How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Young Adult Fiction
2975
Absolutely enchanting
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Previously published on my blog: http://fictionfervor.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/review-the-golden-lily-by-richelle-mead/
I love Richelle Mead. Her Vampire Academy series is my second-favorite fantasy series (only Harry Potter beats it), and I own every one of her young adult novels. (That currently amounts to eight.)
So I guess it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that I loved The Golden Lily.
Mind you, I didn’t love it as much as her other books. There was something lacking in The Golden Lily that I always looked forward to in her other YA novels: the element of surprise. Richelle Mead had always managed to catch me off guard countless times in her Vampire Academy series and a few times in Bloodlines. But I never felt that jolt of surprise when reading The Golden Lily.
I might be giving away a spoiler right now, but honestly I don’t think it matters too much if I do. But the thing is, The Golden Lily involves vampire hunters. Cool, huh? I loved how Richelle Mead managed to address another of those “vampire myths” in this book, so I was pretty happy with the plotline. But, unlike the characters in the novel, I knew vampire hunters was real in the world of Moroi, Strigoi, and dhampirs. With Clarence’s warnings about how he was being hunted by vampire hunters in the past, I could tell. Because coincidences don’t happen in books.
The plotline would have been perfect if only it included that Richelle Mead-esque element of surprise.
On the other hand, I adored the characters. Sydney’s view of vampires has really changed, to the point that she actually likes them. In the Vampire Academy series, we never had that as a problem because Rose was half-vampire herself, but it’s interesting to see Sydney change. She’s still that know-it-all Alchemist, but she’s becoming a tolerant-of-vampires know-it-all Alchemist.
And Adrian. Oh, sigh. Poor, poor Adrian.
The romance in this novel definitely made up for the lack in Bloodlines. Sydney’s caught in a bit of a love triangle, though she doesn’t know it herself. Brayden or Adrian? Of course, she has to be with Adrian (I love them together!), but they still have that pesky issue of human vs. vampire. Sigh. And of course, I wasn’t a big fan of Brayden. He’s annoyingly smart. (Never thought I’d call someone that, hmm.)
The romance was also upped in the supporting characters. Jill is dating Micah, while Angeline (newly recruited former Keeper) tries to get Eddie’s attention. But Eddie longs for Jill. Quite a big circle here, hmm?
That ending made me want to cry. Because it is a cliffhanger for two of the romances in this novel. Urghh.
The Golden Lily was absolutely enchanting and did not lack in action or romance. A masterpiece–but it did fall short of my expectations, because, after all, it’s a Richelle Mead book. And Richelle Mead books simply must be perfect.
Source: Hardcover bought by reviewer
I love Richelle Mead. Her Vampire Academy series is my second-favorite fantasy series (only Harry Potter beats it), and I own every one of her young adult novels. (That currently amounts to eight.)
So I guess it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that I loved The Golden Lily.
Mind you, I didn’t love it as much as her other books. There was something lacking in The Golden Lily that I always looked forward to in her other YA novels: the element of surprise. Richelle Mead had always managed to catch me off guard countless times in her Vampire Academy series and a few times in Bloodlines. But I never felt that jolt of surprise when reading The Golden Lily.
I might be giving away a spoiler right now, but honestly I don’t think it matters too much if I do. But the thing is, The Golden Lily involves vampire hunters. Cool, huh? I loved how Richelle Mead managed to address another of those “vampire myths” in this book, so I was pretty happy with the plotline. But, unlike the characters in the novel, I knew vampire hunters was real in the world of Moroi, Strigoi, and dhampirs. With Clarence’s warnings about how he was being hunted by vampire hunters in the past, I could tell. Because coincidences don’t happen in books.
The plotline would have been perfect if only it included that Richelle Mead-esque element of surprise.
On the other hand, I adored the characters. Sydney’s view of vampires has really changed, to the point that she actually likes them. In the Vampire Academy series, we never had that as a problem because Rose was half-vampire herself, but it’s interesting to see Sydney change. She’s still that know-it-all Alchemist, but she’s becoming a tolerant-of-vampires know-it-all Alchemist.
And Adrian. Oh, sigh. Poor, poor Adrian.
The romance in this novel definitely made up for the lack in Bloodlines. Sydney’s caught in a bit of a love triangle, though she doesn’t know it herself. Brayden or Adrian? Of course, she has to be with Adrian (I love them together!), but they still have that pesky issue of human vs. vampire. Sigh. And of course, I wasn’t a big fan of Brayden. He’s annoyingly smart. (Never thought I’d call someone that, hmm.)
The romance was also upped in the supporting characters. Jill is dating Micah, while Angeline (newly recruited former Keeper) tries to get Eddie’s attention. But Eddie longs for Jill. Quite a big circle here, hmm?
That ending made me want to cry. Because it is a cliffhanger for two of the romances in this novel. Urghh.
The Golden Lily was absolutely enchanting and did not lack in action or romance. A masterpiece–but it did fall short of my expectations, because, after all, it’s a Richelle Mead book. And Richelle Mead books simply must be perfect.
Source: Hardcover bought by reviewer
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters (Elise Bryant) ~ (US Only)
Happily Ever Afters (US Only) by: Elise Bryant Release Date: January 5th, 2021 Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books/Balzer + Bray About the Book: Jane the Virgin meets To All...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Chat with Amanda Hocking (The Ever After), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Amanda Hocking author of The Ever After. Read on for more about Amanda and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Amanda Hocking ! AMANDA HOCKING ...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Alexandra Bracken (Lore), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Exclusive Trailer Reveal: Those Who Prey (Jennifer Moffett), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to share the book trailer for Those Who Prey (Jennifer Moffett) ! Read on for more about Jennifer, and her book, plus the trailer & giveaway! Meet Jennifer Moffet...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Karen McManus (The Cousins), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Indie Superstars with the Author of Born Royal + Giveaway (International)
Welcome to YA Books Central's "Indie Superstars" column. This event will spotlight the best and brightest of the indie community. You don’t want to miss out on these talented ...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
In a full-color dog book unlike any other, acclaimed children’s...
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents CITY OF THE PLAGUE GOD,...
A gentle metaphor for understanding and processing anxiety and sadness....
Angsty teenager Mary Shelley is not interested in carrying on...
Latest Member Reviews
"CRYING IS LIKE THE RAIN teaches children that it's okay to cry rather than bottle everything up inside. The author..."
"Rosie has always taken care of herself and her mother in their house overlooking the coast of Maine. Her mother..."
"Sila's family has been happy in Oregon, even though her father, who is a mechanical engineer, has to work as..."
"Jocelyn always looks forward to the vacation in a cabin that she and her friend Alex's family take every year...."
"Hannah doesn't understand why her parents are SO overprotective, even though she occasionally has a hard time dealing with her..."
"Bird, her twin brother Fitch, and their older brother Chase are all doing the best they can in 1986 Park,..."
"Daniel isn't all that sure why he was chosen to go on an outdoor experience trip with four other students..."
"After her adventures in Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation, Charlie is hiding out in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador,..."
"Amari has struggled in the private school she attends on scholarship because the other students are mean to her, and..."
"Maggie has always wanted a dog. Her younger brothers Liam and Noah have each other, and her parents are expecting..."
"I DREAM OF POPO is a beautiful book about immigration, family, and culture. A young girl loves spending time with..."
"Ali Sloane is tired of moving. She's changed schools and houses/apartments so many times that she can't claim any one..."
"Jack Reynolds is the sort of kid that teachers put in the back of the classroom-- surrounded by all of..."
"THE READING HOUSE set is a really fantastic motivator for early reading. Each book focuses on a letter, with it..."
"THE READING HOUSE set is a really fantastic motivator for early reading. Each book focuses on a letter, with it..."
"Jenae prefers being quiet and blending in. She doesn't mind that it means she's alone most of the time, especially..."
"When a sudden power outage strikes Metropolis, the Superhero Girls are thrown for a loop, especially Batgirl aka Babs. She..."
"When Elodee's world is shaken, she and her family, including her twin sister, Naomi, move to Eventown. At first, Eventown..."
"A STORY FOR SMALL BEAR is a beautifully illustrated picture book about saving time for the things that matter. As..."
"NO READING ALLOWED is a delightfully charming take on homonyms and sound-alike words. The book features two panels for phrases..."