The Indigo Spell

A Bloodlines Novel

By: Richelle Mead

Narrated by: Emily Shaffer

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

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 aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch - a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood - or else she might be next.

©2013 Penguin Audio ; 2013 Richelle Mead

Critic reviews

"We're suckers for it." ( Entertainment Weekly)

"Stands out from the crowded vampire genre." ( Associated Press)

"An obvious pick for the literary lover of all things bloodsucking." (MTV's Hollywood Crush)

The story gets better with every book

Would you listen to The Indigo Spell again? Why?

I have listened to it more than once and got my husband listening to Bloodlines because he became curious why I am re-listening to this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Indigo Spell?

Are you kidding me? The Dream scene. You know the one I am talking about if you have listened to the book...

Have you listened to any of Emily Shaffer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She has been great in the series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

#AdrianLove

Any additional comments?

This book has been made even better by the narrator. I am truly impressed.

Another great installment

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This is such a fun series, and things really get interesting for Sydney in this book. She's really deepened as a character. And don't get me started on Adrian because I could read about him all day. I loved the chance to learn more about Mrs. Terwilliger and to have an introduction to Marcus.

Which character – as performed by Emily Shaffer – was your favorite?

Adrian. I love how Emily Shaffer does all the characters in both the Bloodlines and Vampire Academy series, but Adrian has always been and will always be my favorite. Emily's performance gives his voice life, and she captures his snarky charm perfectly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene in the garden toward the end. Can't say more without spoiling it.

Well done, Ms Mead!

I really liked this book. I think it is the best yet (The Vampire Academy and Bloodlines).

No love triangle.....well done, Ms Mead! For a moment there you got us worried. Great save.
Sydney has come a long way, it feels like the girl whom Rose met skipped two books and now is back!
And Adrian, well , I just don't have the words to express all that he's become. Two words then, just lovely.

I can't wait for the next installment . :)

An enjoyable series

I enjoyed the Vampire Academy series (as usual, some books more than others), and in many ways this series has a more enjoyable cast of characters along with the best of the familiar faces from the VA series. I was skeptical of a series revolving around Sydney & Adrian (two of the more annoying—to me at least—characters in the VA series), but this series does a great job of building their characters and making them not just likable but compelling.

Some have noted that Emily Shaffer’s performance wasn’t to their taste, but I think some people fail to appreciate the skill required to differente a large cast of voices (male & female). Part of the way I judge how skillfully this is done is whether I can tell who’s “talking” by the voice the narrator gives them (even if Adrian’s English accent is at best, puzzling). Emily does so better than most narrators on audible and as such earned a top rating.

While the story isn’t as unpredictable as it could be, it is artfully rendered and flows well in the way that Mead’s other books do. If you enjoyed the Vampire Academy series, you will probably enjoy this as much if not more.

Smart and Funny Series and Brilliant Narrator

I enjoyed the Academy series and loved Emily Shaffer as a narrator. When I saw this series with Emily as the narrator, I purchased it without hesitation. I couldn't put it down. To my delight, I love this series much more than the Academy series. It's more brainy, witty, and delectably funny. I laughed out loud more times than I thought one would reading a YA fantasy.

The characters are quirky and lovable, The discussions between characters are intelligent and interesting. Even the pets and creatures are vividly entertaining.
I love the Adrian portrayed by Emily Shaffer: both his accent and tenor were rendered with just the right amount of smoky sexiness. I wish the later books were consistent in the portrayal of Adrian. They should've just kept Emily as the sole narrator. Her interpretation of the characters makes this series go alive.
Pay attention to little gems like "Silver Tooth Sally" and "Hopper the Rabbit."

Heart Touching

Great read. Could not stop till it was done. I keep comeing back for more, reading it over and over again.

Love Adrian

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There are three types of friends I would recommend Indigo Spell to:
1. If you read the series or the Vampire Academy series and enjoyed it, this is another great installment. It has the expected twists (not expected as in predictable, but expected as in that is her writing style) that Mead always delivers.

2. If you read VA and fell in love with Adrian (primarily why I read).

3. If you generally enjoy YA supernatural romances.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Indigo Spell?

Well, there's a plethora of Adrian and Sydney moments that are swoon-worthy, but there is a scene when Sydney actually has "intimate" relations with Adrian on a table that was surprising.

Also, there's a part where Veronica enters Sydney's dream, and it scared me!

What about Emily Shaffer’s performance did you like?

She does an amazing job creating unique voices for all the characters. I loooove her Adrian voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

My favorite thing about any form of story is character development. I don't care how amazing the plot is, if the characters don't grow or change from the situations, then the stories are worthless.

Sydney has finally grown into who she is meant to be. She is finding her own person and doing what she wants to do. It's fantastic.

Finally... Sydrian!

If you could sum up The Indigo Spell in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, Funny, Delightful

Who was your favorite character and why?

Adrian Ivashkov of course. He's funny, sexy, witty, romantic and just seems like he'd be the perfect boyfriend. I used to be a devoted girlfriend…. Now I am forever mentally dating Adrian Ivashkov.

What does Emily Shaffer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices (accents) add to it. It better allows you to picture the characters and bring them to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!!!

Any additional comments?

I’ve been waiting for this book for sooooo long! With the way it ended I’m so frustrated that I have to wait for the next one! Aaagggghhhh! Pure torture!!!!!
Words cannot express how much I love the VA series and now the Bloodlines series!

Spell-Binding

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes if they enjoy a great action packed edge of your seat romantic story

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Indigo Spell?

Sidney and Adrian, the chemestry these two exhibit in this book is astounding and I couldn't have been happier.

What about Emily Shaffer’s performance did you like?

Everything. You can always tell the difference of who is speaking, male or female. the different, tones, inflections and accents she gives each character is perfect. I love the voice she gave Adrian. I will happily listen to books read by Emily Shaffer as her performance is always spot on and a narrator can make or break an audiobook, Emily shaffer makes it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Adventures, mysterious and action packed

Any additional comments?

I love the Bloodlines Series and can't wait for the next book to come out!

I love the characters in the bloodlines series.

I loved it from start to finish. On to the next book! all though this is the second time reading this series. I still love it as much as the first time. Vampire Academy is my favorite and bloodlines is like a continuance but with the other characters.