The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

For Review: Penguin
Published: 12 February 2012

From Goodreads: In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

I'm really enjoying the Bloodlines series! It is quite different from the Vampire Academy series - more slow paced I think - but I'm finding it equally compelling.

So, we get the aftermath to that 'forbidden moment'. I have to say I was annoyed at Sydney for her reaction - but certain events in this one explain why she might have acted the way she did - and they also have interesting implications for Sydney's behaviour in the future!

I'm also really enjoying the magic in this series! I like that Sydney has that ability - and I'm also very interested to learn more about the Alchemists. I still don't trust them at all. Talking of trust - Marcus is interesting! I'm hoping to see more of him.

There is also a story within the main story arc - girls are being targeted for their magic powers - which is interesting enough and gives Sydney the kick she needs to embrace her magic. Plus it's a good reason for Sydney and Adrian to spend time together!  I'm hoping that in the next book she does that even more.

And yes, I loved the ending...

Can't wait for The Fiery Heart!

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

For Review: Puffin Razorbill
Published: 25 August 2011

From Goodreads:

BLOOD DOESN'T LIE.

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

I am a major fan of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series so I was super, super excited when I heard she was writing this spin off. I loved Rose and Dimitri but I realised after reading Last Sacrifice that I was also very attached to all the other characters that lived in this world.

Bloodlines is narrated by Sydney, an Alchemist we were first introduced to in Blood Promise. I liked her then and I am so please Richelle Mead decided to write the story from her perspective. She is a very different character to Rose, much more reserved and thinks things through before jumping in, but there are qualities to her that kind of remind me of Rose too. She's caring, loyal, puts other before herself. And sometimes she can be just as badass - just in a different way!

The other characters that are back are Jill, Eddie and the wonderful Adrian. He really grew on me in the VA series, and with the way things ended for him in Last Sacrifice I am glad we get to see him move on from that. Or hopefully move on from that...

The story is awesome as well. Not only do we have the continuation from the previous series in terms of Jill, Eddie and Adrian but we also get to learn so much more about the Alchemists. Who quite frankly are a scary bunch - I'll be interested to hear other people's thoughts once they have read this one. There is also a mystery concerning young girls turning up dead with their throat slit that requires Sydney to investigate. Very exciting stuff!

Obviously coming to this as a fan of the VA series it's hard for me to say whether this works as a standalone. I think it would - most things were explained - but honestly the VA series is just so freaking good that I would definitely recommend reading them first! I mean, the last line at the end of Bloodlines? How on earth can it have that much impact?

An awesome start to what is going to be another addicting series for me! I can't wait for Golden Lily - I could spend so much more time in this world.   Loved it!

Cover Reveal: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

I am sooooo excited for this book! I can't wait to get my hands on it! And look at the pretty cover for the UK edition *sighs*



From Goodreads: BLOOD DOESN'T LIE. Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

It's published 23 August 2011. Squeeeeeeeee!

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Contains spoilers for the previous books in the series.

For review:  Penguin (Razorbill)  Published 7 December 2010
Back cover:  It all comes down to now. 

The queen is dead and the Moroi world will never be the same. 

Rose Hathaway is awaiting wrongful execution and there exists only one man who can stall this terrible fate.  Rose must look to both Dimitri and Adrian, the two great loves of her life, to find him.
With her best friend, Lissa , in a deadly struggle for the royal throne, the girls find themselves forced to rely upon enemies and questioning those they thought they could trust

But what if true freedom means sacrificing the most important thing of all?  Each other.


Reviews:  Book One :  Vampire Academy,   Book Two:  Frostbite,  Book Three:  Shadow Kiss, Book Four:  Blood Promise,  Book Five:  Spirit Bound

I love, love LOVE this series!  And this final installment in Rose's story was just awesome!

So much happens in this one.  I've read in interviews that Richelle Mead plans her series in advance and you can definitely see the benefits to this.  Everything just fell into place, and even though I didn't see all the events coming, as soon as they happened they all made complete sense.

Rose was back to her normal self in this one.  She seems to benefit was having something to do or pursue.  And, of course, there's Dimitri.  Love, love, love him!  The scenes between him and Rose are just pure genius!  There are also a host of other characters that show up (old and new) and we get to spy on events at the royal court through Rose's bond with Lissa.  I must say for a character I pretty much disliked at the beginning of this series, Lissa has really progressed.  I adored her in this one and was very pleased by her display of strength and loyalty to Rose.  I also, if possible, grew more fond of Adrian and can now completely understand why Rose would choose to be in a relationship with him.

I'm trying hard to think of what to say without spoiling anything.  Last Sacrifice is full of the action I have come to expect from this series, but more than that this one was charged with emotion.  All of the events building up over the series reached the ultimate conclusion and answers are definitely given.  But in addition to that Mead manages to leave us wanting more.  And believe me I want more!  As much as I loved this book and find it a fitting end to Rose's story I am not ready to leave the world just yet.  I have grown not only to love Rose, Dimitri and Lissa but all the other characters we have met along the way.  I am thrilled there will be a spin off series later next year and I can't wait to catch up with the characters involved in that series.  There are definitely several I would love it to be based around.

I have had an brilliant time reading this series and know it will be one I re-read over and over again.  If you haven't tried it yet I urge you to give it a go.  I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Contains spoilers for the previous books in the series.

From Amazon:  Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. And she made the wrong one… After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s Academy — and to her best friend, Lissa. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he’s out there, somewhere. She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true— Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. Only this time, he won’t rest until Rose joins him… forever.

Reviews:  Book One :  Vampire Academy,   Book Two:  Frostbite,  Book Three:  Shadow Kiss, Book Four:  Blood Promise

We catch up with Rose as she's about to take her trials to graduate as a guardian.  Still haunted by Dimitri, she decides she has to find out if there is any truth to what she was told in Siberia.  But with Dimitri now hunting her,  can she get the answers she needs before it's too late...

Although full of action this one felt slower paced than the others in the series and I'm not sure why.  I think it may be because usually Rose pushes the story forward but in this one she seems different.   There is a point in the book that she admits her actions lately are crazy even for her and I'd have to agree.  But more than that she just seemed ... and I hate to say this ... but weak. Or at least weak for her - and seeing how strong she normally is it felt odd to see her this way.  She seemed to spend a large part of the book confused and hurt, and  instead of acknowledging her real feelings she seeks comfort in someone else.  I can understand that she feels she needs to move on from Dimitri - especially considering how things are - but I don't think that necessarily equals moving onto someone new.  

Don't get me wrong,  I really enjoyed this installment in the series.  Again there are some awesome scenes between Rose and Dimitri.  Good or bad,  he is definitely one of my favourite characters! (And yes, my obsession is still going strong!).  Lissa is becoming a character I like more and more, and despite wanting to sometimes hit Adrian over the head to knock some sense into him (especially where Rose is concerned) he really is a very endearing character that I hope gets a happy ending.

I have to say I loved the ending for this one!  Again Richelle Mead managed to completely take me by surprise and have be on the edge of my seat.  This one definitely sets up the scene for the next book and puts all the pieces in place for what promises to be a great finale to Rose's story.  I can't wait to start Last Sacrifice and I'm so glad I don't have to wait to read it.  I don't think I could have contained myself if I'd had to wait - I have to know what happens!

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

While I have tried not to mention any major spoilers for Blood Promise it's not possible to review this one without hinting at / mentioning one for Shadow Kiss.  Please don't read this review unless you have read that book.  The synopsis below also contains spoilers for the previous books in the series.

From Goodreads:  After the massacre at Vampire Academy, Rose Hathaway faces the most task of her life and she knows that she must do it alone. With Mason departed for the other world, Rose must hunt down and kill Dimitri Belikov, the man she most loves. The fourth nail-biting episode of Richelle Mead's popular vampire series dramatically shows the fatal power of a promise.

Reviews:  Book One :  Vampire Academy,   Book Two:  Frostbite,  Book Three:  Shadow Kiss

I have to admit I was DESPERATE to read this one considering the end of Shadows Kiss.  But I was also scared to - as much as I loved (no, make that hated) what happens to Dimitri - I didn't know if the series would work for me now.  So much of my enjoyment of the series depended on Dimitri and his relationship with Rose.  But how wrong was I? I LOVED it!

This story is very different to the others.  It takes place outside of St Vladamir's Academy - in Russia where Rose is trying to find Dimitri so she can fulfil a promise she once made.  Along the way we meet a host of wonderful new characters, and of course, we come face to face with a rather different Dimitri.  And oh my!  He is heartbreakingly different.  But then, Rose's reaction to him is also heartbreaking to watch.

It was scary to see the affect he has on her.  I knew that she would have trouble doing what she set out to do - that as soon as she came face to face with Dimitri she wouldn't see the truth - what's he has truly become.  But I didn't expect what was to follow - but then neither did Rose.  Watching her get her strength back and at least partly come to terms with what Dimitri now is was the highpoint of the book for me.

I also really enjoyed all the new characters.  Abe, Sydney and especially the Belikovs - I hope to see much more of them in following books.  I also really liked Lissa in this one - in the past she has always been the weakest link for me but in this one she shows that she needs to be there for Rose too and I warmed to her because of it.

I also have to say I adored Adrian in this one too - but -  I really hope there is no romance between him and Rose.  As much as I love Adrian (and ignoring the fact Rose is still in love with Dimitri)  he just doesn't strike me as right for Rose - but I guess we shall see.

My favourite book in the series so far!  I can't wait to see how this all turns out!

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

From Goodreads: For Rose Hathaway, everything seems out of kilter. Ever since she made her first Strigoi kills, a dark shadow has been creeping over her. Looming in the background, too, is another realization: If she follows her forbidden love for guardian Dimitri Belikov, she might lose her best friend forever. And these sleep-shaking worries couldn't have come at a worse time. The immortal unloving are prowling everywhere, famished for vengeance against her. An adrenaline-laced episode of the teen pop favorite Shadow Academy.

You can read my reviews for Vampire Academy here and Frostbite here.  Shadow Kiss is the third book in the series.

When we catch up with Rose she is still dealing with the aftermath of the events in Frostbite, and carrying around a fair amount of guilt.  Feeling as if she might actually be losing her mind Rose tries to deal with everything herself, but then she realises she might not be crazy after all.  Maybe someone is trying to tell her something...before it's too late...

Okay - this book was awesome!  Maybe I should just leave it at that and tell you you should read it?  But it's just one of those books that just really worked for me!

I adore Rose - she's reckless and jumps into things without thinking but she has a great heart and loyalty to others.  She also has such a strength and I love that about her.  Dimitri is just ...so, so gorgeous!  He's one of my favourite characters and a perfect match for Rose.  I really enjoyed that we get to see a genuine connection between the two really develop.  Yes, it's obvious there is a physical attraction between the two but in this one Dimitri is really there for Rose.  I like that they can comfort each other, that they trust in each other, that their interactions are more about friendship than just physical attraction.  But more importantly I do feel as if they understand each other - sometimes more than they understand themselves.  I really like that  - which, of course,  makes the ending unbearable. 

There is also plenty of action to make this one really enjoyable.  I loved Mead's actions scenes - she definitely has the skill to make them believable and very exciting.  I was turning the pages so fast toward the end I am surprised they didn't catch fire!  Major awesome!

My only quibble is Lissa.  I'm really not liking her at the moment which is a shame as she is such an important part of the story - but sometimes she can come across as really selfish.  Rose is always there for her but I'm not sure Lissa is really there for Rose.  I can't believe she hasn't seen what is right in front of her face - that Rose is in love with Dimitri.  Others have seen it straight away and it puzzles me why Lissa hasn't worked it out yet.  I hope that the events of this one make a difference to Lissa - I do really want to like her.  And considering the ending - Rose is going to need her support!

And that ending?  All I have to say about that is:  No! No! NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

From Goodreads: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…

It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks….This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

Frostbite is the second book in the Vampire Academy series. You can read my review for book one here.

If I had been at all worried that this wouldn't be as good as the first book I needn't have been. This is shaping up to be one awesome series!

Not only having to deal with the aftermath of a brutal Strigoi attack, Rose also has to deal with her mother - a brilliant guardian she hardly sees - and the possibility Dimitri's affections are turning towards someone else.  Confused, and wanting to forget about Dimitri,  she turns to her friend Mason, who has a massive crush on her.  But when she tells him something she shouldn't she has to find a way to fix it.  Before it's too late...

Again there is plenty of action and character development,  making this a great sequel.  I loved meeting Rose's mother and really enjoyed their interactions.  You can really see where Rose gets it all from.  I also really liked Mason - really sweet and obviously besotted with Rose.  Christian is also proving to be a great character that I want to see much more of.  And Dimitri is still on fine form!  I really do love him *sighs*  The scenes between him and Rose are electric - they have great chemistry and I'm really rooting for them as a couple.  Finger's crossed! 

I loved the ending of this one.  Again Richelle Mead shows she can skillfully write action scenes - but I also applaud her ability to shock.  Perhaps others saw it coming but I really didn't - and I love that unpredictability this series has to offer.  Shadow Kiss here I come!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

From Amazon: St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - hidden away, it's a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's where the girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night time rituals. But most of all, staying alive.

I was warned this was slow going at first but then impossible to put down. Well, for me the advice was half right. I loved it from the get-go. It was obvious a great deal of thought had gone into creating the world - it really showed and felt believable. I adored Rose – vulnerable, sassy, with just the right amount of that ‘kick-ass’ attitude I love (and wish I had!) yet still responsible in her duties as a Guardian (and to Lissa). I must say that I didn’t warm as much to Lissa at first as she kind of worried me – I couldn't really put my finger on why– but it all came together in the end and I get the impression that perhaps I was supposed to feel that way.

As for Dimitri I think it’s safe to say I’m bordering on obsession!! I loved the final scenes between him and Rose (sigh!) and some of my favourite scenes in the book are between those two. I look forward to more of these two in future books.

Overall this was a fantastic introduction to a thrilling new series. Mead really knows how to write both action and romance. It also felt quite dark, especially the strigoi - very creepy! . I was completely hooked and didn’t want to put it down . Really addictive!.