"The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead~A Bloodlines Novel

Fan, huge fan of "The Bloodlines" series of Richelle Mead!  I got caught up in this series when I picked up her first novel last year called "Bloodlines."  Warning:  it's better than her "Vampire Academy" books in my opinion.  But then, I'm a new convert...  "The Golden Lily" will not disappoint fans of either of her series of books;  however, I must tell you this is a case where I think it would be best if you read these in order.  There is a good deal of background character information that can't really be covered by jumping into this second book in the series.


Summary :

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.

Particulars of the Book :

Published by:  Penguin/Razorbill
Pages:  418
Author:  Richelle Mead
Genre:  YA/Fantasy/Vampires

You may want to purchase the book through:  Barnes & Noble  or  Amazon

You may want to know more about Ms Mead.  Find her website here:  Richelle Mead



A Bit More About Author Richelle Mead :

Richelle is the New York Times 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.


The Bookish Dame Reviews :

As the afore-stated huge fan of Ms Mead's, it comes easily to tell you that she is a wonderful writer of the vampire fantasy novel for young adult readers.  I'm always game for a good vampire novel and a beautiful cover image for my extensive library of this genre, so I was delighted when I found "Bloodlines," the first in her series.
In this second of that series Richelle spends time expanding upon her main protagonist, Sydney's character; i.e., her intellectual make up and her love life and her close association with a vampire watch group called The Alchemists. 

The further development of her beautiful crew of vampire characters is a special treat.  They are multidimensional.  The teen and early twenties vampires (even those who are ageless) are so beautiful in expression and physical description, it's hard not to fall for every single one of them.  Mead has a way of balancing their entries and exists in the plot to perfection so that we really become involved in their lives and in their different personalities.  I don't know how she keeps all those balls in the air, frankly.  At times, I found it difficult to follow, however, which brings me to a point...

It was nearly 200 pages into the 400 that I was really caught up in the story.  I felt that much of the book was playing catch up, and the base-building was slow and sometimes just too drawn out.  Sydney's meeting with her first "boyfriend" was bland and too much of a bore as a contrast with the soon to be set upon relationship with the gorgeous and sexy vampire Adrian.  (Not giving away much here so don't worry) So, it felt flat and unbelievable.

Without giving the story away, I have to say this book is not as good as the first one.  The characters are still very appealing, but the storyline lacked the original glimmer.  Though it took a while, it still came through in the end.  But, it nearly lost me!

What's really good in the book is the new and exciting news about the Alchemist group and hunting of the vampires.  It was especially interesting to see Sydney develop as a person, as well as she is growing up and experiencing more feelings and conflict over her place as an Alchemist and a friend of the vampire group.

Fans of Richelle Mead will no doubt stick with her on "The Golden Lily" and they should.  This is a good book and a good set up for her next one which I can only hope will be better.  It's just not excellent.  Her dedication in this book is to her son who was "born the day I finished this" book.  That may be the answer to why I found this one not quite up to her standards!  I can't imagine being pregnant and writing a book, let alone 9 months pregnant!

I'll be waiting in line for book 3 in the series, but cannot whole-heartedly endorse this one.  So, I have to give it a 3.5 stars...good but you may only want to purchase it in hardback if you need to have the series for your library collection.  The paperback will be beautiful, too, and less expensive!  If you're an ebook reader, go for it asap!

Thank you for stopping by on your very busy day.  I know you have other places to be and things to see!

Deborah/TheBookishDame