Waiting On Wednesday (63): Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for!

This Week's Pick: Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: July 29th 2014

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.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off. (Summary from Goodreads)

Guys, I nearly started crying when I read the summary for this book. I don't know how she does it, but Richelle Mead's books give me FEELINGS like no other. I am absolutely, totally and completely obsessed with these books and I need Silver Shadows in my life as soon as humanly possible. If you haven't read these books (or the Vampire Academy series) you seriously need to get on that. Cause they are all kinds of incredible.

What are you waiting on this week?

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight) 

Waiting On Wednesday (56): The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for!

This Week's Pick: The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: November 19th 2013

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.

So, Richelle Mead is one of my all-time favorite authors. I will read (and have read pretty much) anything she publishes. The Vampire Academy/Bloodlines world is one of my absolute favorites and I have loved every single book of it. I didn't think I could be more excited for The Fiery Heart until Richelle Mead announced it was going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's perspective. Then I may have flipped out. Until I heard she also compared it to Shadow Kiss. Then I nearly died of a heart-attack. 

Basically, this book is going to break me in half, have me bawling, swooning, and laughing and I am going to love every single second of it. November, get your awesome self here already.

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)  

Waiting On Wednesday (32): The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for! 

This Week's Pick: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: February 12th, 2013

*Summary has minor plot spoilers for the previous Bloodlines novels*

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. (Summary from Goodreads)

It's hard to describe exactly how much I NEED this book. If you've read the end of The Golden Lily you will understand why. This series has brilliantly developed and loveable characters, and the plot is just so intriguing! There's tons of different levels and complexities to the story, and I love the world in which it's set.

I've been a Richelle Mead fan since I was fifteen, and have been obsessed about her series ever since (including her adult ones. Seth Mortensen? *SWOONS*). Bloodlines is no exception. I adored The Golden Lily (check out my review here) and I've been desperate to get The Indigo Spell ever since. Seriously, every time I think about The Indigo Spell I get all giddy and excited and feel like jumping. And although I'm beyond excited, I'm also petrified. Every third book in a Richelle Mead series is a game-changer, and usually a heart-breaker. Which means The Indigo Spell is going to make me cry. A lot. I'm going to be so emotionally drained after read it, but I cannot wait. I'll be there as soon as the book store opens, and will likely read it all day long!

I highly, HIGHLY recommend any Richelle Mead books and if you haven't read them, you need to get on that! (My advice: read Vampire Academy first. Bloodlines will spoil the ending of the VA series)

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight) 

Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: June 12th, 2012

Source: Borrowed ARC

My Rating: 5/5

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?

This is one of the hardest reviews I've had to write. How can I properly describe the tug on my heart when I think about The Golden Lily? The smile that wants to form on my lips? Can I really explain why this book makes me completely giddy and happy? I certainly hope I can, but I will say this: it was everything I wanted and so much more.

I had been counting down the days until The Golden Lily was released since turning the last page of Bloodlines. It was the perfect spin-off series and I couldn't wait until I got to continue the story. Luckily, my fellow Ottawa blogger Emilie from Emilie's Book World received an ARC that she was willing to loan me. I read it obsessively!

Richelle Mead has a way with stories. All the elements from the characters to the plot to the intrigue etc., are woven together with precision and dedication. This isn't just a bunch of words thrown on a page, it's a carefully crafted world that hits no false note. Something I think Mead has perfected in The Golden Lily is character development. Every single character has their own unique and distinct personality. The major characters feel like they're your friends and the minor ones have a presence all their own. Mead makes you committed to the characters. She makes you have an emotional investment in each and every one. Even the villains!

Speaking of characters, I have loved Sydney Sage since she popped onto the page in Blood Promise. I think she's just a fantastic character, with many different layers to her. She is so witty and intelligent; a woman to look up to. The banter and charisma between her Adrian was one of the best parts of the book! And Adrian. Oh, Adrian. I have always been a hardcore Team Dimitri fan (seriously, I have a shirt that says "Belikov" on the back) but Adrian has won his own place in my heart. I loved getting to see the softer, scarred side of him that he always hides. It made me love him even more. I also was really happy to have Dimitri back in the story (*cheers really loudly*). Although he wasn't a main character, it was great to have his stoic, sweet self.

The plot itself, although easy to guess, kept my eyes glued to the page. I desperately needed to see what would happen. I feel like the over-arching plot line of the series has been introduced, which makes me really excited for the next few novels. I am really interested to see how it will all tie together.

Overall, I love love loved this book. It made my emotions soar, and kept a smile permanently glued to my face. Still whenever I think about it, my heart gives a little squeeze and all I want to do is pick it up again. This was one of my favorite Richelle Mead books, and considering she's one of my favorite authors, that's saying a lot. Read. This. Book. You will fall in love with it.

- Ciara who is lost at midnight


Find this book: Amazon | Goodreads | Richelle Mead's website

Waiting on Wednesday (4): The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for!

This week's pick: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: June 12th 2012

(Summary from Goodreads): 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?

Oh, Richelle Mead. She has been one of my favorite authors since I first read Vampire Academy when I was 15. Although that series has ended (cue the tears) I'm so happy to still be able to read about the intriguing world of vampires, forbidden love, and kick-butt characters. When Mead announced the Bloodlines series I was crazy excited, especially because it featured some of the characters I loved. I actually threw a Bloodlines party, although it was not a great success. (My Last Sacrifice release party, on the other hand, was a roaring success, including a Vampire Academy trivia quiz, a VA themed scavenger hunt, and costumes).  I was up early the next day to pick up Bloodlines and I loved every page of it! Very different from her Vampire Academy series, but fantastic in its own right. I had always liked Sydney, but seeing things through her perspective made me adore her! What a girl. I can't wait to how she grows and changes over the series. It's going to be great to read about!


The Golden Lily is going to be fantastic. I haven't read the summary yet, but I'm sure the book is going to be filled with sarcasm, suspense, and budding romance (hopefully between a certain Alchemist and a pretty boy Moroi)! If you haven't checked out the Bloodlines series (or Vampire Academy series) I HIGHLY recommend them. There's something in each book for everyone! And don't be fooled by the cheesy titles, or covers, these books are filled with heart, passion, and break-your-heart-in-half moments. You will not be disappointed!

The Golden Lily, one of my most anticipated books of the entire year, is out June 12th, 2012! A week earlier than originally!


- Ciara who is lost at midnight


Find this book: Amazon | Goodreads | Richelle Mead's website