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stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
3.75
This is probably my favorite of the series after [b:The Indigo Spell|8709526|The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, #3)|Richelle Mead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1438483930s/8709526.jpg|13582373], and no one is more surprised than I am.
For some reason I've enjoyed all the odd-numbered Bloodlines books, while the even-numbered ones bored me to death. Bloodlines, The indigo spell, and now Silver Shadows, have all been entertaining and Mead's writing hasn't lost its addictive quality.
I will devour anything set at a closed-off prison/hospital, so the plot was very exciting and a lot more action-packed than before. We have an interesting new setting and characters. The pacing finally picks up and I was desperate to find out what would happen. Sydney has finally reached her full potential, and she was fierce and easy to root for.
Overall, I really enjoyed this but brace myself for the final book since I've heard negative things.
This is probably my favorite of the series after [b:The Indigo Spell|8709526|The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, #3)|Richelle Mead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1438483930s/8709526.jpg|13582373], and no one is more surprised than I am.
For some reason I've enjoyed all the odd-numbered Bloodlines books, while the even-numbered ones bored me to death. Bloodlines, The indigo spell, and now Silver Shadows, have all been entertaining and Mead's writing hasn't lost its addictive quality.
I will devour anything set at a closed-off prison/hospital, so the plot was very exciting and a lot more action-packed than before. We have an interesting new setting and characters. The pacing finally picks up and I was desperate to find out what would happen. Sydney has finally reached her full potential, and she was fierce and easy to root for.
Overall, I really enjoyed this but brace myself for the final book since I've heard negative things.
justagurlbooks's review against another edition
5.0
My heart was breaking so much throughout the book but the ending was absolutely perfect (Except for the plot twist at the end it was kinda dumb) this book definitely seemed like the end of the series tbh the ending was just so perfectly wrapped up
ignited_redqueen75's review against another edition
5.0
Talk about giving me anxiety, this one by far is my favorite of the bloodlines series.
lrhoades23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The bloodline series is so good. The spin off of the vampire academy showing the life and adventures of alchemist Sidney sage and how far she’s grown is truly amazing. While the first book was difficult to get into, the more you read the better it gets. I have experienced happy, sad, angry, and laughed so many times. It’s a very good read and I recommend it.
reesetotle's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, I've had /enough/. This is just messed up. I actually liked Vampire Academy because there was progress with Rose. But here? Sydney turned from being someone I looked up to into someone I didn't really like that much (well, I still love her wit). Especially after they got married and stuff. I can't continue on to the last book. Yes, I'm curious about who kidnapped Jill and all those, but I definitely don't want to see more sappy romance of Sydrian. Sorry. I'm done with this.
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
I don't mean to nit pick, I really don't.
But I would venture to say that Silver Shadows is to the Bloodlines series as [b:The House of Hades|12127810|The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus, #4)|Rick Riordan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370008006s/12127810.jpg|21539506] was to the Heroes of Olympus series. Both of these books had such amazing cliff hangers that it really left me waiting eagerly for the next book. And when I got that next book, I was a little disappointed. Sydney and Adrian deserve better.
So the last book left off with Sydney being carted off to reeducation after it was discovered she was being too chummy with vampires.
Let me be clear, I don't dislike the Alchemist reeducation parts. I found these to be disturbing and unsettling and everything I knew these people could devise. And I love that Sydney was strong through it all. I think I'm annoyed with the Adrian perspective of the story. With Sydney locked away, Richelle was forced to alternate perspectives. As much as I love Adrian, I'm a little over his self loathing and rich party boy ways. I got my fill of that with the Vampire Academy series. Now it just feels like a weird college kid at a high school party. I would have thought better of you Adrian.
I enjoyed seeing Sydney's sister Carly, I think she could be an interesting addition and I also really liked Marcus this time around. Once the plan to break Sydney out formulates, the story starts to lose gusto there until I was left wondering 'that's the solution.' It just felt forced or like a hail mary that didn't quite work out.
Maybe it's just me. But I have a hard time being ok with everyone being all hunky dory after a traumatic experience. Rick did this to me with Annabeth and Percy after getting out of Tartarus of all places and now Richelle as done it with Sydney and Adrian after 4 months of torture. Honestly, it's ok for characters to be unhappy for a little while. It's ok for them to be suffering some ill effects of trauma.
Sigh. Maybe the next book will bring back the excitement. I love a good missing person caper.
But I would venture to say that Silver Shadows is to the Bloodlines series as [b:The House of Hades|12127810|The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus, #4)|Rick Riordan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370008006s/12127810.jpg|21539506] was to the Heroes of Olympus series. Both of these books had such amazing cliff hangers that it really left me waiting eagerly for the next book. And when I got that next book, I was a little disappointed. Sydney and Adrian deserve better.
So the last book left off with Sydney being carted off to reeducation after it was discovered she was being too chummy with vampires.
Let me be clear, I don't dislike the Alchemist reeducation parts. I found these to be disturbing and unsettling and everything I knew these people could devise. And I love that Sydney was strong through it all. I think I'm annoyed with the Adrian perspective of the story. With Sydney locked away, Richelle was forced to alternate perspectives. As much as I love Adrian, I'm a little over his self loathing and rich party boy ways. I got my fill of that with the Vampire Academy series. Now it just feels like a weird college kid at a high school party. I would have thought better of you Adrian.
I enjoyed seeing Sydney's sister Carly, I think she could be an interesting addition and I also really liked Marcus this time around. Once the plan to break Sydney out formulates, the story starts to lose gusto there until I was left wondering 'that's the solution.' It just felt forced or like a hail mary that didn't quite work out.
Maybe it's just me. But I have a hard time being ok with everyone being all hunky dory after a traumatic experience. Rick did this to me with Annabeth and Percy after getting out of Tartarus of all places and now Richelle as done it with Sydney and Adrian after 4 months of torture. Honestly, it's ok for characters to be unhappy for a little while. It's ok for them to be suffering some ill effects of trauma.
Sigh. Maybe the next book will bring back the excitement. I love a good missing person caper.
maida's review against another edition
3.0
”You’re better than this, Adrian. Whatever the reason, you’re better than it. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you’re weaker than you are”.
I don’t have many thoughts on this book, which is weird for me, because I love these characters way too much.
I hated how whiny Adrain became in this one. Yes, he’s still my child and I love him and I understand spirit started to take a toll on him, but whilst Sydney was fighting for her life he was just… there, for the most part.
I don’t know, I just didn’t enjoy it as much. But I’m so happy they’re together at last.
I don’t have many thoughts on this book, which is weird for me, because I love these characters way too much.
I hated how whiny Adrain became in this one. Yes, he’s still my child and I love him and I understand spirit started to take a toll on him, but whilst Sydney was fighting for her life he was just… there, for the most part.
I don’t know, I just didn’t enjoy it as much. But I’m so happy they’re together at last.
elizabethwebb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
klarial's review against another edition
3.0
The Vampire Academy/Bloodlines series are perfect if you’re looking for a little, plot driven, action and romance filled read. Will they blow your mind? Probably not. Are they fun? Yes. They are also quick reads, so if you need a little fun I would say try them out. Now on to Silver Shadows specifically. This installment has all of the elements I described above that are typical of the series. Sydney and Adrian’s romance was discovered by the Alchemists in the previous book, The Fiery Heart. This leaves Sydney imprisoned in a re-education center, while Adrian tries to find a way to save her. The majority of this novel deals with each of their struggles independently.
The good: the plot with Sydney and the re-education center was very interesting. Parallels to “real life versions” of re-education were apparent and pretty compelling. I also looked forward to her chapters simply to see how she was going to make it through and eventually escape (because c’mon she is GOING to escape). Plus, it added to the ever growing list of why Sydney is kind of a badass. The plot also moves at a good pace, it is a pretty quick read with a good amount of suspense, if not necessarily all the action of the previous installments.
The okay (I don’t want to say bad because I don’t think any of it is bad, just okay): Adrian’s story was not nearly as compelling as Sydney’s. After seeing him grow as a character in the past few books, we see him fall apart. This book really makes it seem like his only reason for being happy/a good person/living is her, and I find that off-putting. At some points his character even started to annoy me slightly (I know, I know BLASPHEMY). Also he treats a side character like crap, not cool. There is also something related to the ending that I was not a huge fan of, But this really comes down to personal reasons, not necessarily a problem with the book itself.
Overall, it was a fun, quick read with characters I have come to enjoy. If you’re already a fan of the series I think it is worth your time.
The good: the plot with Sydney and the re-education center was very interesting. Parallels to “real life versions” of re-education were apparent and pretty compelling. I also looked forward to her chapters simply to see how she was going to make it through and eventually escape (because c’mon she is GOING to escape). Plus, it added to the ever growing list of why Sydney is kind of a badass. The plot also moves at a good pace, it is a pretty quick read with a good amount of suspense, if not necessarily all the action of the previous installments.
The okay (I don’t want to say bad because I don’t think any of it is bad, just okay): Adrian’s story was not nearly as compelling as Sydney’s. After seeing him grow as a character in the past few books, we see him fall apart. This book really makes it seem like his only reason for being happy/a good person/living is her, and I find that off-putting. At some points his character even started to annoy me slightly (I know, I know BLASPHEMY). Also he treats a side character like crap, not cool. There is also something related to the ending that I was not a huge fan of,
Spoiler
the marriage. I get it, it made sense plotwise and opens the door for the happy ending in the final book, but I was just disappointed with that outcome for Sydney’s character. Also they are so young.Overall, it was a fun, quick read with characters I have come to enjoy. If you’re already a fan of the series I think it is worth your time.