Vouched Book! The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell
Richelle Mead
Book #3 of the Bloodlines series
Publication: February 12th 2013 by Razorbill
Genre: YA Paranormal

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In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

I'm one of the Richelle Mead's fans who love the Bloodlines series as much as Vampire Academy. Yes, the dynamics are different—where VA revolved around vampires and warrior vampire half-breeds, with a side of elemental magic, Bloodlines focuses more on humans and witchcraft, with dashes of vampires. But I love how, despite the perspective switch, the author continues to deliver strong females, swoon-worthy males, and a series plot arc peppered with individual subplots and conflicts.

Sydney Sage may not be a Rose Hathaway, but she does have an unyielding loyalty to those she cares about and a very strong conviction in her beliefs and what's right. In The Indigo Spell, the foundation of those beliefs is shaken. She finally has to decide on which side she stands: The Alchemists, the vampires, the humans, or the witches. As she begins to uncover the secrets of multiple organizations, discover the power held within her, and experience love (a forbidden one, at that), Sydney gloriously pulls a Rose-move: She makes her own rules. She makes her own side and choices. Her character development was wonderful, and I still smile when I think of how far the uptight, regimented heroine transforms into a calculating rebel.

Of course, the relationship between her and Adrian turns my smile into a gushing grin. If I wasn't convinced they belonged together before, their interaction in The Indigo Spell would have. Adrian fans will love this book. He's more charming and loyal than ever, but he also does a bit of growing himself. He's no longer the pretty party boy and moody, love-sick, heartbroken pup. He's mature, his jokes tasteful and less sarcastic, his concern more heartfelt and deep, and every single one of his lines made me laugh out loud and swoon like never before. Here's a taste:

"I'll just love you whether you want me to or not ... I don't care if you say we can't we be together. I don't care if you think I'm the most evil, unnatural creature walking this earth ... I'm going to just go on loving you, even if it's hopeless ... If I keep loving you, maybe you'll eventually crack and love me too ... You can think what you want, so long as you remember—no matter how ordinary things seem between us—I'm still here, still in love with you, and care about you more than any other guy, evil or otherwise, ever will."

I would've liked further development in the Alchemist plot, though, especially concerning the series as whole. I felt there wasn't enough progression in that aspect, like this book was a filler, a setting up of a major conflict to come. That might be because I was expecting something epic to happen, like in VA's Shadow Kiss or Blood Promise, which is unfair of me because Sydney's life is irrevocably altered in The Indigo Spell. I also wasn't a fan of Marcus Finch. He may be irresistibly charming and the bad boy rebel, but both felt superficial. I am grateful, however, that Richelle Mead didn't delve into the love triangle we get so often in the YA genre.

Overall, I loved the book. I just don't know if I can say it was my favorite. There were parts I absolutely adored more than the previous books, but some aspects I hoped were expanded upon. I'd still strongly suggest this series to Richelle Mead fans if you haven't already started it. The characters left behind without a happy ending from VA series grow into ones you'll love just as much, and you'll get to multiple glimpses into many of VA's main characters. Sonya and Mikhail, Rose and Dimitri, even Christian and Queen Lissa, make appearances in The Indigo Spell.