Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

As most of you may know, I win a lot of books and get a lot of books for blog tour reviews. This means I don't have time to borrow books from the library. However, this one time, I knew I had to make an exception, and STOP EVERYTHING. For this book, I was willing to put things on hold. And It only took me 2 days to finish it :)

If you've read Bloodlines, check out my review here.

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
by Richelle Mead
Released: June 12, 2012

Buy Here: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Book Depository

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

Roller coaster of logic, emotions, and stakes higher than the last!

Where do I even start with this book? I loved it, obviously. I think a character breakdown might be an easier way to break it down.

Sydney - Oh my goodness, Sydney. She was such an intelligent Alchemist and overall, a human being. She was also the most annoying, clueless person in the world. Half the time, I want to smack her. Was she that sheltered that she didn't know even the most basic rules of social interaction or clues? She'd seen death and violence left and right, but a little date, or some subtle moves from Adrian, she couldn't fathom in that brain of hers. Especially at the very end of the book, I wanted to smack her so hard hoping some sense might miraculously get into her.

Adrian - Wow, he sure showed his vulnerability in this book. I would admit that if I was in Sydney's position, I would also doubt Adrian's sanity. But come on, any idiot would notice that he liked Sydney in a way that he never did with Rose. I could see that he clearly wanted to be a better person because of Sydney. It's ridiculous how he was just bluntly rejected from time after time because his subject of affection was seriously dumb when it came to that kind of subject. I did admire his concern and protectiveness toward Sydney. Of course, I especially enjoyed the reason why he was Adrian - that smirk on his face, the witty comments, flirty banters, and the occasional seriousness when he wasn't distracted by slushes or shiny objects.

"Nice blouse, Sage. It really brings out the khaki in your pants."

Dimitri - he was still the Zen God in my eyes, and obviously in Sydney's eyes. Even with the little scenes he was in, he was the same intense dhampir that I'm sure we all fell in love with in the Vampire Academy series. My good friend Jen M. said that he was rude to Adrian. I didn't think he was. Sydney even pointed it out in her narrative. Adrian only took his words the wrong way because of how he felt about Rose. That obviously improved throughout the book. I also enjoyed the one scene when Rose called him and he just turned into mush. That was absolutely adorable. Any scene with him just had me letting out a contented sigh and a glow of happiness inside. (Cheesy much?)

We had just paid the check when Dimitri's cell phone rang. "Hello?" he answered. And like that, his face transformed. That fierceness I so associated with him softened, and he practically glowed. "No, no. It's always a good time for you to call, Roza." Whatever the response on the other end was, it made him smile.

Brayden - he was the most ANNOYING character I've read in a book. Seriously the most intellectual nonsense I've met. I wanted to smack him harder than I wanted to smack Sydney. It's sad to think that there might actually be real people out there who is just like him. He was so irritating discussing all the academic nonsense with Sydney. What was romantic in that? And he thought Sydney was heartbroken when he broke up with her? Oh my. I would have been so relieved and thanked him immensely. If he thought criticizing Sydney was endearing, then he seriously needed therapy.

Eddie, Jill, and Angeline - these three were a force to be reckoned with. First Eddie was all hung up and in love with Jill. Then Angeline came along and literally threw herself into Eddie, which made him miserable. Jill was happy with Micah until she realized it could never work. Now she had her sights on Eddie. But then, Angeline had an eye-opener and became a better person, so now Eddie turned his attention to her. Complicated, right?

Trey - I thought he was just a harmless supporting character. And then I read about the sun and its elaborate rays. I knew right then that he was one of the people that Sydney was looking for. He was so conflicted, I felt bad for him. It was like everyone in the book had similar issues - Trey, Sydney, and Adrian - they all had fatherly issues. I just hope Trey doesn't do anything stupid in the next book in hopes of proving himself worthy.

Nathan Ivashkov - I didn't know how bad things were until I read the scenes with Adrian's father, Nathan. He was so sure of himself, he practically crushed Adrian's worthiness as a person. I wanted to stake him myself for being so cruel to his son. Adrian was trying to be a better person, thanks to Sydney, but his dang father wouldn't even give him a chance.

Ms. Terwilliger - she was a crazy teacher, but with her constant push to Sydney, she just helped save not only Sydney's life, but the vampires that she was protecting. Despite Sydney's refusal to learn magic, I was excited that it was useful in times of need and, from what it seemed, filled Sydney with a sense of power and satisfaction.

Overall, I enjoyed this book as I did all the others. Check out my favorite Sydney and Adrian scenes!

S: "If you went twenty-four hours without cigarettes, I'd drink a can of pop. Regular pop. The whole can."

A: "You would not."

S: "I totally would."

Sonya: "Are you diabetic?"

A: "No, but Sage is convinced one extraneous calorie will make her go from super skinny to just regular skinny. Tragedy."

S: "Hey, you think it'd be a tragedy to go an hour without cigarette."

A: "Don't question my steel resolve, Sage. I went without one for TWO hours today."

S: "Show me twenty-four, and then I'll be impressed."

A: "You mean you aren't already? And here I thought you were dazzled from the moment you met me."

S: "Why are you asking if everything's real? You think I'd make any of this up?"

A: "No, no. That's what's so unbelievable about it. Is he cute?"

S: "Gee, maybe I should just send you a picture to review?"

A: "Yes, please. And a full background check and life history." 

S: "Really? You'd give up drinking to go see your dad?"

A: "Well, not permanently. That'd be ridiculous. But maybe I could switch to something slightly cheaper for a while. Like...slushes. Do you know how much I love those? Cherry, especially."

S: "Um, no." Adrian was easily distractible by wacky topics and shiny objects. "They're pure sugar."

A: "Pure deliciousness, you mean. I haven't had a good one in ages."

S: "Really? You couldn't have just said 'nice to meet you,' and let it go?"

A: "Just looking out for you, sis. Don't want you ending up with some deadbeat. Believe me, I'm an expert on that kind of thing."

S: "You've got a lot to say for a drunk guy."

A: "Oh, Sage. I've got a lot to say, drunk or sober. What most people don't get is that I'm more coherent like this. Less chance for spirit to make me crazy."

S: "Why on earth would you buy a car like this if you can't drive a stick? There are dozens of cars--New cars--that have automatic transmission. It'd be a million times easier."

A: "I like the color. It matches my living room." 

So tell me, have you read Golden Lily? Did you like it? How did you feel about the ending without spoiling it? That was so intense. Even though I want to know what happened next, I'm actually glad for a little break until the next book. Some time to breathe and let it all sink in.