Book Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Title: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 12th Febuary 2013
Read In: Febuary 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

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.

This is a review for the third book in the series and therefore it may contain spoilers for Bloodlines and The Golden Lily.

I cannot believe that it has been three and a half year since I picked up Vampire Academy. Here I am, eight books into the world, and I am still in love with it. The Indigo Spell is a brilliant new edition to the world of Moroi, Strigoi, Alchemists and more.

‘If I keep loving you, maybe you’ll eventually crack and love me too. 
It was ludicrous, you couldn’t make someone love you just by loving them. It didn’t matter how charming he was, how good looking, or how funny. An Alchemist and a Moroi could never be together. It was impossible. 
I’m pretty sure you’re already half in love with me.
Very impossible.’

There are two, not one, but two problems that Sydney has to deal with; one with Marcus, the other with Miss Terwiliger’s magic classes. I really enjoyed how the two were blended together. Although how Sydney manages to keep up with her homework I have no idea. It was pretty full on. I just had to keep reading. It is very hard to say anything about the plot without ruining it. You know how it is. Let’s say with the two problems, the tension is upped as is the threat, not just to Jill but, of course, to Sydney herself. This series is definitely heading in a direction I didn’t expect.

I didn’t know how I would feel about Sydney’s developing magical powers at first but it kicked it up a notch in this one. It just seemed to fit with Sydney slowly breaking away from the Alchemists. She gets to learn some pretty impressive stuff. I am wondering where this will lead.

When the Bloodlines series was announced, and that Sydney and Adrian were the leads, my first reaction was, “Oh God. How does that work?” I could not see them together. They are totally different people. Now we are on to book three, and oh boy has Sydney changed. Her view of the world, of other people and how she acts had gradually changed, especially in this one. Talk about challenging beliefs. Adrian has also changed, even if it is not so dramatic. He has matured, that, I feel, is the main thing. He wants different things with Sydney than he did with Rose. You can see that more clearly. I would call it healthier, even if the situation is not so healthy. Sydney and Adrian are now perfect together. I loved reading more about them. After the ending in The Golden Lily, we definitely needed more in this book. Things will never be the same. Each scene together made me smile.

There is no love triangle. I know there were rumours going around but let’s be fair there wasn’t any evidence that a love triangle would occur between Sydney and Marcus. Just guess work based on prior stereotypical YA experience. I would like to thank Richelle Mead for not going down this root. A love triangle wouldn’t have worked. We already have too much of an emotional rollercoaster ride with Sydney and Adrian. But Marcus still has a good part to play. His ideas and beliefs intrigue me rather than him as a person. Looking forward to seeing the part he plays next.

Unfortunately, I am still not as captivated with the whole Jill, Eddie, Angeline drama as I would like. Unlike Christian and Lissa in the Vampire Academy, I am not falling in love with any of the possible couples yet. With everything else going on with Sydney, it feels really side-lined and a tad unnecessary. I am really hoping it builds in the second half of the series.

Richelle Mead is famous for her book three endings. I am not sure this goes up there with the dramatic or heart-wrenching factor. Not in the way I am use to anyway. Oh, it was heart-wrenching but for a different reason to what I expected. Vague, I know. The last two pages however. Let’s just say I swore and couldn’t stop laughing with agony that I have to wait until the end of the year for the next book. Definitely the best cliff-hanger, of the series, so far.

Heart-wrenching, captivating, this is Richelle Mead. I cannot wait to see where this series is heading. Yes, it is still somewhat unclear. An excellent addition. I love it.

 Becky

Book Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1)
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: 13th September 2013
Read In: February 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

Kami Glass is in love with someone she's never met - a boy the rest of the world is convinced is imaginary. This has made her an outsider in the sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale, but she doesn't complain. She runs the school newspaper and keeps to herself for the most part - until disturbing events begin to happen. There has been screaming in the woods and the dark, abandoned manor on the hill overlooking the town has lit up for the first time in 10 years. The Lynburn family, who ruled the town a generation ago and who all left without warning, have returned. As Kami starts to investigate for the paper, she finds out that the town she has loved all her life is hiding a multitude of secrets- and a murderer- and the key to it all just might be the boy in her head. The boy who everyone thought was imaginary may be real...and he may be dangerous.

There were elements that I did like, especially where they were non-stereotypical YA. However I struggled to get into the story.

‘Kami had been hearing a voice in her head all her life. When she was eight, people had thought it was cute that she had an imaginary friend. It was very different now that she was seventeen. Kami was accustomed to people thinking she was crazy.’

The relationship between Kami and Jared is complex; having known each other all their lives but not actually believing the other was real. To suddenly discover that they are real, that would mess with your mind. They know each other and yet they don’t know each other. I liked watching their relationship develop.

What are the Lynburns? What is their past? What made this book more interesting is not even Jared, the male lead, knows what is going on. Normally the male leads are the ones with all the answers. It was nice both of them discovering things together. Especially since Jared is a Lynburn.

Unspoken has two diversions from the typical YA I read. One, it is set in England rather than America. I picked up the book waiting to discover what area of American it will be set only to find is based in a fictional English town. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is Unspoken set in England but it is set in the Cotswolds, a quaint, typical English countryside. While I grew up in the south east, close to London, my family originated from these areas. While I am not the sort that enjoys visiting small villages in the middle of nowhere, I have frequently been to Bath and occasionally Gloucester. Getting back to my roots. I liked this change in setting. Very rarely do I read a book set in England and normally they are set in London. 

Secondly, the main character, Kami, is of Asian descent. Asian and other characters of foreign descent are slowly becoming more common place in YA but normally they are secondary. To have the main heroine as Asian is definitely a nice change. There is even a picture of an Asian model on the UK cover.

Unfortunately, while there were parts I liked, there were parts I couldn’t get into. I struggled sometimes to get inside the head of Kami. I think this was partially due to the way it was written. It is written in third person but quiet distantly. We don’t get much of her thoughts which I would have preferred. Just thoughts aimed at Jared. Scenes that involve people getting hurt felt a bit distant as well. Kami and some of the other character felt a bit too so-so about certain situations. Someone tries to her kill her friend. This is a big deal. Doesn't feel like it.

Another thing I struggled with was getting absorbed in the story. While I found the mystery somewhat interesting, the plot jumps around. While this could be considered fast paced, I felt it was too fast. A new scene would crop up and I wasn’t sure how if flowed with the previous one. I kept losing my sense of what was happening. 

While I felt this book had great potential it unfortunately didn’t cut it for me. Unable to connect with the characters or plot, I struggled especially towards the end. I wanted to like it but I couldn’t. It was ok overall. 

Becky

Waiting on Wednesday #23

Hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read.

Title: Edge of Dawn (Midnight Breed #11)

Author: Lara Adrian
Publisher: Canvas
Release Date: 21st February 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

Twenty years after "First Dawn" - the morning that followed a blood-soaked night where Mankind learned that vampires lived among them - wars and skirmishes continue. Peace between humans and the Breed seems elusive, but the Order and their allies will not rest until it is won. For Mira, raised with the Order from the time she was a child and now the formidable captain of her own team of warriors, the fight is personal. War with mankind has cost her a great deal - the life of someone she loved dearly. Vowed to avenge his death, Mira blazes into every battle like a Valkyrie - until an unexpected encounter with a rebel leader brings her face-to-face with a startling truth, and a betrayal that will cut through her every defence...straight to the core of the wounded woman whose faith has never been more tested, nor her heart more deeply torn.

With the jump of twenty years from the end of book ten, I cannot wait to see what has happened to everyone and to see how the younger characters have grown. Also to jump back into all the Lara Adrian goodness.

Becky

Book Promo: Mystery Falls by Marilyn Phillips

Title: Mystery Falls
Author: Marilyn Phillips
Publisher: Marilyn Phillips
Release Date: 3rd July 2012

Goodreads - Smashwords

Secrets. Lies. Deception. For the past six years, Samantha Hunt has lived with the belief that the untimely death of her parents was the result of an unfortunate accident—that by the cruel hand of fate, she had been left an orphan. But it was a lie, a terrible lie told to her by those who wanted to keep her in the dark. And the truth... when revealed, will change her life and haunt her forever.
Suddenly plagued by a series of events which find her in danger and in need of a savior, Samantha is repeatedly rescued by the mysterious and elusive Shadow—a stranger who seems to know more about her past and the tragedy which befell her family, than she does. Drawn to him despite the antagonism she feels whenever in his presence, Samantha soon discovers that Shadow is not what he appears to be. Determined to learn his true identity and why he has come to Mystery Falls, the small town in which she has spent all of her seventeen years, Samantha not only uncovers the secrets he refuses to share, but also the truth about her own past. A truth which forces her to acknowledge that things are not always as they seem, and sometimes, not even those close to you can be trusted.
Resolved to seeking justice for the unwarranted death of her parents, Samantha embarks on a journey which brings her perilously close to her own demise. Can Shadow use his angel powers to save her yet again, or this time, will he be too late.

Becky

Book Review: River's Recruit by Charlotte Abel

Title: River's Recruit (Sanctuary #1)
Author: Charlotte Abel
Publisher: Charlotte Abel
Release Date: 12th November 2012
Read In: December 2012

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com

*I received this book for review as part of the book tour*

Jonathan McKnight lost everything in Afghanistan. His left hand, his identical twin and his self-respect. He searches for redemption during a solo backpacking trip into the remote Sawatch Mountains of Colorado and discovers a secret tribe of shifters.
River, the beautiful young shifter that rescues Jonathan from certain death, wants to recruit him. He is equally determined to rescue her from her cult-like society — even if he has to kidnap her.

Oh this is just the sort of book I needed; a good society, good characters and a good mystery that I can get my teeth into.

“Something growled.

The sound came from deep inside the mine. Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all Jonathan slid out of the sleeping bad and fumbled around in the dark for his flashlight.

He directed the beam into the tune. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Is that a wolf? The animal was freaking huge; black with a diamond shaped patch of white fur between its glowing, blue eyes. Blue? Didn’t wolves have yellow eyes?”

The main feature of the book, that I love, is the slow unveiling of the story, the discovery. What I enjoy the most when reading any book is following the characters through their story and slowly seeing bits and pieces about their world come together. I had read too many books recently where the character are sat down and told everything all at once. That’s boring. Straight away we got thrown into River’s world. Straight away, I knew I was going to love this one. 

I had read many paranormal societies in my many years of reading paranormal. This was the first time in a while were a close knit shape-shifter society felt real. A few in the past felt a little fluffy, more innocent for a younger audience. This had a darker edge. It was a totalitarian society that didn’t feel too extreme that it became unreal. Yes it was a harsh society but it didn’t feel unbelievable. I wanted to find out more. 

This is an alternating point of view book, changing between River and Jonathan. We also got the occasional Eli. I loved all of the characters. They had their own personality. And none of them were overly stereotypical. I loved all of them but especially Jonathan. I connected with him very quickly. He loses his brother very early on but straight away I felt his pain. I loved his connection to River. Even though fantasy shape-shifting bonding is part of the story, it was not insta-love. It felt real. River and Jonathan’s relationship was set at just at the right pace. I loved seeing it develop.

As for the story, I wasn’t sure where it was going to go once they met. It was exciting and unpredictable. There is more depth to the connections of the characters that I originally thought. It was great. I wanted more. Unfortunately, the story ended too soon. Where I expected the story to reach a climax, a destination where all the events were heading, it didn’t really happen. Tension, tension, tension … where is the rest of it? It wasn’t really a cliff-hanger; it felt like I was just missing the last part at the book. The book didn’t really feel complete. 

Overall, I thought this this was a great start to the series and I am really looking forward to seeing where book 2 takes us. Go check River’s Recruit out. 

Author Info

Charlotte Abel was born and raised in Oklahoma where she met her soulmate, Pete. She chased him to Boulder, Colorado and finally convinced him they were meant to be together forever. They've raised three kids, two ferrets, three dogs and countless hamsters -- and are still happily married.
She's in love with "real" life and paranormal romance. When she's not reading or writing, Charlotte enjoys hiking, bicycling and primitive archery (although she's never shot at anything other than a target!)
The final book of The Channie Series, "Finding Valor," should be available by Christmas.

Website: http://charlotteabel.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: charlotte_abel

This review is part of the blog tour for River's Recruit hosted by Supagurl tours.
Click here to see the other blogs participating.

Becky