Review: The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spin=off series, Bloodlines.
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 TAKE:
This book was just okay for me.

In The Golden Lily, Sydney and the vampires learn that there may be some truth to Clarence's crazy theory. Who are these vampire hunters and what could their existence mean for the future.

Plot-wise, I thought there were some high points and low points. One of those high points was the presence and purpose of the vampire hunters. It could lead to some very interesting stories in future books, and it works with what we already know with the first book and the VA series. One of the low points for me was the whole magic thing. I mean, I get that this is central to the series, but there were moments when it just felt forced to me.

As for the romance, the romance was just a little above average for me. As a couple, I do like them together, although Adrian's declaration of love is very similar to ones I've read in countless books and seen in many movies and television shows. As individuals, though, I'm not really a fan of Adrian or Sydney. Adrian gets on my nerves when he acts cocky, but I sympathize with him better now after that whole thing with his father. As for Sydney, I like rational Sydney, but when she goes into her scared Alchemist mode, it irritates me. It's like she has a split personality.

Jill and Angeline still haven't grown on me, but at least Eddie, Dimitri and Sonya were around, so I at least got to read about a few characters that I liked.

It's kind of funny, but for a good chunk of the book, I had no intention of continuing the series, but the ending, as always, was quite good and made me want to read what's next. I have a few other books on my to-be-read pile, but after that, we'll see if I still feel the pull to read this series.

THE GOOD:

1. The ending makes you want to read the next book.
2. There's a new group that could be an important part of the series.
3. The pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together.

THE BAD:

1. Sydney can be irritating. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

“Every relationship is different. Everyone loves differently.” 

READ IT IF:

1. You like forbidden romances.
2. You like bittersweet endings.
3. You like Adrian.

RATING:


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