Book Review: The Indigo Spell (Re-read)

The Indigo Spell(Bloodlines #3)

by Richelle Mead
Hardcover, 401 pages
Published February 12th 2013 by Razorbill
Source: Purchased

Summary:

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 first read The Indigo Spell a day after its release but I re-read it in preparation for the upcoming release of The Fiery Heart.

Review:

You have no idea just how much I’m in love with this series. I have always been little biased with its little imperfections. It was always so easy to overlook the flaws in the books because I was doe-eyed for the Sydney and Adrian tandem. Sydrian is like my ultimate couple crush. They are the total opposite of one another but they are so cute and so perfect and their banters are always to die for!

Since the first book, I had always been Sydrian-centered and didn’t care too much about the plot. In The Indigo Spell, it was really hard for me to keep a blind eye on the flaws no matter how much I tried not to dwell on them. I tried to focus on my favorite couple like I always do. However, I found it difficult to do just that because the problem does not only lie on the plot, but Sydrian itself. It pains me to admit that I am disappointed with how things went in The Indigo Spell. Maybe I daydreamed too much about TIS. Since after reading The Golden Lily, I would daydream about what might happen on TIS that I’ve developed a fantasy plot that, well, suited my fantasy more than TIS did. Maybe it’s also because I read too much fanfictions and gushed too much with other Bloodlines-obsessed fans, but nevertheless, The Indigo Spell didn’t quite reach my level of expectation.

My primary issue about The Indigo Spell is how fast Sydney and Adrian’s relationship developed. I know it’s ironic that my most anticipated event in Bloodlines is now my biggest issue. Moreover, it has taken two books before “it” happened so it shouldn’t be considered a speedy development at all. However the events leading up to it in this book could have been executed much better. I was also a little disappointed with Marcus. I expected him to have a huge role but he came and went too fast. Plot-wise though, The Indigo Spell is very well-paced for the most part. I think the last few chapters were a little abrupt but I’m okay with what happened there, especially the ending! Oh, I am more than okay with the ending. I think the plot is also an improvement from the previous books though some parts are still messy. It was predictable and unpredictable both at the same time. Richelle will lead you to think of the answer to the mystery which you’re probably going to be right about at first because the answer will be staring right at your face, but then she’d pull some tricks that are so unpredictable it will ultimately make you speechless.

As far as sequels go, TIS is still a delightful read with lots of kisses and if anything, rereading this only made me more obsessed about the series. I’m as excited as ever to read The Fiery Heart and see what Richelle has in store for her readers.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars