The Center Will Hold

The Center Will Hold

• Mar 9, 2015

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

Release Date: February 10, 2014
Publisher: Penguin | Razorbill
Pages: 348 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Hardcover
Series: Bloodlines #6
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Summary from Goodreads
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.

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.

Brief Thoughts on The Ruby Circle
In my review of Silver Shadows I admitted that I actually like the Bloodlines series more than Vampire Academy. I don't know why, but I've generally enjoyed these characters more. I related to certain aspects of Sydney, which helped me connect more to her than Rose, and I absolutely love Adrian. So, I've always been more invested in Sydney and Adrian (individually and together). Vampire Academy wins for me on the world and the plot, but I tend to be more of a character reader overall.

I was anxiously awaiting the release of The Ruby Circle. I was hoping for an epic conclusion to this series I've come to love - and for a happy ending for this couple who's been through so much. Now that I've read it, I'm a little sad. And not just because it's over. Unfortunately, The Ruby Circle was my least favorite book in this series. That's not the way I was hoping to finish this series!

It didn't have that epic "I can't put this down! / How will it end?!" feeling. Some of the story lines where confusing (and/or boring) and didn't capture capture my attention. Everything felt rushed! Mead isn't my favorite writer, but I was even more aware of issues with her writing in this one. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't feel like there was any real tension in the book. I never doubted for a second that these two would accomplish what they set out to do. The worst part is that I hated one storyline and how much time was spent on it.

I think my biggest issue, now that I've finished the series, is that it seems like this story could have been told in a lot fewer books. There were so many random things introduced throughout the series, and I never felt like they came together in a way that made sense. As I finished The Ruby Circle, it became more obvious than ever that this series is ultimately a romance. So much about the world serves little purpose or is never really explored or explained. Sadly, I also felt like Sydney lost a lot of her spunk. I wanted a little more for her, especially because she's why I fell in love with this series in the first place. Adrian had a lot of growth in the series, which I loved. But while reading his point of view in The Ruby Circle, I was struck by how cheesy and melodramatic it got. Honestly, I'm disappointed. I don't regret reading this series, but I am sad about the way I'm saying goodbye.

So Quotable
“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.”