The Golden Lily
by Richelle Mead
Published by: Razorbill
Publish Date: June 12, 2012
Genre: YA/Young Adult Paranormal
Series: Bloodlines #2
Read my review of book 1
Source: Personal Kindle Copy
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars 
Blurb From Goodreads:
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.
My Review:
I love Richelle Mead, and I don’t read a lot of young adult fiction, but I LOVED Mead’s Vampire Academy series, and so I was hooked-by-default on Bloodlines, this spin-off series. I really liked book 1, Bloodlines, but with The Golden Lily, my affection is not AS enthusiastic.
I have to commend Richelle Mead, every time I pick up one of Richelle Mead’s books, I have the compulsion to keep reading until I’ve read every last word. The Golden Lily is no exception. However, I am not liking Sydney Sage, the heroine, as much as I had liked Rose. Sydney is not the kick-butt type of heroine, however, Sydney is very smart, quick to help others, and she is learning to come to her own conclusions instead of relying on the indoctrination of the Alchemists (well, she’s getting better at that). I don’t like how much Sydney second guesses herself when it comes to her friendships with the Moroi and the Dhampirs, who have been very welcoming and trusting of her (for the most part). Also, Sydney puts on a brave face, but inside she is insecure. In the Golden Lily, Sydney’s issues with eating and with her weight are brought up quite a bit. I just want Sydney to become more secure and happy with herself.
The more I read about Adrian, the more I love him. I am joining thousands of other readers here in the Team Adrian fan club. What can I say, he has a bad-boy attitude most of the time, but he is a really good guy when he wants to be, and more caring than he would like to admit. Adrian still secretly pins a lot of his happiness in trying to please his father, and I hope that in the future he also becomes more secure in himself.
The plot was very well developed, and the story was definitely engaging. However, I was not sold on the characters uncertainties and quirks. Sydney really questioned everything in this book, the alchemists, the vampires, relationships, even magic. She is very slow to accept new things, and after awhile, that can get a little old. I am ready for the characters in this book to show major growth, and I hope that comes in book three. Even though this was not my favorite book, I still enjoy reading the series and I love the world that Richelle Mead has created. I will definitely be picking up book 3, The Indigo Spell, after it releases next February.
Here is the book order for the Bloodlines series and the links:
July 20, 2012 at 3:35 am
Thanks for the review! It’s funny, I’m kind of more positive about Sydney than you are. I think she’s a good contrast to Rose. I like her insecurities, her doubts etc… but I’m not totally sold to the plot though. It’s quite slow and there’s not much happening when you come to think about it. Also, how can Sydney really NOT pick up on Adrian’s crush on her? Seriously?
Anyway, Richelle MEad is a super talented writer, I love the moroi/strigoi world, and I’ll be reading The Indigo Spell as soon as it’s released. I’ll need my fix of Adrian!
July 20, 2012 at 8:51 am
LOL, I think Sydney’s lack of social understanding is part of why I am still unsure of her, it was understandable in the original series, understandable in the first book, but I’m ready for her to grow a bit
I’m gonna be reading the Indigo Spell too, I do love her books
July 20, 2012 at 9:04 am
I had some similar feelings on this one – that I love Richelle Mead and her books are 100% can’t-put-em’-down, but this one was just “eh”.
I like Sydney okay but thought this book went a big nowhere. It felt a lot like a setup for next few books. I’m with you on wanting a lot more Sydney growth! She doesn’t need to be like Rose, but I want her to be a much improved version of herself – stronger and more confident.
And yeah, big time Adrian love from me too. While I never wanted him to be with Rose over Dimitri, I’ve been on Team Adrian from the get-go. He’s my favorite VA character.
July 20, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I totally feel the same way about Sydney. While I like this this series overall, I’m having a hard time connecting with her character and for all the reasons you talked about in your review. I loved Rose’s character in the Vampire Academy series. I wish I felt the same about Sydney. Now Adrian on the other hand, is one of the main reasons I like the spin-off series
July 20, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I agree, Sydney was annoying after a while.. Adrian, on the other hand, was amazing
Some people were confused whether what he felt was genuine or if it was spirit. I mean, come on.. It’s totally real.
My Review
July 21, 2012 at 6:51 am
I love Sydney! While I really liked Rose, I am actually enjoying the spin-off more. I think is is because when I was Sydney’s age I was that socially awkward. I had no clue how to ask in almost any situation. I didn’t even know guys liked me so I identify. I was much more into my studies that social stuff in High School
So I love her working through it!
I loved your review!
July 21, 2012 at 10:07 am
Thanks Felicia! Ya, I was the opposite of Sydney when I was in High School, I was into my studies and stuff- I did really well in HS, but I was also very social and had a HS boyfriend and dates to dances-most of the time- I roll my eyes at my younger self…
July 22, 2012 at 1:06 am
this is a series on my wishlist..the fact that the characters lacked something concerns me. I do like that the plot was well developed..great review.
July 22, 2012 at 1:07 am
I have my review written but I still have to post it, but I think that your review is spot on many of your assessments. You and I had similar feelings, even though I love all Richelle Mead’s books, and Adrian is just more loveable with each book. However my rating is 3 stars as well, even so I’ll be excited to read The Indigo Spell next year!:)
July 22, 2012 at 6:30 am
I love Adrian in this series so much more than the Vampire Academy… Great review….
Jenea @ Books Live Forever