The Golden Lily (Bloodlines, #2)

by Richelle Mead

The thrilling second installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series--and a #1 New York Times Bestseller--now in paperback

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.

 

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California—tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age-old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she’s supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she’s been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

• ISBN10: 1101565489
• ISBN13: 9781101565483
• Publish Date: 1 June 2012
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Razorbill
• Format: eBook
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

The Golden Lily was better than the first book, but I still wasn't wowed yet. Although it had another ending that kind of blew my mind. This time we're following Sydney as she continues to keep an eye on Jill while trying to figure out Spirit's effect on ex-Strigoi. Of course, Sydney doesn't directly participate in the experiments, but she knows figuring it out will help the Alchemists and the rest of humanity. But then someone comes after her and Sonya, believing she's Strigoi. Perhaps there's something to Clarence's claims of vampire hunters.

I did like The Golden Lily better since we weren't constantly being bombarded with "reasons" for Sydney and the Alchemists to be involved with vampire politics. They just are, and let's move on. Plus, this Strigoi business does affect everyone. Is Spirit the key or is there something special about Sydney? The latter really makes her queasy, but the more time she spends with the Moroi and her History teacher, the less she can deny that there's something to it. Although she does continue to deny and deny and deny. Sydney is a smart girl, and she breathes facts and logic. Well, fact and logic are pointing to there be something unique about her!

I don't really have much to say about The Golden Lily. I really enjoyed the continued world building. There's more out there than just vampires and Alchemists. It was also fun to see Sydney navigate the world of dating. She really sucks at it, but I found her dates really cute and at times cringe-worthy (in a good way). Adrian continues to be awesome, and although that last chapter is a bit rushed, I'm eager for the tension that this revelation will bring to the rest of the series.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[KitsuneBae]

See an overall review in Ruby Circle.

[jesstheaudiobookworm]

4 ★ Audiobook⎮This installment was better than the first on two grounds: more action and more Dimitri. Both of those things made The Golden Lily seem like Vampire Academy #8 instead of Bloodlines #2 (no complaint here). The plot thickened considerably and Sydney was given more character depth, making her a semi-tolerable protagonist. While the overall storyline is still slowly inching forward, I can vaguely see where it's headed and I'm interested enough to continue on with the series. If this installment is any indication, the series should continue gaining speed with further installments. The fact that Richelle Mead continues her world-building process in a spinoff series by adding new factions is highly intriguing. Those who stop reading after Last Sacrifice are missing out on [potentially] key elements in the Vampire Academy world, by extension through the Bloodlines series.

Narration review: The narrator of this audiobook does a well-enough job, but nothing extraordinary. Her voice isn't annoying to listen to for hours on end (which counts for a lot, in my book). She does a few accents (Dimitri's, Adrian's), but again, nothing extraordinary. From my perspective, the audiobook holds nothing substantial over the physical book. The choice between audiobook and physical book could be a toss-up, or simply left to personal preference. ♣︎

[Katie King]

**3 Stars**

I regret to say that The Golden Lily has suffered the same fate as Bloodlines: I can't really remember the plot. It's not like I'm not paying attention while reading, it's just really hard for me to recall anything that happened in these books. Maybe it's just boring? Maybe I need to start taking notes.

The Golden Lily had a lot of the same issues that I had with Bloodlines. Adrian is the same old Adrian, and again, we dig a little deeper into his character with his growing feelings for Sydney and his strained relationship with his dad. I'm glad he seems over Rose because that ship sailed a while ago, buddy. Speaking of Rose, Dimitri seemed to be just a dull as he did in Bloodlines, just there as Adrian's foil. Random Sonya was a more important character.

One of the major parts of the story is protecting Jill and Lissa's claim to the throne, but Jill didn't make much of an appearance besides to complain and talk about her relationship drama to Sydney. Sydney's own relationship with Brayden/Brandon/whatever was actually pretty interesting to me because I TOTALLY understand that whole dynamic - it's happened to me. It sucks when you're so much like someone but a little too much like them to really feel anything. And poor Sydney has zero relationship experience so she thinks it's normal to feel nothing towards your boyfriend.

Sydney is still a weird character for me. Like I said in my review of Bloodlines, she's really different from Rose, whom I loved in the Vampire Academy series. They're both tough girls, but in really different ways. Rose is all about pride and showing off, and Sydney is tough out of necessity to her duty, like obediently tough? But while in Bloodlines I thought that Rose and Sydney were pretty opposite, I think Sydney really started to grow into her own person in The Golden Lily. She is becoming a little more like the good parts of Rose that I liked, where she's starting to question everyone and rebel. She's no longer exactly who everyone expects her to be and I love it! I'm really starting to enjoy Sydney's view now especially since she stopped obsessing so much over calories. I also think this "blossoming" played a part in how Adrian feels for her. Which, I'm totally rooting for!

But again, there wasn't a lot of plot that caught my attention. The major antagonist of this book fell flat to me. When shit hit the fan, I just wasn't excited. I didn't believe for one second that anyone was in danger, that things might not work out, or that there was really any mystery behind anything. I guess it was nice to have something happen...but it didn't feel like anything was happening. The really great character development must have balanced it out, because now I'm excited for The Indigo Spell!

[Chelsea]

Initial Thoughts

I was ready to completely devour this book and I’m glad I picked it up right away. I seriously could not wait to get my hands on this next book.

My New BFF

Sydney just keeps making me happy. She’s growing so much that I can’t keep up with her sometimes. I love how brave she is even though she’s been trained not to care about any of the people she’s with. She looks at her surroundings and sees that these vampires aren’t even that bad so she slowly gets comfortable around them. I’m really, really happy with her character right now. I don’t see any way the author could go wrong with her.

My Crush

One again, Adrian was the centre of my thoughts during this book. He’s just an easy character to fall in love with. My favourite part about him is that he’s not a perfect character. He has tons of little imperfections and it makes him feel very realistic to me. He’s also pretty funny sometime. That helps.

Writing Style

I’m loving the world Richelle Mead has created here. I loved it in Vampire Academy and I love that she has incorporated everything here. There isn’t much not to love about this book. The plot flows nicely and keeps you entertained and the characters are always learning and changing. It’s quite amazing actually.

Closing Thoughts

This is a series that I won’t be able to put down until I’ve read them all. It’s almost addicting, so just a warning to anyone else reading it. The characters are all incredibly complex and there’s nothing typical about them. You’d think in a paranormal ya book that there would be love at first site and a love triangle but there’s nothing typical about this book. There’s only one guy the main character is meant to be with and you know it. The author takes her time developing their relationship and I love that. We need more of this in the ya world. I’m obsessed with everything about this book and I can already tell that I’m going to love this whole series for a very long time.

[reveriesociety_]

Wow.

Now I'm convinced this series is going to be better than Vampire Academy. For one, this has shown me Adrian is a much more interesting love interest than Dimitri (Sorry, love, but he's a tortured soul and what can be sexier than that?)

The ever existing internal conflict of Sydney's wishes for freedom, against her deeply ingrained beliefs is very well executed and I'm dying to witness how slowly she makes a decision in the future books.

As for their growing 'relationship'. I know I was frustrated, as many were with the previous book, in which there was zero romance. But Mrs. Mead has got it all planned. See, this one, this one is not your typical love story.

Mrs. Mead has written something that gives us enough to keep us barely satisfied, but also coming back for more. Good job!

Although, the plot twists were not that surprising, this book hasn't let me down at all. Keep it up!

See the full review and more at: A Writer's Tales

[Sam@WLABB]

I cannot tell a lie, I actually like Bloodlines better than VA. Why? I like Sydney better than Rose. She is like the anti-Rose, always thinking deeply before doing anything. I appreciate the insight we get due to that. She also is evolving so much from the VA books. She is starting to embrace things that she was taught to abhor, by seeing the good in them. Vampires and Dhampirs can be very loyal friends and magic can save you from some very difficult situations when used properly and without malice. Sydney is not as one dimensional as we previously thought.

I like how the story in book 2 is more or less separate from the story in book 1. Although there is that connecting background story, it is still rather separated and allows for lots more stories (GRIN).

I love Adrian. He is your true artistic type, living life out-loud and with no fear as he shares what is in his heart (swoon). I have a feeling RMead is going to take care of him in this series. You CANNOT keep a good vamp down.

I thought Brayden was a fun addition. He amused me. And getting Trey in on the supernatural side -- interesting. I like where this can go.

Overall, another great edition to the series.

[RoXXie]

I am left a bit speechless. Even though I could see this end coming. But by Sidney's beliefs I couldn't really imagine this.
The second book of the "Bloodlines"-series is a good one. I enjoyed reading it. But also I think it took too long for some action. But the outcome of the story itself is a really good one. And I am looking forward in reading more about Sidney, Adrian, Jill and everyone else.
So far I am glad Sidney finally felt the intensity and passion of a great kiss.

[tellemonstar]

Full review here
The Golden Lily was pretty interesting as well. There was a lot more information about the history of the alchemists in this one, and on a whole I enjoyed it more than the first one, which was not a bad book anyway.

Sydney is starting to learn that not everything the Alchemists have taught her, or tell her during her enquiries is quite truthful. Or, perhaps not as complete as it should be.

We learn more about the Strigoi in this books as well, especially from Sonya, who allowed herself to be turned into one at one stage in her life, which she regretted deeply. The research into whether or not a so-called ‘saved’ Moroi can be changed back into a Strigoi was an interesting sub-plot to the novel as well.

I don’t especially like the Alchemists. As I said in my review of Bloodlines, they are more like a cult than anything else. But the Warriors that we meet in this book are about 100 times worse. Even the Alchemists don’t really like to admit that these guys came from their original group.

Some interesting things are revealed about some of our favourites in The Golden Lily. Adrian is learning to be mostly responsible, Jill is learning she has to grow up faster than her human friends will have to, Eddie is learning a little bit of tolerance towards Angeline and Sydney is learning that she doesn’t need to be so reserved and uptight to still do her job correctly.

I will be looking forward to reading The Indigo Spell.

[Linda]

This and other reviews can also be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews

Sydney is a very strong female heroine! She can take care of herself, she is loyal, she is very smart and she knows how to say no and make others respect her. Of course she is just as socially awkward as usual, but that is partly why she is so endearing to me. I like that she is not too cocky, and she is learning how to interact with people her own age.

The Golden Lily actually surprised me in a very good way! I was a little cautious before I started it, because I had heard rumors of a love triangle, and I hate love triangles in my books. I wish I hadn’t listened to those rumors, because I would have read this long before I actually did.

Sydney continues to be herself in this story, and at the same time, she lets herself grow as well, even when what she wants to do seems to be against her Alchemist beliefs. She takes a stand, and decides that she needs to be able to protect herself if she is to protect others as well.