Good+Book+Reviews

> 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. I've said this before when I first reviewed Bloodlines and I'll say it again... (I totally just quoted myself right there.)
 * The Golden Lily**
 * By Richelle Mead**
 * Release Date**: June 12th, 2012
 * Number of Pages**: 418
 * Format**: Hardcover
 * Purchase**: __[|(BookDepository)]__ __[|(Amazon)]__
 * "**//Any arguments you may have that Dmitri is "awesomesauce" are invalid here. Adrian is #1, tis the rule of the universe so you might as well live with it. [insert evil laughter]//**"**

After absolutely adoring Bloodlines, Richelle Mead's first installment in her Bloodlines series, I absolutely couldn't wait to see how things would develop in The Golden Lily. With that said, it should be mentioned that I absolutely adored the Vampire Academy series and initially, upon the news of Bloodlines, was especially wary about whether or not Sydney would work out for Rose fans. Luckily she did!

In Bloodlines, Sydney wasn't exactly a likable character right off the bat. She came across as extremely unrealistic, untouchable, and unrelatable - my reader/protagonist connection with her was pretty much nonexistent. Luckily, things quickly changed when I finished off Bloodlines. Not only did she suddenly become the kick-ass heroine I was hoping for, but she proved to be much more entertaining for me than Rose was. With that said, a lot more about Sydney's personality is revealed in The Golden Lily, and unfortunately I can't exactly say I was all that happy about it. I didn't initially realise it the first time in Bloodlines, however in The Golden Lily I began to notice how freakishly obsessive Sydney was about her weight. In fact, her views on her weight and food consumption were incredibly unhealthy, however Mead wonderfully tackled the issue like the kick-butt author that she is!

Moving on, let's talk about Adrian. *Sighs, swoons, faints, and then gets back to review writing* I honestly don't see how anyone could dislike this guy. Not only is he charming, aside from his unhealthy smoking and drinking habits, but he's also supportive and determined when the situation calls for it. In fact, in The Golden Lily, I found myself seeing a whole new side to him that I never did in the Vampire Academy series. Seriously, if you aren't already Team Adrian before diving into The Golden Lily, then I can pretty much say that this installment in the series will have you wanting to convert.

As I mentioned in my review for Bloodlines last year, readers who aren't familiar with Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series do not have to worry about being lost when diving into her Bloodlines series. However, I would highly recommend that you do for the full experience.

Addictive, potent, heart wrenching, and full of action - The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, the second installment in the Bloodlines series, will leave you begging for more.

> Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days. Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape. Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.
 * Changeling**
 * By Philippa Gregory**
 * Release Date**: May 29th, 2012
 * Number of Pages**: 272
 * Format**: Hardcover
 * Purchase**: __(BookDepository)__ __(Amazon)__

Being a complete and total fan of the wonderful Philippa Gregory, it goes without showing that I was incredibly excited for her first-ever teen novel in an upcoming teen series! As a bestselling author, Philippa Gregory has countlessly pulled me into her novels effortlessly. Titles like The White Queen, The Red Queen, The Virgin's Lover, and of course The Other Boleyn Girl, have been some among the very few historical titles I've come to adore. With the sound of an incredibly promising new teens series from the "Queen" herself, I knew I had to take a dive into it immediately!

The setting? Italy in the year 1453. The characters? Luca Vero and Isolde; two characters of which are inexplicably pulled together by an exciting chain of events. Seventeen year old Luca is so much more than another pretty face - he's also a genius. After being accused of heresy (going against the church with his beliefs and statements), Luca is recruited into a secret order working for Pope Nicholas V called "The Order of the Dragon". Enter Isolde, a seventeen year old girl who has been sent to a nunnery against her wishes. Over night, the nuns suddenly begin to walk in their sleep and claim to see visions. There Isolde is accused of being a witch and preforming witchcraft on the innocent nuns, leading Luca to be called in to investigate. There the two meet each other and Luca begins to learn that there's more to the incidents occurring at the nunnery then have been told.

**A historical setting? Check!** **An addicting fantasy element? Check!** **Romance? Check!** **A compelling start to the Order of Darkness series?** **Double check!** //*******no wait...triple check that!***//

Diving into Changeling by Philippa Gregory, I found myself coming face to face with the irresistible Luca Vero, the aforementioned gorgeous boy who is cast out for his religious beliefs and knowledge of science. With his undeniably appealing charm, I was instantly pulled into Luca's story that first starts off the novel. His cunning and brave personality was certainly one I enjoyed! Then there was Isolde, a girl who I instantly connected with emotionally. After the untimely death of her father, Isolde has been left with only two choices; to marry a less than appealing lord or become a nun. Left with no other choice, Isolde becomes a nun, leaving behind a life of leisure and happiness behind. Unlike many other female protagonists I've read in the past, Isolde was one that strongly kept to herself. I had the most difficult of times trying to figure her out, however luckily towards the end of Changeling I found myself learning a little bit more about her. Isolde, without a doubt, is one character that readers will have to be patient with.

Changeling by Philippa Gregory is wonderfully told in two alternating point of views; that of both Luca and Isolde. At first, unfortunately, I found myself having a hard time keeping up with much of Changeling's events. As a title at a total of 272 pages, I didn't expect so much to happen. However, after several chapters I finally found myself becoming accustomed to the alternating POVs and much of it's events. Changeling by Philippa Gregory, in comparison to her other titles, was incredibly different. Whereas her other novels were, at times, a little on the predictable side, Changeling was not. Changeling was one title I instantly fell head-over-heels in love with, one that consistently pulled me in time and time again and refused to let go. Needless to say, it was absolutely wonderful!

Changeling by Philippa Gregory is a must read for every fan of her novels! I highly recommend readers who love romance, historical settings, incredibly appealing characters, and mysteries, to add Changeling to their reading piles asap!