view of vampires. I liked that Sydney challenged her beliefs and began to rely on her instincts as well as logic when making decisions. She’ll probably never be the warrior that VA’s Rose Hathaway is, but Sydney has her own way of putting up a fight that is equally powerful.
And now for the obligatory Adrian paragraph! Like Sydney, Adrian has matured as a character since Bloodlines. The trademark charm and wit are still there, but he has quite a few unguarded moments in which his sincere, caring, sensitive side shines through. He also goes through a rough patch that’s heartbreaking to watch because he’s been trying so hard to bring structure to his life and change how others perceive him. Adrian really wears his heart on his sleeve in this book, and as much as I love his arrogant, snarky self, I adore this Adrian, too.
As in Bloodlines, the baddies are pretty easy to spot. The action in The Golden Lily takes a little while to kick into high gear, too, but when it does, it’s like a volcanic eruption. It’s Sydney’s constant internal conflict between listening to her mind vs. listening to her heart that takes center stage here, and it’s just as intense and absorbing as a physical battle. Be prepared to retrieve your jaw from the floor when you reach the ending; I know I had to. Repeatedly. Um, how long until the next book comes out?
Also posted on Rally The Readers.
The gang is finally back, and not a moment too soon. I only read Bloodlines a few months ago, but it seemed like I’d gone ages without a new Adrian quip. After finishing the Vampire Academy books, I couldn’t really picture the character combination of Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian working in Bloodlines, but I should know much better than to question Richelle Mead’s genius. Those four are brilliant together, and their relationship only strengthens in The Golden Lily. They may be posing as a family as part of their cover story, but they truly have become one.
What struck me the most upon finishing this book was how much the characters had grown, especially Sydney. I was pleasantly surprised by her engaging narrative voice in Bloodlines, and she really establishes herself as a heroine in The Golden Lily. We know that she’s super intelligent and fiercely dedicated to her Alchemist work, but we haven’t seen much of the person behind that stoic professional exterior until now. It was a lot of fun watching Sydney let her hair down a little at last and enjoy life outside of her job. Sometimes she feels guilty for doing so, just as she feels guilty over how much she’s come to care for her vampire companions. Sydney’s struggle to reconcile the Alchemists’ teachings with her loyalty to her friends increasingly makes her question the accuracy of the Alchemists’ view of vampires. I liked that Sydney challenged her beliefs and began to rely on her instincts as well as logic when making decisions. She’ll probably never be the warrior that VA’s Rose Hathaway is, but Sydney has her own way of putting up a fight that is equally powerful.
And now for the obligatory Adrian paragraph! Like Sydney, Adrian has matured as a character since Bloodlines. The trademark charm and wit are still there, but he has quite a few unguarded moments in which his sincere, caring, sensitive side shines through. He also goes through a rough patch that’s heartbreaking to watch because he’s been trying so hard to bring structure to his life and change how others perceive him. Adrian really wears his heart on his sleeve in this book, and as much as I love his arrogant, snarky self, I adore this Adrian, too.
As in Bloodlines, the baddies are pretty easy to spot. The action in The Golden Lily takes a little while to kick into high gear, too, but when it does, it’s like a volcanic eruption. It’s Sydney’s constant internal conflict between listening to her mind vs. listening to her heart that takes center stage here, and it’s just as intense and absorbing as a physical battle. Be prepared to retrieve your jaw from the floor when you reach the ending; I know I had to. Repeatedly. Um, how long until the next book comes out?
That’s so interesting, I can’t put book down (it’s 5am now).
I love that there so many moments with Dimitri and my heart flatters every time I here Rosa’s name.
I love Sydney, she so beautiful inside and outside.
I fall in love with her the same way as Adrian.
I just get butterflies from every his word, and those compliments from Jill to her?
I love that there so many moments with Dimitri and my heart flatters every time I here Rosa’s name.
I love Sydney, she so beautiful inside and outside.
I fall in love with her the same way as Adrian.
I just get butterflies from every his word, and those compliments from Jill to her?
Bloodlines wasn't my favorite but I decided to try The Golden Lily solely based on my love for the entire Vampire Academy series. I mean, how bad could it be?
I'm not sure if "loved" is even a strong enough word to describe how I felt about this book. No, seriously. I read the entire book in one day. I sat down and read the book with few breaks until I was finished, 12 hours later.
And it didn't change how I felt about Adrian at all. I've always had a soft spot for his character (because he reminds me of Scott Disick and I, apparently, have a thing for well-dressed assholes lol) so this just made me adore him that much more.
*sigh*
So.......Bloodlines #3?
I'm not sure if "loved" is even a strong enough word to describe how I felt about this book. No, seriously. I read the entire book in one day. I sat down and read the book with few breaks until I was finished, 12 hours later.
And it didn't change how I felt about Adrian at all. I've always had a soft spot for his character (because he reminds me of Scott Disick and I, apparently, have a thing for well-dressed assholes lol) so this just made me adore him that much more.
*sigh*
So.......Bloodlines #3?
3 and half stars. *contains spoilers!*
Sydney must be blind if she can't see what's in front of her. Maybe it's that vampire/dhamphir thing thats getting in the way or that she's so busy sorting everyone else's crap out. Particularly funny towards the end with the Jill/Adrian bond showing his feelings.....'dreamy eyed jill' :) lol!
Sydney must be blind if she can't see what's in front of her. Maybe it's that vampire/dhamphir thing thats getting in the way or that she's so busy sorting everyone else's crap out. Particularly funny towards the end with the Jill/Adrian bond showing his feelings.....'dreamy eyed jill' :) lol!
okay fine, yes, i used to be the kind of person who would not only read a vampire series, but enjoy it, and then not only enjoy that but read the spinoff series and enjoy that too.
i don't know what happened either.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
i don't know what happened either.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
Great book. Sorry to see it end, especially the way it ended. I like Sydney and though she is insanely smart she can be incredibly naive at times which, while understandable, can be both endearing and annoying. Some of her naivety is what propels the story so I understand why it is necessary. So far this series is as compelling as VA.
You know the kind of book when you can't put it down? Or when you do you keep thinking about it and can't wait to pick it back up? This isn't it. Dont get me wrong, it's good, but it's kind of forgetable. When I'd put it down I'd forget it existed for a couple days. I'd probably rate it a 3.5 if I could.
This one was kinda boring until the very end. I loved Sydney and Adrian's interactions though.
It’s nice to read a fantasy series where the main female protagonist doesn’t fall for the guy straight away and I liked how in this book the relationship with Sydney and Adrian started to change from friendship to more. Sydney is definitely demisexual (and possibly also demiromantic) like I am so needs to be friends with a guy before it is possible for her to fall for him (but this is still no guarantee). I loved their interactions, how protective Adrian is of her and how much Sydney cares about him (though she doesn’t realise this is because he’s starting to be more than just a good friend to her). I think it was nice to see how much Sydney had changed from the first book and I found the plot (although initially slow) quite good once it started to pick up pace.
The plot itself was not quite as action-packed as the 1st book but the events did help develop the characters’ stories-in Sydney’s case to make her question even more her life as an Alchemist. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
The plot itself was not quite as action-packed as the 1st book but the events did help develop the characters’ stories-in Sydney’s case to make her question even more her life as an Alchemist. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
it's not as action packed or as fast paced as the academy, but overall I really enjoyed it and cant wait for the next one.