The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines, #4)

by Richelle Mead

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

• ISBN10: 1595143203
• ISBN13: 9781595143204
• Publish Date: 19 November 2013 (first published 1 August 2013)
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Razorbill
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 420
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

The Fiery Heart is definitely the turning point of the series. Not just because we get Adrian's added POV. A lot of big stuff happens! Happy stuff, swoony stuff, exciting stuff, and horrible stuff! The beginning is a little slow, but then it really picks up, and as always, the ending is explosive! It starts a couple months after The Indigo Spell. Sydney has mostly settled into a new routine, which now involves her sister who wants to spend a lot of time together. However, like I said, a lot happens and Sydney needs to be everywhere all at once to handle it.

Adian's POV was quite interesting. I don't think it was essential to have it in The Fiery Heart, but I enjoyed it. I liked that he's almost exactly the same as we see him from Sydney's perspective. It's just that we get his every rambling thought, and we learn why he is like that. I can't say that I was surprised by this discovery, but I was surprised about how Adrian actually went about dealing with it. I'm very proud of him.

The plot of The Fiery Heart is mostly revolved around Sydney and Adrian working on their respective projects, which both happen to involve some kind of charm making. Sydney is working on the ink that will stop Alchemist compulsion, while Adrian is still working with Spirit to create a way to keep Strigoi from turning anyone. There's amazing developments from both of them, and I continue to love learning more about the science and magic of vampires and witches.

Of course, there's romance in The Fiery Heart. There's no way there couldn't be based on the title and where we left off last time. Feelings are ramped way, way, way up this time! I was worried that there wouldn't be much since Sydney has to be more careful with her sister around, but the author made it work! Lots and lots of kissing and steaminess and plenty of cheesey moments as well. But then...well, that ending happens and I was in desperate need for the next book.

The Fiery Heart was really great. I've noticed that the author tends to make the 4th book of her series super emotionally intense and that is no different here. Bloodlines may have started off rocky, but it's certainly hit its stride now.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[KitsuneBae]

See an overall review in Ruby Circle.

[jesstheaudiobookworm]

4.5 ★ Audiobook⎮I feel like I zoomed through this book. This entire series is incredibly easy to read and doesn't require much effort to keep up with the plot. I was easily able to play this audiobook during my daily activities without much interference to either. Some audiobooks require a lot more concentration on the listener's part and aren't a good fit for multitasking. Although, I did stop what I was doing towards the end because it got so exciting. This cliffhanger ending almost makes up for the slow pace and lack of action in the other books. This is the best installment in the series thus far. I will be starting the next one immediately!

Narration Review: I enjoyed the new dual narration style and thought it added a lot to the overall audiobook experience. However, my biggest complaint about this particular audiobook is the mysterious disappearance of Adrian's accent...♣︎

[Katie King]

O M G!!! Review to come!!

[Chelsea]

Initial Thoughts

I’m obsessed with this series. I can’t get enough of the characters and the world. I’m excited to continue but I’m also nervous that the author will disappoint me.

My New BFF

I really like Sydney as a main character. I was getting a little tired of seeing though badass, tough female leads. I’m glad Sydney has all her little insecurities and that she’s trying to get through them like the rest of us. It probably doesn’t help being around those perfect vampires all the time. I find she’s a very relatable character, minus the whole magic and vampires thing. She’s been put into a tough situation and I think she’s doing a really good job of turning it around. I’m excited to see what she does next.

My Crush

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Adrian while reading this book. I think it’s the fact that you can see him fall in love with Sydney and try to adapt to be with her. He knows it’s not going to be easy but he still sticks around. I think that’s pretty brave of him especially since he knows what the alchemists could do. I think all his interactions with Sydney are great. He’s either super cocky and hilarious or he’s 100% in love with her. It’s pretty cute actually.

Writing Style

I’m loving Richelle Mead’s writing style right now. I loved it in VA but I think I like this series more. I find she’s really good at character development because all her characters have such great personalities. She’s also great at making them feel very realistic.

Her plot and world building are also great. There are some things that you’re expecting to happen and they sort of do happen but with tons of extra plot twists. You know exactly who you can trust for sure but then some people you’re nervous about. There’s just so much going on that it’ll keep you entertained for a while.

Closing Thoughts

I’m obsessing over this series. I’m addicted to Adrian and I want to see what happens to all the characters. I’m hoping for another series once this one is all done. I’m glad I waited until all the books were out so I could binge read them. It was worth it. I’m upset with myself for not reading them sooner though. I think that if you’re tired of all the typical vampire romance stories then maybe you should give this series a try because so far, it hasn’t disappointed.

[tellemonstar]

Whoops. Forgot to update that I had read this.

[Sam@WLABB]

The. Best. One. Yet.

RMead really amped up the romance in this one. You cannot help but swoon when you get to have a first row seat to the epic love between Adrian and Sydney. The Fiery Heart is what exists inside our girl Sydney and she will be forced to walk through the fire in an attempt to have her relationship with Adrian. And the ending!!!! I need the next book now.

[catiebug]

I need the next book!

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

It will be no surprise to regular readers that I was eagerly awaiting the release of The Fiery Heart, being such a huge fan of the series. And with Mead teasing fans months before the release, saying, "you guys, it is SMOKIN' HOT", I simply Could. Not. Wait. Now I've read it, I have to admit I was a little disappointed.

The main focus of this book is the relationship between Sydney and Adrian. Yes, I love these two together, and I love Adrian, but these books... so much more happens in them than just a romance. I was expecting a ton more action and danger than I got. It was pretty much all about them. It was awesome having Adrian's point of view too, seeing how he really feels about Sydney, what she means to him, but... I like these books because their romance and awesome urban fantasy action. I was a little let down. And with regards to it being "smokin' hot", that was unfair. Sure, things get steamier than they have been previously, but it's so, so tame. Even for YA, in my opinion. I think things were hotter in the Vampire Academy series, really. It's such an emotional book with these two, the emotion clouds the sexual tension, so when things do start happening, they don't really sizzle. Even with tame books, it's the sexual tension that keeps me gripped, and it wasn't turned up enough in this book for me. Which is sad, because, hello, Adrian! It really bothered me.

Which was awesome was, with Adrian's point of view, we got to see exactly what Spirit is like. The down sides of Spirit really are a downer. In a big way, medically. We see in the Vampire Academy series that Lissa takes anti-depressants at one point, and with Adrian, we see why. Spirit is merciless with it's side-effects; as awesome it is when savings people's lives, etc, how debilitated it leaves Adrian when it drags him into depression is so painful to watch. Adrian has to step up in the Spirit stakes in this book and do some incredible things (and boy, he may play at seeming stupid, but god is this boy smart!), and so the side-effects are so much worse. It's really heart-breaking to see him suffer so much.

Sydney takes further steps into her magic learning, going so far as to working on magic Mrs. Terwilliger hasn't, so she can only help in an advisory capacity. And with this work, she takes further steps away from the Alchemists. Ok, you couldn't get much further away than having a vampire boyfriend, but with this, she actually starts taking steps to work against them. It's so awesome to see her come into her own like this, out from under the rules of the Alchemists, and making decisions that are based on the greater good, rather than just her friends. Sydney is awesome.

So, obviously, this book isn't all bad. I still really enjoyed it, I was just let down a bit. Saying that, all of this book had to happen just as it did for us to have the ending we got. And that ending! WHAT an ending! Now we're talking! God knows what's going to happen in the next book, so I'm so desperate for it, you don't even know. It's going to be huge, and I'm positive it will make up for the disappointment I felt in The Fiery Heart. I am excited! Things just got real.

Thank you to Penguin for the review copy.

[liz089]

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