The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead | Rating: ★★★★★

After months and months of waiting and being unable to find myself a copy of the third book in Richelle Mead’s phenomenal Vampire Academy spin-off series Bloodlines, I’ve managed to get my greedy and eager little paws on The Indigo Spell. I can’t tell you how excited I was to pick up where I left off in the fast paced world of magic, but let me say right away that The Indigo Spell did not disappoint!

Richelle Mead shows us no mercy with her mysterious settings, high stakes and steamy forbidden romance and once again pulls readers in within that very first chapter. The Golden Lily was the series at its very best, but The Indigo Spell follows Mead’s ability to just keep getting better and better as the series passes. Mixed with the perfect entanglement of angst, romance, magic and mystery, The Indigo Spell is sure to satisfy readers and leave them tripping around to get the next book.

In the time that we’ve known our leading lady Sydney Sage, we’ve seen her grow and grow right before out eyes.

Now, in this third installment, she continues on that path and finds herself confronting her own feelings just as much as she seeks out the truths of The Alchemists. She is faced with the realization that her life isn’t as she thought it’d be, and there are more secrets hidden away in the background.


But how does she know what is true and what is not?

And can she break free of the controlling environment she’d grown up with? We’ve seen her slowly think for herself, come out of her shell and break the chains that bind her–but how much further can she go without losing herself? And how does she know who she is at the end of the day?

Sydney comes to realize that the more time she spends with Jill, Eddie, Angeline and Adrian that the world isn’t at all what she thought it was. More importantly, she’s found something of a family within this circle and the attraction growing between herself and Adrian is only growing deeper as time goes by.

In spite of how much she wants to deny it.

The Alchemists and their betrayal are at the forefront of this installment, right along with the danger that lurks in the shadows when it comes down to Sydney’s powers and the mysterious woman who could very well drain her.

We see a bit more of the Warriors in this round as well, when Sydney discovers the possibility that they are working with the Alchemists and brewing some sort of trouble in the background. But is everything really as they say it is?

Sydney and Adrian work together, proving once more as they attempt to solve different things and protect each other that they work incredibly as a team. Not only is their chemistry off the charts, they genuinely radiate warmth and protection towards one another that will make you swoon.

And if it doesn’t, I don’t know what to say to you.

The Indigo Spell packs on the action as Sydney takes on a more hands on roll when it comes to protecting herself and those she loves, learning the truth and trying to figure out her own powers and feelings. I like that Sydney has always been a hands on kind of person, but in this one we explore it far more than previously.

I was bouncing around as she tried to find the mysterious Marcus Finch, a rogue Alchemist who keeps himself well hidden and opposes everything that the group stands for.

Sydney finds herself thrown into the dangerous mix as she realizes she really has been lied to all those years and begins to question whether her feelings were her own, or if the Alchemists were controlling her by her lovely tattoo.

Overall, the novel was a blast to read and really toyed with me throughout the chapters. I was so scared every time they came across a new revelation or challenge or obstacle; the danger was at a sincerely massive high. I loved the action and the mystery, the way it sets up the next installment and also mixes things up.

I loved, loved, loved the twist at the end! About who was out for more power and the way Sydney was ready to leave but didn’t because she didn’t think it would do any good.

And lastly, the final pages.

1. Sydrian. ‘nuff said.
2. Sydney’s surprise visitor.