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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
As usual with Mead's books: very enjoyable, hard to put down, with highly likable characters and good plots--but unfortunately, I found this one even more predictable than Bloodlines.
Still, very good overall and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Still, very good overall and I'm looking forward to the next one.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
Adrian is soo yummy!
That is the main point of this review.
When I first started reading the Vampire Academy series and was introduced to Adrian Ivashkov, the playboy charmer of the Moroi world I was intrigued and found him really amusing, but obviously my heart was with Dimitri.
As Vampire Academy started to wind down I really grew to love Adrian more and more. I was actually seriously pissed off with one Rose Hathaway given her disregard for Adrian and selfishness where he was concerned in The Last Sacrifice .
In Bloodlines Adrian really shines. His softer side comes through full fledged balanced against his easy charm and easy going nature. I loved that this group, Sydney Sage in particular seems to be the one who is really bringing Adrian into his own. Obviously the dynamic between Sage and Adrian is the relationship this series and book hinges on. They are so perfect together. Despite their seeming differences on the surface, these two are so alike and that's the dynamic I love about this series. Richelle Mead has been really clever about the storytelling in Bloodlines , challenging both Sydney and Adrian with the aspects of themselves they would rather deny exist.
The thing I love about these two is their easy friendship. They don't talk about their feelings often but the way these two care about each other is evident in everything they are willing to do for one another. They are both really protective of each other and very understanding.
I love that when either of them have doubts about themselves, the one picks the other back up and reminds them why they're worth it. So amazing.
Adrian is really coming into his own and seriously quickly eclipsing the love I had for Dimitri. Obviously these two men are very different, and yet Adrian's honesty and vulnerability and willingness to express himself without shame is what endears me to him.
The high tension continues in this book with Sage getting more invested in her work with Ms. Terwilliger. It's nice to see Sydney starting to break down her own walls, to accept her friendships with the Moroi vampires and be less judgmental. The only thing that grated slightly on my nerves in the last book was her unwillingness to see the good in the Moroi, she was very fundamental about her opinions, basing all her reactions on the fierce Alchemist teachings that had been battered into her head since birth. This is a key aspect to the story though - Sydney's break from her blind servitude to the Alchemists, her determination to free herself and not bind herself to anyone - so I understood why she started out at the other end and is slowly letting herself see the shades of grey. I enjoyed seeing her slowly let go of her prejudices. It's an interesting character progression.
The addition of Angeline is this book honestly seemed kind of useless. She seems to only be written in to provide hiccups for Sage to handle and cause drama. She certainly doesn't seem to be all that interested in protecting Jill or being a good Dhampir/Guardian. There was an unnecessary love triangle - Jill, Eddie, Angeline/Micah, Jill, Eddie that didn't really add much to the story. It would have stood strongly on its own to feet without Angeline being included in the plot.
I also felt like it was time to amp up the tension surrounding Jill. The plot is carried on the need to protect her and yet there hasn't been a flickering of danger towards her. I hope Mead brings that in soon because it's beginning - albeit only slightly - to feel like with each book theirs a side plot developed and taken care of with only slight movement towards the larger story arc concerning Jill.
The tension between Sydney and Adrian is amp up in this book - Hallelujah! Can't wait to see what happens next with these two.
Adrian is soo yummy!
That is the main point of this review.
When I first started reading the Vampire Academy series and was introduced to Adrian Ivashkov, the playboy charmer of the Moroi world I was intrigued and found him really amusing, but obviously my heart was with Dimitri.
As Vampire Academy started to wind down I really grew to love Adrian more and more. I was actually seriously pissed off with one Rose Hathaway given her disregard for Adrian and selfishness where he was concerned in The Last Sacrifice .
In Bloodlines Adrian really shines. His softer side comes through full fledged balanced against his easy charm and easy going nature. I loved that this group, Sydney Sage in particular seems to be the one who is really bringing Adrian into his own. Obviously the dynamic between Sage and Adrian is the relationship this series and book hinges on. They are so perfect together. Despite their seeming differences on the surface, these two are so alike and that's the dynamic I love about this series. Richelle Mead has been really clever about the storytelling in Bloodlines , challenging both Sydney and Adrian with the aspects of themselves they would rather deny exist.
The thing I love about these two is their easy friendship. They don't talk about their feelings often but the way these two care about each other is evident in everything they are willing to do for one another. They are both really protective of each other and very understanding.
I love that when either of them have doubts about themselves, the one picks the other back up and reminds them why they're worth it. So amazing.
Adrian is really coming into his own and seriously quickly eclipsing the love I had for Dimitri. Obviously these two men are very different, and yet Adrian's honesty and vulnerability and willingness to express himself without shame is what endears me to him.
The high tension continues in this book with Sage getting more invested in her work with Ms. Terwilliger. It's nice to see Sydney starting to break down her own walls, to accept her friendships with the Moroi vampires and be less judgmental. The only thing that grated slightly on my nerves in the last book was her unwillingness to see the good in the Moroi, she was very fundamental about her opinions, basing all her reactions on the fierce Alchemist teachings that had been battered into her head since birth. This is a key aspect to the story though - Sydney's break from her blind servitude to the Alchemists, her determination to free herself and not bind herself to anyone - so I understood why she started out at the other end and is slowly letting herself see the shades of grey. I enjoyed seeing her slowly let go of her prejudices. It's an interesting character progression.
The addition of Angeline is this book honestly seemed kind of useless. She seems to only be written in to provide hiccups for Sage to handle and cause drama. She certainly doesn't seem to be all that interested in protecting Jill or being a good Dhampir/Guardian. There was an unnecessary love triangle - Jill, Eddie, Angeline/Micah, Jill, Eddie that didn't really add much to the story. It would have stood strongly on its own to feet without Angeline being included in the plot.
I also felt like it was time to amp up the tension surrounding Jill. The plot is carried on the need to protect her and yet there hasn't been a flickering of danger towards her. I hope Mead brings that in soon because it's beginning - albeit only slightly - to feel like with each book theirs a side plot developed and taken care of with only slight movement towards the larger story arc concerning Jill.
The tension between Sydney and Adrian is amp up in this book - Hallelujah! Can't wait to see what happens next with these two.
3.5 stars
This time, I felt more invested in Sydney, Eddie, Adrian, Sonya, and the rest of the gang. There was some action at the end that was page-turning, which was nice.
My only complaint is that I don't recall this much heavy-handed, smack-you-in-the-face foreshadowing in ANY of the other VA/Bloodlines books. I like a few stray breadcrumbs dropped here and there, but certain plot lines were way too easy to figure out. And while I get that Sydney is bookish and has no experience with dating, but "I'll have to research a book on kissing"? Come on. I was a bookish nerd with limited dating experience in high school, but even *I* wasn't that inept.
So... Naturally, I am obsessively checking my library's online catalog to see if they've gotten the third installment.
This time, I felt more invested in Sydney, Eddie, Adrian, Sonya, and the rest of the gang. There was some action at the end that was page-turning, which was nice.
My only complaint is that I don't recall this much heavy-handed, smack-you-in-the-face foreshadowing in ANY of the other VA/Bloodlines books. I like a few stray breadcrumbs dropped here and there, but certain plot lines were way too easy to figure out. And while I get that Sydney is bookish and has no experience with dating, but "I'll have to research a book on kissing"? Come on. I was a bookish nerd with limited dating experience in high school, but even *I* wasn't that inept.
So... Naturally, I am obsessively checking my library's online catalog to see if they've gotten the third installment.
Ugh, my heart is breaking for Adrian. I'm trying really hard to like and understand Sydney but she needs some sense slapped into her. Any who loved the book... ready to get into the next one.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Adrian and Sydney. Their relationship is so strong and important to the development of the characters.
Before :
"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth."
ADRIAN????? I am dying here !!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!
After : Oh Adrian, I need you! I love you and I fuc*ing want you !
"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth."
ADRIAN????? I am dying here !!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!
After : Oh Adrian, I need you! I love you and I fuc*ing want you !
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was great I can't wait until Indigo Spell comes out in 2013