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lmf456's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
4.0
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
November 27, 2017
[re-read for my Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017]
There is little more for me to say about this book other than this: Sydney and Adrian are perfect. They're adorable, they make each other laugh, they take care of each other, emotionally and physically, they're fiercely protective of one another, and they're just...they're meant to be together. It's beautiful, watching them play these games, seeing them waltz around being together, going back and forth between "yes" and "no" until that beautiful, final, "yes" at the end of this book.
One trope I'm a huge fan of is when a couple I love aren't dating yet and they have to go undercover somewhere and pretend that they've been together for a long time and this book has one of my favorite instances of that trope, especially since it leads to one of the most touching scenes I've ever read, where Adrian is reading Sydney's aura and trying to convince her she's in love with him, that she reacts differently to him being with her than she does with anyone else. It's so sweet and it makes my heart feel like it's too large for my body.
I have loved watching them fall in love all over again; it's one of the greatest courtships I've ever read, let alone in YA, but this is also one of the few great examples of a "forbidden" couple getting together, staying together, never breaking up, and facing down the challenges that come with being in a committed relationship, which is so very rarely seen in YA and, if it is seen, it's rarely written as well as The Fiery Heart is. I'm so excited to read my favorite book in the series again but this one was also an absolute joy to relive.
And, on a side note, hopefully this is the last time I have to hear British-Adrian, since the voice actor who reads his chapters for these last three books is American. I HOPE they don't make him read in an English accent, at least. It's bad enough that Sydney's narrator (who also narrated the last three Vampire Academy books) gave him a British accent, so hopefully they retconned that decision when they hired an American; I'm eager to find out and I'll let you know what the producers decided in my review for the next book.
I'm really excited! This series is SO. MUCH. FUN!
February 16, 2013
I never quite thought a Vampire Academy/Bloodlines book would ever leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside like this one did. The leaps and bounds Sydney took as a character were astounding, and her chemistry with my darling baby boy, Adrian was off the charts.
I may come back and write a more proper review later but in the meantime, all I can think or say is:
MY OTP IS MEANT TO BE
THEY'RE TOGETHER
THEY MADE OUT A BUNCH OF TIMES
AND THEY BOTH SAID THEY LOVE EACH OTHER
[re-read for my Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017]
There is little more for me to say about this book other than this: Sydney and Adrian are perfect. They're adorable, they make each other laugh, they take care of each other, emotionally and physically, they're fiercely protective of one another, and they're just...they're meant to be together. It's beautiful, watching them play these games, seeing them waltz around being together, going back and forth between "yes" and "no" until that beautiful, final, "yes" at the end of this book.
One trope I'm a huge fan of is when a couple I love aren't dating yet and they have to go undercover somewhere and pretend that they've been together for a long time and this book has one of my favorite instances of that trope, especially since it leads to one of the most touching scenes I've ever read, where Adrian is reading Sydney's aura and trying to convince her she's in love with him, that she reacts differently to him being with her than she does with anyone else. It's so sweet and it makes my heart feel like it's too large for my body.
I have loved watching them fall in love all over again; it's one of the greatest courtships I've ever read, let alone in YA, but this is also one of the few great examples of a "forbidden" couple getting together, staying together, never breaking up, and facing down the challenges that come with being in a committed relationship, which is so very rarely seen in YA and, if it is seen, it's rarely written as well as The Fiery Heart is. I'm so excited to read my favorite book in the series again but this one was also an absolute joy to relive.
And, on a side note, hopefully this is the last time I have to hear British-Adrian, since the voice actor who reads his chapters for these last three books is American. I HOPE they don't make him read in an English accent, at least. It's bad enough that Sydney's narrator (who also narrated the last three Vampire Academy books) gave him a British accent, so hopefully they retconned that decision when they hired an American; I'm eager to find out and I'll let you know what the producers decided in my review for the next book.
I'm really excited! This series is SO. MUCH. FUN!
February 16, 2013
I never quite thought a Vampire Academy/Bloodlines book would ever leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside like this one did. The leaps and bounds Sydney took as a character were astounding, and her chemistry with my darling baby boy, Adrian was off the charts.
I may come back and write a more proper review later but in the meantime, all I can think or say is:
MY OTP IS MEANT TO BE
THEY'RE TOGETHER
THEY MADE OUT A BUNCH OF TIMES
AND THEY BOTH SAID THEY LOVE EACH OTHER
paigeworrall's review against another edition
5.0
this book was amazing, it even had a quick appearance from some of the characters out of the VA series!!
some of the moments between Adrian and Sydney almost made my hear implode!!!
some of the moments between Adrian and Sydney almost made my hear implode!!!
beachybookstack's review against another edition
4.0
Yay for Adrian! Inner turmoil was definitely the focus of "Indigo Spell." The magic plotline stayed in the background for the most part, and even the Alchemist plotline felt secondary. There was a lot going on in this one. I feel like the pressure is mounting and Sydney is going to be outed by the ens of the next book. Ahhh! I liked the ending and didn't really expect it. Expecting a lot from "Firey Heart."
mojci's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
cobycoyle's review against another edition
5.0
Again, don't know if it's me being in love with Adrian's character and all, but I find these books so good.
They bring me a sense of joy. I find myself laughing through them at the humourous parts (particularly that involve Adrian.)
Richelle Mead just seems to do very well with writing serious, suspenseful, or romantic scenes in addition to humourous ones (I am, in particular, recalling the scene where Sydney and Adrian are at a sorority party.)
I also am impressed that there are multiple different plots going on, but there is no confusion in keeping them straight, and I find myself able to remember them all. It isn't too much and is just the right amount to help make an amazing story.
Adding this to my general favorites shelf, I loved it to be honest.
They bring me a sense of joy. I find myself laughing through them at the humourous parts (particularly that involve Adrian.)
Richelle Mead just seems to do very well with writing serious, suspenseful, or romantic scenes in addition to humourous ones (I am, in particular, recalling the scene where Sydney and Adrian are at a sorority party.)
I also am impressed that there are multiple different plots going on, but there is no confusion in keeping them straight, and I find myself able to remember them all. It isn't too much and is just the right amount to help make an amazing story.
Adding this to my general favorites shelf, I loved it to be honest.
maddyblenk's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series! however i don't feel as attatched to the charecters as vampire academy.But they are excellent charecters just not as good. This book was good i love exploring the magic not just vampires whuch is very interesting i am excited to read the next one!
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
Third in the Bloodlines urban fantasy series for Young Adults and revolving around Sydney Sage, a young Alchemist, slowly loosening-up. Based at a boarding school in Palm Springs.
My Take
It's a slow eroding of the values instilled in Sydney, finally putting her intelligence to use along with her morals. And it's Sydney's problem that she has an extra set of skills Ms. Terwilliger is determined to hone.
I dislike Sydney less in this story---she's starting to think for herself, becoming more flexible. Although, I still prefer just about everyone else in this series. She's such a rigid little dimwit for all her intelligence. And I get so tired of her whining…
Some of the events in this are rather childish: the dare to prove yourself? How middle school. Their secret undercover mission doesn't fare too well with all the screw-ups. For all Sydney and Adrian's smarts, they're amazingly ignorant.
My biggest problem with this story is how juvenile it is. And, I guess it's also very attuned to the high school mentality, which is Mead's target audience. So I'm having a difficult time separating myself out from my older expectations. On the other hand, there are Young Adult stories out there in which the characters aren't this untried (seems a fair word to use). I mostly read it to keep up with Rose and Dimitri and I do adore Adrian.
And just when Sydney thinks she has it all together...
The Story
Sydney's rejection of Adrian in The Golden Lily, 2, is haunting Sydney, that and the questions that have been arising about the Alchemists. Worse, Ms. Terwilliger is becoming more insistent on learning magic!
But it's Sonya and Mikhail's wedding that showcase the differences between Sydney and the other Alchemists. When Sydney learns of a rogue Alchemist, who doesn't exist, well, that's the end of blind faith.
The Characters
The socially clueless Sydney Sage (Melrose/Melbourne are her u/c names) is an Alchemist undercover as a student with the mission to keep Jill from being assassinated. She does have some human traits: an obsession with coffee, she's in love with Adrian's Mustang, and she's a bit OCD. Carly is her older sister; Zoe is the younger one who is so angry with Sydney for cutting her out of the mission. Jared Sage is her father; a cold, calculating man whom the Alchemists highly respect.
Ms. Jaclyn Terwilliger is Sydney's history teacher who is sneakily teaching her magic—a class that still infuriates Sydney because magic is evil! Veronica Terwilliger is her older sister working in the blackest of magics.
Adrian Ivashkov, a spirit using Moroi, is in love with Sydney; he's part of their group because he and Jill formed a bond when he brought her back.
Jill Mastrano Dragomir is the queen's Moroi sister and Lissa's only remaining family. She is hiding out at Amberwood Prep, a private boarding school, with the help of the Alchemists and Queen Vasilisa Dragomir. (Christian Ozera is still Lissa's boyfriend.) Neil Raymond joins the bodyguarding detail at the end. Eddie Castile is her assigned dhampir bodyguard also undercover as a student attending classes and trying to put his love for her behind him by dating Angeline Dawes (McCormick is her u/c name), who is an uncivilized Keeper undercover is Jill's roommate and additional security,
Fellow students include Trey Juarez, a fellow senior, football star, brainy, and friends with Sydney who's not too sure where his allegiances lie anymore; Micah is a human classmate who dated Jill at one point; Kristin Sawyer and Julia Cavendish are friends with Sydney; and, Brayden is an extremely intelligent but selfish non-Amberwood student who isn't dating Sydney because of her issues.
Sonya Karp is a Moroi marrying Mikhail Tanner, a dhampir! Abe Mazur is colorfully present. Shockingly, Rose Hathaway is a bridesmaid(!), so naturally Dimitri Belikov is at the wedding as well.
The Alchemists include Donna Stanton is Sydney's immediate supervisor and extremely close-mouthed. The extremely bigoted Ian Jansen still has a crush on Sydney. Zebulon Jameson is an official with the Warriors of Light.
Marcus and his Merry Men
Marcus Finch is a major question for Sydney. Rumors of his having been an Alchemist, his aiding Clarence, interacting with the Warriors of Light. Too many questions only to find he's a dissident and wants Sydney to join them. Lots of talk, not much action. Sabrina is Marcus' friend and undercover with the Warriors of Light. Amelia and Wade are additional dissidents from the Alchemists.
People encountered on the hunt for Veronica include:
Alicia, who is the receptionist at the B&B where the locator spell placed Veronica and Wendy Stone and Lynne Titus who are some of those who fit the profile of the targeted victims.
The Palm Springs cast includes:
Mrs. Desiree Weathers is the dorm matron for the girls. Lia DiStefano is a fashion designer who still wants Jill to come model for her. Not the best idea for a teen in hiding from assassins. Malachi Wolfe is the eccentric self-defense instructor who helps Sydney and Adrian. Clarence Donahue is an old Moroi who lives in Palm Springs and provides the gang with a refuge.
The Alchemists are an organization dedicated to keeping mankind from learning about the Moroi or the Strigoi. Hierophants are the Alchemist priests. The Moroi are the good vampires, living their lives and working hard to avoid the Strigoi, the bad vampires. The Keepers are a secret group of Moroi, dhampirs, and humans who live in hiding in the backwoods---with all the stereotypes that entails! They do not adhere to the regular Moroi strictures about no fraternization. The Warriors of Light are a group that split from the Alchemists back in the Renaissance and their agenda is destruction. Callistanas are a type of minor and benign demon.
The Cover
It's a grim cover in grays and a blackish purple background with Sydney in the middle between Marcus and Adrian. A carved, silver font focuses on The Indigo Spell which is surrounded by ghostly looking morning glories.
The title is held out as a hope to Sydney, for The Indigo Spell may set her free.
My Take
It's a slow eroding of the values instilled in Sydney, finally putting her intelligence to use along with her morals. And it's Sydney's problem that she has an extra set of skills Ms. Terwilliger is determined to hone.
I dislike Sydney less in this story---she's starting to think for herself, becoming more flexible. Although, I still prefer just about everyone else in this series. She's such a rigid little dimwit for all her intelligence. And I get so tired of her whining…
Some of the events in this are rather childish: the dare to prove yourself? How middle school. Their secret undercover mission doesn't fare too well with all the screw-ups. For all Sydney and Adrian's smarts, they're amazingly ignorant.
My biggest problem with this story is how juvenile it is. And, I guess it's also very attuned to the high school mentality, which is Mead's target audience. So I'm having a difficult time separating myself out from my older expectations. On the other hand, there are Young Adult stories out there in which the characters aren't this untried (seems a fair word to use). I mostly read it to keep up with Rose and Dimitri and I do adore Adrian.
And just when Sydney thinks she has it all together...
The Story
Sydney's rejection of Adrian in The Golden Lily, 2, is haunting Sydney, that and the questions that have been arising about the Alchemists. Worse, Ms. Terwilliger is becoming more insistent on learning magic!
But it's Sonya and Mikhail's wedding that showcase the differences between Sydney and the other Alchemists. When Sydney learns of a rogue Alchemist, who doesn't exist, well, that's the end of blind faith.
The Characters
The socially clueless Sydney Sage (Melrose/Melbourne are her u/c names) is an Alchemist undercover as a student with the mission to keep Jill from being assassinated. She does have some human traits: an obsession with coffee, she's in love with Adrian's Mustang, and she's a bit OCD. Carly is her older sister; Zoe is the younger one who is so angry with Sydney for cutting her out of the mission. Jared Sage is her father; a cold, calculating man whom the Alchemists highly respect.
Ms. Jaclyn Terwilliger is Sydney's history teacher who is sneakily teaching her magic—a class that still infuriates Sydney because magic is evil! Veronica Terwilliger is her older sister working in the blackest of magics.
Adrian Ivashkov, a spirit using Moroi, is in love with Sydney; he's part of their group because he and Jill formed a bond when he brought her back.
Jill Mastrano Dragomir is the queen's Moroi sister and Lissa's only remaining family. She is hiding out at Amberwood Prep, a private boarding school, with the help of the Alchemists and Queen Vasilisa Dragomir. (Christian Ozera is still Lissa's boyfriend.) Neil Raymond joins the bodyguarding detail at the end. Eddie Castile is her assigned dhampir bodyguard also undercover as a student attending classes and trying to put his love for her behind him by dating Angeline Dawes (McCormick is her u/c name), who is an uncivilized Keeper undercover is Jill's roommate and additional security,
Fellow students include Trey Juarez, a fellow senior, football star, brainy, and friends with Sydney who's not too sure where his allegiances lie anymore; Micah is a human classmate who dated Jill at one point; Kristin Sawyer and Julia Cavendish are friends with Sydney; and, Brayden is an extremely intelligent but selfish non-Amberwood student who isn't dating Sydney because of her issues.
Sonya Karp is a Moroi marrying Mikhail Tanner, a dhampir! Abe Mazur is colorfully present. Shockingly, Rose Hathaway is a bridesmaid(!), so naturally Dimitri Belikov is at the wedding as well.
The Alchemists include Donna Stanton is Sydney's immediate supervisor and extremely close-mouthed. The extremely bigoted Ian Jansen still has a crush on Sydney. Zebulon Jameson is an official with the Warriors of Light.
Marcus and his Merry Men
Marcus Finch is a major question for Sydney. Rumors of his having been an Alchemist, his aiding Clarence, interacting with the Warriors of Light. Too many questions only to find he's a dissident and wants Sydney to join them. Lots of talk, not much action. Sabrina is Marcus' friend and undercover with the Warriors of Light. Amelia and Wade are additional dissidents from the Alchemists.
People encountered on the hunt for Veronica include:
Alicia, who is the receptionist at the B&B where the locator spell placed Veronica and Wendy Stone and Lynne Titus who are some of those who fit the profile of the targeted victims.
The Palm Springs cast includes:
Mrs. Desiree Weathers is the dorm matron for the girls. Lia DiStefano is a fashion designer who still wants Jill to come model for her. Not the best idea for a teen in hiding from assassins. Malachi Wolfe is the eccentric self-defense instructor who helps Sydney and Adrian. Clarence Donahue is an old Moroi who lives in Palm Springs and provides the gang with a refuge.
The Alchemists are an organization dedicated to keeping mankind from learning about the Moroi or the Strigoi. Hierophants are the Alchemist priests. The Moroi are the good vampires, living their lives and working hard to avoid the Strigoi, the bad vampires. The Keepers are a secret group of Moroi, dhampirs, and humans who live in hiding in the backwoods---with all the stereotypes that entails! They do not adhere to the regular Moroi strictures about no fraternization. The Warriors of Light are a group that split from the Alchemists back in the Renaissance and their agenda is destruction. Callistanas are a type of minor and benign demon.
The Cover
It's a grim cover in grays and a blackish purple background with Sydney in the middle between Marcus and Adrian. A carved, silver font focuses on The Indigo Spell which is surrounded by ghostly looking morning glories.
The title is held out as a hope to Sydney, for The Indigo Spell may set her free.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
Started January 3d, 2014.
Pushed this in between after re-reading the first of the four Dark Swan-Books [b:Dark Swan Bundle: Storm Born, Thorn Queen, Iron Crowned & Shadow Heir|13495955|Dark Swan Bundle Storm Born, Thorn Queen, Iron Crowned & Shadow Heir|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1331224207s/13495955.jpg|19038681].
This book is even more about Sydney, not so much Jill and the others.
Good action, and I like her pov, how she decides and even does a 180 in one case after listening to two persons (or more) basically giving her the same advise. Also romance factor goes higher.
What I really like about the main character Sydney is how she changes and grows independent of her upbringing in a family devoted to the Order of the Alchemists.
Two nice twists near the end of the story I did not see coming, nor the arrival of a problem in the last chapter which will certainly lead to interesting developments in the next book, throwing a monkey-wrench in her plans.
The last chapters where page-turning-frency for me, even staying up later when planned, I just could not stop reading.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series [b:The Fiery Heart|9833184|The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines, #4)|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383243238s/9833184.jpg|18752242], which will be soon, I guess.
But then a pause will stop me, as the book after that is still being written (or in production), [b:Silver Shadows|8709524|Silver Shadows (Bloodlines, #5)|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1384794853s/8709524.jpg|18752278] is set to appear in July 2014.
Highly recommended.
Pushed this in between after re-reading the first of the four Dark Swan-Books [b:Dark Swan Bundle: Storm Born, Thorn Queen, Iron Crowned & Shadow Heir|13495955|Dark Swan Bundle Storm Born, Thorn Queen, Iron Crowned & Shadow Heir|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1331224207s/13495955.jpg|19038681].
This book is even more about Sydney, not so much Jill and the others.
Good action, and I like her pov, how she decides and even does a 180 in one case after listening to two persons (or more) basically giving her the same advise. Also romance factor goes higher.
What I really like about the main character Sydney is how she changes and grows independent of her upbringing in a family devoted to the Order of the Alchemists.
Two nice twists near the end of the story I did not see coming, nor the arrival of a problem in the last chapter which will certainly lead to interesting developments in the next book, throwing a monkey-wrench in her plans.
The last chapters where page-turning-frency for me, even staying up later when planned, I just could not stop reading.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series [b:The Fiery Heart|9833184|The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines, #4)|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383243238s/9833184.jpg|18752242], which will be soon, I guess.
But then a pause will stop me, as the book after that is still being written (or in production), [b:Silver Shadows|8709524|Silver Shadows (Bloodlines, #5)|Richelle Mead|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1384794853s/8709524.jpg|18752278] is set to appear in July 2014.
Highly recommended.