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 Review: 
 Protagonist: Sydney starts this book off very different than the Sydney we were first introduced to. She's done things that could get her sent far beyond Palm Springs to an Alchemist Reeducation facility. Though her reservations on magic and her feelings toward Moroi, or at least one Moroi in particular, are still extremely mixed she begins to doubt the teachings that have been drilled into her since birth. Soon she finds herself drawn to the cause of Marcus Finch, an ex-alchemist who left and, according to them, doesn't exist. I love how Sydney's character develops throughout not only this book, but the entire series. Every belief she's had towards the vampire world is being tested and slowly broken down, and instead of breaking down in fear she becomes stronger for it, even though it does scare her. 
 Romance: So, when Richelle Mead said that this installment was going to be hot, hot, hot she wasn't lying. There was even a time when I thought that the book might cross the line between the Young Adult and Adult age genres. Though the intensity of the heat is increased from the previous installments, there were also many sweeter romantic moments that really helped to solidify Adrian's feelings for Sydney. Now, it's not only Adrian and Sydney who struggles with romantic feelings. The other's have their own romantic drama, which was kind of sad not to see more of, but then again Sydney had enough on her plate to deal with. 
 World-Building: Whereas the previous installment showed the reader a bit more into the inner-workings of the Alchemists, this one has more of an espionage edge to it where we discover some secrets that the Alchemists are keeping from Sydney. In addition to secrets, we learn about the rebel group headed by Marcus Finch and his reasons for leaving the Alchemists, and what he plans to do about them. We are also drawn further into the world magic and witchcraft with Sydney as she is in danger from a powerful sorceress who seems to be draining young inexperienced witches of their youth and power. 
 Predictability: The first two Bloodlines books have been pretty predictable with only a few twist, big and small, that were truly unpredictable. However, Richelle Mead steps her game up with this one as there was very little I was able to predict which made me nervous as I went because when you can't predict what Richelle Mead has coming you could be in for a very big and sometimes heart-wrenching surprise. Each twist was greater than the last and left me asking what was going to happen next. 
 Ending: This ending was amazing, but at the same time a little, dare I say, cheesy. I do love a little cheesy ending, but I know some that don't and this may be a bit disconcerting. However, I thought it was fun and sweet. The last chapter is a little less cheesy and more like a curveball. Now, unlike what I had originally thought, this ending is nothing in comparison to Shadow Kiss, the third installment in the previous Vampire Academy series. That type of ending is apparently to be reserved for the nest installment, The Fiery Heart. This ending is more of a "WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW!?" kind of ending. 
 Overall, I'm going to have to give this 5 out of 5 stars. It was so good, and if for whatever reason you're a Vampire Academy fan who hasn't continued on into the Bloodlines series yet, you really should, it's so different from VA but at the same time just as good, and at times even better. I'm not sure if I'd consider this one as good as The Golden Lily, but it's very close.