Every time I read this, it gets better and better. Marillier is one of my favorite authors, and this book never disappoints me.

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.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?



THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR BLOODLINES & THE GOLDEN LILY HERE. DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THEM.



I love this book. I really do. I got vampires, vampire hunters, more witchcraft and Alchemists. I love seeing Sydney open up more as a person, and I especially love her beginning to question the Alchemists. ALSO THE WARRIORS OF LIGHT?! WHAT IS UP WITH THEM?

The plot to this book just keeps bringing me back to re-read. The characters are much more comfortable in their skins, and I love the dynamic between each of them separately, as well as as a group.

I love Sydney and Adrian’s relationship. They’re very close as friends, and I feel like that’s how the best romantic relationships start. Jill’s growing up, and I love it. She’s fifteen, and while she still has some adorable ramble-y moments, she’s beginning to grow up into a fantastic woman.

Brayden was great. He had his purpose. I loved that Sydney got to be smart with him, and he made her realize that she is beautiful because of who she is, not despite it. Otherwise, he was kinda boring. And unmemorable, as mentioned by the rest of the members of the Melrose ‘family’. I got a kick out of the fact that no one but Trey could remember his name. I’ve had dates that my family could never remember, either. My advice? (Unwarranted as it may be,) After the third date, if your close family can’t remember your dates name because he’s boring? I don’t recommend another date.

And Sonya is probably my favorite character, aside from our main group, in this entire book. I want more on her. I want to know what she went through because of her use of spirit and lack of medication. I want to know how she and Mikhail met. (Also the name Mikhail is beautiful)

I would also like to mention that RICHELLE MEAD IS AWESOME FOR NOT WRITING A LOVE TRIANGLE INTO THIS. It would have been really easy to put a romantic relationship between Trey and Sydney, and I’m really really glad that she didn’t. I dislike love triangles in general, and they’re becoming quite a bit too common in literature nowadays, in my humble opinion. Good for you, Richelle Mead. I appreciate you and your glorious writing.

Also, I absolutely despise these book covers. Have I mentioned that before? I would very much prefer something that actually fit these books. It would be amazing. Really.

I can’t wait for The Indigo Spell to come out. I really can’t. I WANT MORE SYDNEY!