5 member(s) found this review helpful.
The blurb in this site is somewhat misleading: "Suddenly she is allergic to the sun, craves raw food, and if she cuts herself, her blood is blue. Schuyler has no idea what is happening to her". Nope, didn't happen that way. Her character isn't suddenly allergic to the sun and craves raw food or cuts herself to check the color of her blood. Also there is no confronting family and friends to find out what she is.
Schuyler is a loner and feels very different from others, but has a couple of friends who are outcasts like herself. She and her friends all go to Duchesne School - a very exclusive school in New York City, where most kids are from rich, old money families. Everyone knows everyone at this school. One day a popular girl from her class is found dead under very mysterious circumstances. Soon afterwards Schuyler gets a special invite to a charitable society - The Committee. Then Schuyler learns about her origins and what a lot of other kids at her school are too - Blue Bloods. But there is danger lurking in the shadows and there are still unanswered questions about her past that Schuyler needs to know about. Coupled with this is her crush on a popular boy - Jack Force, her best friend's disapproval, sneers from the high school Queen Bee (Jack's twin sister Mimi), and the usual teenage angst. This looks to be a start to a series. Like another De La Cruz book I've read, the author loves to pepper her work with references to fashion labels and trends, most characters belong in elite society, and the reading is fast paced. In my opinion the book is OK, the premise is promising, but there is something lacking in the writing.
Schuyler is a loner and feels very different from others, but has a couple of friends who are outcasts like herself. She and her friends all go to Duchesne School - a very exclusive school in New York City, where most kids are from rich, old money families. Everyone knows everyone at this school. One day a popular girl from her class is found dead under very mysterious circumstances. Soon afterwards Schuyler gets a special invite to a charitable society - The Committee. Then Schuyler learns about her origins and what a lot of other kids at her school are too - Blue Bloods. But there is danger lurking in the shadows and there are still unanswered questions about her past that Schuyler needs to know about. Coupled with this is her crush on a popular boy - Jack Force, her best friend's disapproval, sneers from the high school Queen Bee (Jack's twin sister Mimi), and the usual teenage angst. This looks to be a start to a series. Like another De La Cruz book I've read, the author loves to pepper her work with references to fashion labels and trends, most characters belong in elite society, and the reading is fast paced. In my opinion the book is OK, the premise is promising, but there is something lacking in the writing.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I picked up this book suspecting to be an unconventional, interesting vampire tale. I am a fan of vampire lore, or good ones, at least, so I had to pick this up at my friendly local library. Was I surprised - or perhaps not, coming from the author of 'Au Pairs'- that this book had very little to do with vampires. The first 100 or so pages had absolutely no vampire mentions, and hardly any insinuations that vampires would come up later. Even after that the whole 'Guess what, I'm a vampire, and nearly everyone around you is too...oh yeah, and blood is indeed a necessity' thing is merely a side plot. Mainly, this book concerns Schuyler, an outcast of sorts, dealing with the Queen Bee, Mimi Force, and her gorgeous twin brother, and other high school dramas such as that. It takes a look at the high end of society, where teens learn to drip money without showing it off. Schuyler later learns that she is a 'blue blood', or a very special vampire who is descended from a very old line. You do not learn of this until you're 15, and then signs of it come to your attention, like visible veins and a raw meat craving. Those who are blue bloods seem to be always rich. This exclusive group seems to be HIGHLY metaphorical to the upper-class. She is told that she is immortal, yet blue bloods seem to be dying very rapidly...
Quite frankly, if the whole vampire thing got chucked out, a good percentage would still be a solid story. I was a bit disappointed at first, due to the lack of vampirism, but it was still a good read. Do not read this if you're looking for an Anne Rice twist for teens, or something to that effect. If you are a fan of Ms. de la Cruz's previous novels, i.e, the Au Pairs, and other chick lit, you will find this book a very good one.
Quite frankly, if the whole vampire thing got chucked out, a good percentage would still be a solid story. I was a bit disappointed at first, due to the lack of vampirism, but it was still a good read. Do not read this if you're looking for an Anne Rice twist for teens, or something to that effect. If you are a fan of Ms. de la Cruz's previous novels, i.e, the Au Pairs, and other chick lit, you will find this book a very good one.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Reading this now and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! Though like some other reviewers have said it is a bit confusing in some parts-they are NOT allergic to sun-they can act normal in it-even get tanned by it...in one scene a main character is wearing earrings then in the next page she is only wearing a necklace as her accessories. But over all I am liking the book and the different twist to vampire lore she has created...especially the part where they descend from the Mayflower since a cousin of my moms has proved our lineage to John Billington it makes it even more "real" to me. =) Recommended for a quick read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Well, this book didn't start out promising. I have to say that I tend to find it ridiculous when authors try to be coy when it comes to introducing us to characters in a book. This one uses the stereotypical format of hinting around that the characters in the story may be something other than human when it's unnecessary because all you have to do is read the blurb on the back to know it's about vampires.
The story itself is only so-so. It probably could have been a little better if the author worried more about depth instead of how often she could mention brands of couture in the first half of the book. Also, for parents who prefer to watch what their younger teens read, this book is filled with underage drinking, smoking and even incest... Oh my!
This novel is also another example of an author trying to write a vampire tale so that they can get in on a popular genre. It uses the annoying formula that I've seen a lot of lately where the writer is trying to tie vampires in with something else to seem "creative". When what it really does is remind me of those music artists who can only sample other original musicians, yet claim they've contributed to the music industry. It just leaves you feeling like you haven't found anything of importance because the original recipe was better. I really thing the whole plot around the "Blue Blood" species would have been better if the author had chosen to make them a race of something other than vampires. The reincarnated fallen angels thing just made me want to roll my eyes once it was revealed.
If the plot weren't bad enough, characters who really should have known better due to experience and knowledge (that was conveniently forgotten) are so TSTL that I felt like slapping them. It's like running up the stairs in a horror movie or not seeing that the killer is one of the most least likely characters in a mystery. You know when a vampire/angel starts calling something a myth just because they haven't seen it in awhile there really is no hope for such idiocracy. Another point of disinterest in this book was the disturbing acceptance of modern-day incestuous relationships. Sure, it's understandable from the less educated people in the past before science showed what that can do, but from supernatural creatures who have had life-times to know better, give me a break. I was just more than a bit on the gross side for me.
Overall, this book was really mediocre (and that might be generous). Even with the cliff-hanger ending, it wasn't interesting enough for me to feel I need to read any more of the series, but who knows. I may be up for reading another book I can bitch about.
The story itself is only so-so. It probably could have been a little better if the author worried more about depth instead of how often she could mention brands of couture in the first half of the book. Also, for parents who prefer to watch what their younger teens read, this book is filled with underage drinking, smoking and even incest... Oh my!
This novel is also another example of an author trying to write a vampire tale so that they can get in on a popular genre. It uses the annoying formula that I've seen a lot of lately where the writer is trying to tie vampires in with something else to seem "creative". When what it really does is remind me of those music artists who can only sample other original musicians, yet claim they've contributed to the music industry. It just leaves you feeling like you haven't found anything of importance because the original recipe was better. I really thing the whole plot around the "Blue Blood" species would have been better if the author had chosen to make them a race of something other than vampires. The reincarnated fallen angels thing just made me want to roll my eyes once it was revealed.
If the plot weren't bad enough, characters who really should have known better due to experience and knowledge (that was conveniently forgotten) are so TSTL that I felt like slapping them. It's like running up the stairs in a horror movie or not seeing that the killer is one of the most least likely characters in a mystery. You know when a vampire/angel starts calling something a myth just because they haven't seen it in awhile there really is no hope for such idiocracy. Another point of disinterest in this book was the disturbing acceptance of modern-day incestuous relationships. Sure, it's understandable from the less educated people in the past before science showed what that can do, but from supernatural creatures who have had life-times to know better, give me a break. I was just more than a bit on the gross side for me.
Overall, this book was really mediocre (and that might be generous). Even with the cliff-hanger ending, it wasn't interesting enough for me to feel I need to read any more of the series, but who knows. I may be up for reading another book I can bitch about.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A fun, quick read. Think Gossip Girl with Vampires.
Was Ok,was alot of fashion talk,this designer and that. But the plot was good and am putting the next title on hold.
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
It's the invasion of the vampires!
Recently, the world of the undead has been sweeping its way into young adult novels, making sure that the vampires are prominently featured. Melissa de la Cruz, author of the popular series THE AU PAIRS, makes sure that she adds her own twist on vampires in her new series, BLUE BLOODS.
Schuyler Van Alen believed that she was just a normal teenager, living a normal life, and just didn't seem to fit in. Attending a private school isn't the world that Schuyler wanted to enter, what with all of the high fashion when she would rather wear her "unfashionable" clothes. But she never thought she would enter the world of the vampires, either.
When she turns 15, Schuyler discovers some major changes in herself, like the veins in her arms that are distinctly blue. And the blue veins can only mean that she is part of the Blue Bloods, a group of vampires whose ancestors go as far back as the Mayflower. Being a Blue Blood isn't so bad, right?
Well, when a murder takes place and a popular guy starts to notice you, Schuyler knows that there is something strange going on, and it's up to her to crack all of the society's secrets and to keep herself out of danger while doing it.
Melissa de la Cruz does not disappoint with BLUE BLOODS. The world that Ms. de la Cruz has created is not only unique but also very intriguing. Fans of the vampire world will definitely want to add this to their collection, and will be looking forward to MASQUERADE, the next novel in the series.
It's the invasion of the vampires!
Recently, the world of the undead has been sweeping its way into young adult novels, making sure that the vampires are prominently featured. Melissa de la Cruz, author of the popular series THE AU PAIRS, makes sure that she adds her own twist on vampires in her new series, BLUE BLOODS.
Schuyler Van Alen believed that she was just a normal teenager, living a normal life, and just didn't seem to fit in. Attending a private school isn't the world that Schuyler wanted to enter, what with all of the high fashion when she would rather wear her "unfashionable" clothes. But she never thought she would enter the world of the vampires, either.
When she turns 15, Schuyler discovers some major changes in herself, like the veins in her arms that are distinctly blue. And the blue veins can only mean that she is part of the Blue Bloods, a group of vampires whose ancestors go as far back as the Mayflower. Being a Blue Blood isn't so bad, right?
Well, when a murder takes place and a popular guy starts to notice you, Schuyler knows that there is something strange going on, and it's up to her to crack all of the society's secrets and to keep herself out of danger while doing it.
Melissa de la Cruz does not disappoint with BLUE BLOODS. The world that Ms. de la Cruz has created is not only unique but also very intriguing. Fans of the vampire world will definitely want to add this to their collection, and will be looking forward to MASQUERADE, the next novel in the series.
I really wanted this book. Read it in 2 days, kept hoping it would get better. It did NOT. The "twilight" series by Stephanie Meyer's was so much more. Highly recommend that series. Will not be reading #2 in the blue blood series. How to explain....childish, boring, did not make much sense to me. Shame, because it is a really good basic information in history, but it just left me empty and bored. I am NOT a teenager, but have enjoyed other books meant for the younger crowd....this is not one of them.
This book was very well written. The main character is one that many high schoolers can relate to, and it is set in a high school like any other: the jock, the "queen bee", the girl that is always different from the others... that is Schuyler. The only difference from a normal school and Duchesne is that Duchesne is half Red Bloods (humans) and half Blue Bloods (vampires). This book will have you wanting more, and it leaves you on a cliffhanger, making you buy the second book the next day. This book, in my opinion, could be better than Twilight in many aspects. And coming from me (a strong Twilight fan), that means a lot.
This book grabbed me from the beginning (in some ways it reminded me of Twilight). I enjoyed the mythology that was created and how it was tied into history. The characters were compelling, and I want to find out more about them (thank goodness there will be more books after this one). I had to stay up late to finish this one as I couldn't make myself put it down.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) - Boonton, NJ reviewed Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, Bk 1) on + 869 more book reviews
Duschesne, a private high school in New York City, is comprised of the city's most elite and promising youths. Beautiful, intelligent, and privileged, these kids come from the most powerful families in the city, the ones who have helped shaped the city's history and given NYC its famous culture and landmarks.
Schuyler Van Alen comes from a once-powerful family whose wealth has declined over the years, and she does not feel like she fits in with the Duschesne students. Schuyler and her best friend Oliver are outcasts. Never in a million years would their spheres collide with Mimi Force and her twin brother Jack's world. Mimi is the queen of Duschesne, and Jack is her male counterpart. Always surrounding Mimi are Mimi-clones like Bliss Llewellyn, an out-of-place Texas girl who feels like she does not belong in the in-crowd.
When a classmate is found dead, the truth begins to reveal itself. It turns out that many of them are Blue Bloods, vampires who make up the nation's most elite and powerful influences throughout history. They can never die: only their blood is saved and then regenerated when they need to be reborn again, so they have memories of their past lives which are all interconnected with one another.
However, someone - or something - is definitely killing Blue Bloods. Who is more powerful than the supposedly invincible Blue Bloods? Most of The Committee, the group of adult vampires who make and enforce the rules for the Blue Bloods, denies that the Blue Bloods are in danger. Schuyler, Oliver, and their new friend Bliss are determined to find out what's going on, though. For Bliss, she wants to know who killed Dylan, her sort-of boyfriend. For Schuyler, she wants to know why Jack is acting so weird around her, one day talking to and kissing her, the next day completely ignoring her.
BLUE BLOODS is exciting and promises an equally amazing sequel. Melissa de la Cruz deftly crafts a wondrous yet believable world. Well researched and written, readers will close the book with a sense of impatience as they wait to find out what happens to the characters next.
Schuyler Van Alen comes from a once-powerful family whose wealth has declined over the years, and she does not feel like she fits in with the Duschesne students. Schuyler and her best friend Oliver are outcasts. Never in a million years would their spheres collide with Mimi Force and her twin brother Jack's world. Mimi is the queen of Duschesne, and Jack is her male counterpart. Always surrounding Mimi are Mimi-clones like Bliss Llewellyn, an out-of-place Texas girl who feels like she does not belong in the in-crowd.
When a classmate is found dead, the truth begins to reveal itself. It turns out that many of them are Blue Bloods, vampires who make up the nation's most elite and powerful influences throughout history. They can never die: only their blood is saved and then regenerated when they need to be reborn again, so they have memories of their past lives which are all interconnected with one another.
However, someone - or something - is definitely killing Blue Bloods. Who is more powerful than the supposedly invincible Blue Bloods? Most of The Committee, the group of adult vampires who make and enforce the rules for the Blue Bloods, denies that the Blue Bloods are in danger. Schuyler, Oliver, and their new friend Bliss are determined to find out what's going on, though. For Bliss, she wants to know who killed Dylan, her sort-of boyfriend. For Schuyler, she wants to know why Jack is acting so weird around her, one day talking to and kissing her, the next day completely ignoring her.
BLUE BLOODS is exciting and promises an equally amazing sequel. Melissa de la Cruz deftly crafts a wondrous yet believable world. Well researched and written, readers will close the book with a sense of impatience as they wait to find out what happens to the characters next.