Book Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication: Razorbill (November 19, 2013)
Series: Bloodlines, Book 4

Description: 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.

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 as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

My Thoughts: Richelle Mead kept her promise. She said that things would get tough for the characters in this middle book of the Bloodlines series. And did they ever get tough!

Sydney and the crew are still in Palm Springs keeping Jill safe from Moroi assassins. However, she has been joined by her younger sister Zoe and has to be much more careful to keep her growing closeness to the Moroi and Dhampirs a secret. She also has to hide that she no longer unconditionally supports the mission of the Alchemists.

But most of all she has to hide her relationship with Adrian. They are hiding their love from the Alchemists and from the Moroi too since neither group would really support a relationship between an Alchemist and a Moroi. While Sydney is exploring and learning more about magic, Adrian has to deal with his demons. His overuse of Spirit is very damaging to him. Sydney is very worried about him. He finally decides to see a professional who diagnoses Adrian and determines that he is bipolar. He prescribes some pills but a side effect is that Adrian can't use Spirit. Adrian hasn't told Sydney that he had begun the pills because he didn't want to disappoint her if he couldn't cope with taking them. 

Between romance, magic, finding a way to keep Moroi and Dhampirs safe from being turned to Strigoi and tattoos that can keep rogue Alchemists from being brainwashed by the Alchemist leaders, this book is filled with action and excitement. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Favorite Quote (which contains a spoiler. Highlight the space below if you don't mind being spoiled or if you have read this book.):

"'She knows, because She warns him, and Her instincts never fail, That the Female of Her species, is more deadly than the Male.'" I closed my eyes for a moment, adrift on love and exhaustion and bodily bliss. "We're suckers for this, Sydney. Men. You've got me completely helpless right now. You're so beautiful and alluring, and we guys can't help ourselves. We fight wars for you, cajole you...and you put up with us. We have it easy here in bed."

She turned my face toward hers. "This wasn't exactly difficult for me."

"But we still have it easy. You're the strength, the pillars...our defenders, our children's defenders."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.