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.
“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.”
---
“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.”
(Not enough stars)