Review: THE INDIGO SPELL by Richelle Mead

Title: THE INDIGO SPELL

Author: Richelle Mead
Other books by Author: BLOODLINES, THE GOLDEN LILY, and THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY series
Publication Date: 02/2013
My Rating: 5/5--Incredible! Loved it!
Plot in One Word: Vampires
Good if...you want something complex, romantic, and very entertaining 

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...Book #3 in the BLOODLINES series delivers!!!
Okay, so I'm obsessed with Richelle Mead!  Her young adult novels are always so consistently--consistent being the key word here--wonderful.  You can always expect a nice mix of action, suspense  humor, romance, and friendship.  I'm very happy to report that this one delivers just like all the others.  I look forward to the release of her books all year!

So if you are unfamiliar with Richelle Mead here is what you need to know.  She writes romance novels and young adult novels.  I've only read her Young Adult stuff (YA).  Her first YA series was the VAMPIRE ACADEMY books (6 of them).  They were about best friends--Rose and Lissa, a living vampire and a half vampire.  Richelle Mead's second YA series is called BLOODLINES.  It's a spin-off from the VAMPIRE ACADEMY books, involving many of the same characters, and this novel is the 3rd of that series.  BLOODLINES's main character is Sydney.  Sydney is an alchemist--someone who covers up vampire activity, hides it from the rest of humanity--and she's been assigned to keep Jill (one of the living vampires) in hiding--the half sister of Lissa from the VAMPIRE ACADEMY books.  Did I confuse you yet?  It's really hard to explain the series without giving away the previous novels.  Not only that--although written for teens--these novels are very complex!  The relationships are very intricate and intense and vastly developed.  You can't help but get carried away into this world Richelle has created.  I genuinely care for these characters.  And after 6 books in the 1st series and 3 in a 2nd, I'm totally hooked.  I promise they will hook you too!
That explains the general series.

So for those of you have read the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series, BLOODLINE, and THE GOLDEN LILY.  (Basically those up to date.)  Here's all you need to know about THE INDIGO SPELL: it's just as good as all the rest, except better!  (If that's even possible.)  Adrian is as charming as ever!  His relationship/friendship with Sydney gets plenty of air time.  More is revealed in the world of magic and Ms. T.  Marcus--the guy who used to be an alchemist--presents a new dynamic to the story.  Basically, everything is bumped up a notch!  It's fantastic.  I loved every minute of it.  It's going to be torture waiting another year for the next novel.

Bottom line:  Read it!! Read this whole series, but be sure to start with THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY series first.

Book Review: THE GOLDEN LILY

Title: THE GOLDEN LILY
Author: Richelle Mead
Other books by Author: VAMPIRE ACADEMY series, BLOODLINES
Publication Date: 06/12/2012
My Rating: 5/5--Incredible!  Loved it!
Plot in One Word: Vampires
Good if...you're a fan of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series

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.

My thoughts... 
Once again, I'm totally obsessed with this new series!  It's a spin-off series from Richelle Mead's VAMPIRE ACADEMY series.  This series follows Sydney--the Alchemist (a group whose purpose is to cover up the existence of Vampires from regular humans) Rose met in Russia.  This was book #2 in the new series.  Book #1, BLOODLINES, was an excellent debut.  A bunch of my favorite characters were back again!  Sydney.  Adrian.  Jill.  Eddie.  And in this second book we also see Dimitri and Sonya!  It's a fantastic addition to this already awesome series (one that's quickly becoming a favorite).  I liked this novel even more than the first!  They both were awesome so that was hard to do.  I found myself neglecting everything else in my life to hurry through read this novel.  I just couldn't get enough.  And the ending was the best part.  It defiantly left room for more books to come, but it was so dramatic that I had to reread the last chapter three times.  It's been stuck in my head for days now. 

Basically, I can't praise this book enough.  Go out and get BLOODLINES and THE GOLDEN LILY right away!  They won't disappoint.  (Still I recommend reading the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series first, just so you have a better understand of the characters' backgrounds.)  

Overall recommendation: READ IT NOW!

Book Review: BLOODLINES

Title: BLOODLINES
Author: Richelle Mead
Other books by Author: VAMPIRE ACADEMY series
Publication Date: 08/23/2011
My Rating: 5/5--Incredible!  Loved it!
Plot in One Word: Vampires
Good if...you're a fan of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series

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.

My thoughts... 
I'm totally obsessed with this new series!  It's a spin-off series from Richelle Mead's VAMPIRE ACADEMY series.  This series follows Sydney--the Alchemist Rose met while in Russia.  A bunch of characters are back from the original series too.  Sydney, obviously.  Eddie.  Jill.  Adrian.  And I honestly love reading from Sydney's perspective even more than Rose's!!!  She's spunky and sassy and smart.  Her perspective of the vampire is very unique and fun to read.  And of course, Adrian fans will rejoice for his return!  If you're a VAMPIRE ACADEMY fan then I strongly suggest you pick this novel up today!  Don't delay.  I read it sooo fast then I bought the second in the series (THE GOLDEN LILY which is already out) and read it immediately too!  I can't get enough!

Overall Recommendation: READ IT NOW!  Own it!