The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

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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?

My thoughts

I've had a difficult time writing a review for this book (seriously, it has taken me forever), because I'm so overly excited by it. This was even better than Bloodlines, and I really liked that book. But not this. No, I LOVE this book! I don't think I'll be able to properly express myself and do this book justice, but I shall do my best. 

First of all, this book opens up only a few weeks from when Bloodlines ended. I gotta say that I prefer, when there's isn't too wide a time gab between books in a series. Anyway, things are a bit calm right now, even though Bloodlines left Sydney with a lot of questions. Is there something special about her blood? Can humans really wield magic? And is everything the Alchemists say true? Sydney seeks the answers, but she might not like what she find. I liked that she begins to question the Alchemist's beliefs, even though she is also reminded what happens to those who defy them and get too close to vampires. Sydney mentioned re-education center in the last book, and TGL gives a glimpse of what that means. Doesn't seem very nice. I certainly don't hope Sydney will somehow end up there!

Sydney was finally starting to feel comfortable around vampires (and especially a certain person), and I really, really liked that. She's slowly starting to break free from those patterns she was raised in. She still has everybody else interest at heart, and ultimately it's this I think will break her loose and fully embrace who she really is.
Once again, Sydney gave me an easy laugh. She is now expanding her social interactions to.. dating! Man, I was laughing so hard at times. She hasn't got a clue about anything. Which also explains why she doesn't get all the hints from that certain someone, though they were very obvious. I feel a need to mention Brayden here, who I'm sure is a very good guy, but also possibly the most boring guy! Most of all, he was so comical.
Anyway, I think it gave Sydney a good perspective of how a relationship should be, when she experiences the real thing.

Jill was much improved in this; she was more mature and thought a lot about her actions and the possible consequenses. I really liked her in this. And with her we also get to see some interesting side effects of the bond she shares with Adrian.

Speaking of. Adrian! He continued the growth he had going in Bloodlines, which is so great, because he is so much more than that facade he has put of for everyone. At heart he is an amazing guy, and Sydney brings out the best in him and gives him courage to be this better, stronger person he is. Ah, I loved Adrian in this book. And now I think I'll stop talking more about him, or I'll go crazy fangirling. 

There was a lot more emotional tension in this, which I'm a total sucker for. So what Bloodlines lacked was definitely made up for in The Golden Lily. I can't wait to see what The Indigo Spell will bring. Especially with that ending. Oh my gosh! I think my eyes popped out of my head when I read it, and then I was like nooooo, how could you do that?! Whyyyyyy?! Okay, I know why, but still..

Overall, as you might have noticed, I loved this book. It has reach my all-time-favourites list (and that is kind of hard to get on). Now I'll just go to anxiously wait for The Indigo Spell. 

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆