Review: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3)

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the wordls of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets--and human lives.

The Indigo Spell, by Richelle Mead, is the third novel in the Bloodlines series. Once Adrian Ivashkov confessed his true feelings for Sydney Sage, it literally rocked her world. She then struggles to draw a boundary between her Alchemist teachings (which forbidden romance between humans and vampires) and what her heart truly desires (relationship with Adrian). Both have great chemistry together, but rules are rules. Her time in Palm Springs is supposed to be a mission as a undercover high school student to protect Jill Dragomir, a Moroi princess.

In the novel, she finally tracks down the elusive and mysterious Marcus Finch, an ex-Alchemist who the organization denies exist and lives in the shadows on the run. With a handsome smile, he is hard to resist in public among the ladies. He encourages Sydney to break her golden lily tattoo so that she is no longer under their control. With his help, Sydney finally realizes that the organization whom she has been most loyal to her entire life has been hiding secrets from her. What should Sydney choose: run away with Marcus and his Merry Men, or continue to search for the truth on her own terms?

Meanwhile, Sydney must tap her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting unaware young witches. Alchemists shun the use of magic, but she must use her knowledge to protect others and herself. Finding her own identity is much harder than she ever imagined. By following her heart instead of her brain, she may be able to finally figure out where she belongs. Unfortunately, life becomes more complicated when the help she seeks involves her own kin...

The plot keeps getting better and better. Sydney has matured so much from her staunch Alchemist ways in the latter half of the Vampire Academy series. She has become more at ease around dhampirs and Moroi, something that she never thought would be possible. She is also questioning her Alchemist teachings as she becomes more in tune with her witchcraft powers. At her age of eighteen, Sydney is finally starting to rebel against what she thought was sacrosanct and therefore undeniably right. She realizes that she must become her own individual by fighting for what she believes is right. No more hidden secrets or running away from her heart.

Since this is the series' midway point(Bloodlines will have a total of six novels), I can't wait to see how Sydney uncovers the truth about the Alchemists and faces her greatest challenges. Overall, I love this non-conformist side of her because she is using her intellect to scrutinize established norms and beliefs. With her growing magical powers, she will be quite a fighter. Stay tuned for the next Bloodlines novel, The Fiery Heart.

Review: House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires #7)

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

House Rules, by Chloe Neill, is the seventh novel in the Chicagoland Vampire series. Merit has been through several life-changing experiences. At the age of 27, the former University of Chicago graduate student becomes a sword-swinging vampire. She becomes Sentinel (literally the master guardian) of Cadogan House as she adjusts to her nocturnal lifestyle. She watched Chicago nearly burned to the ground, survived several assassination attempts, watched her Master rise and fall, and witnessed her best friend almost unleash a biblical evil into this world. Despite all of these encounters, a new danger appears in the Windy City that will test Merit's wit and resolve.

Cadogan House has voted to leave the Greenwich Pavilion (GP), the vampire central organization that oversees the vampire houses in North America. Before Cadogan vampires can prepare for this monumental event, two Rogue vampires vanish without a trace. Then, two more vampires at Navarre House are found dead with their throats slashed. Someone is targeting Chicago's vampires, and anyone could be next. The GP also does not plan to let Cadogan leave without one final test. Merit and her master, Ethan Sullivan, are running out of time to solve these multiple mysteries. Before they know it, their foe is more powerful, familiar, and dangerous than anyone can imagine.

Merit is a heroine again! With the help of her friends, they were able to take down the foe who wanted to eliminate vampires once and for all. No longer part of the GP, she and Ethan will tread into unfamiliar territory in the Midwestern city that never sleeps. I am glad that Cadogan House decided to leave the GP because they were taking the blame for too many incidents that were beyond their control and not directly their fault. This opens up a new chapter for Merit, who is not only Sentinel for Cadogan House but will become a guardian for all Rogue vampires as well. I can't wait to see what's in store for Merit this summer!

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampire series, Biting Bad

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Review: Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

Harry Dresden -- Wizard: Lost items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Blood Rites, by Jim Butcher, is the sixth novel in the Dresden Files series. A close friend and ally asks Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professionally-trained wizard, for his assistance on a new case. Dresden must work undercover as a production assistant on an adult film set. The director insists he's the target of a sinister entropy curse, but it's the women around him who are dying in bizarre ways.

Dresden is very frustrated with this case because he got involved only as a favor to Thomas. Dresden does not know what personal stake Thomas has in this case, until it leads him directly to Thomas' White Court vampire family. When Dresden discovers Thomas' shocking family secret, he has another problem on his hands: an ancient Black Court vampire with a heavy grudge has reappeared in the Windy City with a determination to eliminate Dresden once and for all. Dresden must recruit his friends and allies if he wants to survive in one piece.

Jim Butcher delivers another action-packed, riveting novel in the world of the Dresden Files. Harry discovers he has a blood-related sibling and new furry companion; that is, he is no longer alone in the world. This revelation will have a major impact on his view of life. Before he can rejoice, however, he has a lot of powerful enemies that want him dead. He will need all the help he can find to defeat the evil.

I like Butcher's writing style because he keeps readers engaged and suspenseful. Furthermore, Harry continues to uncovers secrets about himself and his potential as a good wizard. You never know what kind of dangers Dresden may stumble upon in Chicago, but he has become a more determined and righteous fighter for justice. I look forward to the next novel.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Dresden Files series, Dead Beat

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