Review: The Indigo Spell

Book Three of the Bloodlines series
By Richelle Mead
Available now from Razorbill (Penguin)
Review copy
Read my review of THE GOLDEN LILY

I've heard a lot of people say that they don't like the Bloodlines series because of Sydney.  She's not Rose.  She hates vampires.  But I implore anyone who disliked Sydney at first to give her another chance.  No, she hasn't morphed into Rose.  But there's more than one type of leading lady, and I love Sydney's journey.

She's basically a cult member.  She grew up knowing she would be an Alchemist, going to Alchemist church, hanging out with fellow future Alchemists, Alchemist, Alchemist, Alchemist.  Now, she's spent several months in the company of vampires and dhampirs with no other Alchemists in sight.  She's on her own, making her life decisions for the first time, confronted with the fact that the people she's been raised hating are just people.  People she might, in fact, like better than the bigots she was raised with.

And the Alchemists do not tolerate dissent.  Sydney has to decide, like all teenagers, who she's going to be.  Her decision could cut her off from her family, forever.  It could get her killed.  When she discovers Marcus Finch, she discovers that others have left the Alchemists successfully.  She must decide whether she's going to follow the trail created by others or blaze her own.  Even for a rogue Alchemist, falling for a vampire is liberal.

That's right, o people who have loved Sydney from the beginning, in THE INDIGO SPELL she must finally face Adrian's feelings for her and figure out how she feels in return.  Anyone who has been frustrated by Sydney's complete lack of awareness of the romance she is starring in will devour THE INDIGO SPELL.

I know I said Sydney still isn't Rose, but she is definitely becoming more of an action hero.  In one scene, she could be Sydney Bristow rather than Sydney Sage.  She also learns to throw fireballs, which is one of those magic powers that is never not awesome.  It's a good thing she's becoming better at confrontation, because there's a big bad witch come to town.  That's right - an epic romance, potential rebellion, and a mystery.  It's no wonder Sydney's getting tired of being the responsible one.

THE INDIGO SPELL is just as fast paced as its predecessors and just as layered.  Richelle Mead tackles big issues and wraps them up in monsters, but they're still there.  THE INDIGO SPELL is no disappointment and I cannot wait for book four.

I leave you with a quote from Adrian (page 28, ARC): "You're not as much of a lost cause as she was.  I mean, with her, I had to overcome her deep, epic love with a Russian warlord.  You and I just have to overcome hundreds of years' worth of deeply ingrained prejudice and taboo between our two races.  Easy."

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 15)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

You can make your guesses about just what the indigo spell is or what it does below.  Commenting gets you another chance to win THE INDIGO SPELL after all!  And believe me, you want to read this book - it's a good one.  Unless you don't like magic or kissing or deadly showdowns.

This is your last day to enter to win.  Come back tomorrow to read my review and find out who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 14)

Marcus Finch wants what?  But the real question is does Sydney want to challenge the Alchemists.  What do you think?

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.


Best of all, you can win a copy by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 13)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

You could win a copy of THE INDIGO SPELL by entering below!  You know you want to know more about rogue Alchemists and fancy tattoos and shabby apartments.  Best of all, you don't have to do anything to enter and getting extra entries is super easy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 12)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

Enter to win you own hardcover, fresh off the presses copy of THE INDIGO SPELL below!  The "Who is Marcus Finch?" event is almost over . . . only three clues to go.  Have your theories changed since the beginning?  If he doesn't share the Alchemist's beliefs, he should be a good guy, don't you think?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 11)

Dun dun DUN!  The plot thickens.  And you can find out more in the newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, coming out on February 12th.  (To hold you over till then, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.  Or just keep coming back to IBWB for more clues.)

I bet you really want to win that hardcover of THE INDIGO SPELL now!  All you have to do is enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 10)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

Wanna bet that he's been going by "Max Power"?  Or perhaps he's not a Simpsons fan . . . surely that's not possible.  But you can make some guesses below and enter to win a hardcover copy of THE INDIGO SPELL!  Or you can just post something random.  I'm not fussy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 9)

The fabulously fantastic giveaway of the newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL (Feb 12), continues.  For more information about the book, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

When you reach this scene in the book, just remember: I totally agree with Sydney's assessment of CATCHER IN THE RYE and boys who treasure it.  Ugh.  Beware guys who are really into Charles Bukowski too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 8)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th and introduces the mysterious Marcus Finch.  But I'm guessing this secret will remove a bit of the glamor.  Unless you're into shabby, one-room apartments.  Hey, to each their own.

For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.  Or you could just win a copy of the book by filling out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 7)

Yep, they claim to know nothing.  And we can definitely trust the Alchemists, right guys?  Yeah right.  The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

Earn another entry to win a hardcover copy of THE INDIGO SPELL alone!  How much do you think the Alchemists actually know?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 6)

You can meet Marcus Finch for real (or fiction, I guess) when the newest Bloodlines novel, THE INDIGO SPELL by Richelle Mead, comes out on February 12th.  Until then you can follow the clues and make your guesses about this man of mystery in the comments!  (Plus, you get bonus entries in the contest by commenting.)

For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 5)

That's right, Marcus Finch is the guy on the left of the cover.  I like to call him young Mark Wahlberg.  He doesn't strip down to his Calvins or rap, however, unless that happens in the next book.

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  Enter to win a copy today!

For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 4)

The question is whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, isn't it?  What do you think?

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

I hope you've enjoyed the first week of clues!  Don't forget to enter the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 3)

Who is Marcus Finch?  I hear the reason his hair is so big is because it's full of secrets.  Secrets about the Warriors of the Light, that is.  The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  You can enter to win a copy now, through the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post!  You don't have to do anything to enter.

For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day 2)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

Today is the first day of the giveaway, which will last through February 11th.  Everyone gets one free entry and you can earn an extra entry each day by commenting on the clue.  It can be anything - from your theories about Marcus Finch to why you love Mead's novels.  (Heck, just put "Team Adrian!")

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Marcus Finch? (Day One)

The newest Bloodlines novel by Richelle Mead, THE INDIGO SPELL, comes out on February 12th.  Between now and then I'll be participating in the "Who is Marcus Finch?" event.  Every weekday you'll get a clue as to who this mysterious man might be.  And starting tomorrow is my giveaway to win a hardcover copy of THE INDIGO SPELL.

For more information, check out the Facebook page, the book trailer, or this excerpt of the first three chapters of THE INDIGO SPELL.

Come back tomorrow for another fact and the start of the giveaway!  (Hint: There may be a way to earn yourself a bonus entry today.)