[sixth read, January-February 2024]
I don’t even know what to say at this point. I’ve made the jokes, felt the feels, said I love this series in damn near every way under the sun. And it’s all true. I stand by every bit of it. Reading any VAU book will always feel like coming home to me, no matter how old I get or what else is going on in my life, and this time is no exception. 💗

I was overthinking things again, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a good thing Sydney busted Keith’s illicit operation for more than just the obvious reasons. If she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have been sent to re-education, and Lee would’ve targeted him instead. Keith probably would’ve died, which on its own wouldn’t be any real tragedy. (Sorry not sorry.) But then he wouldn’t have any knowledge of re-education, and thus couldn’t point Adrian and Marcus in the right direction when they’re looking for Sydney in Silver Shadows. It’s so fascinating to me to think that he, of all people, ends up being so vital to Sydney’s rescue—because without him, who knows how long it would’ve taken for them to locate her, or what might’ve been done to her in the meantime—and that things would have been so different if not for him.

[fifth read, October 2022]
Yep, still trash for this series.

Sydney, Eddie, Jill and Adrian are my favorite little dysfunctional found family and I’m so glad to be back. 💗

THEORY: Robert Doru is the spirit user that healed Lee. I know there’s no real reason to believe this is true and it could just as easily have been an unnamed Moroi we’ll never meet. Maybe Richelle doesn’t even know who it is. But in Spirit Bound, it’s mentioned that Robert had been holed up in Las Vegas for some time, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went back after Victor’s death in Last Sacrifice. Vegas isn’t too far away from LA, which seems to be where Lee always was, both as a Moroi and a Strigoi. It’s also mentioned in Spirit Bound that Robert had a bondmate that died. Maybe Lee was Robert’s bondmate, and that was the older man’s motivation to try to restore him from his Strigoi state. (The more I think about this, the less it makes sense, but whatever.)

[fourth read, October 2021]

Me in 2020: I’m 100% sure I am, and will always be, trash for this series.

Yeah, basically. Adrian trolling Keith, Sydney starting to care for Jill like a sister, the barest hints of Sydney and Adrian liking each other amidst all of the banter (which will always be ICONIC)… well, for lack of a better word, it’s iconic. ;))

Being back in this world, with these characters, has literally made my entire week. I know they’re going to break my heart, but I don’t care, because they’ve stolen my heart. Forever obsessed. 🥹🥹

Also, this whole squad must be protected. At all costs. 💗

[third read, June 2020]
Me in 2019: I’m 97% sure I’m still trash for this series.
Me in 2020: I’m 100% sure I am, and will always be, trash for this series.

Some thoughts:

[second read, September 2019]
Although my reread ended up taking two weeks, I thoroughly enjoyed my return to this series. Much like with Vampire Academy, I now realize that the objective quality of this novel is questionable, but I loved, laughed, and lamented all the same.

Bloodlines brings back the world and politics I’m so fond of and shines the spotlight on some minor characters introduced in the original series. It introduces new schemes and a delicious, denial-ridden slow-burn romance. And, if memory serves, for every heartwarming scene in the remaining five installments, there will likely be twice as many that are utterly heartbreaking.

I could say more, but even these simple paragraphs have been a struggle. Apparently after midnight I forget how words work and can’t eloquently express any thoughts.

To put it simply, I love Sydney and Adrian with everything in me, and I’m 97% sure I’m still trash for this series. On to book two!

[first read, September 2016]
I went into this with high expectations after finishing VA, but not really sure what to expect. As usual, Richelle has awed me! I love how drastically different both the story and lead characters are in this book from VA. Less important characters get their turn in the spotlight, Adrian included, and I was so happy about that. There wasn't romance, but I think/hope something will develop between Sydney and Adrian later because it would be cute and humorous. And while the first half was slower, the second half (so roughly the last 220 pages) had me hooked. I can't wait to continue this series! (Although I'm expecting serious feels and heartbreak, after my history with this world.)

[reread, October 2022]
I’m not sure how many times I’ve read this over the last couple of years, when I needed a pick-me-up or missed Romitri or both. It felt fitting to revisit after finishing Last Sacrifice earlier today, and as always, it made me so incredibly happy. I love seeing Rose call Dimitri her badass battle god, and seeing the Belikovs again, and finally seeing my babies happily together. 💖💖💖

[first read, June 2020]
I would happily read another six book series about Rose and Dimitri. This was only 24 pages but I absolutely loved it. Very amusing and wholesome.

[sixth read, February-March 2024]
I think I’ve well and truly run out of things to say, at least for now. Except, maybe, that I’ll never get tired of watching Sydney and Adrian fall in love. I’ve long since memorized these books, but the same little moments between them still get me every time. 🤍

[fifth read, October 2022]
2016 me really said with her whole self that this book has “a surprisingly cute love triangle.” Girl, what??? There is NOTHING cute about Brayden. That boy has as much personality as a limp, overcooked noodle. And when his competition is Adrian Ivashkov??? He doesn’t stand a CHANCE. 💁🏼

Sydney: I want pomegranate gelato.
Brayden: Dessert? Gross. We should have tea instead. Tea is better. No extra calories that way. 🥸
Adrian: Your wish is my command, Sage. I will hand-deliver a carton of gelato to you that I bought myself because I just want to make you happy. 👉🏻👈🏻

I rest my case. And yes, those are nearly exact quotes.

[fourth read, October 2021]
If someone said to me what Adrian said to Sydney, I sure as hell wouldn’t walk away. My girl, we need to have a CHAT.

Also, Sydney and Dimitri being friends is a small detail I didn’t know I needed in my life. I keep forgetting that this is a thing but just… I love it!!

And I absolutely love Dimitri’s reaction to getting a phone call from Rose. 🥺🥺

In conclusion, there is not a single part of this book I don’t love. (Except maybe Brayden, because he’s somehow pretentious and bland AF at the same time.)

[third read, June 2020]
She remembers that he loves cherry slushes and he remembers that she craves pomegranate gelato. They are perfect and I won’t be accepting arguments at this time. I’m stressed enough by their adorable dynamic and her denial of everything good!!!!

[second read, September 2019]
What a ride!

Mead’s writing might be simple and occasionally cheesy, but it’s delightful nonetheless. There’s always a perfect mix of banter and romance amidst the complex chaos of the overall plot. Each novel manages to be even more fun, emotional, and phenomenal than the previous in the series, and The Golden Lily was no different.

In this story, many new elements are introduced: magic is learned, risks are taken, a new enemy is added to the fray. Dimitri and another character that ended up being unexpectedly vital to the final book in the original series return (unfortunately, without Rose), something I enjoyed possibly too much. If asked to choose between Dimitri and Adrian, I legitimately couldn’t; I love both of them wholeheartedly.

While on the topic of romance, I can’t help but wonder why Mead decided to add a character specifically to be Sydney’s love interest. Brayden isn’t a bad guy and, admittedly, is a perfect match to Sydney’s naturally nerdy nature, but he can’t compete with Adrian. No one could possibly compete with their easygoing friendship, laden with romantic tension. And that ending! Though not a cliffhanger, per se, the final pages warmed my heart and then turned off the heat with no warning. (I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I’m going with it.)

Unfortunately, alongside everything Mead did right, there were a few things she did wrong. There were two specific elements, minor though they were, that I had issues with: Sydney’s personal body shaming as she longs for a vampire’s thin figure, despite the fact that she’s already thin, and the casual, inappropriate use of the word “crazy”. The first explains itself, in my opinion. As for the second, Adrian possesses a rare kind of vampiric magic that is known to compromise the user’s mental state, and he makes multiple self-deprecating jokes about it. A similar problem caught my attention in the original series, and to be honest, seeing it again is kind of disappointing.

I think that’s everything? This is the eighth consecutive novel by Mead that I’ve reread, and I’m sure anyone that reads my reviews already knows how thoroughly obsessed I am. No need to repeat that when I could go start the third book!

[first read, October 2016]
I’m grateful that Social Book Co. was able to send me a copy of The Golden Lily, and that it didn’t disappoint. It might’ve been off to a slightly slow start, but it ended up being a thrilling read with unbelievably realistic characters, a surprisingly cute love triangle, and an ending that will leave readers eager for more. I know I’ll be reading the third book as soon as I possibly can.

Storygraph says I’ve read this book twice, once unspecified and once now, but in truth, I’ve read these books more than any others. I found TLT in Walmart when I was seven, and I’ve loved it ever since. Considering I haven’t picked it up since at least my early years of high school—or maybe even longer—a reread was long overdue.

Is this book perfect? No. But it’s a hell of a lot of fun, and Percy and co will always have a special place in my heart. It feels so good to be back. 💙

Representation:

[fifth read, November 2022]
Add one more to the tally of how many nights I’ve been up way too late thinking about Sydrian, how perfectly adorable they are, and all of the brilliant little details and symbolism in this series. There’s no brainrot quite like VAU brainrot. 🥹💗

[fourth read, November 2021]
“‘Let me get this straight. The future of our relationship hinged on advice from a fifteen-year-old girl, a probably untrue story from a one-eyed Chihuahua trainer, and me unromantically—yet skillfully—kissing you on top of silverware and china?’”

“‘Did you name the Mustang too?’
‘I think you mean the Ivashkinator.’
‘I told you I loved you, right?’
‘Yes. Many times.’
‘Good. Just making sure, Miss ‘I’m a Quick Study.’’
‘I’m never going to live that down, am I?’
‘Live it down? Hell, I’m going to hold you to it.’”

Hi, my name is Olivia and I’m hopeless Sydrian trash. :’) Also, I love Hopper!! 10/10, must protecc, would like my own.

Other comments:

[third read, June 2020]
I’ve seen a quote from The One by Kiera Cass around the internet and, although I never read past the first book in that series, it’s been in the back of my mind for years.

”Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.”

Now I know why. Not only does it describe Adrian’s feelings for Sydney, it also perfectly summarizes my own feelings as I read about the two of them.

[second read, September-October 2019]
I’m running out of ways to praise these books.

I loved The Indigo Spell for many reasons and, in general, thoroughly enjoyed my reread. Sydney and Adrian have one of the best slow-burn romances I’ve read to this day...for a straight couple, anyway. ❤️

[first read, January 2017]
Everything about this was just great!! It was a thrilling ride, like all of the other VA/BL books. I really enjoyed the questioning loyalty storyline, and the more in-depth exploration of this world's unnatural magic system. The callistana was so cute! All the characters were awesome, and Adrian remains my favorite. His and Sydney's romance is perfection and I love that it was starting to really develop in this one! Also, that ending. Very excited to read #4!!

And I'm LIVING for the Rose and Dimitri cameos! They only appeared once but I loved it! Here's to hoping for more in future books, like the unapologetic fangirl I am. ;)