Book Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell is the third book in the Bloodlines series by this supremely talented story-teller, Richelle Mead. Once again I was drawn into the crazy, non-stop action-driven world of Sydney Sage, a rebellious Alchemist torn between duty and the the vampire Moroi that she's been drafted to protect.
The Indigo Spell, as with all Richelle Mead's novels, crafts multiple sub plots throughout. Thankfully in this installment we focus specifically on Sydney and her moral struggle with performing magic, her questionable feelings for a playboy vampire, and the hefty price splitting her loyalties may bring.
Tasked with uncovering a youth-stealing witch while simultaneously deciding whether or not to trust in a indigo-tattooed, ex-alchemist with a similar agenda, and Sydney has her hands full. Avoiding magic has been a doctrine of her upbringing, but to master it may mean saving her life and those she cares about. Also finding a way to link unsavoury Alchemist activities offers Sydney a chance to explore areas previously forbidden - her growing love for Adrian Ivashkov.
The Indigo Spell is filled with non-stop drama and enough tension-riddled moments of romantic angst to make you throw the book at the wall. Imagery, as always, is sufficient and succinct and the words cleverly crafted to keep motion within the plot. I was especially drawn to Adrian in this novel, Richelle mead offering up just a few new snippets of sensitivity that make you unexpectedly swoon.
With nothing negative to report, other than the fact the writer in me was supremely excited to find two technical errors via the editing in a professional writer's book - a lesson we are all human - and I can happily rate this novel four out of five fangs.

Synopsis:
In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Kristy Berridge ... Just ... Gone

Christina & Me

Hello all, long time no post!

I've been wrapped up in author interviews, book releases and book reviews lately, so you haven't really had a chance to take a stroll in the whacky world of me.

Well, a lot has happened since we chatted last. My younger brother claims that I have finally become a woman since breaking the virginal status and claiming my first tattoo. And can I just say ... never again!

Aman & Christina

Don't get me wrong, I adore the design and can't praise my tattooist highly enough, but bloody hell, whoever says it doesn't hurt really is full of s@#$t.

Christina, Me & Chantelle

Okay, so besides getting inked up, something I took thirty-one years to carefully consider, I didn't exactly sit back and plan last Saturday night. I mean, you know me. I'm the girl that sits in front of her laptop, eats peanut butter and goes to the gym for fun.

Apparently not anymore.

Can someone say Vodka Soda?

Oh yeah. Mix calorie reduced alcohol with the infectious desire to have fun emanating from my single female friends  and all of a sudden I'm throwing on a black mini, tousling my hair, slapping on lipstick and heading out to a nightclub.

Pick your chins up off the floor! I know it's a foreign concept but I swear it happened and have no idea why I haven't let my hair down sooner. I honestly had so much fun it's ridiculous. The pleasant hum of too much spirits robbed me of inhibition and blighted the otherwise unsightly blisters formed from hours of dancing. I inhaled the cheap aftershave of men far too young for me and attempted to sing along to a band I'd never heard of until that night. Naturally I was insanely humourous and managed to avoid a hang over. All in all the night was a massive success  thanks in massive part to best girlfriends who refused to leave the Hobbit behind when it came to experiencing any and all illicit activity.

Next Saturday? I'll keep you posted.

Have a good one,

Kristy :)

Book Review: Rae of Hope by W.J. May

Wow. What a surprising little novel. 
Rae of Hope explores the exciting new world of magic for an almost sixteen year old girl oblivious to the world of gifted individuals. Marked by tattoos inherent from a singular parent, Rae Kerrigan is the unknowing recipient of such a mark.
Starting at a new school filled with students at the cusp of accepting these tattoos, Rae soon learns more about her past, the unusual coupling of her parents and the power of each tattoo. Speed, visions, strength, dream domination and the chameleon ability of adapting to others are just a few to name, and naturally everyone expects Rae's to be something extra special.
But with power also comes greed, and since Rae is a suspected prodigy, there are more than few characters at the school trying to muscle in on her gifts and exploit the darkness of her past.
Interestingly, I rather enjoyed reading this novel despite the fact that the plot was not interspersed with hard hitting action, riotous humour or bouts of horror. In fact, it was rather sedate but ironically engaging through character dialogue and the mysterious unfolding of Rae's past. With a touch of simmering romance and plenty of promise for an interesting second collaboration, I happily rate this novel three and a half out of five fangs.

Synopsis:

How hard do you have to shake a family tree to find out the truth of the past? 
Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan has never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is a very unique, gifted school. 
Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her. She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become marked with a unique tattoo (tatù) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatù enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their marking. 
Both her parents were marked though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young and never told her. Learning about her family’s past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope for her own life.