Waiting on Wednesday: Silver Shadows

For this week's Waiting on Wednesday, I've jumped back into the pile of books that I just can't wait to see released. And this week we're looking at Richelle Mead's fifth book in the Bloodlines series. Today we're talking about Silver Shadows.

Please beware as this may contain spoilers if you haven't yet read The Fiery Heart.

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 duanting 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. (From Barnes & Noble)

This is a series that I always wait breathlessly for the new installment. Richelle Mead is one of my favorite writers and I absolutely adore her style! She's my writing hero, and I love the way that she treats paranormal romance. She always has a new twist up her sleeve.

I'll definitely be looking forward to this novel when it comes out on July 29 from Razorbill. You might even catch me standing in line for a midnight release.

Feature Friday: Vampire Academy

Based on the New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, the movie version of the first novel hit theaters in the US today.

Unlike many recent young adult novel inspired films, Vampire Academy seems to be looking for both the male and female audience with its mix of humor, fantasy, romance, and action. I love that it's looking to bring more males into the theaters to enjoy this story.

Vampire Academy follows the lives of Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir, two students at the prestigious St. Vladimir's Academy. They're best friends, and they know just about everything about each other. And I mean everything. Because Rose and Lissa aren't normal friends. Lissa is a Moroi, a mortal vampire and a princess to boot, while Rose is her best friend and a Dhampir, a human/vampire hybrid training to be Lissa's guardian. Thanks to an accident, Rose is able to see inside Lissa's mind and emotions and tell when she's in trouble. But when the mysterious Dimitri Belikov steps into their lives, everything begins to change.

I remember the first time I read this book. I did it in a single day because I loved it so much. And I've read it a dozen times since then. It's a great story, least of all because there aren't any brooding vampires--Adrian and Christian notwithstanding. And it's filled with strong and vivid characters who are more than realistic, they're alive.

Although I haven't seen it yet, I fully intend to stop by the nearest theater to see Vampire Academy. 

And I'm going to bet it isn't going to suck.

The Fiery Heart By Richelle Mead

Bloodlines Series #4
Razorbill
November 19, 2013

SYNOPSIS

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 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 Sygney. 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 smoldering fourth installment of the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

REVIEW

Overall, I give The Fiery Heart an 5 out of 5. It's hard for me to find a Richelle Mead novel that I don't like. But this one was one that I honestly couldn't have lived without. This one was absolutely brilliant. Richelle Mead took my breath away and had me on my edge of my seat when it came to how Sydney got around the problems with her sister and her relationship with Adrian. It was so beautifully written and it completely made me fall in love with the series all over again!

The only thing I didn't like about this novel was how easily Adrian slipped back into his old habits after all the hard work he did throughout the book. However, his character growth throughout this book alone was wonderful. In comparison to how it was when he was introduced in Shadow Kissed--he's a completely different character in the very best way. Bravo!