You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
November 22, 2017
[re-read for my Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017
Goddamn this book is so fucking fun. The latter half of this series is really great because we get to watch Adrian get the girl and see them be together (and be painfully apart) and function as a couple, which is so rare in YA. I'll get to that when I reach The Fiery Heart and company, though.
That said, it's still so great to watch the flirtation, the process of Sydney realizing she's absolutely and totally in love with Adrian Fucking Ivashkov, the manual driving lessons, Jill constantly complimenting Sydney because of how Adrian feels about his girl and how he thinks about her so much that it's almost all Jill thinks about too, the afternoon by the pool, Adrian freezing up in the self defense class when Sydney touches him...it's all absolutely adorable, deliciously delightful, and entirely enrapturing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I fucking adore these two as a couple. There are few couples in literature I love as much as I love Sydrian.
As I said in my review for Bloodlines, I can't wait to watch them fall in love with each other all over again, I can't wait to continue to watch them fall in love.
I also can't wait for all the crazy, weird, wonderful things our destined-to-be lovers encounter; that's why I love this series. It's fun, it's weird, and it makes me so excited to be reading about the best and worst parts of these peoples' strange, beautiful lives.
A lot of what past-me says below this is actually still accurate, even the bitterness about Vampire Academy, so I'm just going to leave things here because I'm chomping at the bit to start The Indigo Spell so, for now, this is where I leave you.
June 14, 2012
I have so many feelings about this book. I can say, without a doubt, Bloodlines has surpassed Vampire Academy. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the original series, but the way Rose treated Adrian at the end of Last Sacrifice pretty much ruined Rose's entire story for me. I initially liked her character and everything she stood for, but all of her nobility, loyalty, and integrity washed away when she cheated on that poor baby (no I will never quit bitching about how she broke Adrian's heart so get used to it) and left me rolling around on the floor in tears.
Flash-forward to now, The Golden Lily, now, when I'm practically rolling around on the floor with glee because finally, my baby boy has finally found somebody to love. All of the fluffy stuff between Sydney and Adrian was just wonderful. Magical, even. Their romance is blossoming so beautifully and I'm anxious to see it develop even further, social standards be damned. And come on...that kiss. Syd, how can you ignore a kiss like that from none other than Adrian Ivashkov?
Moving on. A VA/Bloodlines review from me wouldn't be complete if I didn't do a little bitching about Dimitri, wouldn't it? So here it is. Let's get it out of the way. While I was much more tolerant of him in this book, Belikov still managed to irk me in ways I previously thought impossible until reading about his character. The main thing that bothered me was how painfully, tears-in-my eyes boring the bastard still was. I don't know what I expected, but I was hoping a different perspective would offer a little dimension to him. Apparently not. Dimitri is just a Russian god to all eyes (except mine, it seems) who is as flat as a pancake and behaves similarly to a robot.
The writing was top-notch as always, despite a few typos. I'm anxious to see what happens next and I look forward to Richelle Mead's always-improving stories and mysteries. I hope to see that she keeps up the good work and delivers us with a finale that will blow Vampire Academy straight out of the water.
[re-read for my Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017
Goddamn this book is so fucking fun. The latter half of this series is really great because we get to watch Adrian get the girl and see them be together (and be painfully apart) and function as a couple, which is so rare in YA. I'll get to that when I reach The Fiery Heart and company, though.
That said, it's still so great to watch the flirtation, the process of Sydney realizing she's absolutely and totally in love with Adrian Fucking Ivashkov, the manual driving lessons, Jill constantly complimenting Sydney because of how Adrian feels about his girl and how he thinks about her so much that it's almost all Jill thinks about too, the afternoon by the pool, Adrian freezing up in the self defense class when Sydney touches him...it's all absolutely adorable, deliciously delightful, and entirely enrapturing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I fucking adore these two as a couple. There are few couples in literature I love as much as I love Sydrian.
As I said in my review for Bloodlines, I can't wait to watch them fall in love with each other all over again, I can't wait to continue to watch them fall in love.
I also can't wait for all the crazy, weird, wonderful things our destined-to-be lovers encounter; that's why I love this series. It's fun, it's weird, and it makes me so excited to be reading about the best and worst parts of these peoples' strange, beautiful lives.
A lot of what past-me says below this is actually still accurate, even the bitterness about Vampire Academy, so I'm just going to leave things here because I'm chomping at the bit to start The Indigo Spell so, for now, this is where I leave you.
June 14, 2012
I have so many feelings about this book. I can say, without a doubt, Bloodlines has surpassed Vampire Academy. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the original series, but the way Rose treated Adrian at the end of Last Sacrifice pretty much ruined Rose's entire story for me. I initially liked her character and everything she stood for, but all of her nobility, loyalty, and integrity washed away when she cheated on that poor baby (no I will never quit bitching about how she broke Adrian's heart so get used to it) and left me rolling around on the floor in tears.
Flash-forward to now, The Golden Lily, now, when I'm practically rolling around on the floor with glee because finally, my baby boy has finally found somebody to love. All of the fluffy stuff between Sydney and Adrian was just wonderful. Magical, even. Their romance is blossoming so beautifully and I'm anxious to see it develop even further, social standards be damned. And come on...that kiss. Syd, how can you ignore a kiss like that from none other than Adrian Ivashkov?
Moving on. A VA/Bloodlines review from me wouldn't be complete if I didn't do a little bitching about Dimitri, wouldn't it? So here it is. Let's get it out of the way. While I was much more tolerant of him in this book, Belikov still managed to irk me in ways I previously thought impossible until reading about his character. The main thing that bothered me was how painfully, tears-in-my eyes boring the bastard still was. I don't know what I expected, but I was hoping a different perspective would offer a little dimension to him. Apparently not. Dimitri is just a Russian god to all eyes (except mine, it seems) who is as flat as a pancake and behaves similarly to a robot.
The writing was top-notch as always, despite a few typos. I'm anxious to see what happens next and I look forward to Richelle Mead's always-improving stories and mysteries. I hope to see that she keeps up the good work and delivers us with a finale that will blow Vampire Academy straight out of the water.
Normally when it comes to reading a series, I like to take a break between each book. However after finishing Bloodlines, I couldn’t help but dive straight into The Golden Lily, and I’m pleased to say, I’m still hooked and enjoying the series.
In this second novel, we see Sydney get a boyfriend which helps reveal just how awkward and socially naive she really is. Yet handsome distractions aside, there is once again trouble brewing in Palm Springs.
When her Moroi friend, Sonya, is attacked and taken captive by a mysterious band of ‘vampire hunters’ suddenly the crazy myths about them no longer seem quite so crazy. Yet when conventional means to find Sonya fail them, Sydney must put aside every one of her fears and ingrained beliefs towards magic. Seeking out the help of her history teacher, the local witch, Sydney finally accepts that magic may just have a place in the mortal world. But just what are these secrets the alchemists have been hiding? And why is Adrian, a moroi vampire playboy constantly plaguing her thoughts?
As one by one, the walls of her belief system begin to crumble, Sydney finds herself thrown by a choice she never thought she would have to make. Who to trust? The alchemists, the moroi… or herself?
Once again, I really have fallen in love with yet another one of Richelle Meads fabulous series. I devoured this book in less than a day and am trying really hard to give myself some space before I dive into the next book.
In this second novel, we see the action begin to pick up as Sydney becomes more relaxed with breaking rules. Not only is she willingly spending time with Adrian, a cute Moroi vampire, but despite her resistance to learn magic, a secret part of her thrills in the power and finds the practicalities of it fascinating.
In this book Sydney also gets herself a boyfriend, much to her surprise as everyone else’s. And while I love that her boyfriend has a similar love of academia as her, I loved Sydney’s approach to the relationship more. As in, when it comes to dates and kissing, she would research the theory before hand in a book.
Yet humor aside, Sydney really has grown as a character. She is more adept with school based social situations and is finally beginning to see her own worth as something other than an alchemist.
Some of the characters from the Vampire Academy series, mainly Dimitri and Sonya, get to play much bigger parts in this book too – and it was nice to see such old and familiar faces return. Yet I felt like this series secondary characters, such as Jill and Eddie, took a more backseat role which I found strange in hindsight as Jill in particular is the whole reason Sydney is living the ‘high school life’ in the first place. I really hope these characters get a bigger role in the next book.
Otherwise the plot moved quickly and had plenty of mystery woven in to keep you guessing. There were some interesting new developments as well as some unique new characters, and while not quite a cliff hanger, the book definitely leaves you with many unanswered questions.
All in all, a fabulous read. I can’t wait to continue this series. 4 stars!
In this second novel, we see Sydney get a boyfriend which helps reveal just how awkward and socially naive she really is. Yet handsome distractions aside, there is once again trouble brewing in Palm Springs.
When her Moroi friend, Sonya, is attacked and taken captive by a mysterious band of ‘vampire hunters’ suddenly the crazy myths about them no longer seem quite so crazy. Yet when conventional means to find Sonya fail them, Sydney must put aside every one of her fears and ingrained beliefs towards magic. Seeking out the help of her history teacher, the local witch, Sydney finally accepts that magic may just have a place in the mortal world. But just what are these secrets the alchemists have been hiding? And why is Adrian, a moroi vampire playboy constantly plaguing her thoughts?
As one by one, the walls of her belief system begin to crumble, Sydney finds herself thrown by a choice she never thought she would have to make. Who to trust? The alchemists, the moroi… or herself?
Once again, I really have fallen in love with yet another one of Richelle Meads fabulous series. I devoured this book in less than a day and am trying really hard to give myself some space before I dive into the next book.
In this second novel, we see the action begin to pick up as Sydney becomes more relaxed with breaking rules. Not only is she willingly spending time with Adrian, a cute Moroi vampire, but despite her resistance to learn magic, a secret part of her thrills in the power and finds the practicalities of it fascinating.
In this book Sydney also gets herself a boyfriend, much to her surprise as everyone else’s. And while I love that her boyfriend has a similar love of academia as her, I loved Sydney’s approach to the relationship more. As in, when it comes to dates and kissing, she would research the theory before hand in a book.
Yet humor aside, Sydney really has grown as a character. She is more adept with school based social situations and is finally beginning to see her own worth as something other than an alchemist.
Some of the characters from the Vampire Academy series, mainly Dimitri and Sonya, get to play much bigger parts in this book too – and it was nice to see such old and familiar faces return. Yet I felt like this series secondary characters, such as Jill and Eddie, took a more backseat role which I found strange in hindsight as Jill in particular is the whole reason Sydney is living the ‘high school life’ in the first place. I really hope these characters get a bigger role in the next book.
Otherwise the plot moved quickly and had plenty of mystery woven in to keep you guessing. There were some interesting new developments as well as some unique new characters, and while not quite a cliff hanger, the book definitely leaves you with many unanswered questions.
All in all, a fabulous read. I can’t wait to continue this series. 4 stars!
Let's be honest, I would've given this 3 stars if not for that amazing ending. I re-read that last chapter because oh my god.
I just can't. Sydney just needs to not do that thing though. Adrian was A+.
I just can't. Sydney just needs to not do that thing though. Adrian was A+.
Can't express how much I love the evolution of Adrian and Sydney's characters in the Bloodlines series. Adrian is so perfect and when I don't think I can love him more he proves me wrong. Especially the scene when he sees Sydney in her red dress. LOVED it.
Hated Brayden. In the beginning he was annoying, then he was okay, but lawd I'm glad that was nipped in the bud. The whole Trey twist was fucked up as well - every extra character they've met in Palm Springs that I start to like seems to be bad or more than meets the eye. First Lee now him.
I am also not too pleased with that ending. I understand Sydney's fear considering what she's dealt with and learned her entire life but hoping she can redeem herself in the next book and at least open up. Maybe I'm just sensitive to seeing Adrian getting hurt again but HE NEEDS HIS HAPPY ENDING WITH HIS GIRL OK?
Hated Brayden. In the beginning he was annoying, then he was okay, but lawd I'm glad that was nipped in the bud. The whole Trey twist was fucked up as well - every extra character they've met in Palm Springs that I start to like seems to be bad or more than meets the eye. First Lee now him.
I am also not too pleased with that ending. I understand Sydney's fear considering what she's dealt with and learned her entire life but hoping she can redeem herself in the next book and at least open up. Maybe I'm just sensitive to seeing Adrian getting hurt again but HE NEEDS HIS HAPPY ENDING WITH HIS GIRL OK?
It's been bugging since the first book that she didn't cover her face tattoo.
Wanna know something funny? I thought so. I reasonably enjoyed the Vampire Academy series, but... I'm loving Bloodlines so much more. Sydney, Adrian, Jill, Eddie and the rest are just so much more enjoyable to read about than Rose ever was. I definitely recommend if you loved the first!
I am really enjoying this series more and more. I don’t remember listening to this so it all feels very new.
I like that Sydney’s eyes are being open to new things. She still questions a lot of things and I like that.
Her relationship was interesting to say the least the fact that no one could remember his name was funny.
I think for her first boyfriend it was a good experience for her because when the one comes along she will see that lukewarm isn’t something you settle for.
All of the stuff with the human vampire hunters and Sonya Karp was interesting and the stuff with Sydney’s blood. Very interesting I want to see if we learn more.
I kinda of noticed Adrian seeing Sydney in a new light but I am not sure how that is going to go, she has been tried to see Mori as evil even if she is rethinking somethings that is very ingrained in her.
This book really is setting us up for some interesting storylines in the future that is for sure.
Again I am loving the narration I like that she give Adrian his own voice.
I like that Sydney’s eyes are being open to new things. She still questions a lot of things and I like that.
Her relationship was interesting to say the least the fact that no one could remember his name was funny.
I think for her first boyfriend it was a good experience for her because when the one comes along she will see that lukewarm isn’t something you settle for.
All of the stuff with the human vampire hunters and Sonya Karp was interesting and the stuff with Sydney’s blood. Very interesting I want to see if we learn more.
I kinda of noticed Adrian seeing Sydney in a new light but I am not sure how that is going to go, she has been tried to see Mori as evil even if she is rethinking somethings that is very ingrained in her.
This book really is setting us up for some interesting storylines in the future that is for sure.
Again I am loving the narration I like that she give Adrian his own voice.
Immediate reaction: Uptick in action: awesome. Advancing plot of a barbaric new group: intriguing. Sydrian feels: OFF THE CHARTS. I need more.
Series review found on my blog: Book Scents
Series review found on my blog: Book Scents