Review: The Fiery Heart

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The Fiery Heart was lacking a little of Mead's regular awesomeness. I would consider this more of a bridge between the previous book, and the next. Other than the ending, not much happened. Sydney Sage, Alchemist, is still working with the Moroi, and Dhampirs to keep Jill safe from Lissa's enemies. With the rule in Moroi court that there must be two living members in each family line to rule, Jill is in a lot of danger, because her death would unseat Lissa from the throne.
Sydney and Adrian took the leap in the last book, both overcoming their own obstacles, and stereotypes to begin their secret relationship. Sydney is still working with Mrs. Terwilliger learning all she can about human magic. Sydney's sister Zoe being there to learn from Sydney isn't helping matters much with all of the things she isn't supposed to be doing. Zoe is a spoiled brat that demands too much from Sydney, but is a constant threat to her new life. Zoe holds the power to turn her over for anything she perceives as against the Alchemist ways.



***Spoilers***
When Sydney learns of Keiths fate, the alchemist who turned rogue, that he has been reprogrammed, and basically is nothing more than a robot, she knows she must step up her game to help Marcus. Marcus is another rogue Alchemist who assists others in escaping, and deactivating their tattoos. Sydney is able to use the new magic she has learned to recreate the ink that Marcus has previously had to travel to Mexico for. Adrian, Sydney, and Sonya are all able to create another kind of ink that uses the restored Strigoi blood to prevent the people who are tattooed with it from being turned. On the day Sydney is supposed to meet with Marcus to deliver the ink, she is tricked and ambushed by the Alchemist. Her sister found out about her relationship with Adrian and turned her in. Zoe is mad at Sydney because she wouldn't testify against her mom in court, so that their dad can have custody of Zoe after the divorce. When Sydney wakes up she is naked in a cold cell. A voice over the speakers tells her that they are going to help her pull away from the darkness that has corrupted her soul. She refuses to tell them she was mistaken, that she was wrong. They then refuse her food, or even a blanket. Adrian and Mrs. Terwilliger are unable to use either of their magic to locate her, and both are distraught over her disappearance. At the end the voice in her cell tells Sydney "One way or another we will purge that darkness, but if you're uncooperative, you will find the methods we sadly must resort to are.. unpleasant."



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