"I know what love is, Mom. I’ve had love that burns in every fiber of my being, that drives me to be a better person and empowers me through each moment of the day. If you’d ever had something like that, you’d hold on to it with every bit of strength you had."

Oh man, where do I start? What a hell of a book! I've waited so long (well, maybe not that long) for it and when I finally had it all I wanted to do was scream and hug it and kiss it and dance with it and whatever else you can do with a book! I freaking love the Bloodlines series and my precious Adrian Ivashkov! He's one of my favorite characters ever and together with Sydney definitely one of my alltime OTP's!

But first I have to declare my love for Sydney! She's such a strong, likeable and amazing character! Throughout the whole book you can see HOW strong she really is and that is just inspiring! Because no matter what the Alchemists did to her - she was stronger. They didn't break her. She held on to her love for Adrian, even managed to help others and all while terrible things happened to her during re-education. God, to read the details about what really happened broke my heart.

Spoiler

Especially when she was in that cell in the beginning. She seemed helpless and hopeless and I was already afraid they'd get to her, break her and we'd loose Sydney. I was scared she'd never be the same. Or when she realized - the first night she cut off the gas to her room - that: "There'd been no dream. Adrian hadn't come." - MY HEART SHATTERED!!!

"Because I don’t do things in halves, Mom. Especially when it comes to love."

And Adrian. Oh, Adrian. I fell in love with him all over again, yes. He was ready to do whatever it needed to get Sydney back and that was just really admirable of him. At times I was a bit annoyed with him, mainly when he was back at the Court and started drinking again but once he "got his shit together", he was back in all his glory, fighting to get the love of his life back. Also what he did with spirit and everything ... he was just gorgeous. You could really feel his love for Sydney. That she means everything to him.

The story wasn't as action-filled as in the other books but well, it was kind of terrible. The whole re-education system and the Alchemists were frightening. It was horrible to read what they all had to go through. Both, Sydney but also Adrian and the rest of the group. Towards the end it gained a little pace. I was constantly nervous and on the edge but there were also some precious happy moments that I kept in my heart while continuing ...

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THE MARRIAGE! WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE MARRIAGE!!!! Because ... OH MY GOOOOD!!!!!



Honestly, I didn't expect that! When he knelt down in front of her ... my heart sped up and I was grinning like a cheshire cat! I EVEN MADE SOME REAL HAPPY NOISES WHEN HE PROPOSED TO HER!
And the wedding itself ... I couldn't imagine it better. Well, technically I could. But I wouldn't want to because it was perfect the way it was. Sydney was so happy and I wanted her to be happy. I needed it, after everything she went through. It was just beautiful. *sigh* ♥

I also have to talk about the rest of the group. Just how passionate they all where ... God, if you have friends like that, what else do you need? I loved how they all wanted to help get Sydney back. Friends like them are a true blessing. But at the same time I also felt really sorry, especially for Eddie.

Well and the end ... I'm only going to talk about it in Spoilers, ha!

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WHAT A DAMN CLIFFHANGER! I mean, seriously?!?! Richelle Mead always kills me with them ...



I had something in mind like that, ugh! Jill felt just too save and well, I hope she'd be save but obviously not, damnit! And now everything's going to change ... the first and nearest suspicion would be the Alchemists, especially because of all the threats and everything else. Hmmm, but that sounds too easy for me. And what about Lissa and all the other stuff that's going on right now?! Good god.

I'm already SUPER EXCITED for "The Ruby Circle" and as it seems we don't even have to wait that long? Yay, because I already can't wait although I'm also sad because it will be over then ... everything. There better be a happy ending for all of them! :)

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