Review: Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5)

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.

Silver Shadows, by Richelle Mead, is the fifth novel in the Bloodline series. In the previous novel (The Fiery Heart), Sydney risked everything to follow her instincts, walking a dangerous line to keep her romantic feelings for Adriana--a royal Moroi vampire--hidden from the Alchemists. Now separated away from everyone she loved, Sydney struggles to figure out how to survive psychologically and physically in an underground Alchemist re-education center. For Adrian, he must figure out how to keep sober and rescue Sydney. But first, he needs a strategic plan and some allies to break her out of her prison cell.

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 daunting 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.

I loved this book! I finished it in two days (literally). Mead beautifully described the budding (and forbidden) relationship between the two and how both grapple with their new realities separated from each other. Sydney experienced torture and fear in the re-education center, and learned the true face of the Alchemists, an organization she swore to serve. With her magical abilities, she makes the decision to defect from the ALchemists for good. Meanwhile, Adrian comes to terms with the realization that he cannot imagine a life without Sydney and will break away from Moroi traditions to follow his heart. There are also cameo appearances by Lissa, Rose, and Dmitri who sympathize with Adrian's position. The story was mesmerizing and engaging, a trait that I love about Mead. There was never a dull moment, and I hope that Adrian and Sydney find happiness despite whatever dangers lurk ahead for them. The Alchemists want Sydney back and the Moroi Court look down upon human mates -- can Adrian protect Sydney from the overwhelming odds stacked against them? I look forward to the next novel, which has a publication release date of February 2015.

Stay tuned for the final installment of the Bloodlines series, The Ruby Circle.