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Bloodlines #4
The Fiery Heart
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 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.
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.
420 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 2013
1337 people are currently reading
37591 people want to read
About the author
Richelle Mead
105 books69.4k followersScorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,727 reviews
November 20, 2013
Finally! after ages of waiting i got to read it and i totally loved it! I was really excited after the last one cuz i wanted to see Sydrian as real couple and they are totes adorable. They still have their witty banter but its all even sexier now and every scene will make you swoon. I cant tell you how steamy some scenes were and you just need to read the book NOW!
Their relationship was well written. they still had some issues they needed to sort out and slowly worked though them. I just adore them cuz they are so perfect for each other. Sydney has turned Adrian into a more mature guy. He's still sexy and swoony and funny and flirty and hot and all the things that make him who he is but he is more responsible and does some very big things in this book. I really love this side of Adrian but sometimes i do miss the more wild side of him.
The plot was alright. It focused on breaking the tattoos, the immunity from turning strigoi from spirit, and also why sydneys blood tasted different. Loads of questions are answered so even though i enjoyed reading about this, i still wish there was more action and mystery in this series.
What really makes me addicted to this series are the characters. I LOVE the whole ensemble. The Jill/Eddie/Angeline/trey situation gets even more complicated if you can believe it and it was really funny. What i seriously missed in this book was screen time with Eddie and Trey. They were barely in it and they are like two of my favourites!
Zoe and Neil are the new additions. I liked Neil but i absolutely detest Zoe. I get that she is wanting to be a good alchemist and make her dad proud and all that but seriously she such a BITCH! Just they way she sucks up to her dad! And dont even get me started on him! he is such a MOTHERFUCKER! thats all i'll say.
Lots of stuff in this book. Marcus comes back. Rose and Dimitri come back and so do Sonya and Lissa and Christian. You'll just enjoy every part of it and i seriously laughed so much at so many parts.
The ENDING! It was what i had expected and most people had guessed so eventhough i was disappointed that i wasnt surprised by it, i still liked it Now the wait begins again and i will be counting down the days.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT HAS A TITLE!!!!
tHE fIERY hEART!
AND LOTS OF THIS:
AND THE BEST PART:
"The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view" - Richelle Mead
Ending of the indigo spell! Sydney and Adrian are gonna be together!
ADRIAN, I LOVE YOU!!!
Zoe better not get between them or else!
OMG! i bet she gets sent to reeducation!
NOOOOOO!!!! I CANT WAIT TILL November!
Gimme that book!
Their relationship was well written. they still had some issues they needed to sort out and slowly worked though them. I just adore them cuz they are so perfect for each other. Sydney has turned Adrian into a more mature guy. He's still sexy and swoony and funny and flirty and hot and all the things that make him who he is but he is more responsible and does some very big things in this book. I really love this side of Adrian but sometimes i do miss the more wild side of him.
The plot was alright. It focused on breaking the tattoos, the immunity from turning strigoi from spirit, and also why sydneys blood tasted different. Loads of questions are answered so even though i enjoyed reading about this, i still wish there was more action and mystery in this series.
What really makes me addicted to this series are the characters. I LOVE the whole ensemble. The Jill/Eddie/Angeline/trey situation gets even more complicated if you can believe it and it was really funny. What i seriously missed in this book was screen time with Eddie and Trey. They were barely in it and they are like two of my favourites!
Zoe and Neil are the new additions. I liked Neil but i absolutely detest Zoe. I get that she is wanting to be a good alchemist and make her dad proud and all that but seriously she such a BITCH! Just they way she sucks up to her dad! And dont even get me started on him! he is such a MOTHERFUCKER! thats all i'll say.
Lots of stuff in this book. Marcus comes back. Rose and Dimitri come back and so do Sonya and Lissa and Christian. You'll just enjoy every part of it and i seriously laughed so much at so many parts.
The ENDING! It was what i had expected and most people had guessed so eventhough i was disappointed that i wasnt surprised by it, i still liked it Now the wait begins again and i will be counting down the days.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT HAS A TITLE!!!!
tHE fIERY hEART!
AND LOTS OF THIS:
AND THE BEST PART:
"The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view" - Richelle Mead
Ending of the indigo spell! Sydney and Adrian are gonna be together!
ADRIAN, I LOVE YOU!!!
Zoe better not get between them or else!
OMG! i bet she gets sent to reeducation!
NOOOOOO!!!! I CANT WAIT TILL November!
Gimme that book!
November 21, 2013
UPDATE: (Review + Teasers)
Teasers
When I got out, I heard the Love Phone ring with a text message. I hurried to it. Did you get it? asked Sydney.
Get what?
Look under your door.
I did and found that a room key had been slid inside. Not even bothering to respond to her, I quickly dressed and headed out into the hall, turning toward the room number on the key. I nearly knocked but then decided I must have an open invitation and unlocked the door.
I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me, and found the room was even nicer than mine. Most of the lights were off, and a blazing fire crackled in the wood-burning fireplace. Sydney sat on the bed and rose as I approached.
And she was naked.
“You want to get breakfast?” I asked.
“We can’t go out together. It’s going to be bad enough if someone sees you leaving my room.”
I glanced at a clock. “Nah. They’re all going to bed right around now.”
“Then how are we going to get breakfast?”
“There are a couple of twenty-four-hour places since there are always some people coming in and out from human schedules.” I kissed her neck. “I’ll lift your coffee restriction since this is a special occasion.”
he watched him with amusement and then turned back to me, sobering a little. “I also figured you’d want a cigarette. Must have been rough going, what, three hours?” she teased.
“Three hours? Hell, Rose. I’m going on about six weeks.”
The complete shock on her face was one of the best things I’d seen all day. To be fair, her surprise wasn’t entirely unwarranted. I’d kind of quit while dating her, though I’d cracked a few times and then completely relapsed afterward. “You . . . quit?”
Why are you so sad? You aren’t stupid. You’re my brilliant, beautiful boy. You’ll figure a way out of this.
I could hear Aunt Tatiana’s voice as clearly as if she stood beside me. I buried my face in my hands. “Go away, Aunt Tatiana. I don’t need to add hallucinations to my growing list of problems.”
Since when was I problem?
Review
This is one of my favourite series of all time and this book surpasses its predecessors, which is really hard to do. It’s got everything that made me fall in love with this series but it takes all that to a much higher level and you can feel how high the stakes are and how much Adrian and Sydney are risking by being together. The romance is definitely the thing that stands out and it’s foremost a love story. Adrian and Sydney have the greatest chemistry ever and reading their scenes is wonderful. Sydrian takes up most of the book and their fans will literally die of feels! They both bring out sides of each other that we’ve never seen before and it’s amazing to discover more of them through their interactions with each other. There are some very HOT sydrian scenes and I LOVED them!
I personally love all the characters in this book, but sadly they didn’t appear much. And Zoe appeared too much. (Can I kill her?) I knew from her first appearance in Bloodlines that I would loath her and she didn’t prove me wrong. There are instances in the book where I sort of understood her and thought she may not be so bad, but she really is a total bitch and all she cares about is sucking up to her dad. As for Eddie, Jill, Trey and Angeline, their love square is kinda resolved-ish, but honestly, they needed more page time! Neil was also introduced and we barely get to know him, but he’s likeable and I’m looking forward to seeing more of him.
The non-sydrian part of the plot is about blood and spirit experiments and stuff. It’s interesting but it takes a back seat to the romance – not that I minded. BUT, because of these experiments, Adrian and Sydney do visit the moroi court and we meet Rose/Dimitri/Lissa/Christian/Abe....and some other characters from VA . It was really nice to see them again, especially Abe and I really hope he plays a bigger part in the next book. I think it’s possible because he kinda knows what Sydney is up to. Basically, this book is a love story and if you’re in it for Sydrian, it will be heaven. If you want something more like VA, then you might be disappointed with the lack of action.
The ending was .................INTENSE. It’s what I have been expecting for a while now and although it’s painful, I was very excited by it and can’t wait to see where it leads.
UPDATE: Am I the only one who hates the cover?
The Adrian model looked alright in TIS's cover, but his haircut sucks in this and the Sydney model looks weird too. Disappointed....
OMG!!!! I love the title!! 'The Fiery Heart'
And its gonna switch between Sydney and Adrian's POV!!!!
Did I mention how excited I am to get into Adrian's head?
GIMME THE BOOK!!!!!!!
Still waiting....
Release date isn't until 2013!!!!
Teasers
When I got out, I heard the Love Phone ring with a text message. I hurried to it. Did you get it? asked Sydney.
Get what?
Look under your door.
I did and found that a room key had been slid inside. Not even bothering to respond to her, I quickly dressed and headed out into the hall, turning toward the room number on the key. I nearly knocked but then decided I must have an open invitation and unlocked the door.
I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me, and found the room was even nicer than mine. Most of the lights were off, and a blazing fire crackled in the wood-burning fireplace. Sydney sat on the bed and rose as I approached.
And she was naked.
“You want to get breakfast?” I asked.
“We can’t go out together. It’s going to be bad enough if someone sees you leaving my room.”
I glanced at a clock. “Nah. They’re all going to bed right around now.”
“Then how are we going to get breakfast?”
“There are a couple of twenty-four-hour places since there are always some people coming in and out from human schedules.” I kissed her neck. “I’ll lift your coffee restriction since this is a special occasion.”
he watched him with amusement and then turned back to me, sobering a little. “I also figured you’d want a cigarette. Must have been rough going, what, three hours?” she teased.
“Three hours? Hell, Rose. I’m going on about six weeks.”
The complete shock on her face was one of the best things I’d seen all day. To be fair, her surprise wasn’t entirely unwarranted. I’d kind of quit while dating her, though I’d cracked a few times and then completely relapsed afterward. “You . . . quit?”
Why are you so sad? You aren’t stupid. You’re my brilliant, beautiful boy. You’ll figure a way out of this.
I could hear Aunt Tatiana’s voice as clearly as if she stood beside me. I buried my face in my hands. “Go away, Aunt Tatiana. I don’t need to add hallucinations to my growing list of problems.”
Since when was I problem?
Review
This is one of my favourite series of all time and this book surpasses its predecessors, which is really hard to do. It’s got everything that made me fall in love with this series but it takes all that to a much higher level and you can feel how high the stakes are and how much Adrian and Sydney are risking by being together. The romance is definitely the thing that stands out and it’s foremost a love story. Adrian and Sydney have the greatest chemistry ever and reading their scenes is wonderful. Sydrian takes up most of the book and their fans will literally die of feels! They both bring out sides of each other that we’ve never seen before and it’s amazing to discover more of them through their interactions with each other. There are some very HOT sydrian scenes and I LOVED them!
I personally love all the characters in this book, but sadly they didn’t appear much. And Zoe appeared too much. (Can I kill her?) I knew from her first appearance in Bloodlines that I would loath her and she didn’t prove me wrong. There are instances in the book where I sort of understood her and thought she may not be so bad, but she really is a total bitch and all she cares about is sucking up to her dad. As for Eddie, Jill, Trey and Angeline, their love square is kinda resolved-ish, but honestly, they needed more page time! Neil was also introduced and we barely get to know him, but he’s likeable and I’m looking forward to seeing more of him.
The non-sydrian part of the plot is about blood and spirit experiments and stuff. It’s interesting but it takes a back seat to the romance – not that I minded. BUT, because of these experiments, Adrian and Sydney do visit the moroi court and we meet Rose/Dimitri/Lissa/Christian/Abe....and some other characters from VA . It was really nice to see them again, especially Abe and I really hope he plays a bigger part in the next book. I think it’s possible because he kinda knows what Sydney is up to. Basically, this book is a love story and if you’re in it for Sydrian, it will be heaven. If you want something more like VA, then you might be disappointed with the lack of action.
The ending was .................INTENSE. It’s what I have been expecting for a while now and although it’s painful, I was very excited by it and can’t wait to see where it leads.
UPDATE: Am I the only one who hates the cover?
The Adrian model looked alright in TIS's cover, but his haircut sucks in this and the Sydney model looks weird too. Disappointed....
OMG!!!! I love the title!! 'The Fiery Heart'
And its gonna switch between Sydney and Adrian's POV!!!!
Did I mention how excited I am to get into Adrian's head?
GIMME THE BOOK!!!!!!!
Still waiting....
Release date isn't until 2013!!!!
February 16, 2015
OMG! I have so many thoughts! But for right now...
Chapter 1 from Adrian's POV
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/07/29/r...
"I won't lie. Walking into a room and seeing your girlfriend reading a baby-name book can kind of make your heart stop."
OMG!!! We get Adrian's POV!!!!! So excited!!!
And we'll have Adrian's POV in the rest of the series!
Q: Why did you choose to make an Adrian's POV in the fourth book? Is it just for fun or you needed to do it for the plot?
Richelle Mead: It is because of the plot. It's going to be getting bigger, and not all of it will happen while Sydney and Adrian are together. In VA, I could follow Rose and Lissa both because of the bond, but I can't do it here, so it's time for another POV.
Chapter 1 from Adrian's POV
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/07/29/r...
"I won't lie. Walking into a room and seeing your girlfriend reading a baby-name book can kind of make your heart stop."
OMG!!! We get Adrian's POV!!!!! So excited!!!
And we'll have Adrian's POV in the rest of the series!
Q: Why did you choose to make an Adrian's POV in the fourth book? Is it just for fun or you needed to do it for the plot?
Richelle Mead: It is because of the plot. It's going to be getting bigger, and not all of it will happen while Sydney and Adrian are together. In VA, I could follow Rose and Lissa both because of the bond, but I can't do it here, so it's time for another POV.
June 14, 2016
Not as good as The Indigo Spell as a lot of it felt like filler (really cute filler that made me giggle quite a lot, but filler nonetheless), but the ending makes me want to immediately dive into the next book, Silver Shadows! Richelle Mead is a fantastic writer and even her weaker books are immensely entertaining and will get you out of a reading slump, as it did with me just now. Now, please excuse me. I need to get to reading Silver Shadows.
August 12, 2016
This installment is really Adrian's story. It's really fun being in his head, and there is some serious Sydrian chemistry! Full review is on the blog: http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2013...
But seriously.
What. Happened. To. Everyone's. HAIR.
:-(
But seriously.
What. Happened. To. Everyone's. HAIR.
:-(
January 31, 2023
“The center will hold.”
“How do you know?”
“Because we are the center.”
“It’s Adrian Ivashkov logic. Don’t try to understand it. Just roll with it.”
July 17, 2014
First of all, this may be a little off-topic and have nothing to do with the actual story in this book, but I do not like this cover. Is it just me or does it seem very cheap compared to the others. The same goes for the 5th book, Silver Shadows. What happened here, guys?
And second, I have no idea where I'm taking this review for The Fiery Heart. I mean it was amazing, mind-blowing even and yes, simple perfection, which isn't a surprise when it's about a book that has Adrian Ivashkov in it, but oh... the ending killed me. It really did. And the thing is, I had a feeling this would happen but still, I wasn't prepared for it to shock me like it did. It's just the most awful ending I have read about in so long. I really hate cliffhangers.
So... Sydney and Adrian? Ah, they're perfect together. Simply perfect. I was a little wary at first when I started this book because I had no idea where Richelle Mead would take their relationship to. So I'm really glad and relieved about the way she did it. Really, nothing has changed, except for the hot make-out sessions they have to do in secret, but let's face it, that makes it just the more sexy. But it's not just about sex, it's more. They love each other so much, you see it in the way both Sydney and Adrian talk to and about each other. It just makes the ending all the more terrible.
Aside from their relationship, we can totally see how both Sydney and Adrian have grown. I mean, seriously, you wouldn't recognize them if you'd go back to reading the Vampire Academy books. And that's just one thing I love about both these characters. But of course they haven't changed too much. Sydney is still the same brainy girl who plans ahead and Adrian is still the witty, charming guy who makes every girl drop their panties. And we love him for it. Seriously, I can't press enough how much I love Adrian. If it wasn't obvious before, I came to love him even more because of this book. He was simply put awesome in it. Still my #1 book boyfriend!
But anyway... I feel like I'm straying from the review here. So, the overall story? Loved it. And not just all because of Adrian, though of course he plays a big factor in me loving this book and series. No, the story was pretty great too. Especially with Adrian's point of view. Oh yes baby! Being inside his mind was thrilling and exciting and just totally amazing. His chapters show his highs and his lows but I still love him anyway. I also felt like it isn't just Sydney's story anymore. Adrian did pretty impressive things. Again, he's grown so, so much. Damn, I love him.
I also love all the other characters. And I mean it when I say this series has a lot of great ones. Of course there's the usual ones like Jill, Eddie, Trey, Angeline. And I must say I'm really liking Jill now. I used to be not a big fan of her but also she has grown up a lot. Pretty impressive. I just want her and Eddie to be together already. Come on! Trey as usually was his awesome self and I'm glad he was in the book quite a lot actually. And Angeline? She's just a riot, isn't she. Then there were the newer characters like Neil, the new British guy. I wasn't too sure about him in the beginning but after what he did for "the greater good" I think he's pretty great. Oh and Sydney's sister, Zoe joined them. I wanted to pretty much choke her all the time because she was so annoying and kept making it harder for Sydney and Adrian to be together. And of course she played a role in that awful ending. Boo! She's definitely on my kill list now, together with her and Sydney's father. I should also mention this book was like a Vampire Academt reunion. Pretty much all the major characters appeared in this book not once but several times. And when I say major characters I mean, Rose, Dimitri, Lissa, Christian, Sonya, Abe. So yep, pretty much the whole gang. It made me smile. I miss them all so much.
The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead definitely is one of my favorite Bloodlines books. It had everything I crave in a good book. Kick-ass action, passion and romance, drama and one hell of an ending with a cliffhanger (although I could've lived without that last one). But even with how totally shocked and sad it made me, it's a pretty good ending if you want to give your readers a heart attack and make them crave the next book like they're hooked on drugs. Also this book has been one of my most anticipated books of the year and I read it like two days. Yep, that's what this series does to me. Turn me into a reading zombie. But it was one amazing ride that I wouldn't want to forget even though I'm in need for some hugs to help me get over this book. And now the only think I can do is wait for the next book, Silver Shadows. Can't it be July 2014 already?
And second, I have no idea where I'm taking this review for The Fiery Heart. I mean it was amazing, mind-blowing even and yes, simple perfection, which isn't a surprise when it's about a book that has Adrian Ivashkov in it, but oh... the ending killed me. It really did. And the thing is, I had a feeling this would happen but still, I wasn't prepared for it to shock me like it did. It's just the most awful ending I have read about in so long. I really hate cliffhangers.
So... Sydney and Adrian? Ah, they're perfect together. Simply perfect. I was a little wary at first when I started this book because I had no idea where Richelle Mead would take their relationship to. So I'm really glad and relieved about the way she did it. Really, nothing has changed, except for the hot make-out sessions they have to do in secret, but let's face it, that makes it just the more sexy. But it's not just about sex, it's more. They love each other so much, you see it in the way both Sydney and Adrian talk to and about each other. It just makes the ending all the more terrible.
Aside from their relationship, we can totally see how both Sydney and Adrian have grown. I mean, seriously, you wouldn't recognize them if you'd go back to reading the Vampire Academy books. And that's just one thing I love about both these characters. But of course they haven't changed too much. Sydney is still the same brainy girl who plans ahead and Adrian is still the witty, charming guy who makes every girl drop their panties. And we love him for it. Seriously, I can't press enough how much I love Adrian. If it wasn't obvious before, I came to love him even more because of this book. He was simply put awesome in it. Still my #1 book boyfriend!
But anyway... I feel like I'm straying from the review here. So, the overall story? Loved it. And not just all because of Adrian, though of course he plays a big factor in me loving this book and series. No, the story was pretty great too. Especially with Adrian's point of view. Oh yes baby! Being inside his mind was thrilling and exciting and just totally amazing. His chapters show his highs and his lows but I still love him anyway. I also felt like it isn't just Sydney's story anymore. Adrian did pretty impressive things. Again, he's grown so, so much. Damn, I love him.
I also love all the other characters. And I mean it when I say this series has a lot of great ones. Of course there's the usual ones like Jill, Eddie, Trey, Angeline. And I must say I'm really liking Jill now. I used to be not a big fan of her but also she has grown up a lot. Pretty impressive. I just want her and Eddie to be together already. Come on! Trey as usually was his awesome self and I'm glad he was in the book quite a lot actually. And Angeline? She's just a riot, isn't she. Then there were the newer characters like Neil, the new British guy. I wasn't too sure about him in the beginning but after what he did for "the greater good" I think he's pretty great. Oh and Sydney's sister, Zoe joined them. I wanted to pretty much choke her all the time because she was so annoying and kept making it harder for Sydney and Adrian to be together. And of course she played a role in that awful ending. Boo! She's definitely on my kill list now, together with her and Sydney's father. I should also mention this book was like a Vampire Academt reunion. Pretty much all the major characters appeared in this book not once but several times. And when I say major characters I mean, Rose, Dimitri, Lissa, Christian, Sonya, Abe. So yep, pretty much the whole gang. It made me smile. I miss them all so much.
The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead definitely is one of my favorite Bloodlines books. It had everything I crave in a good book. Kick-ass action, passion and romance, drama and one hell of an ending with a cliffhanger (although I could've lived without that last one). But even with how totally shocked and sad it made me, it's a pretty good ending if you want to give your readers a heart attack and make them crave the next book like they're hooked on drugs. Also this book has been one of my most anticipated books of the year and I read it like two days. Yep, that's what this series does to me. Turn me into a reading zombie. But it was one amazing ride that I wouldn't want to forget even though I'm in need for some hugs to help me get over this book. And now the only think I can do is wait for the next book, Silver Shadows. Can't it be July 2014 already?
December 21, 2013
For this review to take place, I feel as though I have to split myself into two people.
One is the completely bias fangirl, who obsesses over characters and a world she loves. This is the same girl who shrieked so loudly when Dimitri made a reappearance that someone came in to check if she was okay. Looking at the book through this persona I was happy. Adrian and Sydney really grew as a couple (even with the drastically cliched "the centre will hold" motif) and they had some cute moments with cupcakes and car sex (woohoo Sydney, onya girl!). I loved seeing all the characters that I've come to love, and I had a heart attack when Jill FINALLY kissed Eddie (I mean come on it's been four books)
The other part of me is the objective reader, who's sifted through classics, trash and every other book in between. She was unimpressed with the slow pace of the plot, the predictability of the ending, and the lack of any real definitive action. There were things I liked, but nothing that drove me to pick up the book and obsessively read it cover to cover in one night. It just seemed like a load of teenage angst (bear in mind that I love this series and it kills me to say that, so you know it's my honest opinion rather than just plain ol' book bashing). I was... disappointed. I know Mead, and even though it's the characters that drive her books I was thoroughly disappointed in the story itself! And even the characters plateaued. I know we were supposed to recognize that Adrian had "changed so much" and "grown as an individual" but to me it felt as though we saw that last book, and this was just reiterating something we'd already known? With the exception of Sydney and how her character developed, I'd say most of the characters just stayed in their own little background roles, adding fluff here and there. Like a nice backdrop in a photo which was clearly centred on Sydrian.
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE Sydrian. I live for Sydrian. The fangirl part of me was super happy with that. But the other part was NOT. Hence my confusion, and a 3.5 star rating.
And now because I've been so kind I'm going to go and crawl up in a corner and cuddle Dimitri for a little bit, while I wait for the next book to come out and amaze me. By the way, we're all taking bet's on what's going to happen next book over here if you want to pop in and have your say!
One is the completely bias fangirl, who obsesses over characters and a world she loves. This is the same girl who shrieked so loudly when Dimitri made a reappearance that someone came in to check if she was okay. Looking at the book through this persona I was happy. Adrian and Sydney really grew as a couple (even with the drastically cliched "the centre will hold" motif) and they had some cute moments with cupcakes and car sex (woohoo Sydney, onya girl!). I loved seeing all the characters that I've come to love, and I had a heart attack when Jill FINALLY kissed Eddie (I mean come on it's been four books)
The other part of me is the objective reader, who's sifted through classics, trash and every other book in between. She was unimpressed with the slow pace of the plot, the predictability of the ending, and the lack of any real definitive action. There were things I liked, but nothing that drove me to pick up the book and obsessively read it cover to cover in one night. It just seemed like a load of teenage angst (bear in mind that I love this series and it kills me to say that, so you know it's my honest opinion rather than just plain ol' book bashing). I was... disappointed. I know Mead, and even though it's the characters that drive her books I was thoroughly disappointed in the story itself! And even the characters plateaued. I know we were supposed to recognize that Adrian had "changed so much" and "grown as an individual" but to me it felt as though we saw that last book, and this was just reiterating something we'd already known? With the exception of Sydney and how her character developed, I'd say most of the characters just stayed in their own little background roles, adding fluff here and there. Like a nice backdrop in a photo which was clearly centred on Sydrian.
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE Sydrian. I live for Sydrian. The fangirl part of me was super happy with that. But the other part was NOT. Hence my confusion, and a 3.5 star rating.
And now because I've been so kind I'm going to go and crawl up in a corner and cuddle Dimitri for a little bit, while I wait for the next book to come out and amaze me. By the way, we're all taking bet's on what's going to happen next book over here if you want to pop in and have your say!
Read
October 4, 2014This was goooooooood!
"Just finished writing what may be the most powerful scene in the VA/Bloodlines series. And I don't say that lightly after Shadow Kiss."
- Richelle Mead about the ending of this book.
OH MY GOD.
Kinda scared. I mean...Shadow Kiss was woah.
I have a feeling Fiery Heart will be like Shadow Kiss.A crying festival. Am I right ?
Richelle: I don't know if it'll be a crying festival, but I think a lot of books will be thrown across the room.
(http://blue-succubus.livejournal.com/...)
06/20/13 Update: The next "Bloodlines" book, "The Fiery Heart," comes out November 19th. That's going to be a big one in the series. For those familiar with the first series, it's kind of like what "Shadow Kissed" and "Blood Promise" were—the point where the plot just really jumps up. It's told through alternating POVs of Sydney and Adrian, and it's just—there's a huge, almost heartbreaking intensity to it. We finally deal with the issues of spirit, like mental health and things like that. So that just really tugs at you, but at the same time, we see Sydney and Adrian's relationship escalate considerably. So fans who liked how hot "Indigo Spell" was, I hope they have their smelling salts for this one. It's going to get turned up in there too. It's just another one of those things I like. I like the contrasting things: I want you to be excited and laughing one moment and gasping in the next, and I think there's just a lot of that. It's got a big semi-cliffhanger ending, so I apologize in advance for that.
06/09/13 Update: Richelle Mead talking about this book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUPvei...
(Anyone else scared?)
Here are two mini excerpts!
One from Sidney's POV:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/131689699/T...
And one from Adrian's POV:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/richel...
"Just finished writing what may be the most powerful scene in the VA/Bloodlines series. And I don't say that lightly after Shadow Kiss."
- Richelle Mead about the ending of this book.
OH MY GOD.
Kinda scared. I mean...Shadow Kiss was woah.
I have a feeling Fiery Heart will be like Shadow Kiss.A crying festival. Am I right ?
Richelle: I don't know if it'll be a crying festival, but I think a lot of books will be thrown across the room.
(http://blue-succubus.livejournal.com/...)
06/20/13 Update: The next "Bloodlines" book, "The Fiery Heart," comes out November 19th. That's going to be a big one in the series. For those familiar with the first series, it's kind of like what "Shadow Kissed" and "Blood Promise" were—the point where the plot just really jumps up. It's told through alternating POVs of Sydney and Adrian, and it's just—there's a huge, almost heartbreaking intensity to it. We finally deal with the issues of spirit, like mental health and things like that. So that just really tugs at you, but at the same time, we see Sydney and Adrian's relationship escalate considerably. So fans who liked how hot "Indigo Spell" was, I hope they have their smelling salts for this one. It's going to get turned up in there too. It's just another one of those things I like. I like the contrasting things: I want you to be excited and laughing one moment and gasping in the next, and I think there's just a lot of that. It's got a big semi-cliffhanger ending, so I apologize in advance for that.
06/09/13 Update: Richelle Mead talking about this book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUPvei...
(Anyone else scared?)
Here are two mini excerpts!
One from Sidney's POV:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/131689699/T...
And one from Adrian's POV:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/richel...
September 3, 2016
Love is... a flame in the dark. A breath of warmth on a winter's night. A star that guides you home.
Richelle Mead did it again! Oh yes, you're probably tired of reading that in my reviews. But really, can you say otherwise? This book has given me all the Sydrian dose I needed and. so. much. more. It's that good kind of overdose you'd never recover from. Certainly worth the agonizing wait!
Our favorite couple (or should I say one of our favorites? Since we have tons of ships in this series) is finally together! Yes, I know it started in the last book, but I've been so excited to know of their progress since that time. And this book did not disappoint at all! I feel like I would spontaneously combust every other page. THAT'S how great this book is. Of course, it's not Sydrian without the lows. And we did get a few of that here. Nonetheless, you can definitely say we've come through a long, long way from Vampire Academy. Or even Bloodlines, that is.
Sydney is... well, it's like the old Sydney has been abducted by aliens and been replaced with a new one. And I'm not even exaggerating. I mean, have you ever imagine Sydney is capable of this?
"I never claimed strength in the face of your charms, Sage. I'm just an ordinary man. Now put the shirt back on."
I leaned forward, testing the strength of his hold. "Or what?" With my free hand, I caught hold of one of my bra straps and started to pull it down...
I know you've heard and read this a million times but Sydney had come a really long way. There are a lot of things in this book you'd never thought the old Syndey would have done. Things you'd never dream she'd be capable of or even confident enough to do *ahem* that freaking lodge scene.
Of course, the same things could be said about our beloved and ridiculously handsome Moroi. Yes, Adrian surprised us a lot in The Indigo Spell, but it's nothing compared to the Adrian we see now that they're together. Not that I'm surprised. Adrian has always been the sweet type to people he liked. And Sydney, well... she's the love of his life. Of course you'd expect nothing less than to swoon every page of his chapter POVs.
I wish I could say it'd be nothing but happy times for Adrian now that they're together. He's within grips of spirit's craziness, after all. It's totally different now that we're seeing how spirit can affect someone directly, now that we have his POV. Not a good insight at all. And in addition, he'll now be forced to face his own demons. Nothing our Ivashkov prince couldn't handle. Or so we'd hope.
But as what I mentioned earlier, Adrian has come a long way. We do get another chance to meet well-loved characters of the past. Including Lissa and Christian! Yep, most of the old gang will have a cameo. And if Dimitri bothers Adrian before, he could now make jokes (still at our favorite dhampir's expense, of course) without bitterness.
"Nah, we've got to be all responsible and stuff to deal with the spirit problem, right? We can celebrate later. Besides, Belikov can't hold his liquor."
But what I love most is the fact that despite all the magic and otherworldly stuff now filling the lives of the characters of this series, we keep coming back to main focus of this series. The focus on morality and beliefs. And it's not just Sydney's beliefs and morality anymore, but other people's as well. So that being said, let's visit our other ships' lives. *wink*
Trey and Angeline! These two dysfunctional people is cute. Especially when they become Dimitri-like people with their Zen wisdom. It's funny how this couple, of all people, would be the one Sydney would admire and even be jealous of. But Angeline would really surprise you in this book. Oh, she's still crazy, but you'll see sides of her you've never seen before.
Eddie and Jill! *exasperated but fangirl-crazy sigh* Finally! Well, I was kinda expecting that when Eddie won't shut up but I didn't know Jill had it in her. You go, Jill! I'm so proud of you. *screams "that's my otp*
I even ship Neil and Olive. Gosh, the couples won't sop coming. How are we even expected to survive all these cuuuute ships?! *dreamy sigh*
But as much as I would love to stay in that wonderful, wonderul chapters of the book, I have to face the fact that that last 3 chapters happen. So... let's talk about despicable Zoe.
**major spoilers below**
The most torturous of torture is not even enough as Zoe's punishment. I know, I know, that if we stop and look at it in Zoe's perspective, she thinks that she's trying to save her sister (though if I'm going to be honest, she's probably trying to up herself in her daddy's eyes). But if only she hadn't come interfering. Ugh. I so, so hate Mr. Sage. Still, I might be heartbroken about the ending but I'm most definitely excited to see where this will lead!
*whispers* Can I have the next book NOW please?
This review also appeared on Amazon.
Richelle Mead did it again! Oh yes, you're probably tired of reading that in my reviews. But really, can you say otherwise? This book has given me all the Sydrian dose I needed and. so. much. more. It's that good kind of overdose you'd never recover from. Certainly worth the agonizing wait!
Our favorite couple (or should I say one of our favorites? Since we have tons of ships in this series) is finally together! Yes, I know it started in the last book, but I've been so excited to know of their progress since that time. And this book did not disappoint at all! I feel like I would spontaneously combust every other page. THAT'S how great this book is. Of course, it's not Sydrian without the lows. And we did get a few of that here. Nonetheless, you can definitely say we've come through a long, long way from Vampire Academy. Or even Bloodlines, that is.
Sydney is... well, it's like the old Sydney has been abducted by aliens and been replaced with a new one. And I'm not even exaggerating. I mean, have you ever imagine Sydney is capable of this?
"I never claimed strength in the face of your charms, Sage. I'm just an ordinary man. Now put the shirt back on."
I leaned forward, testing the strength of his hold. "Or what?" With my free hand, I caught hold of one of my bra straps and started to pull it down...
I know you've heard and read this a million times but Sydney had come a really long way. There are a lot of things in this book you'd never thought the old Syndey would have done. Things you'd never dream she'd be capable of or even confident enough to do *ahem* that freaking lodge scene.
Of course, the same things could be said about our beloved and ridiculously handsome Moroi. Yes, Adrian surprised us a lot in The Indigo Spell, but it's nothing compared to the Adrian we see now that they're together. Not that I'm surprised. Adrian has always been the sweet type to people he liked. And Sydney, well... she's the love of his life. Of course you'd expect nothing less than to swoon every page of his chapter POVs.
I wish I could say it'd be nothing but happy times for Adrian now that they're together. He's within grips of spirit's craziness, after all. It's totally different now that we're seeing how spirit can affect someone directly, now that we have his POV. Not a good insight at all. And in addition, he'll now be forced to face his own demons. Nothing our Ivashkov prince couldn't handle. Or so we'd hope.
But as what I mentioned earlier, Adrian has come a long way. We do get another chance to meet well-loved characters of the past. Including Lissa and Christian! Yep, most of the old gang will have a cameo. And if Dimitri bothers Adrian before, he could now make jokes (still at our favorite dhampir's expense, of course) without bitterness.
"Nah, we've got to be all responsible and stuff to deal with the spirit problem, right? We can celebrate later. Besides, Belikov can't hold his liquor."
But what I love most is the fact that despite all the magic and otherworldly stuff now filling the lives of the characters of this series, we keep coming back to main focus of this series. The focus on morality and beliefs. And it's not just Sydney's beliefs and morality anymore, but other people's as well. So that being said, let's visit our other ships' lives. *wink*
Trey and Angeline! These two dysfunctional people is cute. Especially when they become Dimitri-like people with their Zen wisdom. It's funny how this couple, of all people, would be the one Sydney would admire and even be jealous of. But Angeline would really surprise you in this book. Oh, she's still crazy, but you'll see sides of her you've never seen before.
Eddie and Jill! *exasperated but fangirl-crazy sigh* Finally! Well, I was kinda expecting that when Eddie won't shut up but I didn't know Jill had it in her. You go, Jill! I'm so proud of you. *screams "that's my otp*
I even ship Neil and Olive. Gosh, the couples won't sop coming. How are we even expected to survive all these cuuuute ships?! *dreamy sigh*
But as much as I would love to stay in that wonderful, wonderul chapters of the book, I have to face the fact that that last 3 chapters happen. So... let's talk about despicable Zoe.
**major spoilers below**
The most torturous of torture is not even enough as Zoe's punishment. I know, I know, that if we stop and look at it in Zoe's perspective, she thinks that she's trying to save her sister (though if I'm going to be honest, she's probably trying to up herself in her daddy's eyes). But if only she hadn't come interfering. Ugh. I so, so hate Mr. Sage. Still, I might be heartbroken about the ending but I'm most definitely excited to see where this will lead!
*whispers* Can I have the next book NOW please?
This review also appeared on Amazon.
December 18, 2013
My anxiety faded. I took a deep breath and met the gazes of all those watching me in the room. Who was I to do this?Actual rating: 3.5
I was Adrian Ivashkov. And I was about to kick some ass.
Here's my very controversial take on this book: I wish Sydrian never happened. What can I say, I loved the sexual tension and the chemistry of Sydney and Adrian as they battled for and against their feelings for each other more than I love their actual romance.
Please don't take my rating and my statement to mean that I did not like this book. I really did. Richelle Mead's writing has always been exceptional (with the exception of one glaring instance that rhymes with Lameboard of the Gods, which we shall never mention again), the characters---all of them, not merely the side characters, are multi-dimensional and well-portrayed. Technically, it was a very, very good book, but I do wish that Sydney and Adrian were still embroiled in the midst of their complex mating dance, rather than together as a couple.
I have been anticipating this book for a long time, I have absolutely adored this series, and Sydney and Adrian have grown on me more than I ever would have known. I mean it, I loved both characters. Individually. As a pair, as a lovey-dovey couple constantly sneaking off for groping/make out sessions, planning sweet gifts for one another, having clandestine eye-contact in the middle of important meetings, sending cute texts to each other on their "love phone?" Not so much.
What I loved about this series overall was the characters of Sydney and Adrian, and watching them evolve into better people, thanks to one another. Sydney and Adrian were so instrumental in each others' growth, and as happy as I am to see them achieve happiness as a couple, I can't help feel that their overwhelming romance took place at the expense of the plot. Frankly, their love got on my nerves.
I never expected to like either Sydney or Adrian as much as I did coming into this series. Both characters were initially hard to love; we only saw glimpses of a very standoffish, cold, and deeply distrustful young Sydney in Vampire Academy. She was a stark contrast to the energetic, fiery Rose, and her narration was starkly jarring to me in the beginning of the Bloodlines series. Sydney grew on me as much as a character in a book ever could. I grew to understand her and admire her as she has grown into herself, as she has worked exceedingly hard to change the very core of the rational Alchemist that she is. We saw Sydney overcome her distrust of the Moroi, her fear of magic, her skepticism of Adrian, her obsessiveness with perfection, her insecurities, her body issues. It feels as if Sydney is fully matured in this book, she has changed so much, and I like her as she is, but she seems somewhat less compelling of a character in this book. I liked her with a little more mental insecurity, more issues within her head, not so perfect. Does that make me a bad person?
Without a doubt, Adrian is my favorite character in this book, and I loved the way this book was structured, because for the first time, we get to hear Adrian's narration. Adrian's mental and physical change was such a joy to read. I hate bad boys. Fuck rakes. Fuck jerks, assholes, douchebag romance tropes. Fuck all the Jericho Fuckin' Barrons of the world. But there is nothing so attractive as a reformed rake, and Adrian's transformation was as good as they came. In this book, we got to see even further how much he struggles, we see his mental instability as he deals with his overwhelming spirit use, his conflict as he tries to be someone worthy of being loved, of being a good boyfriend to Sydney, and a person who is in control of his own life.
And I gave myself a pat on the back because I was able to diagnose Adrian's mental illness before the book did. Thanks, DSM-V. I'm by no means an expert on mental disorders, but I felt Richelle Mead painted bipolar disorder in a realistic, convincing way within this book. The extreme highs. The despairing lows. The constant swings in between. The mental instability. The feeling that you are never good enough. The phases of mania descending into a stupor. It was commendably well done.
With that said, this book was too much Sydrian. The plot was just not there. The majority of the book dealt with Sydney and Adrian's clandestine love, their illicit meetings, their struggle to disguise their actual feelings for one another during their meetings with others. There was an underlying plot, several minor ones, in fact, and they were very well done. In fact, I wish for more of it, including more of Adrian's involvement in using Spirit to cure the Strigoi. But no, the plot just got overwhelmed by the gooey pile of mushiness that is Sydney and Adrian.
Overall, this is a very good book, but I found it a disappointment compared to the previous books. But then again, this is Richelle Mead, and I have to confess, I expect very great things from my favorite authors. She still remains one of my favorite authors, but I just want more plot and less knocking of boots, however attractive those boots are, Adrian.
January 16, 2016
I struggled with this book towards the middle.. but I've LOVED the first three... which is really interesting because I also struggled with the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series! What is it about the fourth books?
Anyways, I did think that the middle of this story was kind of dull compared to the first three... but that ending. Oh my gosh... I don't even know how to properly write a review for this book because my mind still can't stop thinking about how this book ended. I'm just really lucky that the next book is already out (and in my possession). I can't imagine the pain that some of you went through while waiting.. It's nothing like the pain I felt at the end of the third Vampire Academy book though. Nothing can compare to that..
Anyways, I did think that the middle of this story was kind of dull compared to the first three... but that ending. Oh my gosh... I don't even know how to properly write a review for this book because my mind still can't stop thinking about how this book ended. I'm just really lucky that the next book is already out (and in my possession). I can't imagine the pain that some of you went through while waiting.. It's nothing like the pain I felt at the end of the third Vampire Academy book though. Nothing can compare to that..
April 3, 2019
I’ll only say:
Zoe,
KILL HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
GUYS HOLD ON!
‘The center will hold’
‘The center will hold’
‘The center will hold’
BUT THE CENTER MUST HOLD! PLEASE...
December 5, 2013
Spoilers
I initially enjoyed the first three Bloodlines books but I think I've gone off them… On rereading I found them all rather uninspired and cheesy, especially the numerous romances which seem to dominate every story arc. I was hoping The Fiery Heart would reestablish my love for the series but if anything it just made me dislike it even more. Maybe, I'm just tired of vampires, YA, and silly-forbidden-tropey romances.
-I didn't really find the plot interesting. Most of the book was spent on Sydney/Adrian's mushy-and-dull-and-of-course-forbidden relationship, the rest was focused on Sydney replicating the Alchemist anti-ink, and finding a solution to the stirgoi problem. It all felt like filler and everything was dragged out, it wasn't until the very end when things really started to kick off.
I have to say I wasn't impressed with the cliffhanger - I think it's obvious that Sydney will be rescued from the Alchemists/reeducation centre, she'll be traumatised for a little while but her wuv for Adrian will heal her, they'll get it on, and Sydney will vow to take down the Alchemists. If there's going to be a cliffhanger then I want to be surprised by what's to happen. Why have a cliffhanger when its clear what's to come?
-The series was initially about Sydney and co trying to protect Jill but that's been more or less been forgotten about. There was a quick conversation with Lissa telling Adrian that Jill could come out of hiding because she managed to change that silly every-monarach-must-have-a-family-member rule/law. So yea, the arc that was the foundation of the series was tied up in a very rushed and unsatisfying way. I'm not sure what the series is about anymore — the books have gone off into different tangents and seem to more about Sydney's magic, the Alchemists, Adrian's perfect HEA, and the stirgoi problem. I wish there was just the one overarching storyline throughout, I guess future books will be about taking down the Alchemists. But since I find them irritating and dull, I'm not looking forward to that.
-I'm not interested in the Alchemists whatsoever, I don't find them compelling antagonists at all. They're just a bunch of stuck up, hypocritical, boring, righteous, racist humans who hate vampires for no real reason other than them thinking they're impure. The Alchemists don't have the allure, power or danger of the stirgoi… So yea, they make rubbish bad guys.
-In earlier installments, I thought I preferred Sydney over Rose but not so much in this one. I finally realised how uninteresting Sydney is, she's had such a boring life, she mostly always follows rules, she's never had a relationship before Adrian, and she's never had a life before Adrian… And that makes Sydney boring. I didn't notice her flat personality in the first 3 books because I was kept entertained by Sydney's character development — she changed her principles, she embraced vampires and love, she rebelled against the Alchemists, and she accepted her magic. And now she's done all that, she has nothing else to offer, except her boring personality and her boring duties and her banging on and on about her wuv for Adrian.
-I really didn't like Adrian. He was an annoying, self-pitying, useless, irresponsible, drunk loser. Yea, I know he's a Spirit user which messes with his emotions but it was hard to feel sorry for him when he got drunk whenever he felt down in the dumps. What can he really offer Sydney? She'd just be picking up after him and having to support his many ups and downs all her life. Sydney has enough to worry about (Jill, her sister, her magic, not getting caught out by the Alchemists) and Adrian just makes her life even more difficult. She'd be better off without him.
Also, I was really tired of Adrian's whole nobody understands me routine. Get over it.
-Sydney/Adrian's relationship/love seemed so forced. I used to like them together but not anymore — their relationship comes across as fake and contrived. There was too much of Sydney/Adrian banging on about how perfect they were for each other and how they were made for each other. I wasn't convinced, I wanted to 'see' their love for myself instead of being repeatedly hit on the head with it. They just weren't natural together, every action and thought between them was contrived so that they'd seem like a 'meant to be' couple.
-I hated how much Sydney's friends/Adrian took advantage of her. She was always the one who was left with sorting things out.
-I was disgusted that Sydney losing her virginity meant she'd lose half her magic. WTF?! It really pissed me off, why do so many fantasy/supernatural type books have heroines that can't lose their virginity without losing their power or strength. Because a girl who loses her virginity needs to be punished or is somehow less than before?! Ugh. It's a disgusting and sexist trope.
-What was with Adrian calling Rose the love of his life? Really? Sure, he might think it's Sydney now but if he thought it was Rose at one point, and now thinks it's Sydney then what's to stop it from being someone else in the future?
-I wish Adrian would get a job. He's 21 and living off his dad. He could still work whilst taking classes, he's got plenty of time.
-I'm getting tired of all these virgin heroines who can't fathom having sex with anyone apart from the love of their life. Yet all YA heroes/male love interests are cool with having sex with anyone and everyone regardless of feelings. The double standards and sexism in YA are disgusting.
-I rolled my eyes at Adrian saying he was inexperienced because he'd never been with a virgin before. Ugh, I'm sick of that line — it's in every YA book and it's not romantic, its cringey. Adrian was an experienced manslut, he knew exactly what to do, his whole 'I'm inexperienced' nonsense was tropey bullshit.
-It was Adrian's fault that Sydney was caught out by her sister/dad/the Alchemists at the end. Adrian kept pushing her to sneak out and pressuring her to spend time with him even though he knew Zoe was getting suspicious. Sydney was risking it all to be with him, he was risking nothing whatsoever. I didn't like how willing he was to put Sydney at risk just because he was greedy and selfish. I'm not convinced that he loves her all that much, everything was about him and his needs. He never once thought to back off in order to protect her.
-Also, I hated how Sydney paid for so many of Adrian's things… Like the bed and breakfast, Adrian's ruby, and Adrian's car repairs. He was such a loser boyfriend.
-I find it funny how Adrian emptied out his bank account for Rose and gave expensive gifts to all his other girlfriends yet he couldn't do the same for Sydney when he claims to love her. It was really off putting how she was bank rolling him, no wonder he's in 'love' with her.
-I was disgusted at how easily Adrian gave up on Sydney when she was taken by the Alchemists after they found out about her relationship with him. She'd only been missing a few days, and he stopped trying to find a way to rescue her, and instead decided to get drunk because that would make him feel better. Never mind about Sydney and the fact that she needed help, it was all about him. If it was the other way around, Sydney would stop at nothing to save him. It's a shame Adrian doesn't love her as much as she loves him.
-There was way too much recapping of earlier books.
-I still don't understand why every moroi king/queen has to have a sibling/family member to rule. It's not like the throne can be passed down to relatives, it's all election based… It's a ridiculous law that makes no sense.
-Why does every character have to paired off with someone? There were too many couples/potential couples… Adrian/Sydney, Jill/Eddie, Angeline/Trey, Neil/Olivia, not to mention past teen couples. It's unrealistic that every teenage character has managed to find their twu wuv.
All in all, it was disappointing. Sydney was boring, Adrian was whiny, the romance was another cliched run of the mill YA romance, and the plot wasn't exciting.
I initially enjoyed the first three Bloodlines books but I think I've gone off them… On rereading I found them all rather uninspired and cheesy, especially the numerous romances which seem to dominate every story arc. I was hoping The Fiery Heart would reestablish my love for the series but if anything it just made me dislike it even more. Maybe, I'm just tired of vampires, YA, and silly-forbidden-tropey romances.
-I didn't really find the plot interesting. Most of the book was spent on Sydney/Adrian's mushy-and-dull-and-of-course-forbidden relationship, the rest was focused on Sydney replicating the Alchemist anti-ink, and finding a solution to the stirgoi problem. It all felt like filler and everything was dragged out, it wasn't until the very end when things really started to kick off.
I have to say I wasn't impressed with the cliffhanger - I think it's obvious that Sydney will be rescued from the Alchemists/reeducation centre, she'll be traumatised for a little while but her wuv for Adrian will heal her, they'll get it on, and Sydney will vow to take down the Alchemists. If there's going to be a cliffhanger then I want to be surprised by what's to happen. Why have a cliffhanger when its clear what's to come?
-The series was initially about Sydney and co trying to protect Jill but that's been more or less been forgotten about. There was a quick conversation with Lissa telling Adrian that Jill could come out of hiding because she managed to change that silly every-monarach-must-have-a-family-member rule/law. So yea, the arc that was the foundation of the series was tied up in a very rushed and unsatisfying way. I'm not sure what the series is about anymore — the books have gone off into different tangents and seem to more about Sydney's magic, the Alchemists, Adrian's perfect HEA, and the stirgoi problem. I wish there was just the one overarching storyline throughout, I guess future books will be about taking down the Alchemists. But since I find them irritating and dull, I'm not looking forward to that.
-I'm not interested in the Alchemists whatsoever, I don't find them compelling antagonists at all. They're just a bunch of stuck up, hypocritical, boring, righteous, racist humans who hate vampires for no real reason other than them thinking they're impure. The Alchemists don't have the allure, power or danger of the stirgoi… So yea, they make rubbish bad guys.
-In earlier installments, I thought I preferred Sydney over Rose but not so much in this one. I finally realised how uninteresting Sydney is, she's had such a boring life, she mostly always follows rules, she's never had a relationship before Adrian, and she's never had a life before Adrian… And that makes Sydney boring. I didn't notice her flat personality in the first 3 books because I was kept entertained by Sydney's character development — she changed her principles, she embraced vampires and love, she rebelled against the Alchemists, and she accepted her magic. And now she's done all that, she has nothing else to offer, except her boring personality and her boring duties and her banging on and on about her wuv for Adrian.
-I really didn't like Adrian. He was an annoying, self-pitying, useless, irresponsible, drunk loser. Yea, I know he's a Spirit user which messes with his emotions but it was hard to feel sorry for him when he got drunk whenever he felt down in the dumps. What can he really offer Sydney? She'd just be picking up after him and having to support his many ups and downs all her life. Sydney has enough to worry about (Jill, her sister, her magic, not getting caught out by the Alchemists) and Adrian just makes her life even more difficult. She'd be better off without him.
Also, I was really tired of Adrian's whole nobody understands me routine. Get over it.
-Sydney/Adrian's relationship/love seemed so forced. I used to like them together but not anymore — their relationship comes across as fake and contrived. There was too much of Sydney/Adrian banging on about how perfect they were for each other and how they were made for each other. I wasn't convinced, I wanted to 'see' their love for myself instead of being repeatedly hit on the head with it. They just weren't natural together, every action and thought between them was contrived so that they'd seem like a 'meant to be' couple.
-I hated how much Sydney's friends/Adrian took advantage of her. She was always the one who was left with sorting things out.
-I was disgusted that Sydney losing her virginity meant she'd lose half her magic. WTF?! It really pissed me off, why do so many fantasy/supernatural type books have heroines that can't lose their virginity without losing their power or strength. Because a girl who loses her virginity needs to be punished or is somehow less than before?! Ugh. It's a disgusting and sexist trope.
-What was with Adrian calling Rose the love of his life? Really? Sure, he might think it's Sydney now but if he thought it was Rose at one point, and now thinks it's Sydney then what's to stop it from being someone else in the future?
-I wish Adrian would get a job. He's 21 and living off his dad. He could still work whilst taking classes, he's got plenty of time.
-I'm getting tired of all these virgin heroines who can't fathom having sex with anyone apart from the love of their life. Yet all YA heroes/male love interests are cool with having sex with anyone and everyone regardless of feelings. The double standards and sexism in YA are disgusting.
-I rolled my eyes at Adrian saying he was inexperienced because he'd never been with a virgin before. Ugh, I'm sick of that line — it's in every YA book and it's not romantic, its cringey. Adrian was an experienced manslut, he knew exactly what to do, his whole 'I'm inexperienced' nonsense was tropey bullshit.
-It was Adrian's fault that Sydney was caught out by her sister/dad/the Alchemists at the end. Adrian kept pushing her to sneak out and pressuring her to spend time with him even though he knew Zoe was getting suspicious. Sydney was risking it all to be with him, he was risking nothing whatsoever. I didn't like how willing he was to put Sydney at risk just because he was greedy and selfish. I'm not convinced that he loves her all that much, everything was about him and his needs. He never once thought to back off in order to protect her.
-Also, I hated how Sydney paid for so many of Adrian's things… Like the bed and breakfast, Adrian's ruby, and Adrian's car repairs. He was such a loser boyfriend.
-I find it funny how Adrian emptied out his bank account for Rose and gave expensive gifts to all his other girlfriends yet he couldn't do the same for Sydney when he claims to love her. It was really off putting how she was bank rolling him, no wonder he's in 'love' with her.
-I was disgusted at how easily Adrian gave up on Sydney when she was taken by the Alchemists after they found out about her relationship with him. She'd only been missing a few days, and he stopped trying to find a way to rescue her, and instead decided to get drunk because that would make him feel better. Never mind about Sydney and the fact that she needed help, it was all about him. If it was the other way around, Sydney would stop at nothing to save him. It's a shame Adrian doesn't love her as much as she loves him.
-There was way too much recapping of earlier books.
-I still don't understand why every moroi king/queen has to have a sibling/family member to rule. It's not like the throne can be passed down to relatives, it's all election based… It's a ridiculous law that makes no sense.
-Why does every character have to paired off with someone? There were too many couples/potential couples… Adrian/Sydney, Jill/Eddie, Angeline/Trey, Neil/Olivia, not to mention past teen couples. It's unrealistic that every teenage character has managed to find their twu wuv.
All in all, it was disappointing. Sydney was boring, Adrian was whiny, the romance was another cliched run of the mill YA romance, and the plot wasn't exciting.
March 4, 2019
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
Really, I said in my last review that I wasn't really digging this series, but OH, this book had made me shut my mouth! It was AWESOME. There were still a little too much plotlines, BUT they were actually really interesting and I didn't know what to expect about anything!
And Sydrian, oh god, Sydrian. This book was full of romance and passion and I can't even--- They are so adorable and sexy together! I ship them more than ever. They complement each other, they save each other. THEY MADE MY CRY BECAUSE FEELS.
Also, Jill was awesome. Eddie was awesome. Neil was awesome. Angeline was awesome. Trey was awesome. Miss T was awesome. Even Malachi was awesome!
And I ship Eddie and Jill, what is the name of that ship?
AAAAND it was amazing to see Liss and Christian. And of course Rose and Dimitri. And we got a "Little Dhampir", and I fangirled a lot at that.
Also, I hate Zoe. I CAN'T STAND HER. I CAN'T BELIEVE HER! How could she? Uggggh.
This book was so intense, specially the final chapters. BUT GAH, I have a bad feeling about the next one :(. The cliffhanger Richelle left just made me remember she is an ugly person because YES.
Really, I said in my last review that I wasn't really digging this series, but OH, this book had made me shut my mouth! It was AWESOME. There were still a little too much plotlines, BUT they were actually really interesting and I didn't know what to expect about anything!
And Sydrian, oh god, Sydrian. This book was full of romance and passion and I can't even--- They are so adorable and sexy together! I ship them more than ever. They complement each other, they save each other. THEY MADE MY CRY BECAUSE FEELS.
Also, Jill was awesome. Eddie was awesome. Neil was awesome. Angeline was awesome. Trey was awesome. Miss T was awesome. Even Malachi was awesome!
And I ship Eddie and Jill, what is the name of that ship?
AAAAND it was amazing to see Liss and Christian. And of course Rose and Dimitri. And we got a "Little Dhampir", and I fangirled a lot at that.
Also, I hate Zoe. I CAN'T STAND HER. I CAN'T BELIEVE HER! How could she? Uggggh.
This book was so intense, specially the final chapters. BUT GAH, I have a bad feeling about the next one :(. The cliffhanger Richelle left just made me remember she is an ugly person because YES.
December 4, 2013
5 Centrum Permanebit Heartbreakingly Emotional, Sensual, Fun Stars
Will it, Sydney? I wondered.
Because I’m falling apart._ Adrian
full review to come
------------------------------------------
I`m in Sydrianish!!!!!! ZONE
IT'll BE FREAKIN` EPIC!!!
------------------------------
Sydney's 911Cellphone knows how to kill Sydrian Moment
A Little Teaser #Sydrian snippet from "The Fiery Heart" to kill the time untill Official VAMPIRE ACADEMY Movie Trailer Release this week!!!
Excerpt (From Sydney's POV- 4 pages!), Mini Excerpt (From Adrian's POV), and Quote (by Abe Mazur)!!
"The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view" - Richelle Mead
Will it, Sydney? I wondered.
Because I’m falling apart._ Adrian
full review to come
------------------------------------------
I`m in Sydrianish!!!!!! ZONE
IT'll BE FREAKIN` EPIC!!!
------------------------------
Sydney's 911Cellphone knows how to kill Sydrian Moment
A Little Teaser #Sydrian snippet from "The Fiery Heart" to kill the time untill Official VAMPIRE ACADEMY Movie Trailer Release this week!!!
Excerpt (From Sydney's POV- 4 pages!), Mini Excerpt (From Adrian's POV), and Quote (by Abe Mazur)!!
"The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view" - Richelle Mead
August 9, 2016
3.5 stars. I can't believe it took me almost 2 months to read The Fiery Heart. I got stalled out by the midway point and didn't have any motivation to want to pick the book up again. Was my love affair with Richelle Mead coming to an end? Say it isn't so!
I really couldn't figure out what was up with the "whole lot of yawn" happening in the first half. Even having Adrian's PoV didn't really perk up the non-events going on. Maybe the alchemist side of the story and all of the new characters just don't do it for me.
I'm still also trying to reconcile in my head how much magic humans can do now. Back in VA, it almost seemed like the magic that alchemists had was borrowed through the use of vampire blood and infused items. Now, humans are just going around left and right and kicking ass alongside the vamps. Are we heading into a world where the poor guardians can go extinct because yet another race ends up having more value with them?
...and Hopper. WTF is this thing? It's alive. Oh wait, it's not. Oh wait, it is. What is the point of Hopper? We didn't have cutesy gimmick creatures before.
I'm starting to feel like the further we get into this series, the more the rules change. Adrian's character growth has almost turned him into an unrecognizable character, and I can't decide how much of this is for the better. At least he didn't forget to call Rose "little dhampir." Score a point there.
The second half of the book finally brought it all back though. Even a weaker Richelle Mead book still ends up being better than 90% of the stuff I read, so I have to give credit where it's due. When I decided to come back and try again, I ended up loving the rest of the story.
What Jill did after the fight scene : I was mentally cheering her on.
Sydney and Adrian : Not as exciting as I'd been hoping for. They're sweet, but this spin-off series just doesn't have the heart-pounding and epic romance of the prior series.
Dimitri : I laughed at Adrian joking about him not being able to hold his liquor, and him having a WTF? reaction.
Eddie : Is it too much to ask for more Eddie time? He's one of the actual characters who came over from VA, yet he is still background fodder. I know that Mead probably doesn't want to write Dimitri part deux, but when she teases me with phrases like Eddie was magnificent. I'd nearly forgotten that the adopted brother I joked and ate lunch with was a lethal warrior. or He was one of the most badass, capable guardians out there, but he couldn't believe that about himself, not when he kept seeing those failures laid at his feet. DOESN'T THAT SCREAM for more character time? We have another brooding person who wants to save the world and he's delegated to being the designated driver. It's wrong, I tell you.
Anyway, even though the book slipped off a little, the strong and exciting second half somewhat made up for a weaker first half.
I really couldn't figure out what was up with the "whole lot of yawn" happening in the first half. Even having Adrian's PoV didn't really perk up the non-events going on. Maybe the alchemist side of the story and all of the new characters just don't do it for me.
I'm still also trying to reconcile in my head how much magic humans can do now. Back in VA, it almost seemed like the magic that alchemists had was borrowed through the use of vampire blood and infused items. Now, humans are just going around left and right and kicking ass alongside the vamps. Are we heading into a world where the poor guardians can go extinct because yet another race ends up having more value with them?
...and Hopper. WTF is this thing? It's alive. Oh wait, it's not. Oh wait, it is. What is the point of Hopper? We didn't have cutesy gimmick creatures before.
I'm starting to feel like the further we get into this series, the more the rules change. Adrian's character growth has almost turned him into an unrecognizable character, and I can't decide how much of this is for the better. At least he didn't forget to call Rose "little dhampir." Score a point there.
The second half of the book finally brought it all back though. Even a weaker Richelle Mead book still ends up being better than 90% of the stuff I read, so I have to give credit where it's due. When I decided to come back and try again, I ended up loving the rest of the story.
What Jill did after the fight scene : I was mentally cheering her on.
Sydney and Adrian : Not as exciting as I'd been hoping for. They're sweet, but this spin-off series just doesn't have the heart-pounding and epic romance of the prior series.
Dimitri : I laughed at Adrian joking about him not being able to hold his liquor, and him having a WTF? reaction.
Eddie : Is it too much to ask for more Eddie time? He's one of the actual characters who came over from VA, yet he is still background fodder. I know that Mead probably doesn't want to write Dimitri part deux, but when she teases me with phrases like Eddie was magnificent. I'd nearly forgotten that the adopted brother I joked and ate lunch with was a lethal warrior. or He was one of the most badass, capable guardians out there, but he couldn't believe that about himself, not when he kept seeing those failures laid at his feet. DOESN'T THAT SCREAM for more character time? We have another brooding person who wants to save the world and he's delegated to being the designated driver. It's wrong, I tell you.
Anyway, even though the book slipped off a little, the strong and exciting second half somewhat made up for a weaker first half.
September 26, 2024
sydney and adrian invented romance
January 7, 2024
･:*:･ﾟ⁀➷ 3/5 ★
Meh this was just an okay read 🫤 It definitely wasn't bad, but i expected more from it, especially considering it's so far into this series 🥲🥲
“Relax, having kids is years away. But can you imagine? Your brains, my charm, our collective good looks... then add in the usual physical abilities dhampirs get.
It's really not even fair to everyone else.”
The Fiery Heart is the fourth book in the Bloodlines series, which is a spinoff from Vampire Academy series. We continue to follow Sydney and Adrian's adventures in Palm Springs as a new arrival causes problems for them. I was super excited to get into this one bc this series has been really fun so far.
However, I was a tad disappointed. I have very mixed feelings on this book- it wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't amazing 😔😔
⁀➷ What I liked- starting with what i enjoyed, bc it wasn't all bad. i honestly think Adrian was the saving grace of this book. This was the first time we got his pov and i found his chapters so enjoyable!! 🥰🥰 Considering he is the whole reason i'm reading this series, i ate up all the adrian content 🫶🫶 Plus I'm starting to really enjoy the romance. Adrian and Sydney are just such a good couple and they deserve the world. And just seeing the way adrian thought about sydney- 🥹🥹 i love them sm 🫂🫂
This was also super an easy, bingeable read. The simple way it's written makes it so easy to fly through 💕
“The center will hold.”
“How do you know?”
“Because we are the center.”
⁀➷ What i didn't like- I think my main problem with this book was the pacing. It isn't a super long book but for 3/4 of it, i felt like literally nothing interesting was happening 😃 it just felt so dragged out & uninteresting to me ☹️☹️ other than Adrian, a lot of the characters are starting to not interest me- sydney isn't a bad mc, but she's so perfect that it's annoying. she's just becoming boring to me 🫣
“I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I’d live in such fear of losing another person. Was this how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such panic?”
“Centrum permanebit.”
Overall, an okay read 🤷♀️🤷♀️ I didn't love it but i would still recommend this series if you want:
✔️ Bingeable
✔️ Vampires
✔️ Great romance
✔️ More vampire academy content
I will definitely be continuing the series tho bc that ending was heinous 😭😭😭
《 2024 Challenge: Book 4 of 115 》
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meh it was okay 🫤 it definitely disappointed me a bit, but it wasn't too bad either 🫶🫶
That ending tho 😭😭
Rtc! 💗
Meh this was just an okay read 🫤 It definitely wasn't bad, but i expected more from it, especially considering it's so far into this series 🥲🥲
“Relax, having kids is years away. But can you imagine? Your brains, my charm, our collective good looks... then add in the usual physical abilities dhampirs get.
It's really not even fair to everyone else.”
The Fiery Heart is the fourth book in the Bloodlines series, which is a spinoff from Vampire Academy series. We continue to follow Sydney and Adrian's adventures in Palm Springs as a new arrival causes problems for them. I was super excited to get into this one bc this series has been really fun so far.
However, I was a tad disappointed. I have very mixed feelings on this book- it wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't amazing 😔😔
⁀➷ What I liked- starting with what i enjoyed, bc it wasn't all bad. i honestly think Adrian was the saving grace of this book. This was the first time we got his pov and i found his chapters so enjoyable!! 🥰🥰 Considering he is the whole reason i'm reading this series, i ate up all the adrian content 🫶🫶 Plus I'm starting to really enjoy the romance. Adrian and Sydney are just such a good couple and they deserve the world. And just seeing the way adrian thought about sydney- 🥹🥹 i love them sm 🫂🫂
This was also super an easy, bingeable read. The simple way it's written makes it so easy to fly through 💕
“The center will hold.”
“How do you know?”
“Because we are the center.”
⁀➷ What i didn't like- I think my main problem with this book was the pacing. It isn't a super long book but for 3/4 of it, i felt like literally nothing interesting was happening 😃 it just felt so dragged out & uninteresting to me ☹️☹️ other than Adrian, a lot of the characters are starting to not interest me- sydney isn't a bad mc, but she's so perfect that it's annoying. she's just becoming boring to me 🫣
“I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I’d live in such fear of losing another person. Was this how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such panic?”
“Centrum permanebit.”
Overall, an okay read 🤷♀️🤷♀️ I didn't love it but i would still recommend this series if you want:
✔️ Bingeable
✔️ Vampires
✔️ Great romance
✔️ More vampire academy content
I will definitely be continuing the series tho bc that ending was heinous 😭😭😭
《 2024 Challenge: Book 4 of 115 》
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meh it was okay 🫤 it definitely disappointed me a bit, but it wasn't too bad either 🫶🫶
That ending tho 😭😭
Rtc! 💗
November 30, 2022
5 The Center Didn't hold stars
*****Major Spoilers in this review/recap*******
OMG this book's ending with that cliffhanger is pure torture. OMG OMG OMG OMFG. I can't write for too long. I have to jump straight into the next book or I'm going to lose my mind. So let me keep this short, sweet and to the point. Sydney and Adrian are a couple this whole book. There is so much relationship development. Adrian is having some serious spirit backlash. He uses so much spirit healing a friend and then helping find a cure to turning strigoi, that he really starts to lose it hearing the voice of his dead aunt and getting drunk. After seeing Sydney cry over him worried for him he decides to get on meds to help with his spirit darkness. They help a lot but he can't use his magic any more. Sydney and Adrian take the next step in this book and have sex. I loved all the sweet and sexy moments with them in this book. I was having such a good fangirl ride reading them together loving each other, being protective, understanding and supportive. They overcome so much.
Of course Zoe, Sydney's backstabbing whore of a little sister ruins everything. I hate her so much. I really hope she gets hers. Not only did she make Sydney's life a living hell. Always questioning Sydney, trying to make her look bad to their dad saying Sydney is too friendly with the vampires. She also finds Sydney and Adrian's love phone(pre-paid phones for them to sneak and talk to each other) and turns her into the Alchemist. Then that dirty bitch goes and sets Sydney up. Zoe even help their dad and the alchemist kidnap Sydney and drag her off to re-education(as in Torture and Brain washing). Adrian is losing his mind. He and Sydney's witch teacher can't locate her through spells or spirit dreams (she is drugged) and he is off his meds so the darkness is taking over. The whole gang is sad and worried about Sydney. That's were the cliffhanger comes in. I am dying to know what is going to happen with Sydney and Adrian.
In other news Jill kisses Eddie. Don't know if they're together yet but signs are good. Trey and Angeline are also together. Trey realized he she was more important to him then the warriors. Neil meets a newly restored Dhampir named Olive. They seem to have sparks. We get to spend time with Rose, Lissa, Dimitri, Christian, and Sonya. Which was awesome. Overall a great read. I can't wait to start the next one. Even though I said I would keep it short this is a pretty long review lol.
*****Major Spoilers in this review/recap*******
OMG this book's ending with that cliffhanger is pure torture. OMG OMG OMG OMFG. I can't write for too long. I have to jump straight into the next book or I'm going to lose my mind. So let me keep this short, sweet and to the point. Sydney and Adrian are a couple this whole book. There is so much relationship development. Adrian is having some serious spirit backlash. He uses so much spirit healing a friend and then helping find a cure to turning strigoi, that he really starts to lose it hearing the voice of his dead aunt and getting drunk. After seeing Sydney cry over him worried for him he decides to get on meds to help with his spirit darkness. They help a lot but he can't use his magic any more. Sydney and Adrian take the next step in this book and have sex. I loved all the sweet and sexy moments with them in this book. I was having such a good fangirl ride reading them together loving each other, being protective, understanding and supportive. They overcome so much.
Of course Zoe, Sydney's backstabbing whore of a little sister ruins everything. I hate her so much. I really hope she gets hers. Not only did she make Sydney's life a living hell. Always questioning Sydney, trying to make her look bad to their dad saying Sydney is too friendly with the vampires. She also finds Sydney and Adrian's love phone(pre-paid phones for them to sneak and talk to each other) and turns her into the Alchemist. Then that dirty bitch goes and sets Sydney up. Zoe even help their dad and the alchemist kidnap Sydney and drag her off to re-education(as in Torture and Brain washing). Adrian is losing his mind. He and Sydney's witch teacher can't locate her through spells or spirit dreams (she is drugged) and he is off his meds so the darkness is taking over. The whole gang is sad and worried about Sydney. That's were the cliffhanger comes in. I am dying to know what is going to happen with Sydney and Adrian.
In other news Jill kisses Eddie. Don't know if they're together yet but signs are good. Trey and Angeline are also together. Trey realized he she was more important to him then the warriors. Neil meets a newly restored Dhampir named Olive. They seem to have sparks. We get to spend time with Rose, Lissa, Dimitri, Christian, and Sonya. Which was awesome. Overall a great read. I can't wait to start the next one. Even though I said I would keep it short this is a pretty long review lol.
November 24, 2013
Nothing kills a book like predictability.
I am so pissed right now. So fucking pissed that I'll just write things as they are in my head. I've been waiting for this book to be released ever since I finished reading The Indigo Spell a few months ago. I have to say I wasn't expecting it to be such a letdown. The hype surrounding this book and its "awesome" ending is unbelievable. I feel like this book is such a filler.
1. The Too-Much-Romance-No-Plot Syndrome. Can't we talk about the romance? Let's talk about the romance. Anyone else feel like it was too much? Anyone? No? Figured as much. Curse me all you want but I think the romance was the main focus of the book, hence resulting in a weak plot. Since the beginning, both Adrian and Sydney kept fantasising about each other, and this went on and on till the ending where, well. Now, don't get me wrong. I did love that their relationship hit a whole new level and that Sydney wasn't repressing her feelings for Adrian anymore, but there wasn't a single chapter where either Adrian or Sydney didn't think about ripping the other's clothes off. The first few times, I was overwhelmed by feels, but after a while I got bored. It was like Richelle Mead was trying to compensate for three books' worth of romance by throwing it in our faces all at once. That being said, there was practically no plot. This ink breakthrough and Marcus' presence felt just like some side story to keep us going until there was a bit more .
2. Sydney's complete 180. This is the thing that surprised and angers me the most. Sydney, the organized, detached, professional, logical, overly cautious Alchemist we met in the VA books and Bloodlines turned into just another lovesick teenager. She was so blinded by her feelings for Adrian and preoccupied by thoughts of sex that she didn't bother to think about the breadcrumbs she left everywhere. She and Adrian were being careful most of the time, I get it, but not careful enough. She was so careless and stupid sometimes, I wanted to shake some sense into her.
3. The dual perspective. The good thing about it was that Mead distinguishes between Sydney and Adrian perfectly and it was obvious in whose head we were. They are completely different characters and Richelle Mead did not screw that up by making them barely distinguishable. (Take notes, Veronica Roth) However, the flaw was that each chapter was a repetition of the previous one. So, if something happened through Adrian's perspective and he thought whatnot about Sydney and her reactions, the next chapter would be about Sydney rehashing Adrian's earlier thoughts. Basically, everytime something happened, its level of importance high or not, we would learn about it twice and the characters' thoughts echoed each other, making things boring.
4. The ending. Don't even get me started on the predictability of this ending, which would not have happened if not for Sydney's aforementionned stupidity. We all knew that something like that would eventually happen, but my point is that it wouldn't have happened this way. Not only that, but the fact that she is too proud and blinded by love to use her logic.
Other than that, the book wasn't bad. I especially liked Eddie and his strength. After having gone through so much, he is still a loyal, determined, fierce and incredibly strong person whom I admire. I really hope he'll have a HEA when this series is over. Also, some Sydrian moments were insanely cute and swoon worthy, and I giggled so much. Being in Adrian's head was wonderful. With Sydney, we only got a glimpse of what he was dealing with, but actually looking at things from Adrian's perspective was just lovely. We learned about all the stuff he has to deal with, spirit and his aunt's death being the main reason for his inner turmoil and anguish. His funny and snarky side never fails to disappoint and there were some hilarious moments as well.
Overall, I did like this book. But the disappointment it brought along was so unexpected. It's a shame, but I would still recommend it for those who adored the previous books and who are deeply invested in Sydney and Adrian.
I am so pissed right now. So fucking pissed that I'll just write things as they are in my head. I've been waiting for this book to be released ever since I finished reading The Indigo Spell a few months ago. I have to say I wasn't expecting it to be such a letdown. The hype surrounding this book and its "awesome" ending is unbelievable. I feel like this book is such a filler.
1. The Too-Much-Romance-No-Plot Syndrome. Can't we talk about the romance? Let's talk about the romance. Anyone else feel like it was too much? Anyone? No? Figured as much. Curse me all you want but I think the romance was the main focus of the book, hence resulting in a weak plot. Since the beginning, both Adrian and Sydney kept fantasising about each other, and this went on and on till the ending where, well. Now, don't get me wrong. I did love that their relationship hit a whole new level and that Sydney wasn't repressing her feelings for Adrian anymore, but there wasn't a single chapter where either Adrian or Sydney didn't think about ripping the other's clothes off. The first few times, I was overwhelmed by feels, but after a while I got bored. It was like Richelle Mead was trying to compensate for three books' worth of romance by throwing it in our faces all at once. That being said, there was practically no plot. This ink breakthrough and Marcus' presence felt just like some side story to keep us going until there was a bit more .
2. Sydney's complete 180. This is the thing that surprised and angers me the most. Sydney, the organized, detached, professional, logical, overly cautious Alchemist we met in the VA books and Bloodlines turned into just another lovesick teenager. She was so blinded by her feelings for Adrian and preoccupied by thoughts of sex that she didn't bother to think about the breadcrumbs she left everywhere. She and Adrian were being careful most of the time, I get it, but not careful enough. She was so careless and stupid sometimes, I wanted to shake some sense into her.
3. The dual perspective. The good thing about it was that Mead distinguishes between Sydney and Adrian perfectly and it was obvious in whose head we were. They are completely different characters and Richelle Mead did not screw that up by making them barely distinguishable. (Take notes, Veronica Roth) However, the flaw was that each chapter was a repetition of the previous one. So, if something happened through Adrian's perspective and he thought whatnot about Sydney and her reactions, the next chapter would be about Sydney rehashing Adrian's earlier thoughts. Basically, everytime something happened, its level of importance high or not, we would learn about it twice and the characters' thoughts echoed each other, making things boring.
4. The ending. Don't even get me started on the predictability of this ending, which would not have happened if not for Sydney's aforementionned stupidity. We all knew that something like that would eventually happen, but my point is that it wouldn't have happened this way. Not only that, but the fact that she is too proud and blinded by love to use her logic.
Other than that, the book wasn't bad. I especially liked Eddie and his strength. After having gone through so much, he is still a loyal, determined, fierce and incredibly strong person whom I admire. I really hope he'll have a HEA when this series is over. Also, some Sydrian moments were insanely cute and swoon worthy, and I giggled so much. Being in Adrian's head was wonderful. With Sydney, we only got a glimpse of what he was dealing with, but actually looking at things from Adrian's perspective was just lovely. We learned about all the stuff he has to deal with, spirit and his aunt's death being the main reason for his inner turmoil and anguish. His funny and snarky side never fails to disappoint and there were some hilarious moments as well.
Overall, I did like this book. But the disappointment it brought along was so unexpected. It's a shame, but I would still recommend it for those who adored the previous books and who are deeply invested in Sydney and Adrian.
November 16, 2014
Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love
Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian
Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian Love Adrian
What else is there to say?
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August 20, 2024
|| 3.5 stars ||
Oh, that ending! It broke my heart!
It’s honestly just very cruel to have to witness two characters grow so much, work so hard on themselves, and feel so much intense love for each other, only to have it all be completely ripped away from them in the end.
All that progress Adrian made, only for him to spiral out of control after losing her… All that progress Sydney made, only to be betrayed and hurt by those who should be closest to her… It’s so heartbreaking.
And I can’t even imagine how sad the next book will be! I’m not sure I can stomach seeing what will happen to Sydney in that… place.
That said, I truly cannot wait to see the inevitable downfall of The Alchemists. That cult (because really, that’s what they are) is nothing but evil, and I want them all to die.
Also, I don’t care if she’s young and brainwashed; if Zoe can let her jealousy and vindictiveness turn into something so cruel, then she deserves nothing but pain and sorrow. I desperately hope she will not be granted a redemption arc, because I will personally never forgive her.
On a more positive note, the majority of this book (outside of the ending) actually gave me really sweet and wholesome vibes. Adrian and Sydney’s relationship turned into something so pure and strong, and it was actually really nice to see. It warmed my heart that Adrian was willing to truly work on himself to be better for her. I mean, it was a really tough journey for him, and I can’t imagine how hard his Bipolar Disorder can be to manage, but he tried his best. For Sydney. His love for her means everything, and he was willing to give up his magic if it meant Sydney wouldn’t have to go through the heartbreak of seeing him lose his mind…
I’ve also grown rather fond of the other characters. I used to dislike a lot of them and got annoyed by them almost constantly, but I actually found myself liking them quite a bit now. Eddie and Neil are both really good guys, and I truly respect them a lot, but Jill and Angeline also became so much more tolerable. Jill was actually nice this time (and no longer self-absorbed), while Angeline’s quirky antics actually became a little endearing to me or at least made me chuckle. I never thought I’d stop getting annoyed by them, but it’s happened.
All in all, I think this was a good story, but I especially liked the growth and self-acceptance we got to see in Adrian and Sydney. They’ve both come so far from where they began. I just hope they won’t have to start all over again after what happened at the end here…
'Bloodlines' series:
1. Bloodlines - 3.0 stars
2. The Golden Lily - 3.5 stars
3. The Indigo Spell - 2.5 stars
4. The Fiery Heart - 3.5 stars
5. Silver Shadows - 3.5 stars
Prequel 'Vampire Academy' series:
1. Vampire Academy - 3.5 stars
2. Frostbite - 4.5 stars
3. Shadow Kiss - 4.5 stars
4. Blood Promise - 3.0 stars
5. Spirit Bound - 3.0 stars
6. Last Sacrifice - 3.5 stars
Oh, that ending! It broke my heart!
It’s honestly just very cruel to have to witness two characters grow so much, work so hard on themselves, and feel so much intense love for each other, only to have it all be completely ripped away from them in the end.
All that progress Adrian made, only for him to spiral out of control after losing her… All that progress Sydney made, only to be betrayed and hurt by those who should be closest to her… It’s so heartbreaking.
And I can’t even imagine how sad the next book will be! I’m not sure I can stomach seeing what will happen to Sydney in that… place.
That said, I truly cannot wait to see the inevitable downfall of The Alchemists. That cult (because really, that’s what they are) is nothing but evil, and I want them all to die.
Also, I don’t care if she’s young and brainwashed; if Zoe can let her jealousy and vindictiveness turn into something so cruel, then she deserves nothing but pain and sorrow. I desperately hope she will not be granted a redemption arc, because I will personally never forgive her.
On a more positive note, the majority of this book (outside of the ending) actually gave me really sweet and wholesome vibes. Adrian and Sydney’s relationship turned into something so pure and strong, and it was actually really nice to see. It warmed my heart that Adrian was willing to truly work on himself to be better for her. I mean, it was a really tough journey for him, and I can’t imagine how hard his Bipolar Disorder can be to manage, but he tried his best. For Sydney. His love for her means everything, and he was willing to give up his magic if it meant Sydney wouldn’t have to go through the heartbreak of seeing him lose his mind…
I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I’d live in such fear of losing another person. Was that how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such a panic?
I brought my face a mere whisper from hers. “I love you so much.”
I’ve also grown rather fond of the other characters. I used to dislike a lot of them and got annoyed by them almost constantly, but I actually found myself liking them quite a bit now. Eddie and Neil are both really good guys, and I truly respect them a lot, but Jill and Angeline also became so much more tolerable. Jill was actually nice this time (and no longer self-absorbed), while Angeline’s quirky antics actually became a little endearing to me or at least made me chuckle. I never thought I’d stop getting annoyed by them, but it’s happened.
All in all, I think this was a good story, but I especially liked the growth and self-acceptance we got to see in Adrian and Sydney. They’ve both come so far from where they began. I just hope they won’t have to start all over again after what happened at the end here…
'Bloodlines' series:
1. Bloodlines - 3.0 stars
2. The Golden Lily - 3.5 stars
3. The Indigo Spell - 2.5 stars
4. The Fiery Heart - 3.5 stars
5. Silver Shadows - 3.5 stars
Prequel 'Vampire Academy' series:
1. Vampire Academy - 3.5 stars
2. Frostbite - 4.5 stars
3. Shadow Kiss - 4.5 stars
4. Blood Promise - 3.0 stars
5. Spirit Bound - 3.0 stars
6. Last Sacrifice - 3.5 stars
November 24, 2013
If you are looking for an action-packed book, then maybe this is not for you because dang it, this is so emotionally powered with everything Sydrian feels I'm going crazy right now!
Full review later
The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view...
...both Sydney and Adrian's point of view
...Sydney and Adrian's point of view
AND Adrian's point of view
ADRIAN'S. POINT. OF. VIEW.
ADRIAN'S.
.....
.........
............
.................
WUT IS AIR?! ANVDJAGHDBAHGDUADBAVHFDUABDNAVDA!!!!!!!!!
THE FIERY HEART,
You just granted my long time dream. THANK YOU RICHELLE MEAD!
Full review later
The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view...
...both Sydney and Adrian's point of view
...Sydney and Adrian's point of view
AND Adrian's point of view
ADRIAN'S. POINT. OF. VIEW.
ADRIAN'S.
.....
.........
............
.................
WUT IS AIR?! ANVDJAGHDBAHGDUADBAVHFDUABDNAVDA!!!!!!!!!
THE FIERY HEART,
You just granted my long time dream. THANK YOU RICHELLE MEAD!
July 10, 2014
06/07/14
I'll just pretend that the first 50% didn't exist since it was all relationship drama (I mean, if I wanted to read a contemporary romance I'd read a contemporary romance). But after that Richelle remembered to add an actual plot to the story and the book got interesting enough, and I ended up really enjoying it.
Edit 28/02/13:
So, synopsis and cover are out. I don't really hate this one, but compared to all the other great covers out there, it completely sucks. Anyway, Sydney is not showing her golden lily tattoo, so I guess this means that she's drifting away more and more from the Alchemists. I kinda hope she'll be sent to re-education, that'd be an interesting turn of events! :D
And yes, the wait is still killing me.
-----------------------------------------
Edit 14/02/13:
Expected publication: November 19th 2013
I don't think I'll be able to wait that long.
And now the title makes much more sense, I love it even more!
-----------------------------------------
It has a title! And I really like it, The Fiery Heart is a pretty cool name.
Also,
"The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view. That's right. If you've ever wanted to get inside the crazy world of Adrian Ivashkov's head, this is it. It'll still be in first person, but the POV will alternate chapters."
Now I can't wait to see how this will turn out... but I think it's gonna be interesting being in Adrian's head!
I'll just pretend that the first 50% didn't exist since it was all relationship drama (I mean, if I wanted to read a contemporary romance I'd read a contemporary romance). But after that Richelle remembered to add an actual plot to the story and the book got interesting enough, and I ended up really enjoying it.
Edit 28/02/13:
So, synopsis and cover are out. I don't really hate this one, but compared to all the other great covers out there, it completely sucks. Anyway, Sydney is not showing her golden lily tattoo, so I guess this means that she's drifting away more and more from the Alchemists. I kinda hope she'll be sent to re-education, that'd be an interesting turn of events! :D
And yes, the wait is still killing me.
-----------------------------------------
Edit 14/02/13:
Expected publication: November 19th 2013
I don't think I'll be able to wait that long.
And now the title makes much more sense, I love it even more!
-----------------------------------------
It has a title! And I really like it, The Fiery Heart is a pretty cool name.
Also,
"The Fiery Heart is going to be told from both Sydney and Adrian's points of view. That's right. If you've ever wanted to get inside the crazy world of Adrian Ivashkov's head, this is it. It'll still be in first person, but the POV will alternate chapters."
Now I can't wait to see how this will turn out... but I think it's gonna be interesting being in Adrian's head!
April 3, 2019
•Centrum permanebit•
Αναμφισβήτητα μαζί με το προηγούμενο είναι τα αγαπημένα μου βιβλία της σειράς μέχρι στιγμής. Για πρώτη φορά είχαμε και κεφάλαια από την οπτική γωνία του Adrian, κάτι που μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ. Θεωρώ τον Adrian έναν από τους πιο ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες τόσο σε αυτή τη σειρά όσο και στο VA, και με μεγάλη βεβαιότητα τον χαρακτήρα με την μεγαλύτερη εξέλιξη. Συνεπώς ήταν πολύ ευχάριστο να βλέπουμε άμεσα τα συναισθήματα, τις σκέψεις του αλλά και την εξέλιξη της ιστορίας.
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο είχε άπειρες όμορφες στιγμές και έπιασα τον εαυτό μου να χαμογελάει σε όλες. Ήξερα βέβαια ότι η Mead δε θα μας το κάνει εύκολο και ότι θα μας βασανίζει στα βιβλία της μέχρι τέλους. Τα τρία τελευταία κεφάλαια με αποτελείωσαν.
“The center will hold.”
“How do you know?”
“Because we are the center.”
Αναμφισβήτητα μαζί με το προηγούμενο είναι τα αγαπημένα μου βιβλία της σειράς μέχρι στιγμής. Για πρώτη φορά είχαμε και κεφάλαια από την οπτική γωνία του Adrian, κάτι που μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ. Θεωρώ τον Adrian έναν από τους πιο ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες τόσο σε αυτή τη σειρά όσο και στο VA, και με μεγάλη βεβαιότητα τον χαρακτήρα με την μεγαλύτερη εξέλιξη. Συνεπώς ήταν πολύ ευχάριστο να βλέπουμε άμεσα τα συναισθήματα, τις σκέψεις του αλλά και την εξέλιξη της ιστορίας.
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο είχε άπειρες όμορφες στιγμές και έπιασα τον εαυτό μου να χαμογελάει σε όλες. Ήξερα βέβαια ότι η Mead δε θα μας το κάνει εύκολο και ότι θα μας βασανίζει στα βιβλία της μέχρι τέλους. Τα τρία τελευταία κεφάλαια με αποτελείωσαν.
“The center will hold.”
“How do you know?”
“Because we are the center.”
February 10, 2017
The series has gone downhill for me.
-Adrian's POV should never have happened.
-Sappy romance is really irritating-especially when it constantly overrides the plot.
-There is no constant tension or excitement in the Fiery Heart, which is visible in many of Richelle Mead's previous books in the VA series.
- I feel as if this was just simply rushed. The Fiery Heart felt like a very big filler to me.
-Adrian's POV should never have happened.
-Sappy romance is really irritating-especially when it constantly overrides the plot.
-There is no constant tension or excitement in the Fiery Heart, which is visible in many of Richelle Mead's previous books in the VA series.
- I feel as if this was just simply rushed. The Fiery Heart felt like a very big filler to me.
September 22, 2014
I ALWAYS LOVE THESE BOOKS! THIS ONE IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE ONES BEFORE. I HOPE THEY GET TO SYDNEY IN TIME BEFORE ..WELL I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL IT, BUT LET'S JUST SAY I HOPE THEY GET TO SYDNEY TIME. I LIKE THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN SYDNEY AND ADRIAN GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL. I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THE NEXT ONE TAKES THE GROUP.
December 19, 2021
If you hear a faint screaming in the distance, it’s me.
July 16, 2025
I really hate Zoe, didn't like her before but its worst now.
Adrian and Sydney are my favorite couple ever. I have yet to meet any other that I love more than them, they are the whole reason while I keep rereading this and the Vampire Academy series.
We also, happily, got to see court again along with Rose, Dimitri, Christian, and an awesome Adrian.
“I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I’d live in such fear of losing another person. Was this how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such panic?”
And that ending totally sad but it was probably very necessary and will help things get better in the long run.
Adrian and Sydney are my favorite couple ever. I have yet to meet any other that I love more than them, they are the whole reason while I keep rereading this and the Vampire Academy series.
We also, happily, got to see court again along with Rose, Dimitri, Christian, and an awesome Adrian.
“I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I’d live in such fear of losing another person. Was this how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such panic?”
And that ending totally sad but it was probably very necessary and will help things get better in the long run.
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