Monday, March 4, 2013

The Indigo Spell

by Richelle Mead
Read: February 18 - 19, 2013
Published: February 12, 2013 by Razorbill
Source: Lent from Heather @ Flyleaf Review
Category: Urban Fantasy, Vampires, YA
Series: Bloodlines, book 3 


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. (From Goodreads)
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Sydney Sage's life is not easy.  For one, she is caught directly between two groups of people that don't like each other. She is a member of the Alchemists, a secret organization that has sworn to protect the Moroi vampires from humans, even though the Alchemists really believe that the "good" vampires are unnatural, dangerous creatures. The Alchemists have given Sydney the job of protecting these vampires so now she has to spend all of her time with them. Only, the more time she spends with the Moroi, the more she believe that they're not so terrible after all. Even worse, Sydney might even be falling in love with one of them!! To complicate matters further, Sydney has recently been told that she has her own magical powers, which she had always thought was an unique ability that only the unnatural Moroi possessed. No wonder she's conflicted.  

Second, everyone Sydney knows relies on her to solve their problems.  She's currently in the middle of at least four different plot lines, which are all demanding her attention. In The Indigo Spell, Sydney searches for the rogue Alchemist named Marcus, and what she finds out when she meets him will change everything she knows about the organization that has raised her. She is also investigating a series of frightening events that are connected to her witch mentor/teacher Mrs. Terwillinger's sister. Time is ticking down while the danger to Sydney is rising.  Sydney continues to mediate the relationship drama going on between the other members of her "family," Jill, Angeline and Eddie. And in the background of her mind is a constant worry about another attack by the Warrior's of Light or Strigoi showing up. All the while, Adrian continues to be his charming, helpful and infuriating self. Despite Sydney's determination, she can't seem to stay away from him (or his spirit dreams). Thank goodness for that, at least. 

The best part of The Indigo Spell is Sydney's character development. After watching her follow the rules and berate herself about every step out of line, she finally takes a stand about her beliefs, including how she feels about Adrian. Although it has been agonizing to watch Sydney question and worry about all of her decisions, I think her slow progression out of the mind control of the Alchemists has been realistic. Even so, by the time I got to this book, I was seriously ready for her to take a stand, and I'm so proud of her progress. 

Of course Adrian plays a big role in this story, and I've really begun to see how great Adrian and Sydney are for each other. At first glance they are an odd pair, he is a tortured artist, with a touch of bad-boy, while she is a straight laced rule follower (on top of the fact that their species aren't suppose to mix). But despite their differences, I'm beginning to see a balance in Sydney and Adrian's relationship, as well as deepening connection between them. I love the ways that they support and really understand the other. I'm team Sydrian all the way.  

I did feel like the middle of this book was a little choppy. Sydney the queen of responsibility, and with so many different plots going on, she has a lot to do. No sooner would she return from doing one thing, than she would get pulled into another. I started to feel worn out for her, and that made me anxious. But thankfully, the flow of the book eventually evened itself out. I continually admire Sydney's stamina and dedication. But thankfully, she is also realizing that she is doing everything for everyone around her, and has started encouraging other people solve their own problems. 

The ending of this installment made me both excited and nervous for what is to come. Nothing is going to slow down for Sydney soon. In fact, the stakes are getting even higher. I cannot wait to get Adrian's perspective in the next book, and I imagine being inside his head is going to be a lot of fun. After The Indigo Spell, I feel like this series has finally caught its stride, and I am eager to get my hands on The Fiery Heart

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Medium




13 comments:

  1. Yay, Team Sydrian! At last we agree on a team, L!;)

    And double yay for spirit dreams!! I'm anxious to see some "real life" canoodling in the future books!

    I'm also glad to see Sydney standing her ground, both to the head games that the Alchemist's play and to all of her friends who are constantly turning to her to solve their problems. I am so ready to see Sydney take on the Alchemists and stand up to her father!

    It sounds like we will see more Strigoi interaction in the next book so hopefully some of the questions we talked about that were left hanging in this book will begin to be addressed:)

    So how many days until the Fiery Heart releases? let the countdown begin...:)

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    1. HAHA! It's definitely a big deal that we agree on a team. Though there isn't really any other contenders, thank goodness! I am SYDRIAN all the way. Though it still makes me uncomfortable that Jill is in their relationship. Maybe Rose will teach her how to block it out.

      I agree, I hope we're prepping for HUGE things to come from Sydney. She has the potential to be one powerful woman - not only reforming or taking down the Alchemists, but changing relationships between humans and Moroi. Strigoi freak me out, but I am glad for more on that front, especially because it was a big part of book 1 (at least finding out what happens when you are changed from one).

      Fiery Heart comes out in November, I think. CANNOT WAIT!!! YAY for books every 8-9 months.

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  2. I'm glad you're enjoying this series so much, Lauren. For some reason, I have no inclination to pick it up and Sydrian doesn't seem like a couple I'd ship. Plus, I doubt I'd be able to push through the first two novels as I hear this is the best of the series so far. Still, excellent review, Lauren, and yay for character development/growth! :D

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    1. I'm thinking this series isn't for you, K. Better wait until it's complete or skip it all together. Spend your time on books that you love!

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  3. Well we both have a theory about what is going to happen in the next book! And yeah, what you said about Jill. That's super creepy. Rose and Lyssa worked that voyeurism thing out, right???

    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. We will have to continue to compare notes on this series as it goes along! And yes, I'm pretty sure that Rose learned how to control her Lissa visions, where she could go in and out of her head at will. Except for the beginning of VA, I don't remember a lot of weirdness with Christian. So hopefully, that is something Jill will pick up ASAP!

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  4. Oh yes, Sydrian all the way! I could not agree more about finally seeing the light when it comes to their odd pairing. They complement each other so well, and lean on each other in different ways. Plus there's always mutual respect and friendship underlying all the sexy-times, which makes it so much more meaningful. :-)
    And I LOVE that Sydney is finally starting to think for herself and stick up for herself more, even with her friends. At last! A spine! She found one!
    Ohhhh, I'm dying to read the next book and get Adrian's perspective, but I don't think they're going to have an easy time, so I'm a little nervous. Amazing review! :-)

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    1. Oh yes, there are lots of scary things to come in their future. EEK! I'm for sure worried about Sydrian!! Sydney has much to navigate going forward. Especially with that revelation at the end of the book... I agree with what you said. I love that they are different but seem good for each other anyway. AND especially that Sydney has developed into her own person, who makes decisions for herself YAY for that! Hopefully she can stick to her resolutions. I am worried about a possible re-education in Syd's future, which would not be a pleasant experience (and could set her back). But my money's on her to come out on top in the end.

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  5. Agree on everything you said--Adrian is charming, the best part is Sydney's development (she doesn't drive me nuts!), and you really start to see some of that Sydrian chemistry. :) Also agree on the middle being a bit choppy, though--but considering the pace at which the author churns out her books, that's not a huge surprise, hah. Great review!

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. These seem to be the general consensus from other reviews I've read as well. I'm so glad that this series is starting to pick up, and I think it's going to get even better going forward. You're right, Mead does churn them out fast, and she has a lot going on in each one. But I love how it eventually will all come together. I was so proud of Sydney in this book, and glad to finally see a hint of why the author put Adrian and Sydney together.

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  6. I want to read these! But my quirky self still feels like I need to read the VA books first even though people tell me I don't have to.

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    1. You SHOULD read VA first!!! That is a MUST. Those are better (so far) and I think you will be missing out BIG if you don't do the series in order.

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  7. What a fun review! I am one of those whose been slow to warm up to Sydney, but I did like her a lot in TIS. I thought this was such a funny book, too! So glad you enjoyed it so much, Lauren.

    Micky Johnson (Seattle Divorce Attorneys)

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