The Golden Lily By: Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily (Bloodline #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 418
Rating: 5/5

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

   Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

   Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.


   The Golden Lily is book two in author Richelle Mead's Bloodlines series. I've been a huge Vampire Academy fan for a long time now- I still sometimes am upset that I can no longer read about Rose and Dimitri's relationship :'( Luckily, when I read Bloodlines last year, I fell in love all over again. I was definitely eager to read The Golden Lily to see how Sydney's story progressed.


    Although not as physically strong and as tough as Rose, our main character Sydney is a powerful heroine in her own way- and I'm not just saying that because she's an Alchemist. We continue to see how she struggles to keep Jill Dragomir safe and hidden, while also observing how Sydney's perspectives on vampires are beginning to change. It was really interesting to see how Sydney began to really evolve as a character. I really felt that through her experiences in this book, her mental strength majorly grew-making me very curious to see how this growth continues in book three.

   What I love most about this series is how Richelle Mead ties over characters from Vampire Academy into this series. Because this story takes place in the same world and time period as Vampire Academy, we get glimpses of our favourite characters. In Bloodlines, our lovely Rose made a special appearance, and in The Golden Lily, the sexy Dimitri was quite involved in the plot. (I loved the little scene Mead included of Dimitri taking a phone call from Rose..ughh...it just melts my heart). In addition, Adrian Ivashkov is quite a main character in the Bloodlines series- I love it! Unlike in Vampire Academy where I was busy "shooing" him away from Rose, in Bloodlines I am absolutely  in love with his character! It's really nice to read about a character that you already have a lot of back story on- it's a very unique set up that Richelle Mead has created. 

   I felt the romance in this book took it a step further from Bloodlines. Although Sydney is dating Brayden, a guy that is ideally her perfect match (like perfect in a creepy, boring way), she is starting to have feelings for Adrian- a guy that she can't even consider pursuing. I don't want to give to much away but I was completely desperate for something to happen with Adrian and Sydney throughout the entire book! I was a mess really- making the ending that much harder! That ending seriously made me hop around in frustration....I need book three now!!

Favourite Quotes...

“Sage," he said. "What are you wearing?"I sighed and stared down at the dress. "I know. It's red. Don't start. I'm tired of hearing about it.""Funny," he said. "I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at it.” 

Adrian ordered a martini, earning disapproving looks from his father and me."It's barely noon," said Nathan."I know," said Adrian. "I'm surprised I held out that long too.” 

“You're in an awfully good mood," he observed. "Was there a sale at Khakis-R-Us?” 

Overall...

   Overall I absolutely loved The Golden Lily- I'm convinced Richelle Mead is impossible at creating anything less than addicting! Although not as mysterious as Bloodlines, The Golden Lily will sure leave you flipping pages like a maniac :) Book three, The Indigo Spell, comes out February 12,2013! You can read my cover reveal post HERE! What are your thoughts on The Golden Lily? Anxious for book three? Be sure to let me know in the comments and subscribe to my blog, or follow me on twitter to keep up to date with my latest review/news! Keep Reading!

Your Y.A. Bookworm,

Caitlin <3