{Waiting on Wednesday} Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Silver Shadows
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #5

Blurb:

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

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

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

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

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

Honestly, I've yet to read The Fiery Heart, and from what I've heard, I'll be waiting until this baby is in my hands, and possibly the last book also, but I'm still more than ready to see this release. What's your WoW of the week?

{A Kelly M Review}: Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Title: Indigo Spell
Series: Bloodlines #3
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Razorbill

Synopsis:


In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next. Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

Ok firstly I must apologise for my absence. I have been so busy with university life that I haven’t had time to do anything and also to be quite frank, I’ve gotten incredibly lazy, but! Fear not, I have returned, even though probably nobody missed me. So now I am going to start catching up with the 1000s of reviews I have to do. Ok maybe not that much, but it is quite a pile!

When I got this book from Penguin Books South Africa, I literally screamed my face off. I have the biggest Adrian obsession of all time. I mean he is in my top 3 book boyfriends, along with Jace and Will. After the way Golden Lily ended I was horrified and angry and manic. I literally did this

Well I didn’t throw it out of the window because would’ve had taken excessive force since I have a paperback, but I did thrown it across the room. Then I realized what I did and ran to pick it up too look over the damage, yeah didn’t think that one through did I? I blame Richelle Mead!

Anyway Indigo Spell is probably the first book that made me smile continuously. I didn’t stop smiling once! Even when a few bad things happened. I was so overtly happy all the way through that my face started twitching from smiling that much. I’m trying not to give away too many spoilers but the book has been out for a while sooo, but you can probably guess what happens since I’m so happy.

The humour was just plain awesome. I couldn’t stop laughing at most of the things Adrian said, even Sydney made me laugh! Adrian has really grown into the man I knew he could be, his maturity that is shown throughout the novel amazed me. He never gives up for what he believes in and honestly I could keep gushing about him forever but I’ll save you from my corny geekness.

Syndey, thank God, is finally working on her eating disorder. This was something about her that bothered me immensely but I’m glad that she shows the strength of her character by working on it. Slowly but surely I have no doubt that she will be fine. Also she comes to terms with the fact that the Moroi and Dhampirs are probably not what she was led to believe (DUH) and that there might be other forces at work for the reasons she feels her revoltions(did I spell that correctly? I don’t know). The fact that she carried on with her magic training (reluctantly but progress right?) really made me happy. I was quite shocked with myself for not finding Sydney annoying at all. Normally her attitude and her thing about vampires and magic being unnatural would’ve seriously pissed me off but Richelle Mead wrote the character of Sydney perfectly, you just can’t help but understand her.

There were a few twists and turns in the story that really took me by surprise and I am loving the direction Richelle is taking this story in. this was by far her best book she has ever written like hands down. I could not put it down, I finished somewhere in the early morning hours and then I was so happy I couldn’t sleep, even though the ending was an “OH CRAP!” ending.

Please don’t hesitate in reading this soul-stealing, sleep-depriving, world-forgetting book. If you haven’t read the series yet GO BUY THEM ALL NOW!!! I mean it’s only 3 books. BUT you have to read the Vampire Academy series before you read this so in that case it will be 9 books that you have to buy, I mean that’s nothing right? 

{Waiting on Wednesday} The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are dying to read but they haven't been released yet!

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Synopsis:


In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

So, we here at Better Read Than Dead are in love with this series, but we're not in love with The Fiery Heart's cover? What's your take on the subject? What books are you looking forward to seeing?

{Teaser Tuesday} Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Title: The Indigo Spell
Series: Bloodlines #3
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)
Publication Date: February 12, 2013

Synopsis:


In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.


Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

MY TEASER

He caught hold of my arm and rolled me over. I closed my eyes again and wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt his lips touch mine, not quite a kiss, just the barest brush of--

Have you read The Indigo Spell? Tell us what you think, but be sure to join us for all things Indigo Spell this week!

{Thursday Discussions} Vampire Academy Movie

Title: Vampire Academy
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Penguin Books UK

Synopsis


St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's the very place where they're most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires make Lissa one of them forever.

Thursday discussions, isn't just me and Kristin discussing books we both have read, but basically anything we want to talk about and I want to talk about the Vampire Academy movie that is Finally moving forward after a hell of a long time waiting! Optioned by Preger Entertainment

Basically when i first heard about this movie moving forward I wanted to scream my head off. Finally we will have a vampire series where the chick isn't always a damsel-in-distress. Rose can kick serious ass. I really hope that this movie makes it to the production phase and is a success, because well, who doesn't want to see Adrian on the big screen?? So I'm hoping for more movies since I am not a Dimitri fan haha. But anyway.

The name of the producer is Don Murphy and the screen writer is Dan Waters! All this information and more about the movie is listed in this article at HollywoodCrush

For people who want to go and compare this to Twilight, don't. It is NOTHING like it. The only similarities are the fact that it is about vampires. It is about the Russian myth behind vampires, which consist of the Dhampirs, half vampire warriors that have to protect the Moroi, they are the full vampires. Then their is the Strigoi. Those are the vampires who have killed other Moroi by drinking their blood or a Dhampir. They are basically the evil ones the Dhampirs have to protect the Moroi from. So as you see, it is nothing alike. It is a serious kick ass story with a bad ass female lead.

If you haven't read this series, I urge you to do so.

Now for the important part. Casting. Dear Lord I do hope they get the right actors for this one.

Rose Hathaway: either Phoebe Tonkin

Or Victoria Justice

Lissa Dragomir: Emily Browning

Dimitri Belikov: Im not sure about this one and since Ben Barnes probably wont get cast im going with Douglas Booth

Who do you guys have in mind? Let me know!!!

{Waiting on Wednesday} Breaking Point & Indigo Spell

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are dying to read but they haven't been released yet!

Title: Breaking Point
Series: Article 5 #2
Author: Kristen Simmons
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: 2 February 2013

Synopsis:

The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series. After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed. Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion…. Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself. Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways. With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

Title: Indigo Spell
Series: Bloodlines #3
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Release Date: 12 February 2013

Synopsis:

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next. Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

I am literally dying for these books. February cannot come fast enough!!!!!

{Follow Friday} July 20, 2012

Wow! Haven't participated in a Follow Friday since February! Where does the time go? First I'd like to thank Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read for being such wonderful hosts and helping keep everybody together so we can make new blogger friends!

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Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

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Q: Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

Well, I have so many books on my lists it would be so very hard to choose, but for now, I'll say The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - I'm jonesing for some Adrian, badly! And next, I've been dying to read The Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin. I'm a huge Edgar Allen Poe fan, and I keep picking the book up, and setting it back down. Eventually, I'm just going to have to give in and buy the dang thing. LOL.

What two books would you choose?

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penquin Group
Copyright 2011 by Richelle Mead
Richelle Mead’s Website
Richelle’s Facebook
Richelle’s Twitter
Bloodlines Goodread

Synopsis:

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

I loved the Vampire Academy series so it stands to reason I would love Bloodlines, right. Absolutely! Of course, I love Adrian Ivashkov, and I truly wanted him to end up with Rose…but I lost that battle. So, hopefully something better will work out for him in the new series. See the seriously hot trailer HERE.

Richelle did an excellent job of writing the perfect spin-off. She included characters I loved before and added characters that I loved to hate.

As always, here is a character profile for you:

• Sydney Melrose – The alchemist who helped Rose escape when she was suspected of murdering the Queen. She has been in trouble for being a “vamp lover” and is now given a second chance to clear her name and reclaim her status as family alchemist. Tolerating living with a Moroi and hanging out with a damphir may prove to be the easiest thing about this assignment.
• Jill Dragomir – Is the only family of Vasillisa Dragomir, the new Moroi Queen. Moroi law states the queen must have at least one living relative to hold her position. This law puts Jill in danger from those rebelling against Queen Dragomir, including some of her own people.
• Keith Darnell – Is the Palm Spring’s resident Alchemist. He will help Sydney with her mission by being her “liason.” He and Sydney have quite a past.
• Adrian Ivashkov – One of my favorite bad boys in all of paranormal, but definitely my favorite bad boy in all of Vampire Academy. Now, he and his wild ways have won my heart again in Bloodlines and then broke my heart. He is sarcastic, snarky, broken, and caring (in his own way). I was surprised at his role in this book. Certainly not what I expecting.
• Abe Mazur – Another awesome character from Vampire Academy…or not. Honestly, I like Abe, I don’t trust him, but I like him.
• Eddie Castile – Also from Vampire Academy. He is sent to Palm Springs to be Jill’s Dhampir Guardian.
• The infamous Rose Hathaway makes a couple of appearances in Bloodlines.
• Clarence Donahue – Is a moroi who will provide Jill with a feeder and open his house to Adrian.
• Lee Donahue – The son of Clarence. Love interest of Jill…and many other surprising things.

Ah, I love Richelle and everything she writes. Her characters are amazing with real teenage problems mixed with otherworldly problems. Her settings are dynamic, allowing for a multitude of events to occur. Emotions of love, hate, love-hate, lust, pleasure, pain and sometimes pure animosity emanate from her writing.

I think that Bloodlines may hold a different meaning for each person that reads it. For me…I believe it is a need to overcome prejudices and learn to get along with people of all “races.” Alchemist hold an interesting place in Richelle’s world. They are born and raised to believe that all vampires are evil and that the magic they possess is unnatural. Sydney suffers much antagonizing from other Alchemist because she helps the wrong team (Moroi and Dhampirs).


Her tolerance of these paranormal creatures may be just the thing that her enemies need to get rid of her for good. There are things happening in Palm Springs that have nothing to do with vampire politics and Sydney is just the person to uncover these exploitations. Between Jill’s possible impending death and Sydney’s detective work, Palm Spring’s is becoming quite dangerous for humans, Moroi, Dhampirs, and Alchemist. No one is safe.


The pace of Bloodlines was perfect. I had set a time limit for reading yesterday and when it was up…I couldn’t just put the book up…I mean I was at one of my favorite scenes -

“They’re waiting for you. Go on in.” Adrian leaned close to Keith’s ear and spoke in an ominous voice. “If. You. Dare.” he poked Keith’s shoulder and gave a “Muhahaha” kind of monster laugh.

“…Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But it’d be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.” – Adrain

Adrian’s new research partner stepped through the door, and I knew the uneasy peace we’d just established in Palm Springs was about to shatter. – Sydney

Some characters I didn’t mention but hope to see more of…Micah, Trey, Kristin, Julia, and Ms.Terwilliger

Adrian Ivashkov Bloodlines Teaser

Ok, so I was over at NoraAdrienne's Reviews and saw this video...I had to go to YouTube and get it for my site. OMG...HOT!