Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #2
Publication: June 12th 2012 by Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult ~ Paranormal
Format: Paperback, 418 pages
Source: The Book Depository
Cover Rating: 5/5
Content Rating: 5/5

~Synopsis~

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.

My thoughts: 
The Golden Lily was brilliant, as is everything Richelle Mead writes. This book was one of my most anticipated books of 2012, —Along with books like City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey, Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost and Iced by Karen Marie Moning— so I have a lot to say about it. But I will try to supress my inner fangirl and not get stuck into a ranting fest, which will be very hard! 

*Spoilers Galore!*

The Golden Lily still revolves around Sydney and the others being in a boarding school in sunny Palm Springs to hide and protect Jill. Now, however there are some other characters joining the gang. Old ones, who we know from Vampire Academy like Sonya, Angeline and yes, Dimitri! (Get ready to swoon, ladies) But also new ones like Brayden. Also Trey, who was also in Bloodlines plays a bigger role in this one.
Dimitri and Sonya came to do experiments involving spirit, to learn more and maybe find answers. When Sonya and Sydney get attacked by humans they figure out vampire hunters really do excist. In the meantime more romance (yay!) happens and the end was just like BANG!

I can't form words to express how much I loved The Golden Lily. I was so happy to finally get back into this world with Sydney, Adrian, Eddie and the others. I had high expectations and I'm so glad to say that it was even better than I dared to hope! The characters all seemed to have grown a lot. Especially Jill. She seemed more mature and not so annoying. I can even say I like her now. Sydney as always is a great maincharacter. I love the fact that she's so different from Rose and I've always liked her more. 
Adrian was my highlight of the book, of course. It's no secret how much I adore him. I loved how he kept protecting Sydney over and over again. He just understands her better than anyone else so I couldn't help but notice how much he already cares for Sydney and I was simply giddy with the ending. Just perfect, even though Sydney didn't take to it too well. 
Adrian was even more sexier than usual in my eyes because in the beginning he send Sydney a message with a Les Miserables reference. How can you not love him for that? If you see below by quotes you'll see it there. 
I just have to say this about Dimitri. I loved him being there and when he talks about Rose, I just melt but I was sad to see how his pressence hurt Adrian. But other than that... love him! Also Eddie is really swoon worthy and fierce!

I can't believe I'm going to say this but this book was even better than Bloodlines. It was heart-stopping, with some action and finally romance! Also the things Adrian said to Sydney touched me deeply.

I can't wait until next february the third book (already!) comes out. I'll bet The Indigo Spell will be also simply amazing. If you haven't picked up The Golden Lily or the first book, Bloodlines and you have read Vampire Academy... Just do it! You won't be disappointed!

~Favorite Quotes~

Day 24. Situation is growing worse. My captors continue to find new and horrific ways to torture me. When not working, Agent Scarlet spends her days examining fabric swatches for bridesmaid dresses and going on about how in love she is. This usually causes Agent Boring Borscht to regale us with stories of Russian weddings that are even more boring than his usual ones. My attempts at escape have been thwarted thus far. Also, I am out of cigarettes. Any assistance or tobacco products you can send will be greatly appreciated. -Prisoner 24601

“We're going on a, um, windmill tour later this week." If I'd wanted to shut them all up, I'd definitely succeeded. They all looked stunned. Adrian spoke first. "I'm going to assume that means he's flying you to Amsterdam on his private jet. If so, I'd like to come along. But not for the windmills.”

“In fact I was fairly certain there was no one in the entire world quite like Adrian Ivashkov.”

How was it that Adrian Ivashkov, who never seemed to take anything seriously was the only one among these "responsible" people who paid attention to such small details? How was he the only one to really understand the magnitude of what I was feeling?

She said no, okay?" All the eyes that had been on me suddenly jerked toward Adrian. He leaned forward, fixing his gaze on Sonya and Dimitri, and I saw something in those pretty eyes I'd never seen before: anger. They were like emerald fire. "How many times does she have to refuse?" Adrian demanded. "If she doesn't want to, then that's all there's to it. This has nothing to do with her. This is our science project. She's here to protect Jill and has plenty to do there. So stop harassing her already!"" "Harassing is kind of a strong word," Dimitri said, calm in the face of Adrian's outburst. "Not when you keep pushing someone who wants to be left alone," countered Adrian. He shot me a concerned look before fixing his anger back on Sonya and Dimitri. "Stop ganging up on her." Sonya glanced uncertainly between us. She looked legitimately hurt. As astute as she was, I don't think she'd realized how much this bothered me. "Adrian... Sydney... we aren't trying to upset anyone. We just really want to get to the bottom of this. I thought all of you did too. Sydney's always been so supportive. "It doesn't matter," growled Adrian. "Take Eddie's blood. Take Belikov's blood. Take your own for all I care. But if she doesn't want to give hers, then that's all there is to it. She said no. This conversation is done.”

“You need me? You yell. You want to leave? We go. I'll get you out of here, no matter what.”

But perhaps the best part of all was that I, Sydney Katherine Sage, guilty of constantly analyzing the world around me, well, I stopped thinking.

About the author:

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author 
of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Find Richelle on her Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Blog

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