Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

Title: The Ruby Circle
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #6
Publication: February 10th 2015 by Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

 

The epic conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series is finally here...

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.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world.

The Ruby Circle was a amazing conclusion to a series that has meant a lot to me. For the last four years I was lucky enough to read books in this world and now that it has all ended I feel both glad and sad to have been on this journey. I'll miss these characters a lot - especially Adrian - but the ending couldn't have been more perfect. 

As always I enjoyed reading about both Sydney and Adrian a lot. People who know me even a little bit know how much I love Adrian. These past years he's been my favorite character and I can only applaud Richelle Mead for writing him and been able to see him grow and change (for the better) as a character, especially in the Bloodlines series. I'm pretty sure that everyone who's read both Vampire Academy and Bloodlines can agree that the Adrian we met in Frostbite (vampire academy #2) isn't the same guy that we've come to know through the Bloodlines series. And that's pretty remarkable. 

But anyway, on to The Ruby Circle. I obviously loved it. Quite a few things got resolved and some unexpected twists (read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about) honestly freaked me out (in the best way!). I love Sydney and Adrian's relationship but right from the start it's very clear they have some issues that are unresolved. They both have flaws but they trust each other completely and they're both equally fierce in wanting to protect one another. I love them. 

As it was the last Bloodlines book a lot familiar characters made an appearance. Rose and Dimitri were a pretty big part of the book. I always enjoy reading about them and knowing what's going on with them. Let's just say that I'm pleased with where their life is taking them with what I read at the ending. Of course other familiar people were in it, but I won't bore you with naming them all. 

I also really liked the action, there was a lot of it in the book. Both Sydney and Adrian are pretty badass in their own way. Sydney with her magic and Adrian with his spirit magic (although I hated seeing what it did to his sanity). They might've not have a lot of time for romance but the moments they could steal together were intense, sweet and just absolute. The Center Will Hold!

As far as series endings go, The Ruby Circle is one of my favorites. I managed only just not to cry, but I was very emotional reading those last few pages. Of course I wish there would be more books coming or another spin-off but I think the ending that Richelle Mead created is good as it is and I'm okay with it being the end. All I can do now is maybe re-read the books and fall in love with these characters all over.

       About the Author:

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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. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths. She received a liberal arts degree from the University of Michigan, an MA in Comparative Religion from Western Michigan University, and a Master in Teaching (Middle & High School English) degree from the University of Washington. In the end, she decided writing was the way for her but believes all of her education prepared her for it.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When not writing,, she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. Lots of dresses. She is a self-professed coffee addict, fights a constant (and losing) battle with procrastination, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Her adult series are published by Kensington Books. The Georgina Kincaid Series (Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, Succubus Dreams, and Succubus Heat) tell the humorous and heart-breaking story of a reluctant succubus who can't touch the man she loves without dire side effects. On top of that, she must deal with Hell's middle management team and the many supernatural threats that come her way. Richelle's Dark Swan Series (Storm Born and Thorn Queen) follows Eugenie Markham, a free-lance shaman who battles ghosts and fey that sneak into our world from the Otherworld. When an alarming prophecy suddenly makes her every Otherworldly creature's object of desire, Eugenie must dodge their advances while also fighting a dark power rising within her.

Richelle's YA series, Vampire Academy, is published by Razorbill Books (Penguin) and thus far contains Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, and Spirit Bound. This New York Times and USA Today bestselling series has won honors from the American Library Association and been translated into 30 languages. It follows the war between two races of vampires, living and undead. Rose Hathaway, a 17-year old half-vampire, is training to be a bodyguard for the living vampires and finds her life complicated by the dangers that involves, as well as an illicit romance with one of her teachers.