Review: The Golden Lily

Title: The Golden Lily
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #3
Publisher: Razorbill
Find it here: Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Mysterious Galaxy
Source: Purchased

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?

My thoughts: 

I want to start this by saying that Richelle Mead writes the most amazing stories! I have yet to read one of her books that I don’t like! I've read all the Vampire Academy novels, the first and second in the Bloodlines series and I’m getting ready to start the second book in her Succubus series. I love them all! I just can’t get enough! You can bet that I will be buying the first book in her newest series, Gameboard of the Gods!

So pretty much in The Golden Lily, vampire hunters are after Sonia because they don’t believe that she is truly restored and Sydney is fighting her inner conscience about possibly using magic. That’s pretty much all that happens. Little side stories here and there, Adrian trying to be a better Adrian and of course the awesome ending and DIMITRI!

I love when I get to immerse myself with this world that I love so much. At first, Sydney was just an okay character for me when we first met her in the Vampire Academy series. But now I’m really starting to love her! She’s always looking out for other people while constantly reminding herself that she needs to keep everything professional because it’s her job. I also love her internal struggle and conversations with herself about magic. I knew it was just a matter of time before she gave in! The one thing that always annoys me is when she thinks she needs to be on a diet because being a size 2 isn't skinny enough. I HATE that! I wanted to give Adrian a big high five when he told her that she could stand to gain a few pounds! And speaking of Adrian and Sydney together!! We’re finally getting some sparks and passion! Dimitri is, of course, perfect and I just love how he always plays the protector role!

Needless to say, Bloodlines is one of my favorite series and The Golden Lily was just spectacular! I have to give The Golden Lily 5 hearts because I am on the edge of my seat waiting for The Indigo Spell!!