Richelle MeadRecensioni

Talk about giving me anxiety, this one by far is my favorite of the bloodlines series.

Ugh, ugh and triple ugh. Eugenie has to be the most selfish, self-centered protagonist that I've ever come across. The book was rolling along at a decent 2.5 stars until the end with the choices that were made.

For elaboration on all comments, see my review of the previous book in the series. I will NOT be moving on if this series continues.

I wanted to like Iron Crowned more than I did, but it left me with mixed feelings overall. The storyline from the previous books progressed a respectable amount, but there wasn't as much in character development.

It was nice to see a little more from Eugenie interacting with Jasmine, but other than that, we didn't see much more character/relationship development. There was one relationship that I won't go into so I don't spoil it-it has no great bearing on anything else in the book.

The other relationships in the book are what left me with mixed feelings. Somebody tell me, does Eugenie have all the maturity of a 12 year old, or what? Snap reverse decisions, no coherent thought processes, selfish and petulant foot stomping revenge impulses. Ugh. That was in relationships, but her actions elsewhere in the book seem as shallow. Forgetting to get healed before a major AND dangerous mission?

I'm not one to really care about the sex in a book, but every sex scene seemed to be a list to me. "he did this, so I did that and then I came" list. Since I'm not one to care, I'll leave further comment to others.

Ultimately, Eugenie's actions and demeanor in this book made the whole thing fall flat for me. I wanted to give it a three because it's not a bad book. It's well written and the story advances. Unfortunately, the main character is flatter than the other characters, which ruined it for me.

I heard some very positive reviews about this novel, and was actually pretty eager to read it. The premise sounded promising, and I was intrigued by the promise of a fantasy tale infused with Chinese folklore and a riveting adventure in the mythical world of Beiguo. In addition, I have never read a book where there is no dialouge, only a form of sign language. But my expectations fell away quickly, and this was an overall disappointment. The characters were bland and trope-like; the plot, while somewhat intriguing, simply fell flat; and the writing style was absolutely bland and full of cliches. This wasn't totally horrible, but it was incredibly drab! "Soundless" had an interesting concept but just didn't deliever.

(Note: The rest of my review contains SPOILERS about the events of this book, including the ending!)

Like I said, the plot sounded interesting, but I was never once surprised by the path of events which occurred. It felt like Mead had taken a recipe for a YA "adventure" novel and just wrote names and small ideas into that recipe. From Fei and Li Wei's decision to trek down the mountain, to the conspiracy of the "line keeper" actually being the greedy ruler, and to the inevitable beginning the return of sound to the villagers, it was all so predictable. The only part which took me even a little by surprise was the sudden (and very easy) appearance of the pixiu.

But even while startling, the leadup to the pixiu returning to the village was just poorly done. The creatures had been briefly mentioned a couple times earlier, but no hints were given to the reader that the pixiu played any real significance. I think if Mead had done some better foreshadowing, then the ending would have made more sense. It was cheesy and just a very easy way to wrap things up nicely- the villagers were safe, the soldiers were destroyed, and Fei's sudden hearing was explained. It was all tied up quickly and lazily with a nice tidy "happily ever after" bow.

There were also some minor inconsistencies with the signing. At the beginning, it was made fairly clear that the people were communicating via a form of sign language. The bits of dialouge were followed up by "Fei signed" instead of "Fei said", and when a character spoke, it was clear that the speaker's hands needed to be visible for everyone to understand
But then this switched, and "signed" became "said", even though everyone was still using their hands to speak.
I also have a problem with the fact that deafness was treated as a horrible disease, and the "chosen one" (Fei) had to be a girl who could hear. And then at the end, after the pixiu returned, people began to slowly have their hearing restored through the magic means of bonding with a pixiu. I think this took a lot away from the idea of having deaf characters- the deaf characters are largely presented as flawed people. It was disappointing to see the novel take this stance.

Lastly, the ONLY characters who were even remotely interesting were the bodygaurd at the inn and his daughter who helped Fei and Li Wei. It's pretty sad when the best characters are minor ones who are only there for less than four chapters. Fei and Li Wei had nothing special or likeable about them- they were cookie cutter, cliche, YA characters with no distinct voice.

I've never read a book by Richelle Mead before, and I'm not ruling her novels out completely, but I was really unimpressed with "Soundless".

Eugenie, who is a shaman tells the story. Her "specialty" is banishing spirits, fey, and creatures of the Otherworld that cross into the human world intent on causing harm. Basically, the book is about faeries, that Eugenie refers to as "gentry", so it was easy to sometimes forget what the primary part of story was actually about. Storm Born is a sexy story with a fairly good mixture of love and action. Actually, there is a love triangle, as well as hidden powers and secret heritages which do add depth to the story....and it really needed it. I can honestly say the book was "entertaining" even though it was really weird at times. The events that follow Eugenia after finding out about who and what her father is, was also a bit disconcerting. A lot more secrets are revealed as the story goes along...most were just over the top...but this is a fantasy, so I guess that was to be expected. I read M/M romances, so erotica is not something that bothers me at all, but those that it does bother, should be aware that there are several scenes that border on very erotic. You probably won't want your kid reading it. I don't think I will be continuing this series, not because it's badly written or not an okay story...but it's just not my "cup-a tea". Anyone that likes fantasies will more than likely be a lot more tolerant than I was...just remember that it's not all G-rated.½

Story: 7.0 / 10
Characters: 8
Setting: 8
Prose: 4

Just research for one of my writing projects...
Read it in a time of need, but this wasn't the erotic book I was looking for.

I hate to say this but I was very underwhelmed with this one.. I love vampire books always have a little blood has always made things more intriguing for me. I was hoping for so much but didn't get much. will give book two a try but don't have high hopes

This book did not wow me and i kept excepting more of fantasy twist. I really loved this author but this book was a little bit to much like the slection series for me. I did like the main character but the plot was too predicable for me at points. I really wanted fantasy to be involved and it was not. I did like the two other leads so maybe there books will capture me more.

Such a great and fast pace standalone! such a cool world. Love it!

strong conclusion to series... this is def series better if u read back to back. loved the baby twist and neil ending broke my heart. I really love this characters would love more in this world some day.

Silver Shadows: Spoiler review This book surprised me that i liked it so much. I was surprised because normally when people are trying to find each other the story looses appeal for me but this time i was so interested. I was so fascinated by the stories of the people inside the reform camp because what did they do that was so bad. The alchemists in this book made me so angry and the torture scenes were so cruel that i really felt for Syndey because what did she really do wrong? 
 
I liked that for most of the book these two characters were on their own and it showed a lot of character growth and dis growth. It made me grow to love Adrian characters even more. I did miss the focus on the side characters and hope to see that in the final book in the series.
 
I liked once again seeing rose and Lisa and think that next book they will be featured more. I really loved those characters and it was nice to see them more then a chapter or so. 
 
Between the Wedding twist and the Jill twist i was surprised! i can't wait to read the conclusion to this series!
 
Check out my non-spoiler review of the bloodlines series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLLMObr3rlk
 
Check out my spoiler discussion of the series and predictions for Ruby Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrYNEKJZ7g
 

Fiery heart: Spolier Review I really loved this book! It was interesting again to see how much Sydney has grown in this novel and how complex their relationship has become. I also loved seeing how all the side characters were developed in this book. It was a welcome surprise to finally read adrian POV in contrast to Sydney and how they both view the same experiences. The presence of  Sydney sister throw the book into a loop and effected the little group in many ways. I was so outrage by the hate that it made me so annoyed but i guess that was kind of the point of the book. I did not see the ending the coming and it was so scary and such a sad ending because Sydney sister utterly betrayed her and i had not idea what the next book was going to be. 
 
I really loved the story that was told in the book and was glad i did not have to wait to read silver shadows!
 
 
Check out my non-spoiler review of the bloodlines series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLLMObr3rlk
 
 
Check out my spoiler discussion of the series and predictions for Ruby Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrYNEKJZ7g
 
 

Golden Lily Review This book was very good but still a little predictable for me. I loved the profession of the stories and the characters thou. I am really growing to love Sydney and Adrian. I also really love seeing the various other characters grow and develop. I still love eddie and am excited to see more of him in future books.
 
This book really set the foundation for the future in many ways. It showed us how sydney is being pulled in so many different directions and how also her values are slowly being changed. I love seeing her change throughout not only this series but in the vampire academy series. I also judge this book to have a lot of self-discovery/ personal growth in this novel that you may see in a new-adult novel. I love seeing her experience all these new things and also in a sense long for me in reference to education and travel. That part of her really struck a cord with me.
 
This book did have some cool fight scenes but again the pacing was still very slow for my liking. I still liked it I just wish the story packed a little bit more punch. The story is still being built and I excited to see where it goes next.
 

i liked the end! felt bad for adrian and what happen to eddie! must read the next series

this series is so addicting! mUST get my hands on the next one!

Indigo Spell: Spolier Review This book was so good and it became much less predictable hence the five stars that i gave it. I am really loving the relationship between sydney and adriana and I can't wait to see where it goes in the future books. I love how complex this relationship is and also why it not easy for these characters to been in these relationships. I love high stakes relationships it makes the drama and and the love even more intense.
 
I also love the side stories with Jill and Eddie. I love them being so not aware of the others feelings and again it is slow profession but one that I am really enjoying. I think eddie is still one of my favorite characters in this series by far.
 
I thought this book really bought the drama and had some great fight scenes and also a lot of stuff that really struck the core that was sydney. I love how she is being challenged from all sides especially when magic is concerned. 
 
That is one of the parts of this book that I love her learning of magic and how good she is at it even if she hates it. It is very similar to her feeling for adrian in some ways.
 
I think the series really focus on her trying to find herself in so many ways that is the heart and soul of this story and I love it. I can't wait to see how her sisters presence my effect the future books!

Very good. I really loved the characters and loved the setting. Plot sometimes a bit predictable but a good story and a good start to a series.

excited to start the next one :)

so good :) i did not see that end coming… very exited for the next one~!

Beyond good :)

Such a great and fast pace standalone! such a cool world. Love it!

strong conclusion to series... this is def series better if u read back to back. loved the baby twist and neil ending broke my heart. I really love this characters would love more in this world some day.

This book did not wow me and i kept excepting more of fantasy twist. I really loved this author but this book was a little bit to much like the slection series for me. I did like the main character but the plot was too predicable for me at points. I really wanted fantasy to be involved and it was not. I did like the two other leads so maybe there books will capture me more.

Silver Shadows: Spoiler review This book surprised me that i liked it so much. I was surprised because normally when people are trying to find each other the story looses appeal for me but this time i was so interested. I was so fascinated by the stories of the people inside the reform camp because what did they do that was so bad. The alchemists in this book made me so angry and the torture scenes were so cruel that i really felt for Syndey because what did she really do wrong? 
 
I liked that for most of the book these two characters were on their own and it showed a lot of character growth and dis growth. It made me grow to love Adrian characters even more. I did miss the focus on the side characters and hope to see that in the final book in the series.
 
I liked once again seeing rose and Lisa and think that next book they will be featured more. I really loved those characters and it was nice to see them more then a chapter or so. 
 
Between the Wedding twist and the Jill twist i was surprised! i can't wait to read the conclusion to this series!
 
Check out my non-spoiler review of the bloodlines series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLLMObr3rlk
 
Check out my spoiler discussion of the series and predictions for Ruby Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrYNEKJZ7g
 

Fiery heart: Spolier Review I really loved this book! It was interesting again to see how much Sydney has grown in this novel and how complex their relationship has become. I also loved seeing how all the side characters were developed in this book. It was a welcome surprise to finally read adrian POV in contrast to Sydney and how they both view the same experiences. The presence of  Sydney sister throw the book into a loop and effected the little group in many ways. I was so outrage by the hate that it made me so annoyed but i guess that was kind of the point of the book. I did not see the ending the coming and it was so scary and such a sad ending because Sydney sister utterly betrayed her and i had not idea what the next book was going to be. 
 
I really loved the story that was told in the book and was glad i did not have to wait to read silver shadows!
 
 
Check out my non-spoiler review of the bloodlines series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLLMObr3rlk
 
 
Check out my spoiler discussion of the series and predictions for Ruby Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrYNEKJZ7g