The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

Summary:

"Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?"

Plot: There isn't really a lot of action in The Golden Lily. Yes, there are suspenseful moments, but nothing crazy. Book 2 is definitely meant to build the storyline and all the little mysteries, twists and turns that are to come.

Characters: I feel Sydney definitely grew a lot in this book, from balancing her beliefs to going on dates. I enjoyed watching he struggle with these thoughts and feelings. As usual, Adrian was ever so endearing. He is just too darn stinking cute. I am not sure how I feel about Angeline being brought in. It was random and I really didn't like her in The Last Sacrifice. Towards the end she grew on me, but I could have done without her too. Eddie, is Eddie. Although he grew on me a little more and I look forward to reading more on his love triangle. Jill was basically Non-Existant in book 2, so that kind of sucked and I enjoyed the addition of Sonya and Dimitri. Although, I still would have liked a little more drama between him and Adrian.

Pros: Really makes you think about what the next book brings and some tummy tingling romance.

Cons: Mead's constant repetition of the past. Which she has done on all the books, I have read by her.

Final Thoughts: I am glad I started this series again. I read Bloodlines BEFORE I read the Vampire Academy Series and the whole time I was reading it I felt I was missing something, which made the book overall, "meh" for me. Now That I have read The Vampire Academy Series and I am fully obsessed with it. I could really enjoy Golden Lily more. I still do not think this series is AS good as The Vampire Academy series, but I am glad that the characters stories aren't really over yet and that we can experience it through a new character and different issues going on in their world.






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Last Sacrifice (Book #7, Vampire Academy Series)

 

Summary:

" Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?"

For the last book of the Vampire Academy Series, I was pretty happy with how it ended and overall how it was written. Mead did a good job with finishing the storylines of Vampire Academy while adding room for storylines in the Bloodlines series. I would have enjoyed a tad more action, but other than that I was think fans of the series will be happy with its ending.

Spirit Bound (Book #5, Vampire Academy)

Summary:

"After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. 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. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever."

 Since the two major story lines could have each been their own books, although short. I thought Mead did a great job writing the plot lines and combining them smoothly. The Rose and Dimitri plot line was intense as ever and as usual Mead put me through an intense emotional roller coaster. I really loved the Adrian and Rose relationship the most and all the royal and political intricacies that lead up to The Last Promise really well.

Blood Promise (Book 4, Vampire Academy Series)

Summary:

"The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved? 
Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?"

I was really looking forward to Blood Promise because of how Shadow Kissed ended. So, I was a little surprised with how it began, very slow and there is this build up to the moment Rose finds Dimitri. There was a point where I was wondering what the earlier half of this book had to do with the story, but as you go on it very essential to the WHOLE plot line and to get you back into how you feel about Dimitri and Roses relationship.

Once Rose and Dimitri encounter each other I was VERY taken aback, cause 1) I was hoping Dimitri was not actual a Strigoi and 2) I was not happy with how Rose handled.  It gave me the same emotions that I had with the 1st half of Breaking Dawn. (if you have read the Twilight Series, than most you will get this) However, the build up to the ending was very perfect and as usual Richelle Mead is basically the devil playing a tiny violin with your heart strings!

You don't see much of the regular characters in this book, However due to Rose and Lissa's bond, we do get a pretty fluid sub plot on their end as well and I think that it was genius of Mead to tell their story that way.

VLog Review: Vampire Academy Series Books, 1-3

Lost In Time (Blue Bloods Series, Book #6)

Summary:

"The stakes have never been higher for the young Blue Bloods of Manhattan. After their brief yet beautiful bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force depart for Egypt, desperate to find the elusive Gate of Promise before Jack must face his twin, Mimi, for a blood trial. A blood trial that only one of them can survive. But everything Schuyler thought she knew about the gate turns out to be a lie, and they soon find themselves ensnared in a deadly battle against the demon-born. Schuyler and Jack take up arms, only to realize that there is a much graver threat simmering in the Kingdom of the Dead.
Meanwhile, determined to save the only vampire she still loves, Mimi has followed Kingsley Martin into Hell. With the help of her new human Conduit, Oliver Hazard-Perry, Mimi makes a bargain with the Queen of the Dead that she may soon regret. When the time comes to choose between love and revenge, both Mimi and Oliver will learn the true meaning of sacrifice.
confronted by danger, betrayal, and loss at every turn, the Blue Bloods must find the will to fight - and love - another day."

Plot: De La Cruz does it again, magically intertwining stories and dialouges seamlessly. Questions are answered, some remain to be answered and some new ones arise. But overall, Lost in Time does a good job at given the reader enough satisfying answers, while give jaw dropping page turning outcomes. 

Characters: I loved seeing Allegra and Ben in this and getting to know more of their story. Mimi's storyline showed both her best and worst qualities, there were times I would hate her, just as much as I did in book one and there were times I found more endearing then I had before. Schuyler and Jacks story was more low-key in this book, but was still so important to their whole story. And poor Oliver. How I hope things will get better for him.

Pros: Tons of answers, lots of action and an over all page turner.

Cons: Nothing really that stands out to me.

Final Thoughts: I should have read Bloody Valentine, which is why it took me so long to read Lost In Time; since I was waiting to Bloody Valentine. I read reviews saying it was a novella and could easily be skipped, but I know now that it would have added a lot to what I had read in Lost in Time.  As far as this book goes, I was very pleased with it. It sets up the final book in the series perfectly. As always.. I cannot recommend this series enough! 

Misguided Angel (Book 5, Blue Bloods)

Summary:

"After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods.

As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires."

Plot: The plot thickens! Dun..Dun.. Dun!... DeLaCruz adds a whole lot of new info, we have Mimi as regent struggling to keep the New York Coven united, Jack and Schulyer's love for each other, while they search for the portals and then De Lz Cruz adds the kicker. Which makes the plot for the series THAT much crazier.

Characters: De La Cruz really only focuses on four main characters in this book, she isn't name dropping a bajillion different characters into the scenario, as some of the past books (which wasn't bad and was easy to follow). She kept it Simple and didn't build so much the characters this time as she did the story.

Pros: Great writing, great story and De La Cruz always changes her format.

Cons: Too Short

Final Thoughts:  I enjoyed Book 5 a lot more then I did Books 3 and 4. I liked how she told the story in Parts. Part 1 - Jack and Schulyer's story, Part 2 - Mimi's, Part 3 Deming. It told each of their main stories, without jumping back and forth, but still relating with the other Parts. The new plot twist the author has added is totally crazy, but kind of makes sense. I just didn't see it coming. It is not where I thought this book was heading, but I like it.  I just wish the story was a little longer

The Van Alen Legacy (Book 4, Blue Bloods)

Summary:

"With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged."

Plot: As with Revelations this books plot was a lot more slower paced writing wise and was definitely building up to more epic-ness to come. The one thing that is nice is De La Cruz always answers a question, while still leaving a plot line.

Characters: The characters developed quite nicely in this book, Book 4 gives them a lot more depth.

Pros: Questions are answered while still having momentum for the next book.

Cons: The Gabrielle / Lucifer thing really bothered me, and the book was a little too slow I think

Final Thoughts: This wasn't my favorite book in the series and I know that a lot of people stopped reading after this book and I could kind of see why, since the pace was definitely slowed down and this time I don't think De La Cruz could bring the tempo up in time, for the spots that needed it. Although, I feel there is a lot of potential for the next books in the series to be amazeballs. The other thing I heard people complain about were the separation in narrative between characters as chapters. This didn't really bother me, since the books already loosely followed that type of narration. And I felt it suited this book better since they aren't all in the same cities in this book for the most part. Overall, this book was not memorable, I mean I finished reading this Wednesday and there were more things for Pros and Cons but I can't even remember them now, cause like I said not the most memorable book in the series. I hope Book 5 sweeps me of my feet again.

Revelations (Book 3, Blue Bloods)

Summary:

"Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City's wealthiest families? They're powerful, they're famous... they're undead. Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called into question--is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force. When one of the Gates of Hell is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire's secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone."

Plot: This plot was a lot slower paced then the first 2 books (Blue Bloods and Masquerade) which were way more action packed and quick paced that made your head spin and your pulse race. So, at first the slower pace of this book was a little abrupt to me, since I was still on a high from Masquerade, but I found the plot to be just what I needed. It gave you all the answers you needed then, you didn't have to wait till the VERY last book to get all the answers. Then in the last 50 pages the book goes from 20mph to 100mph in a second and leaves your brain numb.

Characters: You learn a lot about the characters in this book, but it is always hard to understand them completely cause no one is always who they seem to be, especially with all their past lives. I still find it hard to like Mimi given her character is so unlikeable, but De La Cruz does a great job at "humanizing" her.  Jack is very swoonworthy but frustrating and Oliver... I go from liking him, to finding him whiny. He needs to grow a pair.

Pros: Book 3 is fresh and new while staying true to the core of the series.

Cons: OK, I am actually annoyed with how Michael, the Archangel.. pure of heart is portrayed as rather secretive,self involved and deceitful. It just doesn't add up and I hope will be explained or disproved in the next books. It is just something that has bothered me from book 1.

Final Thoughts: This series just doesn't seize to amaze me. De La Cruz is an awesome writer and story teller. I find the idea of the series as a whole, so fresh and new and I am surprised it does not have as much acclaim as Harry Potter or Twilight. I hope that the series continues on to impress me. I feel that Revelations most likely won't be the most memorable books of the series, but was definitely needed in telling the story as a whole. Even though I just finished the 3rd book of the series, I highly suggest you read them. I will say though that the ending was so mind blowing that I will have to take a very short break before reading Book 4; The Van Alen Legacy.