Book Reviews of Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, Bk 1)

I have now read the first book of three different Vampire Series (Twilight, Marked and Blue Bloods) of the three this one I liked the least.

Why didn’t I like it? There was way too much set up for the next book. I understand wanting to write a series, today they are really hot, but you still, in my opinion, need a complete story in one book. This book didn’t have one. In fact what little bit of a story it did have I’m not sure got wrapped up. There are so many loose ends that it may take the author a dozen books to finish what she has started.

On top of that for a Young Adult book there sure is a lot of Adult situations. Drinking, Drugs and a pretty hot and heavy almost sex scene pepper the pages.

What did I like? Oh I love more than anything how she has mixed histories mysteries and a touch of mythology into the Vampire lore. It is a fresh and new approach. Now you may be thinking, wait Anne Rice did that, but this is different.

I do want to continue reading to see just how much the author chooses to wrap up but I must admit if she doesn’t have a complete story in the next book then I am done with this particular series.

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 think 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.

I picked this book up after reading the entire Twilight series and needed a vampire fix. This book is definately not as good, but kept my interest and was an easy read. I agree with one of the other posts that describes it as 'Gossip Girls' meets vampires. It does start up kind of slow, and the romance plot was disappointing. The vampire backstory/lore was a little complicated at times, also. It didn't leave me wanting to rush out and buy the next book, but the main character was loveable and I will put it on my wish list if it ever comes up.

I couldn't even be bothered to finish the book. Shallow characters, insipid story line. Another disappointing vampire story.

For me as an overall view. The book was good, very unique with the history of the vampire and I did enjoy the description of the life of the vampire. I do agree with other reviews expecially when it comes to the fashion side of the story. I didnt really care too much about the name brand clothes they were wearing and did find myself skipping a paragraph and just skimming through when those parts came up.

I also felt as though she could have maybe combined the first three books and made them into one. With this book the end was--well not really an end at all which of course makes you want to read the next. IMO I enjoyed the book minus the fashion side. But if you like high end clothes and know designers names and enjoy that sort of thing, this is probably the book for you.

After being invited to join "The Committee" - a group of blue bloods. Schuyler learns some startling things about herself and her family that she isn't sure how to deal with. As it turns out, Schuyler isn't human. Her best friend Oliver and her dog she mysteriously found ends up all being a part of her new "life" like she didnt expect. Also dont forget the Silver bloods.

A very creative take on vampires and vampirism.

Think of this book as Gossip Girl + Vampires. A bit over the top at times, but enjoyable.

ok so i just started reading this book and im not done yet but so far im at chapter seventeen. its really good if your into the fashion thing buth the real twist is that there vampires. i was really skeptical about this book but i fianlly got it.i love it but the only problem is that the auther gives you hints that there is somthing special about the characters . the only reason i knew they were vampires where the two bite marks on the cover. i have yet to get bored with this book . ithink it gives a new take on vampires. so far i like it but ill update when im done.

Great Series. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

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.

I really would have liked it if the author would have spend half as much time developing her characters as she did describing what they were wearing and spouting elite name brands. Could have been a cool story line, but just didn't satisfy my hunger.

[close] I devoured Blue Bloods in one sleep-deprived, fevered night of reading. It isn't the best book I've read all year, but it was definitely appealing and enjoyable -- even if it was a bit familiar.

In Blue Bloods, vampires are entrenched in upper class Manhatten old money. The teens in this book are richer than rich, as illustrated by the authors grating use of designer name after designer name throughout the novel (my least-favorite part of the book). The story follows Schuyler, a 15-year-old who coexists with her trend-setting socialite classmates, but isn't truly one of them. Her only solace is her best friend Oliver -- until big-man-on-campus Jack Force unexpectedly takes an interest in her. Schuyer begins to get drawn into the world of the Blue Bloods, and finds herself changing in strange and unexpected ways.
If that weren't enough to stress out a high schooler, one of her classmates was found murdered in the alley of a club -- and she's not the only unexpected death among the upper crust movers and shakers....

Yadda yadda yadda....

The set up for the book isn't very original. The characters aren't very original. However, the premise behind the Blue Bloods and the history of how they arrived in the New World from the Old Country is good stuff. I've always had an interest in the lost colony of Roanoke, and the author's use of this history as part of a supernatural story set up is inspired. I also enjoyed the writing - de la Cruz uses words with passion and is very descriptive, effectively drawing readers into a story that might have otherwise been just another Twilight knock-off. Instead, Blue Bloods ends up as the first of a series that I will definitely seek out subsequent novels from in the future.

eh. This book is setting a foundation for the next I'm sure. But that's all it felt like. Setup.

ok, so it was a good conept, but it seemed that they had taken out SO much information and it needed to have more information...i don't know...it went from one thing to another with out any reason and the switching from 1st person to 2nd person to 3rd person in a matter of paraghaphs was really annoying. stick with one form...i know it was hard because it was the story of like 4-5 people at the same time, but you would be in the mind of one person and then suddenly you were "watching" that person instead being that person. hard to explain really

plus their were a few problems with the book that wern't caught...for one schyler had Blue-black hair and in the description of her on the billboard, she had red hair,
and when bliss woke up hungry it was 11:59pm and then when she was in the kitchen it was suddenly 3 in the morning...i'm sure it doesn't mean that much, but it was irritating..

the author tried to be informational in her narration, but seemed like she didn't know how too at the same time...she talked a lot about the clothes they wore, but more brand names than anything and i don't think it mattered all to much. i don't know maybe she needs to stick the style narration on the E network.

i will go ahead and read the others just because though...

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.

This book is Teen, or Tween, level but I did liked it. Shuyler and Oliver and Jack are very interesting characters. Millie is the hidden Silver Blood I think, but that is just based on her over-the-top diva attitude I think. Will be reading the next book.

I really like this series about rich elite vamps and the misfit vamp and her bff. I find Mimi and Jacks relationship weird even though it is explained. I also love Schuyler and Jack. Though my favorite part of this series is that they are not only vamps but fallen angels.....interesting.

Nice series.

Definitely young-adultish. Like Twilight (a rip-off of Twilight, actually), taking place in Manhattan rather than Forks (there are some similarities).

This book is a bit slow during the first half. I am interested in the main characher Schuyler because I can not seem to figure her out. Throughout the book I would assume she would act a certain way in the situation and she would do the opposite. I would like to read more about the high society parts of the upper East Side and believe that part will have a bigger role in the next book. This entire first book set up the characters and the setting, not much of a plot.

A very different twist on vampires. I liked it and read it rather quickly. It keeps you guessing and wanting more.

appropriate for teens with good story line.

Very interesting book. Not just for teens. This book is a cross between Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries. It centers around a New York City private school and the students who live ritzy lives. Main character Schuyler is intrigued by the murder of a classmate and the mysterious goings on in her circle. As Schuyler discovers that she hails from a long line of vampires she is forced to reevaluate her life and that of those around her.

It was difficult for me to get in to this book at first. I do not share the authors interest in fashion and was bored by the need to describe every item of clothing in detail. I did however get past my boredom and began to enjoy the story line itself. I will probably read the rest of the series, but this was not one of my favorites.

Schuyler is part of the wealthy elite in NYC. She thinks her problems mainly revolve around getting Jack Force to notice her and hoping her mother wakes up from her coma, but soon she and many of the other students at Duchesne Academy are informed that they are Blue Bloods--vampires who have been in America since the Mayflower. Essentially Gossip Girls meets Vampire Diaries, it could have been an entertaining series if the vampire lore was better done. Vampires are presented as fallen angels atoning for their rebellion by being trapped in human bodies. They reincarnate through in vitro fertilization, etc.. It is all overly complicated and eye-roll inducing. Additionally, you should be aware that there is incest in the book that is accepted by the vampires. However, it is written well on the sentence level, so if you think you would enjoy that vampire lore mixed with NYC high society, you'll enjoy it a lot more than I did.

Check out my full review.

I have to say this was a very enjoyable read. It slowly introduced people and you learn as you read. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Not a series I'd continue reading but an ok start. A little too high-schooly for me. I never dd go in for the clichey-bitchy girls. Mimi got on my every living nerve. Though I did like Bliss - until the end -and Schuyler. I found Jack's hot and cold attitude towards Schuyler aggravating. All in all the vampire aspects of the book were pretty good. I liked idea of the evil preying on the blue bloods as they thought they were God's gift and at the top of the food chain. A little humility never hurt anyone but in this case it does. Kinda like what goes around comes around.

I liked the different twist on the vampire legend. I thought all the fashion references were ridiculous and boring. Looking forward to reading the next book.

This book has a slow start. But about half way through the book it gets adicting. It is an interesting twist to vampires. Really good book!

Very enjoyable. I liked the tie-in to the colonization of America. A fresh spin on vampire lore.

Blue Bloods is yet another interesting take on the myth of the Vampire. In Blue Bloods Vampires are fallen Angels they have been expelled from paradise and now go through cycles. This is certainly a curious look at the myth of vampires, but in the book it is given as a well explained one. Like in Marked the Vampire side of them starts to show in the high school ages. They than become Blue Bloods, humans are called Red Bloods.

While you can tell that Blue Bloods is obviously the set up book for the next book in the series it was still an enjoyable read. It has a likeable group of characters, and of course like others it has its dislikeable ones as well. One thing that makes me giggle a bit is that it seems the “bad guy” or bully is always blonde. In Blue Bloods it’s the popular girl Mimi Force. Ah but Mimi has a twin brother named Jack, who Schuyler ends up getting a crush on. To bad for them it doesn’t seem to be meant to be. Or so it seems. Never know what will happen later in the series.

You follow Blue Bloods along the line that it’s setting up, giving you information about the history of the Blue Bloods. Some of the better bits are when they comment about their exploits in Rome, and Egypt. It would seem as long as they have been on earth they are the people of influence and power. They have money, and are pretty much the elite. It was a fast read, and a good read but it is obvious that it’s a set up book.

When the book comes to its conclusion it’s not a conclusion at all. It is obvious you wont find out about the bad guys of the book (now I can’t tell you who that is it would give away a plot twist) are fully up to. You also won’t learn how to bring them down, unless of course you read on. Which I plan to. If you’re a series reader, like different takes on Vampires and don’t mind a smattering of religion and history Blue Bloods if for you.