Reviews: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead & Blood Phantom by Rhiannon Hart

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead
Release Date: November 19, 2013 / Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

When Richelle Mead said that The Fiery Heart would be her hottest novel yet, I had a good idea of what would happen between Sydney and Adrian. Thing is, I didn't realize exactly how often the hotness would sizzle through the pages, if you know what I mean. Since they are one of my favorite couples, it made me extremely happy.

I absolutely loved getting inside Adrian's head. I was surprised by how many of the romantic moments were in his perspective. He really has a way with words, and it was great getting his thoughts on Sydney because she seemed to be one of the very few bright spots in his life. His ever-growing relationship with Sydney may have been the focus of the novel, but of course there's more revelations about the Alchemists, Sydney's magic, and Adrian's spirit ability. I'm looking forward to seeing all that and more collide in the next book.

The ending of the book was heartbreaking. What happened was something that many of us may have been anticipating, but how it goes down is emotional and unexpected. I already can't wait to read more about Sydney and Adrian's growth in book five Silver Shadows.

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Blood Phantom by Rhiannon Hart
Release Date: December 9, 2013 / Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

It's been over a year since I read book two in Rhiannon Hart's Lharmell trilogy. With it's devastating cliffhanger, it's been a long wait for the final book Blood Queen. Thankfully it looks like it will be published next year, and I'm already counting down the days to the release.

In the meantime, the author has recently given readers Blood Phantom, a prequel novella to the series from Rodden Lothskorn's perspective. I've loved Rodden since the first book, and after what happened in book two, it was nice getting a quick look inside his head and finding out what he was up to right before he met Zeraphina. It may be a short read (hey, it's a novella for a reason), but since I'm a big fan of the series and Rodden, I didn't mind at all. It just left me craving more.

If you've been eagerly anticipating the release of Blood Queen, Blood Phantom might ease the pain of waiting just a bit. Although it's a prequel, I think those who have read the series will be able to appreciate it more, so I highly recommend reading at least book one, Blood Song, before reading Blood Phantom.

Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Title: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, #3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 401
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: February 12, 2013

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.

My Thoughts: After reading The Golden Lily, I was on a high for months. I just adored that book so freaking much! Even when I eventually managed to calm down, I still had to get some kind of Sydney and Adrian fix at least a few times a week (thank you Tumblr!). It kept me sane, but it was never enough. Then starting about three weeks prior to the release of The Indigo Spell, I realized that I could not read a single book. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't focus on other stories. All I wanted was The Indigo Spell. I NEEDED it in my life! Basically, the wait for The Indigo Spell was complete and utter torture, and it was such a relief when the release date finally arrived.

If I haven't made it clear enough, I'm obsessed with the Bloodlines series and the relationship between Sydney and Adrian. The Indigo Spell is definitely a Sydrian fan's dream come true! Not only for the romance (although I will be talking about the romance in a bit), but with how much both Sydney and Adrian have developed and grown as people. They are awesome and inspiring, and I can't help but to adore them to pieces.

I've admired and believed in Sydney ever since she appeared in Blood Promise. And it's amazing how much she has changed! I always knew homegirl had it in her to do what was necessary to protect her loved ones, even if it went against her beliefs. And I think it's great that Sydney wants to be known as more than a brainy and reliable person. She feels all kinds of emotions just like everyone else. She likes to be complimented and even gets jealous of others. And she wants to feel beautiful, especially to be called beautiful by Adrian. Sydney's honest personality and her insecurities make her such a relateable person in my eyes.

The transformation Adrian has gone through is probably the most surprising to me. After that shocking ending in The Golden Lily, I expected Adrian to be hardcore moody and snarky to Sydney. It seems he was at first, but then he had a epiphany and realized he had to try a different approach with Sydney or neither of them would be happy. Adrian was seriously all chill and calm in this book. It was amazing to witness how much patience he has learned. He wants to do things right with Sydney, unlike the disaster with Rose, and he wants to be a better person. This change really worked for him, and I'm glad that through it all he never lost his hilarious and loveable personality.

Sydney and Adrian's relationship is so fun to read about. They have a strong friendship and a passionate romance developing between them. They compliment each other so well and continue to bring out the best in one another. I love how Adrian's determination to become a better person all started because of Sydney, and I love that Sydney has become more confident because of Adrian. I also love how adorable and hilarious they are together. Sydney may be clueless about romance, but she is no prude. Little Miss Quick Study! You go, Sydney! But I'm seriously going to cut the next person who interrupts their um...moments. I'm sure my poor Adrian won't be able to handle it much longer either. I cannot wait for everything to work out smoothly between them because they have one of the best relationships and are meant to be together!

I do have some minor complaints about some of the things that occurred in this book though. First, Marcus Finch really wasn't a big deal. I don't think he's a horrible character, but I don't think I care what happens to him. Another thing, although I think Sydney is brilliant, she did some not-too-smart things near the end. I almost wanted to hurt her. She did pull through, so I'm hoping we never have to experience something like that again. Finally, I thought this book was too short. It went by too fast! It's actually shorter than the first two books, yet it has way more plot lines to follow. If there's going to be many plot lines, I want it to be longer. Seems like the short length will continue into book four, which I can't help but to feel a bit disappointed about considering we will also be getting Adrian's POV.

That being said, The Indigo Spell has the most action and romance out of all the Bloodlines books released so far! I feel that it also made the world that we first learned about in Vampire Academy even bigger. There were many surprises and the beginnings of more revelations to come. This series continues to be one of my favorites ever, and I'm so looking forward to more Sydney and Adrian in book four, The Fiery Heart!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cover Reveal: Where the Stars Still Shine, The Fiery Heart, Isla and the Happily Ever After

Yes, another cover reveal post! Feels like all covers are being revealed this week. Check out the lovely covers and read the summaries of three of my most anticipated books this year!

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Pre-order: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

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The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Pre-order: Amazon

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

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Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Pre-order: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Falling in love in the world’s most romantic city is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year at the School of America in Paris, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to deal with the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

The Golden Lily - Sydney/Adrian Scene Filmed!

If you remember my Sydney/Adrian Scene from The Golden Lily post, you know how excited I've been and how long I've been waiting for this moment! The filmed Golden Lily scene chosen by the fans has finally been released! I won't say which scene it is, but you'll know as soon as you watch the video. If you haven't read The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead yet, I highly recommend you keep away from this video. It contains huge spoilers!

I loved this! *dies from Sydrian overload* Another thing I should mention, there will be another video featuring another Golden Lily scene coming soon! Squee! I cannot wait! I'll give you a hint: BLACKOUT. All thanks to Team Bloodlines at Penguin Teen Australia for doing this for the fans!

Sydney/Adrian Scene from The Golden Lily

I'm a huge Sydney Sage and Adrian Ivashkov fan! They are from the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. I love that series, and I love the Sydney/Adrian pairing! The Bloodlines page on Facebook has issued a challenge for fans! You can listen to the message from the actors who will be playing Sydney and Adrian in the upcoming Indigo Spell teaser trailers:

Basically once the Bloodlines page reaches 40,000 likes, they will film a Sydney/Adrian scene from The Golden Lily! How awesome is that? I'm so excited! I am obsessed with Sydrian, and I desperately want to see a scene filmed! If you have Facebook and love Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, then please like the Bloodlines page. Thanks! :)

Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily (Bloodlines, #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 418
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: June 12, 2012

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

My Thoughts: 'You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth.'

Oh my god...this book! Wow. After enjoying Bloodlines immensely, it was pretty much inevitable that I would love The Golden Lily. This book exceeded all my expectations, and I'm more obsessed with this series now than I already was before. I just can't get enough of it!

In Bloodlines, the focus was on learning about the Alchemists and Sydney bonding with her new group of "siblings." We do learn a bit about the Alchemists, magic, and even the so-called vampire hunters in The Golden Lily, but I felt the story mostly revolved around getting to know Sydney more and her evolving relationships with the characters around her. There was slightly more action than in the previous book. It might not be as much as some want; however, I think there's lots of action to come later. And I can't help but to trust where Richelle Mead is going with this story because so far I'm very happy with how she's developing these characters and their relationships. Likeable characters and great relationships are always what I want in the books I read and this series has that, which is why I want to focus on my two favorite characters: Sydney and Adrian!

I adore Sydney and Adrian so much. Those two are some of the most awesome characters I've read about. They are both kind, funny (although, I don't think Sydney realizes how hilarious some of the things she says can be), smart (yes, Adrian is; just give him a chance!), and protective of others. And when they're together, they challenge and bring out the best in each other. Their relationship is perfect! I get a big smile on my face and my heart flutters whenever they interact or are even in the same room. I about died from happiness a couple of times while reading this book because of them. They are definitely the main reason why I love this series.

Sydney is still uptight at times, but she's opening up quickly and we're starting to see another side of her. While she hasn't gotten over her Alchemists beliefs just yet, she continues to make decisions based on what she believes is right. And some of her actions won't be viewed favorably by the Alchemists at all. It worries me, but I'm impressed with her bravery and glad she has a conscience, unlike other Alchemists. As for Adrian, he keeps surprising me. I feel so guilty now for not caring about him in Vampire Academy. We get to see more of his vulnerable side in this book, and it really hurt to see him down and upset because of the situation with his father and with what spirit does to his mind. I could also include the whole thing with Rose, but I won't. I really don't think it's about that anymore. He deserves a huge hug and so does Sydney!

I'm just loving and having lots of fun with the Bloodlines series. And if you thought the ending of the first book was crazy, wait until you read the ending of The Golden Lily. I had to reread it a couple of times because it was that good. It made me wish I had the next book in my hands right now! (I'm already stalking following Richelle Mead's tweets, hoping for ANY mention of the third book.) Thankfully I have other books to distract me in the meantime, but seriously. I need book three.

With amazing characters and relationships and a very intriguing story, Bloodlines is well on it's way to becoming one of my all time favorite series. I cannot wait to read more!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 421 (ARC copy)
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: August 23, 2011

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines 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.

My Thoughts: I liked the Vampire Academy series. It was entertaining enough, but I never felt that reading it was a top priority. For some reason, though, I REALLY wanted to read Bloodlines. I was way more excited for it than Last Sacrifice. I think knowing that Sydney, a human and an Alchemist, would be the main character made it sound very interesting to me. I liked Sydney from the VA series, and I wondered how different her story and her character would be from Rose's. Also, although I might not have cared as much for Adrian as other readers did, I was still really curious about what happened to him. So when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of Bloodlines, I went for it.

About a month after events in Last Sacrifice, Sydney Sage's life continues to be effected by her decision to help Rose Hathaway. Other Alchemists, including her father, don't trust her, and she has nightmares of being sent to a re-education center, a secretive place where an Alchemist who has gotten too close to vampires is taken to "learn the errors of their ways" and eventually become a person less than themselves. When she is given orders to pose as Jill Dragomir's sister at a California human boarding school in order to prevent a Moroi civil war, she accepts so that she can protect her younger sister Zoe and prove her loyalty to the Alchemists. Right away, though, Sydney learns just how difficult it is protecting a vampire princess in a human world and that Alchemists may not know as much about vampires as they believed.

I don't feel like you should go into Bloodlines without at least knowing what happened in the Vampire Academy series; however, if you haven't read it, you'll just be like Sydney, missing details and information that VA readers would already know. The great thing about Sydney is that she's very intelligent. Her intelligence is her biggest strength, and she'll eventually figure out what she doesn't already know. People's first impressions of her is that she's spineless and lacking in some social skills. She is a little oblivious in certain social situations, but that's part of who she is and I really liked that about her. And the truth is Sydney's an observer and someone who likes to make sure her job is done efficiently without any problems. She likes to follow rules, but knows there are times when rules shouldn't always be followed. And she may not be a kick-ass fighter, but she's kick-ass in her own way. She has a sharp mind and is smart enough to handle herself in dangerous situations. I just thought Sydney was such an awesome character, and I found myself able to relate to her more than I could with Rose. She's part of the reason why I cannot wait to read the next book.

The supporting characters in this book were Adrian, Jill, and Eddie. Adrian played a much bigger role than I expected. I'm really glad for that because he was amazing! Hilarious and perceptive. Usually bickering with Sydney and protective of Jill and everyone. I feel like I understand him a whole lot better now, and I can't believe I never noticed how great he was while reading Vampire Academy. I know readers are wondering what happened to him after Last Sacrifice, and well... Like I mentioned, Bloodlines starts about a month after LS. He really is trying though. He just needs people to trust and believe in him. So far he's doing a very good job, and I admire his efforts. I'm definitely rooting for him; he deserves it!

Another thing I'm sure readers are wondering about is the romance and if it involves Adrian. If you're looking for romance in this book, I think you'll be disappointed. Romance was not a main focus in this book. I do believe something is developing, and I'm completely fine with the pace because I would much rather prefer a relationship and a romance to grow gradually instead of occurring instantly. That being said, I really can't wait to see where it goes! I'm crossing my fingers that it ends up how I'm hoping it will.

Now that I've read Bloodlines, I have to say that I'm already liking it more than Vampire Academy! I didn't want to put the book down. There wasn't as much fighting in Bloodlines (only because Sydney isn't a guardian like Rose), but there was definitely enough action and everything to keep me interested. I highly recommend Bloodlines to VA fans looking for a fresh start and a new heroine to root for and for those who just love Adrian! I know I'm extremely excited for book two, The Golden Lily!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Thanks to Once Upon a Twilight for hosting the ARC tour!