Too Hot To Handle

Too Hot To Handle

• Dec 20, 2013

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Release Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Penguin | Razorbill
Pages: 438 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Hardcover
Series: Bloodlines #4
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her…

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps at the threat of exposure - and re-reducation - looms larger than ever.

Thoughts on The Fiery Heart

I read The Fiery Heart in the midst of a massive book slump, and I had the highest of hopes that it would pull me out of it. While I really enjoyed the book, it didn't completely break me out of my blahs. That being said, this was definitely a great installment for this series and left me freaking out over what Mead will do to these characters next. So, here's what I have to say to our unlikely hero and heroine.

Dear Sydney,

Girl, you have totally surprised me! I kind of liked you in the Vampire Academy series, but it was mostly your role that intrigued me. As I started to get to know you, I realized that I really identified with your rule-following ways. I've found your thought process and growth to be very relatable. While Rose is a consistent badass in that series, it took you a little bit of time to come into your own. I really appreciate that you stay true to yourself - even as you begin to make decisions and do things that surprise you. Your decision in the last book left me seriously dying to talk with someone about what was happening. So, needless to say, I could not wait to see what you'd do in this book. And you continue to impress me! I love your thirst for knowledge, the way your brain works, and the way your heart loves fiercely. I'm seriously so scared about what's to come for you, but I have hope that it won't break my heart TOO much.

Dear Adrian,

I actually didn't realize I would get to hear from you in this book. As soon as I did, I got really excited about finally getting a peek at your perspective. I felt so bad for you in the Vampire Academy series - Rose really did you wrong. But gracious, I sure am glad she did. I bet you couldn't have imagined that you'd be where you are and who you're with now. I absolutely love seeing you fall in love, watching you be a boyfriend and start to realize your own power and potential. I don't usually fall for the bad boys, but I've definitely got a soft spot for you. And you hardly qualify as a bad boy these days! I should have known you were a hopeless romantic at heart! I think this book really belongs to you - and I'm definitely thankful that I got to know you better. You're going to need all your recently-discovered strength in the days to come. That was one heartbreaking ending!

I know I said nothing about this book, but do you really care? The Fiery Heart is another solid installment to the Bloodlines series. It delivered exactly what I'd expect from Mead - major swoon, lots of drama and packed with new roadblocks and problems with these vampires and humans. The ending wasn't totally surprising, given that Mead favors shocking endings (particularly at this point in the series), but it was still a total punch to the gut. I cannot wait for The Silver Shadows in July!

So Quotable

"I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I'd live in such fear of losing another person. Was this how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such panic?"