Review: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, #3)

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines, #3
Release date: February 12th 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Hardcover, 400 pages
Buy: The Book Depository



I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in the opinion that The Indigo Spell, with its 400 pages, is far too short. I finished it in a single afternoon and then I just sat there for a while, hoping it would grow a few (hundred) extra pages but sadly, I don’t share Sydney’s magical abilities. Not a single page grew and I had to let it go... for now.

The swoon factor in The Indigo Spell was so high that I had to fan myself on several occasions. If there is still a heart in this world that Adrian Ivashkov doesn’t own, he’ll win it over with his selfless and mature actions in The Indigo Spell. I was always Dimitri’s girl, right from the very start, and I never thought I’d say this, but in some ways, Adrian is even better. Here's how he sees his situation with Sydney:

"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."

I didn’t think there was any hope whatsoever for me and Sydney, but her behavior and courage in this book endeared her to me after all. She is a far cry from the judgmental, prejudiced girl from Blood Promise and Bloodlines. She finally learned to stand up for herself and do her own thinking. It’s not easy to break a lifetime of rigorous conditioning, and watching Sydney open her eyes and see the Alchemists in a whole new light was a wondrous and unforgettable experience. My hat’s off to Mead (I’m actually wearing a hat right now, you know) for turning this unlikely heroine into someone I can root for and admire.

So who is Marcus Finch? A disappointment, really. He didn’t bring much to the story, but I suppose he served his purpose. I was ecstatic when I realized that Mead won’t torture us with another love triangle after all. I don’t think I could have kept reading if that was the case. But Sydney was never even remotely interested in Marcus, and it made me admire her even more.

The Indigo Spell focused mostly on Sydney’s magic, her doubts about the Alchemists and her relationship with Adrian (yaay!). Jill, Eddie and Angeline were present, but they didn’t play a big role this time and I kind of liked it that way. Both Jill and Angeline can be pretty tiresome and as soon as the story turns to them, it becomes infinitely more childish. I’m perfectly happy with them remaining in the background.

Mead promised us the most powerful scene she’s ever written in The Fiery Heart and she compared it to Shadow Kiss, which of course left me terrified for Sydney and Adrian. I think I won’t sleep well until November. The word re-education is mentioned in the synopsis and it was more than enough to send chills up my spine. What do you think will happen? Are you as terrified as I am?

I think it’s clear that I’m very happy with the direction this series is taking, as long as no one becomes a Strigoi or a mindless drone in the hands of the Alchemists. Given the choice, I think I’d prefer a Strigoi – Dimtri was hot even when he was dead.

Btw, am I the only one who desperately wanted fondue when I finished reading this book?