Thursday, January 31, 2013

Review: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

Firstly, thank you to Penguin Books Australia for this NetGalley <3

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, #3)

Date Read: January 23 – 27 2013
Release Date: February 12th 2013
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Paranormal
My rating: 

Synopsis:
“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.”

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“Any life worth living is going to have risks.”

Mead has done it again. She has written another compelling book that I wasn’t able to put down. I’ll be honest, for all its hype, I was worried The Indigo Spell would be like The Golden Lily – albeit an extremely enjoyable 5 star read but lacking that something that Vampire Academy possessed. So I was extremely happy that while reading The Indigo Spell, I realised I’d stopped comparing it to Vampire Academy; I was finally able to see Sydney’s story as something of her own and not a less action-packed version of Rose’s tale. And guys…. SYDRIAN FEELS. ALLLLLLLLLLL THE FEELS.

Picking up right where The Golden Lily left off, book 3 jumps right into the action. The mystery that is Marcus Finch and his blue tattoo is finally revealed, but a greater threat than secretive Alchemists is closer than anybody thought. I think what I love about Mead’s books is that she can maintain two plot lines: the overall plot of the series, and the current book’s own conflict and issues. I was drawn into both straight away and the pace was so perfect – each plot distinct and every turn of the page full of anticipation yet I was able to keep up with what was happening. Never a dull moment seriously. The build-up to the end was well done and I honestly was so drawn into the story I didn’t even realise how far I’d progressed. It’s a pretty big/thick book but before I knew it I was 50% done, then 70% then 96% and I was like “omg I need more Sydrian!”

Sydney has always been this uptight, rule-abiding girl but let me say that she is BADASS in The Indigo Spell. We see a completely different side to her and I loved how she finally stopped being so naïve and realised that rules might not always be in line with what is ethically correct. I loved the way her character has been built over the past 3 books but her growth finally showed here. Gone is the tentative, good girl that sprouted Alchemist words like they were her personal mantra. I finally saw a girl who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what SHE believed was right, to act on those beliefs… and I loved the added fire of how she was willing to use someone to do that – it sounds horrible but seriously, while reading it feels absolutely awesome for her to step out of her comfort zone!

“They aren’t like you at all. They talk. You act.”

I absolutely loved all the characters here: Jill, Eddie, Angeline, Trey and Ms. Terwilliger make regular appearances, but we’re graced with cameos of Rose and Dimitri too (I squealed when they got a mention honestly). I really saw how Jill and Angeline had matured – Jill is wise beyond her years now and I really liked the way she perceived things while Angeline seemed a lot calmer and (slightly) responsible. While Ms Terwilliger really annoyed me for pushing Sydney in the previous books, I really valued her presence here and I realised her pushing Sydney was beneficial to all parties.

But but but GUIIISEEEE *pushes aside Sydney and all the other characters*… ADRIAN FREAKING IVASHKOV. BE STILL MY HEART. He stole my heart in his first appearance in Frostbite and every VA book after that… then his feelings started breaking my heart in Bloodlines/The Golden Lily AND NOW?! I THINK I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN. I had my qualms about his playboy ways and methods to handle Spirit (although understandable) in VA but ohmysweetGOODNESS he is amazing in The Indigo Spell. After what happened in The Golden Lily, Adrian only got more awesome. Dedicated, devoted, sweet, understanding, passionate and just so INTENSE he is the only one that really saw through Sydney’s façade and accepted everything about her. He knew her better than she knew herself! People ask me why I don’t have a boyfriend. Adrian Ivashkov is a big reason why. This loving man UGH I mean I understand why Sydney can’t be with him but he’s so irresistible!

“He’s the only one who never tells me to do anything”

“… You’re the same beautiful, brave, and ridiculously smart caffeinated fighter you’ve been since the day I met you.”

Which leads me to the romance. Hot dayum! Mead didn’t go into the graphic detail of adult novels because honestly she didn’t need to – the power of her words alone left scorch marks wherever Adrian touched m– ahem Sydney. Every page was filled with some reminder of Adrian’s feelings and his touch remained regardless of how brief the encounter was. So steamy, so much sexual tension I was just dying for them to jump each other.

 “The world was all heat and electricity, thick with tension that was only one spark away from exploding around us.”

The more I think about The Indigo Spell the more I love it. I cannot wait for February 12 to get my hands on the physical copy. And omg cannot wait for The Fiery Heart: Sydney AND Adrian’s POV (I sort of wish Last Sacrifice had been in Dimitri’s POV too :s).

“… If I keep loving you, maybe you’ll eventually crack and love me too.”

4 comments:

  1. Oh. my. God. You have just fueled the flame even more for my love of Mead's books! I love her writing so much, and am unbelievably excited about reading this! You didnt give too much away, just the stuff I was DESPERATE to know, after the events of Golden Lily with Sydney and Adrian, I needed to know that romance didn't go away, THANK THE LORD! great review about what promises to be a great book! :)

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  2. Wow, awesome review!!!!! Cannot wait to read this!

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  3. I don't know if I can stand waiting until Feb 12th!! This sounds more amazing every review I see. I love Sydney and Adrian and have missed the rest of the crew as well.

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  4. omg, that last line.... I'm practically dying already to get my hands on this! and geez, I've re-read bloodlines and the golden lily just last week, counting down the days is painful... but that last line... I'm going to have to re-read them again just to help ease the pain of the wait!

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