Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines, #2) by Richelle Mead

Hardcover, 418 pages

Expected publication: June 12th 2012 by Razorbill

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff 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. 

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. (Goodreads summary.)

Bear with me as I sort out my multitude of thoughts on this book. Okay, they are sorted. EEEEK. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. 

This book starts where we left off, with Sydney Sage and her mishmash of boxcar vampires. It is such a fantastic cast of characters led by my new favorite leading lady. Sydney, although an Alchemist (a secret sect of humans who deal in keeping the identity of vampires hidden), is essentially just your off-beat yet normal girl. She is quirky, socially awkward, and insanely smart. Despite the fact her job is to look after vampires, she worries about her weight, is oblivious to men’s affection, and is completely unsure of the proper way to hold a boy’s hand. She is impossibly normal. And, I love her. She was a fine character in Bloodlines (#1), but fresh off the kick-ass heroine that is Rose Hathaway, Sydney was a bit bland. In this book, she shows us that even the normal girl can kick some hard-core ass. She is loyal, devoted and intelligent. And, even in the midst of paranormal, she is extremely relatable.

Then we have Adrian Ivashkov. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, this time in all caps -- HE IS FANTASTIC! I was drawn to his character in The Vampire Academy series and am even more in love with him in this companion series. I am so proud of him. When Rose first meets Adrian, he is a chain-smoking, alcoholic, dead-beat with no real goal but to court as many women as he can. Now in this series, we get to watch Adrian grow up. We get to see him learn about responsibility and discover himself, all the while maintaining that fantastic wit and snarky demeanor. Thank you Richelle Mead for the beauty that is Adrian Ivashkov. 

The strong characters are supported by a strong story arc and excellent writing. This book demonstrates that not every page needs to be chock full of action for it to be both entertaining and meaningful. In fact, the action in this book is fairly minimal. It isn’t about the killer fight scenes. We will leave that to Rose and Dimitri. For Sydney, it is about the logical and analytical look, plus the building of the most unlikely friendships. It is done so in a way that kept me hooked from beginning to the inevitable end. 

In the end, the question this book faces is that of good verse evil. Sure many books face this same question, but this one pulls out a key factor that is sometimes overlooked. Is it the person or the group? Sydney wars throughout this book with her issues against vampires, witnessing the goodness in them and the evil in human beings. She fights against the lessons that have been ingrained in her head. Trying hard to decipher what she has been told from what she sees. 

I could go on and on about my love for this book. But that would result in me giving too much away. I think all I need to say is, READ THIS BOOK! Well, read The Vampire Academy, Bloodlines and then The Golden Lily. Trust me, it will all be worth it. 

Recommended for fans of: Hush Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout, and Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I would play hooky with

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

This week's TOP TEN:

Books I would play hooky with...

These are the types of books that you would abandon everything else -- work, chores, dinner plans, church, etc -- so you can read.

1. The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead 

This series is so incredibly addicting. When I read it the first time, it was absolutely misery making when I had to put it down. 

2. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Um, hello, Jace! When Jace's fate hangs on the line, it is not likely that I will be able to do anything but read these books. When a story is based around extensive world building, it has the ability to suck you into it and hold you bound until the last page.

3. Hex Hall Series by Rachel Hawkins

Yup, addicting. The action is so constant and absorbing that finishing one chapter just leaves you needing to read the next one -- immediately -- even if it is your el stop and you really should be getting off the train. 

4. Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld

This book series was exceptionally hard to put down and was one that I just kept thinking about. 

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Just finished reading this one and it is a new favorite! It is beautiful and alluring. I could spend forever reading it. I pretty much did nothing but read all weekend. 

6. Hush, Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick

I've read this series a few times. It never gets easy to put down. 

7. Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

This needs no explanation. Wizards, magic, owl mail, dragons, Neville Longbottom... 

8. Stephanie Perkins Books

I loved both Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door. They are those perfect books that are easy to get lost in on a Saturday afternoon. I can't wait to play hooky with the next book from her. 

9 & 10. Dystopians by Amazing Authors

I am just going to go ahead and simplify this by saying that Dystopians are absolutely addicting. I already know that I will play hooky while reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Requiem by Lauren Oliver, Once by Anna Carey, Patriot by Marie Lu and Reached by Ally Condie. 

I love nothing more than getting lost inside the pages of a book and bound by the author's words. It feels like the world has come to a stop while you are gone in another one. And some books are just worth abandoning everything else in lieu of quality time reading.

What books would you play hooky for?

Book Review - Half-Blood

Half-Blood (Covenant #1)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Paperback, 281 pages

Published October 18th 2011 by Spencer Hill Press

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck. (Goodreads summary)

I had heard this book was similar to The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. And well, yeah, they are practically twins. It is like taking The Vampire Academy and instead of using the word vampire replacing it with gods. 

That being said -- if something isn't broken, don't fix it! 

I absolutely adore The Vampire Academy, which led to me absolutely adoring Half-Blood. It is quick paced, entertaining, and exciting. The characters are fun and likable. Alex is spunky, sassy and endearing. Aiden is adorably swoon-worthy. The strong, silent type that I am totally in love with these days. Seth is absolutely god-like. And there are a few twists. Somewhat predictable, but not every book needs to be a labyrinth of hidden secrets. But Arementrout managed to get my blood pumping and my heart racing. 

Overall, though this book is like my favorite vampire series or rather since it is, I loved it. I throughly enjoyed every minute I spent reading it instead of being productive. For fans of Rose and Dimitry's story in The Vampire Academy, this is the book for you. Don't be deterred by the similarities; they are there, but they are worth loving again. And in the end, Half-blood is its own story. A story worth the incredibly addicting adventure. 

(Rating: 3.8/5)

Top Ten Tuesday -- Favorites of 2011

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week -- Top Ten Favorite Books I Read in 2011 (be sure to enter my top two  giveaway)

I have read a lot of incredible books this year. Though I enjoyed most of them, there are a few that definitely stood out and made the list of favorites. Like I've said before, I am a favorites type of person. I love to claim something as the best or my favorite. And there are a few books that I read in 2011 that I constantly tell people to read and claim were some of my favorite books not only of 2011 but ever. 

To make my favorites list the book has to provide the following reactions:

1. The blank eyed stare while you are out to dinner. You are too busy worrying about whether Sean Kendrick gets to keep his horse, or if Anna and St. Clair will ever get together. Thus, normal conversation just is not important or possible. 

2. Dreams. Emotional, physical, and beautiful dreams that you are flying on a hoverboard with Zane or fighting the Strigoi alongside Dimitry. 

3. Curse words muttered in public. "No (add curse word here). That did not just happen."

4. Tears (also had in public) -- one drop or a full on flood. 

and...

5. That feeling of can't eat, can't sleep, can't think or do anything else. All you want is to live inside of the pages of the book and absorb every bit of the adventure. 

So...my top ten books read in 2011 are...

10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The first half of this book was slow. But the second half -- ugh, it penetrated the walls of my heart. I've never looked back. Public tears. Public curses. 

9. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I think what I love most about this book is how unique it is. It was exciting and refreshing. And definitely falls into the blank stared category. While out to dinner, I finally had to say, "sorry, I just zoned out for a moment while I escaped into this amazing book I am about to finish."

8. The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

I liked The Forest of Hands and Teeth, the first book in this series. And it ends with a "What the?" But this one begins with a "what the?" It held me captive the whole time as I raced away from the zombies and fell in love. 

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth

This was probably the book I was most excited for this year. It did not disappoint. It is thrilling and the main character, Tris, has an original voice. 

6. Crossed by Ally Condie

This book is on the slow side, but I still loved it. It wasn't an adrenaline pumping adventure but an emotional one. And sometimes those make your heart beat even faster.

5. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer is adorable, funny and relatable. Archer Cross is adorable, funny and hot. The two combined lead to a really fun adventure. 

4. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

I really liked Uglies. But when Zane -- pretty, wide-eyed, and rebellious Zane -- enters the book, I could not get enough. Such a fun and imaginative series. 

3. The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

This six book series could occupy spots 3-8 with how much I love all of them. So, I decided to just count it as one amazing book. It is seriously the most addictive series I have read. And you have to read it all. At first, I thought it would be a long, tedious adventure. But no. It is one of the most thrilling book adventures I have ever read. 

2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (click here to enter my GIVEAWAY!)

This is at number two for so many reasons. The characters -- beautiful, rich, and emotional. The plot -- exciting, heartfelt, and unique. The horses -- thrilling. I love this book. And of all the books I read this year, this is one I would recommend to everyone. Can't eat, can't sleep, obsessed with this book favorite.

and...

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (click here to enter my GIVEAWAY!)

One name -- Etienne St. Clair. Stephanie Perkins knows how to weave an adorable story about young love. She creates the best tension, the most adorable characters, and some of the greatest lines. I love everything about this book. 

What are your top ten favorite books read in 2011?

Please let me know so I can read them too!

(Enter my giveaway! Ends January 7 @ 12:00 p.m. CST)

Top Ten Tuesday -- Santa Claus is coming to town

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks Top Ten -- Books I hope Santa Brings

Books I've read and want on my shelf forever...

I have a horrible fantastic habit of buying books I know I will love. However, every so often, I read a book that I didn't expect to fall for and then desperately want need my own copy to occupy its proper space on my bookshelf (or as my apartment allows -- windowsill, tabletop or any surface available).

1.    Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: This was one of my favorite reads of 2011. I checked it out from the library after reading rave reviews, but didn't expect to like it that much. I was so wrong. I loved it. And I want everyone I know to read it too, which means Santa needs to bring me my own copy for my bookshelf so I can share the love (and read it over and over and over).

2.    Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I love this book soooo much. This is another one that I checked out from the library. It is adorable, quick and full of Etienne St. Clair -- thus -- worth owning a copy.

3.    Harry Potter Box Set by J.K. Rowling: I have a mishmash set of Harry Potter books, but I think this is a series that is worth having your own to keep as a collectors item.

4.    The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare: I already own these on ebook, but there is something so great about cracking open the pages of a book. And a book with Jace inside is worth owning.

5.    Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead: I bought the first four books when Borders went out of business (so sad, but such great deals). I wish I would have known that I would love this series because then I could have finished my collection. As it is, I am missing the last few, which just is not aesthetic. 

Books I have yet to read thus need Santa to bring them to me...

6.    Half-blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout: I have read many reviews saying how great this book is then they go on to compare it to Vampire Academy. Thus, I want to read this. And I probably also want to own it.

7.    Anything else by Richelle Mead: I have read that some of her other series are also great. I believe it.

8.    Legend by Marie Lu: This is a new Dystopian. I love dystopian. I need this one.

9.    Where She Went by Gayle Forman: I loved If I Stay, but have not yet read the second installment. Santa needs to bring it to me so that I can get on that.

10.    Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: Time off work = need for a new show to watch. I chose Game of Thrones. I am loving it and am curious if the books are equally as good. Though they are not young adult (gasp) I have interest in reading them. 

(pic source)

What books did you ask Santa for this Christmas?

Waiting on The Golden Lily

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we highlight the books we simply cannot wait to read.

This week, I simply cannot wait to read The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead. If there was ever a story that needed to be told, it is Adrian Ivashkov's. Oh Adrian. So handsome. So snarky. So desirable. I love The Vampire Academy. And I love Adrian even more. I cannot wait to see what comes next in his part of the story.

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

Hardcover, 400 pages
Expected publication: June 19th 2012 by Razorbill (first published May 1st 2012)

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy spinoff 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 m moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought. (Goodreads summary)

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?