What do you think?
Rate this book
Bloodlines #6
The Ruby Circle
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2015)THEY WILL BE TESTED
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.
Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.
When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.
Don't miss their unforgettable final chapter. . . .
LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL
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.
Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.
When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.
Don't miss their unforgettable final chapter. . . .
LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL
348 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2015
About the author
Richelle Mead
108 books69k followersScorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,971 reviews
March 1, 2015
I think this gif sums up perfectly my thoughts on the book.
February 11, 2015
Spoilers
I'm glad the series is finally over, it's weird how much I used to enjoy it. I think my love for cheesy YA books has dwindled to nothing in the last year or so. They're just so predictable and trite, there's no originality, twists or turns, and the main characters and relationship dynamics are always the same. It's such lazy and formulaic writing.
-I missed the old Sydney, in the beginning of the series she was her own person, but by the end she was all about Adrian, it was clear that she was just a special little snowflake specially built for Adrian. She used to actually be rather interesting and endearing, but she became a total shrew who did nothing but nag Adrian non-stop and bang on about him and their contrived, mushy love. She was seriously more like an overbearing mother than a girlfriend.
I wasn't impressed that the once ambitious Sydney who wanted to travel the world and had all sorts of dreams, instead got to be a dutiful teenage wife and mother. Sure, she got to go to college but the fact that she was a good little wifey and mummy when she was still a teenager pissed me the hell off. Heaven forbid a heroine ending up single and hopeful for the next chapter in their life. Nope, they have to be tied down to a guy and sometimes even a baby. Why do YA books shove the idea that a girl can only ever be truly happy unless she's practically married?
At least Dmitri and Adrian were into their twenties and had plenty of life and relationship experience when they settled down, unlike Sydney and Rose who ended up with the first guy they had proper relationships with. How ridiculous.
-I hated Adrian, he was as immature and irritating as ever. He acted like a major brat with his tantrums and arguing. He wanted everyone to dance to his tune, and if he they didn't he'd sulk or feel sorry for himself, he was so pathetic.
I had to laugh at Adrian making a real effort to help find Jill and help Nina find her missing sister, when he couldn't even be bothered to do the same when Sydney was kidnapped and tortured. Nope, drinking, partying, cheating and flirting was more important than the so called loved of his life. Yet I was somehow meant to believe that he loved Sydney oh so much. Yea right.
Also, even though Adrian said he would risk his life for Sydney, his actions never really supported that. Even at the end when he was using spirit to help her fight that demon I never actually got the sense that he would physically risk his life for her (whereas she definitely would for him), even the spirit powers he used to save her didn't seem all that excessive (despite what he claimed). Sydney was always the one going into danger and risking her life whilst Adrian was always hanging back, chilling out and being coddled. It never once felt like Adrian would do for her what she would do for him. I hated them together, even though I'm no longer a fan of Sydney I still think she deserved so much better than him.
-I didn't enjoy Adrian's POV whatsoever, I didn't care about Nina or Olive or his spirit powers. It was boring, whatever charm he once had was all but gone.
-HATED all the forced Adrian and Sydney moments to make them seem cute and coupley.. Like the squirrel incident, the pie place, and looking after Declan. Ugh, it was so contrived and nauseating.
-I didn't even like when Rose, Dmitri, Christian, or Lissa showed up. I used to love them popping up in and out of the series but they were so blah in this. I actually hated Rose with her 'slut shaming' of dhampir women that lived in communes, she was a stuck up, judgemental cow. Also, how did Dmitri know so much about dhampir communes unless he'd gone there himself and taken advantage of the dhampir women? With his track record of shagging schoolgirls I wouldn't put it past him.
-I enjoyed the Alicia/witchy storyline when it was first introduced, I thought something fun or epic would happen with that arc, but it ended up being a damp squib. Alicia was a cookie cutter villain and there was never any doubt she would end up defeated. Also, the witches never really added anything relevant to the VA world. I've realised the sole purpose they were included in the first place wasn't to add to the world or for a thrilling plot. No, it was just so that Sydney would have powers, so she could properly be involved in the action scenes and actually be able to hold her own when it came to the bad guys. It was yet more lazy writing.
-What was the point of Olive's storyline beside letting Adrian and Sydney play mummy and daddy without Sydney actually getting pregnant? Oh that's right, it was also to get Nina (the other woman) out of the way and to give speshul snowflakes Dimtri and Rose a snowflake baby. Olive's whole character was just there to make Adrian/Sydney and Rose/Dimitri's relationships oh so perfect. Ugh.
-Loved Daniella, Inez and Jackie. They were the most entertaining characters out of the lot.
-Dimitri and Adrian cousins? Ugh, please. I refuse to believe Dmitri not knowing exactly who his dad was.
-It was impossible to tell that Sydney had so recently undergone months of torture. There was barely any hint of it apart from her casually mentioning it once or twice. Her imprisonment and torture was obviously only done for some cheap drama and angst. If anything Adrian was the one who acted like he'd gone through major trauma, it didn't help that Sydney kept molly coddling him, she practically changed his nappies, fed him and burped him, their relationship was so off putting.
-I was disappointed that the series didn't end up properly tackling the outdated moroi/dhampir dynamics, the racist Alchemists, the fanatical Warriors of Light, and the vile treatment of dhampir women. The VA world was so backwards and had so many issues, there was potential to address those and for the protagonists to really fight for progression and equal rights and something that mattered outside of themselves (instead of essentially fighting for teen love). Instead all they did was make half-arsed attempts at change or make no attempts whatsoever or ignore it entirely. It would have been unrealistic if everyone had suddenly become enlightened but some progression/education/forward thinking/change could have been implemented when it came to the Alchemists/moroi/dhampirs. The moroi possibly being able to fight and defend themselves, and re-education possibly-kind-of stopping one day was nowhere near good enough.
I'm still baffled as to why dhampirs/guardians are cool with being second class citizens. It doesn't matter if they grew up being told they were, they still had minds of their own and were living in the modern world (where millions had fought for equal rights for decades). Surely, some influential and forward thinking dhampirs would have wanted the same equality and fought for it by now?
-And why were moroi so cool with their dhampir children risking their lives for them? Surely, most of them wouldn't want their kids putting their lives on the line to save a bunch of spoilt moroi. Hardly any parents would want their children dying to protect them, why would moroi be any different even if their kids are dhampirs?
Also, how were the Alchemists able to get away with their whole torture/re-education? Why didn't Lissa or the moroi demand they stop that? Sure, the Alchemists were their own organisation but the moroi must have had some say or power in the way they ran things since their job was directly related to them.
-Also, why didn't Marcus or Sydney fight harder to try and change the Alchemist way? It was like they all just got on with their own lives and happily abandoned and ignored all the fucked up things that needed to be addressed. Sydney making one deal with the Alchemists wasn't nearly enough, she could have fought harder and longer or she could have helped from a distance. Her living it up with Adrian whilst her little sister was at the mercy of the sadistic Alchemists was quite disgusting. I didn't want her to be playing happy families, I wanted her to be out there fighting and taking down the Alchemists and making a change, instead her ending was totally insulting and uninspired. I expected Sydney (well pre-AdrianDatingSydney) to do far greater things.
-The ending was over the top cheesy with babies and marriage for everyone. I rolled my eyes at Adrian becoming a devoted dad/husband after a lifetime of immaturity, partying, and dependency on others, it didn't ring true him becoming SuperDad.
I wanted to like The Ruby Circle after enjoying most of the VA/Bloodlines series (bar the last couple of books).. But I think I've just become less tolerant and more cynical of YA that doesn't even try to be a little bit original, and instead sticks with the usual tropes and never surprises or shocks when it comes to plot, characters, or relationships. That said I think that fans of Adrian/Sydney and the series in general will probably enjoy this.
I'm glad the series is finally over, it's weird how much I used to enjoy it. I think my love for cheesy YA books has dwindled to nothing in the last year or so. They're just so predictable and trite, there's no originality, twists or turns, and the main characters and relationship dynamics are always the same. It's such lazy and formulaic writing.
-I missed the old Sydney, in the beginning of the series she was her own person, but by the end she was all about Adrian, it was clear that she was just a special little snowflake specially built for Adrian. She used to actually be rather interesting and endearing, but she became a total shrew who did nothing but nag Adrian non-stop and bang on about him and their contrived, mushy love. She was seriously more like an overbearing mother than a girlfriend.
I wasn't impressed that the once ambitious Sydney who wanted to travel the world and had all sorts of dreams, instead got to be a dutiful teenage wife and mother. Sure, she got to go to college but the fact that she was a good little wifey and mummy when she was still a teenager pissed me the hell off. Heaven forbid a heroine ending up single and hopeful for the next chapter in their life. Nope, they have to be tied down to a guy and sometimes even a baby. Why do YA books shove the idea that a girl can only ever be truly happy unless she's practically married?
At least Dmitri and Adrian were into their twenties and had plenty of life and relationship experience when they settled down, unlike Sydney and Rose who ended up with the first guy they had proper relationships with. How ridiculous.
-I hated Adrian, he was as immature and irritating as ever. He acted like a major brat with his tantrums and arguing. He wanted everyone to dance to his tune, and if he they didn't he'd sulk or feel sorry for himself, he was so pathetic.
I had to laugh at Adrian making a real effort to help find Jill and help Nina find her missing sister, when he couldn't even be bothered to do the same when Sydney was kidnapped and tortured. Nope, drinking, partying, cheating and flirting was more important than the so called loved of his life. Yet I was somehow meant to believe that he loved Sydney oh so much. Yea right.
Also, even though Adrian said he would risk his life for Sydney, his actions never really supported that. Even at the end when he was using spirit to help her fight that demon I never actually got the sense that he would physically risk his life for her (whereas she definitely would for him), even the spirit powers he used to save her didn't seem all that excessive (despite what he claimed). Sydney was always the one going into danger and risking her life whilst Adrian was always hanging back, chilling out and being coddled. It never once felt like Adrian would do for her what she would do for him. I hated them together, even though I'm no longer a fan of Sydney I still think she deserved so much better than him.
-I didn't enjoy Adrian's POV whatsoever, I didn't care about Nina or Olive or his spirit powers. It was boring, whatever charm he once had was all but gone.
-HATED all the forced Adrian and Sydney moments to make them seem cute and coupley.. Like the squirrel incident, the pie place, and looking after Declan. Ugh, it was so contrived and nauseating.
-I didn't even like when Rose, Dmitri, Christian, or Lissa showed up. I used to love them popping up in and out of the series but they were so blah in this. I actually hated Rose with her 'slut shaming' of dhampir women that lived in communes, she was a stuck up, judgemental cow. Also, how did Dmitri know so much about dhampir communes unless he'd gone there himself and taken advantage of the dhampir women? With his track record of shagging schoolgirls I wouldn't put it past him.
-I enjoyed the Alicia/witchy storyline when it was first introduced, I thought something fun or epic would happen with that arc, but it ended up being a damp squib. Alicia was a cookie cutter villain and there was never any doubt she would end up defeated. Also, the witches never really added anything relevant to the VA world. I've realised the sole purpose they were included in the first place wasn't to add to the world or for a thrilling plot. No, it was just so that Sydney would have powers, so she could properly be involved in the action scenes and actually be able to hold her own when it came to the bad guys. It was yet more lazy writing.
-What was the point of Olive's storyline beside letting Adrian and Sydney play mummy and daddy without Sydney actually getting pregnant? Oh that's right, it was also to get Nina (the other woman) out of the way and to give speshul snowflakes Dimtri and Rose a snowflake baby. Olive's whole character was just there to make Adrian/Sydney and Rose/Dimitri's relationships oh so perfect. Ugh.
-Loved Daniella, Inez and Jackie. They were the most entertaining characters out of the lot.
-Dimitri and Adrian cousins? Ugh, please. I refuse to believe Dmitri not knowing exactly who his dad was.
-It was impossible to tell that Sydney had so recently undergone months of torture. There was barely any hint of it apart from her casually mentioning it once or twice. Her imprisonment and torture was obviously only done for some cheap drama and angst. If anything Adrian was the one who acted like he'd gone through major trauma, it didn't help that Sydney kept molly coddling him, she practically changed his nappies, fed him and burped him, their relationship was so off putting.
-I was disappointed that the series didn't end up properly tackling the outdated moroi/dhampir dynamics, the racist Alchemists, the fanatical Warriors of Light, and the vile treatment of dhampir women. The VA world was so backwards and had so many issues, there was potential to address those and for the protagonists to really fight for progression and equal rights and something that mattered outside of themselves (instead of essentially fighting for teen love). Instead all they did was make half-arsed attempts at change or make no attempts whatsoever or ignore it entirely. It would have been unrealistic if everyone had suddenly become enlightened but some progression/education/forward thinking/change could have been implemented when it came to the Alchemists/moroi/dhampirs. The moroi possibly being able to fight and defend themselves, and re-education possibly-kind-of stopping one day was nowhere near good enough.
I'm still baffled as to why dhampirs/guardians are cool with being second class citizens. It doesn't matter if they grew up being told they were, they still had minds of their own and were living in the modern world (where millions had fought for equal rights for decades). Surely, some influential and forward thinking dhampirs would have wanted the same equality and fought for it by now?
-And why were moroi so cool with their dhampir children risking their lives for them? Surely, most of them wouldn't want their kids putting their lives on the line to save a bunch of spoilt moroi. Hardly any parents would want their children dying to protect them, why would moroi be any different even if their kids are dhampirs?
Also, how were the Alchemists able to get away with their whole torture/re-education? Why didn't Lissa or the moroi demand they stop that? Sure, the Alchemists were their own organisation but the moroi must have had some say or power in the way they ran things since their job was directly related to them.
-Also, why didn't Marcus or Sydney fight harder to try and change the Alchemist way? It was like they all just got on with their own lives and happily abandoned and ignored all the fucked up things that needed to be addressed. Sydney making one deal with the Alchemists wasn't nearly enough, she could have fought harder and longer or she could have helped from a distance. Her living it up with Adrian whilst her little sister was at the mercy of the sadistic Alchemists was quite disgusting. I didn't want her to be playing happy families, I wanted her to be out there fighting and taking down the Alchemists and making a change, instead her ending was totally insulting and uninspired. I expected Sydney (well pre-AdrianDatingSydney) to do far greater things.
-The ending was over the top cheesy with babies and marriage for everyone. I rolled my eyes at Adrian becoming a devoted dad/husband after a lifetime of immaturity, partying, and dependency on others, it didn't ring true him becoming SuperDad.
I wanted to like The Ruby Circle after enjoying most of the VA/Bloodlines series (bar the last couple of books).. But I think I've just become less tolerant and more cynical of YA that doesn't even try to be a little bit original, and instead sticks with the usual tropes and never surprises or shocks when it comes to plot, characters, or relationships. That said I think that fans of Adrian/Sydney and the series in general will probably enjoy this.
May 30, 2015
Go big or go home. And let me tell you, Richelle Mead really went big.
If you were hoping and praying for an exciting and fast paced end to the series, then you got just that, and then some. This was a wild ride my friends. From frantic chases through Vegas, to strigoi attacks, to kidnapping, to Hydra like demons that spit acid. Wild I tell you, absolutely wild.
And like Vampire Academy's ending, again we have to say farewell to another brilliant series by Richelle. Until the next Richelle Mead adventure:
______________
Pre-review (15/02/2014):
Crying because so far all the description says is:The last book in the Bloodlines series.You see that?! The last book. Now it says
the epic conclusion.
It's ending, it's really ending.
I know I have a few years to prepare for this but I can already foresee that I'm never going to be ready for this series to end.
Richelle could just write whole books about Sydrian arguing over pie flavours, or discussing the pros and cons of sour cherry slushies, and I'd still read it. Anything!Everything!
I mean, if we all spiral into insanity we can convince her to write more . . . right? RIGHT?! Please? Oh pretty please?
If you were hoping and praying for an exciting and fast paced end to the series, then you got just that, and then some. This was a wild ride my friends. From frantic chases through Vegas, to strigoi attacks, to kidnapping, to Hydra like demons that spit acid. Wild I tell you, absolutely wild.
And like Vampire Academy's ending, again we have to say farewell to another brilliant series by Richelle. Until the next Richelle Mead adventure:
______________
Pre-review (15/02/2014):
Crying because so far all the description says is:
I know I have a few years to prepare for this but I can already foresee that I'm never going to be ready for this series to end.
Richelle could just write whole books about Sydrian arguing over pie flavours, or discussing the pros and cons of sour cherry slushies, and I'd still read it. Anything!
I mean, if we all spiral into insanity we can convince her to write more . . . right? RIGHT?! Please? Oh pretty please?
January 31, 2023
“Being with you is the best thing that's ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I've made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I'd go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you.”
“I love you. If anything, I can’t believe you gave up everything you did to be
with me. You changed your whole life for me.”
“My life didn’t even begin until I met you,” I told him fiercely.”
December 14, 2019
I must say I am a bit disappointed with this ending. I thought that we gonna get more answers than we did. It felt almost unfinished.
Also, I liked Adrian more in the Vampire Academy.
I would love more Sydney/Rose/Adrian/Dimitri scenes. Those are sweet and hilarious. But a lot of parts were wasted, and they were running around pointlessly.
Also, I liked Adrian more in the Vampire Academy.
I would love more Sydney/Rose/Adrian/Dimitri scenes. Those are sweet and hilarious. But a lot of parts were wasted, and they were running around pointlessly.
April 26, 2015
After Reading
So I finally read it! And I am so depressed and happy! The ending was beautiful yet I hate to say goodbye to this series. This review is really personal and sappy, so if you want skip reading it, I won't blame you.
This one line is enough to transport me 3 years back, when I bought my first book Vampire Academy. I was a late bloomer when it came to reading. 4 years back I started reading books, one in 2 months. I use to always pick up Vampire Academy when I visited the bookstore and upon my first reading the synopsis I thought it contained a love triangle between Rose-Dimitri-Lissa. Thinking back I have a good laugh. I never bought the book until 3 years back because I had nothing to read. I started reading it and just like that I fell in love with books.
In the above pic a few books are missing, some have been lent and some like SS and TRC are on kindle because I couldn't buy the books since this way the collection is incomplete and thus not a constant reminder that the series is over.
I remember reading this and thinking, what if Sydney and Adrian got together? So imagine my surprise when I found out Bloodlines series was about them!!
I remember reading this and hating Rose. I hated her so much. But now that is in the past. Looking back so much has happened and changed since VA till TRC. I have too many memories attached to both the series. Even though I have found many series that I love nothing will compare to VA, BL and Pride and Prejudice.
The Ruby Circle, to be honest was a little boring at the beginning but it picked up pace and then it was series of twists and turns. Even though I am glad Rose and Dimitri were there, I was disappointed that Angeline was a no-show. I really liked her character.
Though the book lacked here and there, my love for this series, it's characters and that ending is enough for me to give this book 5 stars.
If you haven't read the series, I would recommend it. Many may not find the first book that interestingand the movie was a disaster(*whispers*it was) but the series does get better.
LOVE YOU VAMPIRE ACADEMY AND BLODDLINES <3
Before Reading
The last book in the Bloodlines series
My mind: "It's okay no need to cry, you knew this was coming."
Me: "Bu-But no more Sydrian, no more ADRIAN!! <3 I-I can't help myself. I don't want this series to end!!"
Bloodlines series came into my life as a lighting bolt. It shattered my world. But it also remade it.
It gave me an opportunity to discover another side of Adrian which I had seen only in glimpses in VA but got a full understanding of in this series. I got a chance to know the real Adrian Ivashkov. It made me love Adrian even more than I already did. I love him so much it hurts.
It gave me ships like Jeddie and Angeline-Trey and also Ms.T-Wolf. It gave me Sydrian feels I couldn't handle especially in TFH. I don't think I'm ready to let this series or characters go. I don't think I'll ever be.
So I finally read it! And I am so depressed and happy! The ending was beautiful yet I hate to say goodbye to this series. This review is really personal and sappy, so if you want skip reading it, I won't blame you.
I felt her fear before I heard her screams.
This one line is enough to transport me 3 years back, when I bought my first book Vampire Academy. I was a late bloomer when it came to reading. 4 years back I started reading books, one in 2 months. I use to always pick up Vampire Academy when I visited the bookstore and upon my first reading the synopsis I thought it contained a love triangle between Rose-Dimitri-Lissa. Thinking back I have a good laugh. I never bought the book until 3 years back because I had nothing to read. I started reading it and just like that I fell in love with books.
In the above pic a few books are missing, some have been lent and some like SS and TRC are on kindle because I couldn't buy the books since this way the collection is incomplete and thus not a constant reminder that the series is over.
Sydney: “the guy with you … the tall Moroi with dark hair … is that your boyfriend?”
Rose: “Er, yeah.”
Sydney: “He’s cute.”
Rose: “For an evil creature of the night?”
I remember reading this and thinking, what if Sydney and Adrian got together? So imagine my surprise when I found out Bloodlines series was about them!!
“I don't balance you like you need."
"What the hell does that mean?" he exclaimed.
My heart ached for him, and I was so sorry for what I'd done...but this was the truth of it all. "The fact that you have to ask says it all. When you find that person...you'll know.”
I remember reading this and hating Rose. I hated her so much. But now that is in the past. Looking back so much has happened and changed since VA till TRC. I have too many memories attached to both the series. Even though I have found many series that I love nothing will compare to VA, BL and Pride and Prejudice.
The Ruby Circle, to be honest was a little boring at the beginning but it picked up pace and then it was series of twists and turns. Even though I am glad Rose and Dimitri were there, I was disappointed that Angeline was a no-show. I really liked her character.
Though the book lacked here and there, my love for this series, it's characters and that ending is enough for me to give this book 5 stars.
If you haven't read the series, I would recommend it. Many may not find the first book that interesting
LOVE YOU VAMPIRE ACADEMY AND BLODDLINES <3
Before Reading
The last book in the Bloodlines series
My mind: "It's okay no need to cry, you knew this was coming."
Me: "Bu-But no more Sydrian, no more ADRIAN!! <3 I-I can't help myself. I don't want this series to end!!"
Bloodlines series came into my life as a lighting bolt. It shattered my world. But it also remade it.
It gave me an opportunity to discover another side of Adrian which I had seen only in glimpses in VA but got a full understanding of in this series. I got a chance to know the real Adrian Ivashkov. It made me love Adrian even more than I already did. I love him so much it hurts.
It gave me ships like Jeddie and Angeline-Trey and also Ms.T-Wolf. It gave me Sydrian feels I couldn't handle especially in TFH. I don't think I'm ready to let this series or characters go. I don't think I'll ever be.
December 11, 2015
I survived reading The Ruby Circle. Can you believe it? I have battle wounds and I live to tell you this wondrous tale.
I know a half ass written book when I see one. The Ruby Circle is a train wreck waiting to happen since The Fiery Heart and I couldn’t get off fast enough.
Despite its second rate book covers and questionable plot. I genuinely loved the first two books of Bloodlines series. The third book, The Indigo Spell isn’t as bad as the latter ones, but I don’t have a soft spot for it unlike its prior installments. The last three books, however is the downfall of the series.
Bloodlines follows the story of Sydney Sage, a teenager girl who is part of an Alchemist organization. They aim to prevent humans from discovering there is another species apart from them. When Sydney was sent to Palm Springs, California to oversee the protection of a Moroi Princess with a band of Morois and Dhampirs. She soon after discovers, vampires are not as evil and "creatures of the night" as her society taught her to be. As a result, Sydney started questioning everything she has learned.
Similarly to its two predecessors, The Ruby Circle is told from the shifting point of views of Adrian and Sydney. I don’t know why Mead ever thought adding Adrian’s POV is a necessary course direction. The first three books went very well without any of his input. The tricky thing about incorporating multiple POVs, they rarely work for me, especially for male narrators. The author is juggling too many plates. Case scenario: POV1 already covered what POV2 is currently lamenting. It doesn’t seem authentic to me. Of course, there are few authors who handled this fantastically with fluid and effective narrative, but Bloodlines series isn’t one of them. It was poorly executed. Adrian become whiny contrary to his character development. And Sydney lacked the gleam, I initially find so endearing.
What Really Happened Throughout This Book:
Adrian: Mom! Can you come here?
Daniella: Sure. Just give me a sec!
(Daniella apparated in the next paragraph)
*Adrian is in the court while Sydney is off fighting another weird species of demons*
*Sydney on the verge of getting annihilated*
*Adrian magically appears out of nowhere*
*Uses spirit magic to save Sydney*
Me: Amazing story telling skillz
Besides from the lackluster narration of the novel, I am baffled by the direction of the plot. At this point, I didn’t even know where did it go? The Ruby Circle introduced plenty of obstacles and trials while Mead keeps springing unnecessary twists. They weren’t properly delivered. All the loose ends weren't neatly tied. It was cringe and cheese induced fest.
Adrian and Sydney was out of character, the supporting characters are cardboard cutout. There is no logical explanation for this bat shit trying hard for a book, other than I’ve read better Sydrian fanfics than this.
I will not even breathe a word about the epilogue.
This series makes me extremely sad, because at point of my life, I was obsessed with these books. They deserved so much better than this. To say, I am disappointed would be the understatement of the century.
Overall, I am not recommending the last three books of this series to anyone. And to all Bloodlines fans who doesn’t have the courage to pick this up. I feel you and you’ve been a valiant soldier.
February 17, 2015
I'm telling you, the next spinoff better be baby vampires next! Preferably :D
3.5 stars Missing some swoon here, and I'm hampered because I just don't care about looking for pretty Princess Jill. But hey. It's been 12 books, and Richelle Mead still keeps my interest and still pulls off some fun surprises.
Review to come.
3.5 stars Missing some swoon here, and I'm hampered because I just don't care about looking for pretty Princess Jill. But hey. It's been 12 books, and Richelle Mead still keeps my interest and still pulls off some fun surprises.
Review to come.
Want to read
July 8, 2012My predictions for a book that will come out three years from now...
Sydney and Adrian will get together *gasps*! Mind blowing isn't it guys?
But seriously. I hope they get together now otherwise I will look like a complete idiot. Just pray that Adrian doesn't turn into a transvestite zombie or something weird like that so that they don't end up together... Acutally come to think of it that'd be a pretty cool ending.
As an aside, I sincerely hope Rose and Dimitri get married cause- lets face it- Dimitri in a tux guys!
Sydney and Adrian will get together *gasps*! Mind blowing isn't it guys?
But seriously. I hope they get together now otherwise I will look like a complete idiot. Just pray that Adrian doesn't turn into a transvestite zombie or something weird like that so that they don't end up together... Acutally come to think of it that'd be a pretty cool ending.
As an aside, I sincerely hope Rose and Dimitri get married cause- lets face it- Dimitri in a tux guys!
November 9, 2016
*ignores life, humans, and every single responsibility to read this*
Can they actually make "Raptorbot Rampage" a real movie?! I'd watch the shit out of it!!
Also, I'm surprised how much I missed all the secondary characters...
* * *
Woah. what a journey... So many feels! An incredible ending to an incredible series.
Huge emotional moment for me because I've been following these books for years and now even the spin-off has finished! But, what a finish it was. Richelle, babe... You KILLED it. As always, I'm in awe.
Also, DAMN do I miss Dimitri! That badass Strigoi-massacring, duster-wearing, wild-west-reading God. Okay, just writing that sentence has made me want to read all of VA and Bloodlines all over again. Again, Richelle Mead is the Queen and the absolute shit. I just adored it!!!
Goodbyeeeeee for now...
Can they actually make "Raptorbot Rampage" a real movie?! I'd watch the shit out of it!!
Also, I'm surprised how much I missed all the secondary characters...
* * *
Woah. what a journey... So many feels! An incredible ending to an incredible series.
Huge emotional moment for me because I've been following these books for years and now even the spin-off has finished! But, what a finish it was. Richelle, babe... You KILLED it. As always, I'm in awe.
Also, DAMN do I miss Dimitri! That badass Strigoi-massacring, duster-wearing, wild-west-reading God. Okay, just writing that sentence has made me want to read all of VA and Bloodlines all over again. Again, Richelle Mead is the Queen and the absolute shit. I just adored it!!!
Goodbyeeeeee for now...
September 17, 2020
2019
Absolutely loved my reread journey, possibly more than the first time... rereading VA and Bloodlines has renewed my love for these books more than I thought possible!!
2015
Fantastic, loved this final book but I am sad to see it all end.... What a memorable journey and it's all thanks to that brilliant Richelle Mead!
Absolutely loved my reread journey, possibly more than the first time... rereading VA and Bloodlines has renewed my love for these books more than I thought possible!!
2015
Fantastic, loved this final book but I am sad to see it all end.... What a memorable journey and it's all thanks to that brilliant Richelle Mead!
February 10, 2015
OMG!!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT WILL BE THE LAST SYDRIAN BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!
BUT I AM NOT READY!!!!! I WANT MORE SYDNEY AND ADRIAN!!!!
BUT I AM NOT READY!!!!! I WANT MORE SYDNEY AND ADRIAN!!!!
April 7, 2015
I CAN'T ACCEPT THAT THIS SERIES HAS ENDED
I DON'T EVEN CARE RICHELLE MEAD JUST PULL A CASSANDRA CLARE AND GIVE US 10 MORE SERIES'
Thanks.
Review to come.
I DON'T EVEN CARE RICHELLE MEAD JUST PULL A CASSANDRA CLARE AND GIVE US 10 MORE SERIES'
Thanks.
Review to come.
August 1, 2015
LOVE both this series and the Vampire Academy series! I started this book in April, but had other books I really wanted to read more. Put it down, and just yesterday picked it up and flew through it! It was so good! I'm a little sad that it's over though...
February 19, 2015
Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
Glass: We have been scared of this day. Last Bloodlines novel. What will we do with our lives now?
Tanja: Yeah, I wonder the same. It's just damn bittersweet. We've been in this world for so long and it's nice to see it reaching this point but then I'll miss it. Still let's keep it where it is and let it go now.
Glass: That is something I wholeheartedly agree with - Vampire Academy and Bloodlines fictional world should end here. We are a little bit biased when it comes to these books - our friendship actually started because of our shared love for Rose, Dimitri and Adrian. (We even named our little nephew Adrian.) That doesn't mean that we can't recognize bad sides of this story. Like how it started really slow and ending was rushed.
Tanja: Exactly, especially after all that crescendo we went through at the end of Silver Shadows. For me it felt like stepping into anther story altogether at the start. I needed some getting used to the pace and plot line. (Even though, as always Mead didn't fail to repeat things, which still drives me crazy. I see point of it, but honestly it's not like someone will read this before any other book in both series and wouldn't know about dhampirs and moroi and all that).
Glass: But she actually toned it down in final book, I was more annoyed by it in previous one.
What did you think about Sydney and Adrian? I know that you prefer Dimitri, but Adrian was always my favorite. He truly grow up in The Ruby Circle.
Tanja: Oh I adore him too. I mean I always did, but it bothered me how immature he was in the previous books. I did like his boy charm and all, but now I think I fully grew to love him. I like how more serious and adult he became. Which is amazing in this series, as you really saw him change. Both him and Sydney, but I think it was more present in his character.
Glass: Sydney was kind of consistent trough whole series - she is responsible, too mature for her age, ambitious, confident, smart and strong. That is why I loved her, she is not the most usual female character you can find in this type of books.
But the way everything ended and that epilogue! I just loved epilogue!
Tanja: That thing was like cherry on top! I was kind of worried how all this will end, somehow the whole book was so rushed at the end that I was scared for the epilogue but then Mead did was I will always be grateful for. She combined the two and closed this world. Like I always say, we might have left this world, but parts of our hearts will still remain there. As it should be.
*************************************
How I imagine Adrian Ivashkov?
Glass: We have been scared of this day. Last Bloodlines novel. What will we do with our lives now?
Tanja: Yeah, I wonder the same. It's just damn bittersweet. We've been in this world for so long and it's nice to see it reaching this point but then I'll miss it. Still let's keep it where it is and let it go now.
Glass: That is something I wholeheartedly agree with - Vampire Academy and Bloodlines fictional world should end here. We are a little bit biased when it comes to these books - our friendship actually started because of our shared love for Rose, Dimitri and Adrian. (We even named our little nephew Adrian.) That doesn't mean that we can't recognize bad sides of this story. Like how it started really slow and ending was rushed.
Tanja: Exactly, especially after all that crescendo we went through at the end of Silver Shadows. For me it felt like stepping into anther story altogether at the start. I needed some getting used to the pace and plot line. (Even though, as always Mead didn't fail to repeat things, which still drives me crazy. I see point of it, but honestly it's not like someone will read this before any other book in both series and wouldn't know about dhampirs and moroi and all that).
Glass: But she actually toned it down in final book, I was more annoyed by it in previous one.
What did you think about Sydney and Adrian? I know that you prefer Dimitri, but Adrian was always my favorite. He truly grow up in The Ruby Circle.
Tanja: Oh I adore him too. I mean I always did, but it bothered me how immature he was in the previous books. I did like his boy charm and all, but now I think I fully grew to love him. I like how more serious and adult he became. Which is amazing in this series, as you really saw him change. Both him and Sydney, but I think it was more present in his character.
Glass: Sydney was kind of consistent trough whole series - she is responsible, too mature for her age, ambitious, confident, smart and strong. That is why I loved her, she is not the most usual female character you can find in this type of books.
But the way everything ended and that epilogue! I just loved epilogue!
Tanja: That thing was like cherry on top! I was kind of worried how all this will end, somehow the whole book was so rushed at the end that I was scared for the epilogue but then Mead did was I will always be grateful for. She combined the two and closed this world. Like I always say, we might have left this world, but parts of our hearts will still remain there. As it should be.
*************************************
How I imagine Adrian Ivashkov?
July 25, 2024
ೃ⁀➷ pre-review:
➷ the only thing I like about it is that it's over 🥰🫶
rtc 🌺
ೃ⁀➷ preread:
➷ I'm so ready to be done with this series 🫠 also, this cover is physically hurting my eyes to look at 😭😭
➷ the only thing I like about it is that it's over 🥰🫶
rtc 🌺
ೃ⁀➷ preread:
➷ I'm so ready to be done with this series 🫠 also, this cover is physically hurting my eyes to look at 😭😭
April 6, 2015
The Ruby Circle was a amazing conclusion to a series that has meant a lot to me. For the last four years I was lucky enough to read books in this world and now that it has all ended I feel both glad and sad to have been on this journey. I'll miss these characters a lot - especially Adrian - but the ending couldn't have been more perfect.
As always I enjoyed reading about both Sydney and Adrian a lot. People who know me even a little bit know how much I love Adrian. These past years he's been my favorite character and I can only applaud Richelle Mead for writing him and been able to see him grow and change (for the better) as a character, especially in the Bloodlines series. I'm pretty sure that everyone who's read both Vampire Academy and Bloodlines can agree that the Adrian we met in Frostbite (vampire academy #2) isn't the same guy that we've come to know through the Bloodlines series. And that's pretty remarkable.
But anyway, on to The Ruby Circle. I obviously loved it. Quite a few things got resolved and some unexpected twists (read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about) honestly freaked me out (in the best way!). I love Sydney and Adrian's relationship but right from the start it's very clear they have some issues that are unresolved. They both have flaws but they trust each other completely and they're both equally fierce in wanting to protect one another. I love them.
As it was the last Bloodlines book a lot familiar characters made an appearance. Rose and Dimitri were a pretty big part of the book. I always enjoy reading about them and knowing what's going on with them. Let's just say that I'm pleased with where their life is taking them with what I read at the ending. Of course other familiar people were in it, but I won't bore you with naming them all.
I also really liked the action, there was a lot of it in the book. Both Sydney and Adrian are pretty badass in their own way. Sydney with her magic and Adrian with his spirit magic (although I hated seeing what it did to his sanity). They might've not have a lot of time for romance but the moments they could steal together were intense, sweet and just absolute. The Center Will Hold!
As far as series endings go, The Ruby Circle is one of my favorites. I managed only just not to cry, but I was very emotional reading those last few pages. Of course I wish there would be more books coming or another spin-off but I think the ending that Richelle Mead created is good as it is and I'm okay with it being the end. All I can do now is maybe re-read the books and fall in love with these characters all over.
As always I enjoyed reading about both Sydney and Adrian a lot. People who know me even a little bit know how much I love Adrian. These past years he's been my favorite character and I can only applaud Richelle Mead for writing him and been able to see him grow and change (for the better) as a character, especially in the Bloodlines series. I'm pretty sure that everyone who's read both Vampire Academy and Bloodlines can agree that the Adrian we met in Frostbite (vampire academy #2) isn't the same guy that we've come to know through the Bloodlines series. And that's pretty remarkable.
But anyway, on to The Ruby Circle. I obviously loved it. Quite a few things got resolved and some unexpected twists (read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about) honestly freaked me out (in the best way!). I love Sydney and Adrian's relationship but right from the start it's very clear they have some issues that are unresolved. They both have flaws but they trust each other completely and they're both equally fierce in wanting to protect one another. I love them.
As it was the last Bloodlines book a lot familiar characters made an appearance. Rose and Dimitri were a pretty big part of the book. I always enjoy reading about them and knowing what's going on with them. Let's just say that I'm pleased with where their life is taking them with what I read at the ending. Of course other familiar people were in it, but I won't bore you with naming them all.
I also really liked the action, there was a lot of it in the book. Both Sydney and Adrian are pretty badass in their own way. Sydney with her magic and Adrian with his spirit magic (although I hated seeing what it did to his sanity). They might've not have a lot of time for romance but the moments they could steal together were intense, sweet and just absolute. The Center Will Hold!
As far as series endings go, The Ruby Circle is one of my favorites. I managed only just not to cry, but I was very emotional reading those last few pages. Of course I wish there would be more books coming or another spin-off but I think the ending that Richelle Mead created is good as it is and I'm okay with it being the end. All I can do now is maybe re-read the books and fall in love with these characters all over.
March 24, 2015
This review was also posted HERE.
OH MY GOD. I can't believe it's over.
It's hard, really. It's difficult to say goodbye to the characters I've grown to love. I love how thoroughly invested I was with these books. It was just too easy for me to care for them because they were really flawed and they make mistakes and stupid decisions every darn time yet still, they are all wonderful.
Richelle Mead wrapped up this series nicely, I supposed, though I feel that this was really short. I would've wanted to see more Dimitri and Rose. (I love them okay? They're like one of my many OTPs) I need freaking short stories. Or novellas. I might even read some fan fictions because I was left wanting for more even though I was wholly satisfied with almost everything.
At the last pages I was like...
I can't bring myself to read the end but alas! I reached the last page and the feeling was so bittersweet. I have so much love for these characters and I'm so happy everything turned out okay but I don't know. Some problems were just too conveniently solved and that stopped me from enjoying this book immensely. But I still liked it so I'll still give it a somehow high rating.
To all those who haven't journeyed with these characters yet, I really recommend this series! (Including Vampire Academy, of course) But if you feel like you weren't up to commit to a lot of books yet, you can at least try to read the first one. You'll never know, maybe you guys will end up loving it like I did!
Deadly Darlings | Her Book Thoughts | Twitter
OH MY GOD. I can't believe it's over.
It's hard, really. It's difficult to say goodbye to the characters I've grown to love. I love how thoroughly invested I was with these books. It was just too easy for me to care for them because they were really flawed and they make mistakes and stupid decisions every darn time yet still, they are all wonderful.
Richelle Mead wrapped up this series nicely, I supposed, though I feel that this was really short. I would've wanted to see more Dimitri and Rose. (I love them okay? They're like one of my many OTPs) I need freaking short stories. Or novellas. I might even read some fan fictions because I was left wanting for more even though I was wholly satisfied with almost everything.
At the last pages I was like...
I can't bring myself to read the end but alas! I reached the last page and the feeling was so bittersweet. I have so much love for these characters and I'm so happy everything turned out okay but I don't know. Some problems were just too conveniently solved and that stopped me from enjoying this book immensely. But I still liked it so I'll still give it a somehow high rating.
To all those who haven't journeyed with these characters yet, I really recommend this series! (Including Vampire Academy, of course) But if you feel like you weren't up to commit to a lot of books yet, you can at least try to read the first one. You'll never know, maybe you guys will end up loving it like I did!
Deadly Darlings | Her Book Thoughts | Twitter
March 7, 2015
Wow...this is it! I'm shocked that I actually read all the books in this spin off. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Adrian and Sydney but the problem was that I forgot that a lot of the time. I'm not sure why because I've definitely come to love them as much as I do Rose and Dimitri.
The story begins with someone missing and of course, Adrian and Sydney want to be right in the middle of the action. And who can blame them? Things have been pretty boring at Court. So with a little help, they are off. Naturally, things can't go as planned.
I did really love the new twist...especially for all its implications. But that would mean, there would have to be more stories and I'm all for that as long as a certain couple (or two, three or four) is involved!
The frustrating parts were the times when Adrian and Sydney were apart because they are just sooo good when they are together. Luckily, we get that for the big drama and having both their POVs kind of helps. I love that Sydney needs him as much as he needs her and I really love that Sydney throws Adrian's sarcastic humor right back at him...in the most loving way of course!
Oh, and I can't forget to mention the exciting familial news! Who would have thunk? I just wish we could have had more scenes about that!
The new couple? We definitely saw that coming!
And the epilogue...how amazing was that? I'm so happy that RM pulled it all together and left us in a happy place!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “So this is Canada,” I said, looking outside my car door.
“For the last time, it’s not Canada,” Sydney replied, rolling her eyes. “It’s northern Michigan.”
♥ “Never, ever think like that. I don’t regret anything we’ve faced. Being with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I’ve made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I’d go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you.”
♥ "My life didn't even begin until I met you."
♥ “Oh, this I’ve got to see, comrade. Dimitri Belikov, badass god, installing a baby’s car seat.”
♥ “You make me believe anything is possible,” I whispered.
“I told you before, we’re the center,” she said. “And the center will hold.”
The story begins with someone missing and of course, Adrian and Sydney want to be right in the middle of the action. And who can blame them? Things have been pretty boring at Court. So with a little help, they are off. Naturally, things can't go as planned.
I did really love the new twist...especially for all its implications. But that would mean, there would have to be more stories and I'm all for that as long as a certain couple (or two, three or four) is involved!
The frustrating parts were the times when Adrian and Sydney were apart because they are just sooo good when they are together. Luckily, we get that for the big drama and having both their POVs kind of helps. I love that Sydney needs him as much as he needs her and I really love that Sydney throws Adrian's sarcastic humor right back at him...in the most loving way of course!
Oh, and I can't forget to mention the exciting familial news! Who would have thunk? I just wish we could have had more scenes about that!
The new couple? We definitely saw that coming!
And the epilogue...how amazing was that? I'm so happy that RM pulled it all together and left us in a happy place!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “So this is Canada,” I said, looking outside my car door.
“For the last time, it’s not Canada,” Sydney replied, rolling her eyes. “It’s northern Michigan.”
♥ “Never, ever think like that. I don’t regret anything we’ve faced. Being with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I’ve made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I’d go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you.”
♥ "My life didn't even begin until I met you."
♥ “Oh, this I’ve got to see, comrade. Dimitri Belikov, badass god, installing a baby’s car seat.”
♥ “You make me believe anything is possible,” I whispered.
“I told you before, we’re the center,” she said. “And the center will hold.”
Want to read
November 22, 2013This is the end, folks.
THE END!!!!!!
Excuse my while I go wrap my head in tin foil and sit in broad daylight. I'm not sure what that's gonna do, but anyways...
What's Gonna Happen in Bloodlines #6 (Yes, what IS going to happen because if all this doesn't happen I'm gonna eat an entire pan of brownies and NOT SHARE WITH YOU and Richelle Mead will have to write another Bloodlines book complete with a cute lil' Sydrian Baby named after ME. So there.)
--> Sydrian (these two are gonna be together forever 'n' ever & have lots of post-sex poetry & Baby Sydrians)
--> Jeddie...Yes, I like how that sounds (hahaha). What that means is: Jill + Eddie = Forever.
--> Angeline/Trey and Mrs. T/Mr. Eleven Chihuahuas. I ain't making them cute couple names because nahhh, I just don't feel like it.
--> A big showdown between Alchemists and Sage, her witch friends, & whoever else decides to back them up (Rose & Co., Moroi, etc.)
--> Daddy Sage gets put into re-education (Ha! Probably won't happen but that would be SOOOOOOO great.)
--> Alchemists reform & change their values/policies so they aren't a bunch of prejudiced, brain-washed, scumbags.
--> We see Lissa become confident as Queen & married to Lord Ozera.
--> Rose and Dimitri get hitched.
--> My feels break me.
THE END!!!!!!
Excuse my while I go wrap my head in tin foil and sit in broad daylight. I'm not sure what that's gonna do, but anyways...
What's Gonna Happen in Bloodlines #6 (Yes, what IS going to happen because if all this doesn't happen I'm gonna eat an entire pan of brownies and NOT SHARE WITH YOU and Richelle Mead will have to write another Bloodlines book complete with a cute lil' Sydrian Baby named after ME. So there.)
--> Sydrian (these two are gonna be together forever 'n' ever & have lots of post-sex poetry & Baby Sydrians)
--> Jeddie...Yes, I like how that sounds (hahaha). What that means is: Jill + Eddie = Forever.
--> Angeline/Trey and Mrs. T/Mr. Eleven Chihuahuas. I ain't making them cute couple names because nahhh, I just don't feel like it.
--> A big showdown between Alchemists and Sage, her witch friends, & whoever else decides to back them up (Rose & Co., Moroi, etc.)
--> Daddy Sage gets put into re-education (Ha! Probably won't happen but that would be SOOOOOOO great.)
--> Alchemists reform & change their values/policies so they aren't a bunch of prejudiced, brain-washed, scumbags.
--> We see Lissa become confident as Queen & married to Lord Ozera.
--> Rose and Dimitri get hitched.
--> My feels break me.
September 18, 2018
Book 1: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 2: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 3: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 4: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a half
Book 5: ⭐⭐⭐
Book 6: ⭐⭐ and a half
Tiring and disappointing.
I have to admit that there were some parts I enjoyed.
But…
Tell me please, Just to cause problems and create a 6th book? We were trying to solve the problems alchemists cause to the couple, and also watching the attempts of Moroi to gather information about spirit. And suddenly
No…
I really liked the story until the 4th book. I think the fifth book should be the last of the series. Instead of watching Adrian drinking there, we could focus on how the problems with alchemists and the couple end and also see the story of Olive.
And speaking of olive… How convenient, huh? . As for Nina??? A convenient ending too. And Neil??? Another convenient ending.
Ok, Mead, we get that, you want the baby to stay with the couple.
Didn't expect that from my favorite author
VA is top!
February 17, 2015
www.bookworm221.tumblr.com
I really don’t know what to say about this book, I’m really sad that our time in the Vampire Academy/Bloodlines is over, the books are always going to be there for us to revisit but no more new stories are coming, at least not anytime soon.
I’m satisfied with the way things ended, it felt like everything came full circle with this book, the relationship between Adrian and Sydney grew stronger, in the last book I was upset by some of Adrian’s actions, but in The Ruby Circle, Adrian really grew up and took responsibility for his actions and he also knew when to quit and restrain himself from using too much power. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was mostly him doing it and not just because Sydney was forcing him to do it.
There was action, drama and a lot of love, the epilogue was perfection, the sense of happiness and calmness that the characters had was really nice to read after everything they had gone through.
I don’t want to say anything else because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. Excpet maybe one thing; Jill and Eddie!! I needed more! a lot more! Maybe hopefully someday we’ll get a story from them.
Keep Calm and Read On
Instagram and Twitter @bookquotes221
July 10, 2020
“Sydney,” Adrian interrupted, cupping my face in his hands. “Never, ever think like that. I don’t regret anything we’ve faced. Being with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I’ve made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I’d go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you.”
Life at the Royal Moroi Court, wasn't as easy as Sydney and Adrian hoped it would be.
Of course it's better than the re-education center for Alchemist but a couple of newly weds, living with the groom's mother in close quarters, isn't the best thing. Having people judge your every move, doesn't help either.
So when Mrs. Terwilliger comes to the Court with a mysterious box and the opportunity for Sydney to leave the Court undetected, Sydney doesn't hesitate to follow Mrs. Terwilliger and Eddie in search for Jill.
Even tho this series can't compete with Vampire Academy, it easilly made it's way into my favorite series of all time.
Rereading it only confirmed it.
Now all I want and need is another spin off series with Lissa and Christian!
Just think about how Christian's POV would be....
October 12, 2018
It's over, it's finally over. I used to think that I just grew out of the Vampire Academy world.
February 26, 2019
2019 review - 3.5 stars
This holds up better on a reread with perspective and lower expectations.
2015 review - 3 stars
DISCLAIMER: I'm not sure this review makes sense, but I'm just done and too busy reading about the first time Sascha Hunter eats chocolate (which is precious) to change it.
YOU KNOW WHAT MAKES ME UNBELIEVABLY, SICKLY EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS BOOK? Nothing. And that's the problem.
The Ruby Circle is okay for a last book in YA series. I didn't expect heartbreakingly brilliant like HP & The Deathly Hallows or Mockingjay, or angrily bad like Allegiant or The Death Cure. But I also didn't expect it to be, well, Breaking Dawn.
I mean, of course this is better than Twilight. But in many ways, it was BD. Except that's the best of Twilight IMO, and TRC is obviously the worst of Richelle Mead, that I've read so far.
WAYS IN WHICH BREAKING DAWN AND THE RUBY CIRCLE ARE DISTURBINGLY ALIKE
- The MCs are definitely not who we saw in the first book. (Except in BD it kind of is character development, and in TRC it's more like character homicide.)
- Everyone is there for the party (and I mean EVERYONE), except the mother of the main female character, who is supposed to have a super close relationship with her. But she's like fuck that.
-
- And now a toast for daddy issues.
- There is so much preparation for the final battle, and it's incredibly underwhelming.
- Shit happens that changes the very foundation of a species, but we never get to see how it turns out.
- So many awesome secondary characters and couples I actually care about that we don't get read more about.
All that said, my biggest disappointment when it comes to this series is that Adrian and Sydney are not the characters I fell in love with in Bloodlines. You know how difficult it's to find an intellectual, thinks-before-she-acts, loyal, believably looking female MC? And a funny, artistic, metrosexual beta male who is comfortable enough with both his sexuality and non-aggressive personality that he doesn't have to prove himself every two minutes who also happens to respect women? The worst thing about this book is that it feels like Adrian and Sydney lose the core of what makes them these complex, lovable characters.
I can forgive boring plots and short, rushed climaxes. But you can't ask me to just ignore that this series used to address mental illness, the oppressiveness of society when it comes to body image, addictions. You can't ask me to forget that rules-lover Sydney gave up her freedom to Abe, the Lord of All Things Illegal, for him to take an eye out of the man who raped her sister. That is the moment her character development started. And The Fiery Heart is the moment it stopped. I have no idea what happened from there. And let's not even talk about Adrian. I can't even go there.
On a different topic, I've seen several people complain about Sydney constantly asking Adrian to stop using spirit and take the meds. And I have to say, ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS? I get that it's hard, that spirit is a part of Adrian. It's his power, his drug. One he unfortunately didn't choose. But it's still a drug that is killing him. She's not asking him to stop smoking or being friends with that one chick he hooked up with once. Spirit makes him moody, bipolar (medically, not in a manner of speech). It makes him hallucinate his dead aunt blasting his worst insecurities. It makes him feel like this:
It makes him go from off the roof happy and excited to this in no time, for no reason:
And you can't argue against it, because we have seen it happen from his bloody POV. Do you really not remember The Fiery Heart? And the rest of the books, for that matter. Sonya willingly turned into a Strigoi,
Sydney is not being selfish, she is fucking concerned. You know why? Because the love of her life is going insane. And you know what else? A blameless teenage girl has to go through everything he does without having any say in the matter.
Bottom-line, if I see one more person calling Sydney a bitch for this, I'll cut them.
So, yeah, it was okay I guess. It was entertaining enough, but it definitely didn't live up to my Richelle Mead standards. I don't know how I feel about the very read possibility of another spin-off. If it's going to be like this, I don't want it. This is enough, leave the world be.
BEFORE READING
This holds up better on a reread with perspective and lower expectations.
2015 review - 3 stars
DISCLAIMER: I'm not sure this review makes sense, but I'm just done and too busy reading about the first time Sascha Hunter eats chocolate (which is precious) to change it.
YOU KNOW WHAT MAKES ME UNBELIEVABLY, SICKLY EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS BOOK? Nothing. And that's the problem.
The Ruby Circle is okay for a last book in YA series. I didn't expect heartbreakingly brilliant like HP & The Deathly Hallows or Mockingjay, or angrily bad like Allegiant or The Death Cure. But I also didn't expect it to be, well, Breaking Dawn.
I mean, of course this is better than Twilight. But in many ways, it was BD. Except that's the best of Twilight IMO, and TRC is obviously the worst of Richelle Mead, that I've read so far.
WAYS IN WHICH BREAKING DAWN AND THE RUBY CIRCLE ARE DISTURBINGLY ALIKE
- The MCs are definitely not who we saw in the first book. (Except in BD it kind of is character development, and in TRC it's more like character homicide.)
- Everyone is there for the party (and I mean EVERYONE), except the mother of the main female character, who is supposed to have a super close relationship with her. But she's like fuck that.
-
- And now a toast for daddy issues.
- There is so much preparation for the final battle, and it's incredibly underwhelming.
- Shit happens that changes the very foundation of a species, but we never get to see how it turns out.
- So many awesome secondary characters and couples I actually care about that we don't get read more about.
All that said, my biggest disappointment when it comes to this series is that Adrian and Sydney are not the characters I fell in love with in Bloodlines. You know how difficult it's to find an intellectual, thinks-before-she-acts, loyal, believably looking female MC? And a funny, artistic, metrosexual beta male who is comfortable enough with both his sexuality and non-aggressive personality that he doesn't have to prove himself every two minutes who also happens to respect women? The worst thing about this book is that it feels like Adrian and Sydney lose the core of what makes them these complex, lovable characters.
I can forgive boring plots and short, rushed climaxes. But you can't ask me to just ignore that this series used to address mental illness, the oppressiveness of society when it comes to body image, addictions. You can't ask me to forget that rules-lover Sydney gave up her freedom to Abe, the Lord of All Things Illegal, for him to take an eye out of the man who raped her sister. That is the moment her character development started. And The Fiery Heart is the moment it stopped. I have no idea what happened from there. And let's not even talk about Adrian. I can't even go there.
On a different topic, I've seen several people complain about Sydney constantly asking Adrian to stop using spirit and take the meds. And I have to say, ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS? I get that it's hard, that spirit is a part of Adrian. It's his power, his drug. One he unfortunately didn't choose. But it's still a drug that is killing him. She's not asking him to stop smoking or being friends with that one chick he hooked up with once. Spirit makes him moody, bipolar (medically, not in a manner of speech). It makes him hallucinate his dead aunt blasting his worst insecurities. It makes him feel like this:
It makes him go from off the roof happy and excited to this in no time, for no reason:
And you can't argue against it, because we have seen it happen from his bloody POV. Do you really not remember The Fiery Heart? And the rest of the books, for that matter. Sonya willingly turned into a Strigoi,
Sydney is not being selfish, she is fucking concerned. You know why? Because the love of her life is going insane. And you know what else? A blameless teenage girl has to go through everything he does without having any say in the matter.
Bottom-line, if I see one more person calling Sydney a bitch for this, I'll cut them.
So, yeah, it was okay I guess. It was entertaining enough, but it definitely didn't live up to my Richelle Mead standards. I don't know how I feel about the very read possibility of another spin-off. If it's going to be like this, I don't want it. This is enough, leave the world be.
BEFORE READING
September 10, 2015
So, It was amazing reading the last book of the serie but I was disappointed. I found the storyline little bit confusing. I was expecting a BIG revelation about a cure from Strigoe bite, but this point was totally neglected, then I thought Adrian is going to find out somehow a way to use spirit without becoming crazy but instead he just found out that Rose and Dimitri can have childreen, I mean it's a big news but still.
And the whole Olive/Nina/Neil thing ? I just didn't like it. It's nice to have Sydrian with a baby but they are so young ... Plus, How Sydney gets the laptop and blackmail the Alchemists, it was too easy while theu spend two books trying to catch her ! SO back to my point, I was expecting a more elaborated plan from Alicia, you know the one which envolves a lot of peaople, riddles and treasons ..
Anyway, it a lovely book but not my favourite one.
Oh my, I'm going to miss them so much ..
-----------------------------------------------------
This serie is becoming a dreamy feary tale. True love against the world ! Usually, I'm not a big fan of such a romance, but, damn, we talk about Adrian Ivashkov and Sydney Sage. Oooups, my beg, Sydney IVASHKOV.
The plot :
After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis . Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world
I have a big feeling that the big evil in this book is THE WITCH that Sydney tried to kill in Indigo spell And about Adrain's fate in this plot ? I always knew that HE IS POWERFUL, Sydney is not the only one who believe in you !
------------------------------------------------
My theories are a bit confused right now. But, I would love that :
- They find a Strigoe vaccin.
- Adrian finds out, that he can communicate with Jill ?
- Though, I don't have any CLUE or thoughts about this MAJOR secret in the plot. But, I would love that Adrian, Lissa, Sonia, and Nina find a cure for their bad mood because of the spirit.
- Sydney gets some bad-ass battles with the evil Witch.
- Eddie and Jill, finally, end up together. I'm pretty sure of that. I mean, now that she is missing, Eddie is going to like Adrian in Silver Shadow. And you will have, a Oh-God-I-Failed-You-This-Time-But-Not-Anymore-Because-Jill-I'm-In-Love-You meeting when Eddie rescue Jill !
- Richelle mead write an Epilogue, fifteen years later when we see the Ivashkov with a kid, and Rose getting pregnant.
Do you ever imagine ? *Finger crossed*
----------------------------------------------
Anyway, I guees I have to wait until February !
PS : [I hope the cover of this book will be better then the other ones.]
And the whole Olive/Nina/Neil thing ? I just didn't like it. It's nice to have Sydrian with a baby but they are so young ... Plus, How Sydney gets the laptop and blackmail the Alchemists, it was too easy while theu spend two books trying to catch her ! SO back to my point, I was expecting a more elaborated plan from Alicia, you know the one which envolves a lot of peaople, riddles and treasons ..
Anyway, it a lovely book but not my favourite one.
Oh my, I'm going to miss them so much ..
-----------------------------------------------------
This serie is becoming a dreamy feary tale. True love against the world ! Usually, I'm not a big fan of such a romance, but, damn, we talk about Adrian Ivashkov and Sydney Sage. Oooups, my beg, Sydney IVASHKOV.
The plot :
After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis . Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world
I have a big feeling that the big evil in this book is THE WITCH that Sydney tried to kill in Indigo spell And about Adrain's fate in this plot ? I always knew that HE IS POWERFUL, Sydney is not the only one who believe in you !
------------------------------------------------
My theories are a bit confused right now. But, I would love that :
- They find a Strigoe vaccin.
- Adrian finds out, that he can communicate with Jill ?
- Though, I don't have any CLUE or thoughts about this MAJOR secret in the plot. But, I would love that Adrian, Lissa, Sonia, and Nina find a cure for their bad mood because of the spirit.
- Sydney gets some bad-ass battles with the evil Witch.
- Eddie and Jill, finally, end up together. I'm pretty sure of that. I mean, now that she is missing, Eddie is going to like Adrian in Silver Shadow. And you will have, a Oh-God-I-Failed-You-This-Time-But-Not-Anymore-Because-Jill-I'm-In-Love-You meeting when Eddie rescue Jill !
- Richelle mead write an Epilogue, fifteen years later when we see the Ivashkov with a kid, and Rose getting pregnant.
Do you ever imagine ? *Finger crossed*
----------------------------------------------
Anyway, I guees I have to wait until February !
PS : [I hope the cover of this book will be better then the other ones.]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2015
[4.5 Stars]
A great ending to the series! The only reason it's not 5 stars is because I was very frustrated with Adrian throughout the book. Loved the surprises in this one!
A great ending to the series! The only reason it's not 5 stars is because I was very frustrated with Adrian throughout the book. Loved the surprises in this one!
October 27, 2017
Spoilers galore for the entire series, this book, and the vampire academy series.
2.5 stars. There will likely be only like 1 nice sentence in this entire review, so if you love Adrian Ivashkov, and will yell at me for hating him, I would suggest staying clear.
This series has utterly destroyed my overall Goodreads rating. My personal reading goal this year was to get my overall rating to over 4.0. I want to read, and love, more books I enjoy this year (since the end of last year started to fall apart) and I was doing so good I got it up to 3.96 and then this series just ruined all my hard work.
I honestly don't know what happened to this series. One moment I have a kickass female heroine, a really amazing bunch of side characters, and we have some witty sarcastic humourous love interest. Then the Fiery Heart happened and ruined everything. I was left with a really irritating female LOVE INTEREST, no longer a heroine since her entire world became ~Adrian~. We lost ALL of the amazing side characters and stories in order to have a story solely dedicated to Sydrian (can we PLEASE talk about how Richelle Mead fan pleases and doesn't actually write quality books anymore?!?!) and I am left with one of the worst love interest males in history ever.
Adrian Ivashkov used to be my rock in the VA world. In VA, I loved him. I always felt like Rose made the wrong choice, despite how much I loved Dimitri. I just knew that Adrian was the better choice. But now all I care about is that my baby Rose got away from him. Adrian's character development FELL APART. Never again will I continue a series that gives a POV to someone I love mid series. His POV made me realize SO many things I hated about Adrian. He's WHINY. He is so fucking whiny I honestly wanted to strangle him sometimes. He's selfish, self-absorbed, horrible just ugh!! So Olive disappears and Nina starts to go crazy and Adrian uses EVERYTHING in him, putting himself in danger, to help find Olive. Sydney gets captured? Drinks, parties, and almost cheats on her. This was the final straw for me. His constant spirit use despite knowing that it's dangerous. Not to mention he basically let Olive die because he HAD to heal everyone with a scrape because NO ONE can survive scrapes and bruises on their own. No he had to be the "hero" and save everyone when really he does it for the most selfish reasons ever.
God I could keep going but just realize I hate Adrian Ivashkov more than I hate anything else. The narrator's voice made it even worse honestly god remind me NEVER to listen to a book narrated by him again.
So Adrian is part of the reason the last 3 books got 3 or less stars but the biggest part is all the sex. Sex left and right. If it's not actual sex scenes, it's mentions of wanting to have sex, thinking about all the sex they had, or making out on the way to sex. Like just stop it. STOP. This is YA. We get it, they have sex. Just once was enough, not every 2 pages. This was BY FAR the worst part of the series. And since it was Adrian sex it was even worse. SYDNEY SAGE YOU DESERVE BETTER!!!!! You were such a strong female before you ruined your life for Adrian. IF you were a real person I would come and get you away from that toxic situation.
WHILE ON THE TOPIC OF SYDNEY. Remember in book 5 when she got tortured for 4 months? No? Probably because that was the stupidest storyline in history. She doesn't get PTSD. She doesn't even DWELL on it. It's like it didn't happen, and if it did apparently it doesn't bother her. Why was it even included? What was the point.???? One of the many things that I feel RM just let go on. I love her writing and her stories but I feel like she gave up here.
Now that i've ranted about the things I hate, I will mention some things I enjoyed and some I didn't love and how I feel about the end of the series.
#1. Despite the absolute uselessness of it, I really enjoyed the Olive storyline. I find the Dimitri and Adrian cousin thing a bit too easy but I enjoyed Declan and found him cute and I WANTED so bad for him to stay with Neal but no of course gotta ruin the story more..
#2. JILL AND EDDIE were my favourite part to the ending. I honestly wanted a Jill/Eddie and Rose/Dimitri ending more than a Sydney/Adrian one. I just don't care about Sydrian but I needed to know about the other 2. I would have liked to hear more about her teacher, the other witches, Trey and his Dhampir GF and all them but whatever I got Jill and Eddie.
#3. The conclusion overall felt... unfinished. I would honestly LOVE another series about an existing couple. Actually Lissa and Christian would be the best one. I want to know more about the world, the court, the relations. We get nothing about their laws and stuff in the end and I actually care about that stuff. So I wanted a bit more of a wrap up to the series.
Actually, I want a new series in the same world, but a different court in a different country with all new characters where Rose, Dimitri, etc etc are just like people they know of.
So TLTR: I hate Adrian Ivashkov with a passion that is unknown to the human species. There was too much sex. Therefore a 5 star series is brought down to a 3/2 star series. But I want more of this world, just with a whole new bunch of characters in a different country.
Oh also, this needs a cover change desperately.
2.5 stars. There will likely be only like 1 nice sentence in this entire review, so if you love Adrian Ivashkov, and will yell at me for hating him, I would suggest staying clear.
This series has utterly destroyed my overall Goodreads rating. My personal reading goal this year was to get my overall rating to over 4.0. I want to read, and love, more books I enjoy this year (since the end of last year started to fall apart) and I was doing so good I got it up to 3.96 and then this series just ruined all my hard work.
I honestly don't know what happened to this series. One moment I have a kickass female heroine, a really amazing bunch of side characters, and we have some witty sarcastic humourous love interest. Then the Fiery Heart happened and ruined everything. I was left with a really irritating female LOVE INTEREST, no longer a heroine since her entire world became ~Adrian~. We lost ALL of the amazing side characters and stories in order to have a story solely dedicated to Sydrian (can we PLEASE talk about how Richelle Mead fan pleases and doesn't actually write quality books anymore?!?!) and I am left with one of the worst love interest males in history ever.
Adrian Ivashkov used to be my rock in the VA world. In VA, I loved him. I always felt like Rose made the wrong choice, despite how much I loved Dimitri. I just knew that Adrian was the better choice. But now all I care about is that my baby Rose got away from him. Adrian's character development FELL APART. Never again will I continue a series that gives a POV to someone I love mid series. His POV made me realize SO many things I hated about Adrian. He's WHINY. He is so fucking whiny I honestly wanted to strangle him sometimes. He's selfish, self-absorbed, horrible just ugh!! So Olive disappears and Nina starts to go crazy and Adrian uses EVERYTHING in him, putting himself in danger, to help find Olive. Sydney gets captured? Drinks, parties, and almost cheats on her. This was the final straw for me. His constant spirit use despite knowing that it's dangerous. Not to mention he basically let Olive die because he HAD to heal everyone with a scrape because NO ONE can survive scrapes and bruises on their own. No he had to be the "hero" and save everyone when really he does it for the most selfish reasons ever.
God I could keep going but just realize I hate Adrian Ivashkov more than I hate anything else. The narrator's voice made it even worse honestly god remind me NEVER to listen to a book narrated by him again.
So Adrian is part of the reason the last 3 books got 3 or less stars but the biggest part is all the sex. Sex left and right. If it's not actual sex scenes, it's mentions of wanting to have sex, thinking about all the sex they had, or making out on the way to sex. Like just stop it. STOP. This is YA. We get it, they have sex. Just once was enough, not every 2 pages. This was BY FAR the worst part of the series. And since it was Adrian sex it was even worse. SYDNEY SAGE YOU DESERVE BETTER!!!!! You were such a strong female before you ruined your life for Adrian. IF you were a real person I would come and get you away from that toxic situation.
WHILE ON THE TOPIC OF SYDNEY. Remember in book 5 when she got tortured for 4 months? No? Probably because that was the stupidest storyline in history. She doesn't get PTSD. She doesn't even DWELL on it. It's like it didn't happen, and if it did apparently it doesn't bother her. Why was it even included? What was the point.???? One of the many things that I feel RM just let go on. I love her writing and her stories but I feel like she gave up here.
Now that i've ranted about the things I hate, I will mention some things I enjoyed and some I didn't love and how I feel about the end of the series.
#1. Despite the absolute uselessness of it, I really enjoyed the Olive storyline. I find the Dimitri and Adrian cousin thing a bit too easy but I enjoyed Declan and found him cute and I WANTED so bad for him to stay with Neal but no of course gotta ruin the story more..
#2. JILL AND EDDIE were my favourite part to the ending. I honestly wanted a Jill/Eddie and Rose/Dimitri ending more than a Sydney/Adrian one. I just don't care about Sydrian but I needed to know about the other 2. I would have liked to hear more about her teacher, the other witches, Trey and his Dhampir GF and all them but whatever I got Jill and Eddie.
#3. The conclusion overall felt... unfinished. I would honestly LOVE another series about an existing couple. Actually Lissa and Christian would be the best one. I want to know more about the world, the court, the relations. We get nothing about their laws and stuff in the end and I actually care about that stuff. So I wanted a bit more of a wrap up to the series.
Actually, I want a new series in the same world, but a different court in a different country with all new characters where Rose, Dimitri, etc etc are just like people they know of.
So TLTR: I hate Adrian Ivashkov with a passion that is unknown to the human species. There was too much sex. Therefore a 5 star series is brought down to a 3/2 star series. But I want more of this world, just with a whole new bunch of characters in a different country.
Oh also, this needs a cover change desperately.
February 19, 2015
Overall a good conclusion to an entertaining series. I still don't think Bloodlines is as good as Vampire Academy, but still really good. I thought this one wrapped the series really good, but there were some loose ends and dry parts in this book. Hopefully it'll not be the last time we see the characters that we've gotten to know and love.
December 4, 2013
Is it too much to ask for this book to go on forever????
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,971 reviews