The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The epic conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series is finally here...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.

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

Reader friends, I have listened to almost the entire Bloodlines by Richelle Mead series on audiobook. It stands to reason that I would happily finish up the series via audio. ALSO! I was lucky enough to be offered a review copy of the audiobook, so of course I immediately jumped on the opportunity. Who wouldn’t in my place? Friends — if you think vampires are stupid and overdone, I think that maybe you need to start off with the Vampire Academy books, read your way through them, start up the Bloodlines books, and then rejoin me over here with this review of The Ruby Circle, last in Richelle Mead’s spinoff series. And what a bang up job of an ending. It’s really crackerjack — to the point that I am inspired to use old school slang when describing my love of this series and its finale.

What’s The Story Here?

Abandon all ye who enter who hate spoilers because I am about to spoil the previous books in the Bloodlines series. The Ruby Circle opens up where the last book Silver Shadows left off. Adrian and Sydney are now married — out of love, but also so they can still be together and for Sydney’s immunity. The two are hiding out from the Alchemists at the Moroi court under Queen Lissa Dragomir’s protection. That protection is not a forever guarantee though, seeing as how Lissa’s throne is not a guarantee. You see, her sister Jill is missing which is a very bad thing when it comes to Moroi royalty rules. You need to have more than one person in your family to be able to participate at the royal court. Anyways, Adrian and Sydney are going stir crazy. The majority of their relationship has been action packed and full of adventure – so to sit at home with Adrian’s mom – instead of being off to find and rescue Jill chafes. When Ms. Terwilliger (LOVE HER ALWAYS) shows up with a package that only Sydney can open, the race against time is on and Sydney must face down a rogue witch as well as some other things in her search for Jill.

MEANWHILE! There’s this big huge life changing secret that Adrian stumbles upon, well, Adrian and Sydney that kind of changes the game and is applicable to Dmitri and Rose who make cameo appearances and are still my favorite ship of all time. Anyways, this secret blew my mind. That’s all I can say.

Suffice to say – we get to see all of our favorite characters and how they have ended up. We get to see magic. We have strigoi encounters. Marcus Finch makes an appearance. Sydney’s siblings show up. We meet Dmitri’s dad and get to explore a new family connection. There’s spirit use. Really this book is overall awesome as can be. Actually, awesome as expected — it is a book by Richelle Mead, after all.

What Kind Of Job Does This Book Do Wrapping Up The Series?

Obviously it does a perfect job wrapping the books up. Maybe I am a fan girl and you can take that straight to the bank, but for serious. I loved how this book ended. I loved that we got to pretty much know Sydney and Adrian’s fate. By the way, the things they end up doing like once the storm is weathered and that’s not a spoiler, you guys aren’t idiots so you know the storm will be weathered, are perfect. Their future careers are perfect. I liked that we kind of get closure with this series and if there’s another spin off, I know I personally will be excited for it. If not, well I am satisfied with how The Ruby Circle ended.

How Is The Romance?

ALL OF THE KISSING! Also grown up times, but they are totally of the fade to black variety from what I remember and also keep being interrupted. The Ruby Circle totally fulfilled my Sydney Adrian ship. I mean, obviously they end up together, they got together kind of early in the series. However, what I think some authors have issues with is sustaining a relationship or romance without throwing in some arbitrary issues. The Ruby Circle proves that just because the two have a firmly established romance and relationship does not mean they have to be boring. It does not mean that there needs to be some manufactured drama inserted. Mead does a wonderful job bring in the swoonworthy scenes without sacrificing the storyline or characterization. This is the sort of romance that I love reading about.

Who Should Listen To This Book?

At this stage in the game the people who honestly should be listening to The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead are people who have read the previous books in the series, otherwise you might not know or get what is going on.

As for the series in general:

• Vampire Academy fans
• Richelle Mead acolytes
• People who like slow burns and opposites attract romance
• People who like dramatic books with great world building
• Anyone in need of a fast paced, action oriented read

How Is The Narration?

Emily Shaffer and Alden Ford reprise their narration roles for the final Bloodlines book. Alternating chapters as Sydney and Adrian, the two continue to pull the narration off. I loved listening to this series. It’s the type of audiobook production where I do not feel my attention wandering all over the place, but where I actually care about what’s going on and listen closely. This is an audiobook that goes in the foreground of your cleaning and tasks as you listen and not the background.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Goodbye series, I will deeply miss you. Guess I will have to sit here pining for Soundless, the first in Mead’s new series out in November 2015. SUCH a long wait though. Still, I will look back on the Bloodlines series with fondness and be glad at the ending I got with The Ruby Circle.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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