Mini Review: Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Bloody Valentine
Series: The Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: Atom (UK)
Publication Date: 20 Jan 2011






Synopsis: From GoodReads
Vampires have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shapeshift and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even the strikingly beautiful and outrageously wealthy Blue Bloods, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz offers readers a new story about the love lives of their favorite vamps - the passion and heartache, the hope and devastation, the lust and longing. Combined with all the glitz, glamour, and mystery fans have come to expect.

Review:
As you are probably already aware I am a huge Blue Bloods fan. I pre-order the books as soon as I see them.

To be truthful I was a little disappointed that this was a novella, I am so desperate for the main story to move forward. I think Melissa de la Cruz is an absolute genius in the way she is able to progress each individual main character while still keeping a tight reign over the plot threads.

The back-story and insight gained from the novella is outstanding, unfortunately I am still rather confused as to the events in Florence concerning Allegra and Lucifer. If someone would like to explain them to me or tell me what I am missing I would be grateful.

My favourite part of this book was the story focalized from Oliver's perspective. It really give depth to understanding the dynamics of his relationship with Skyler and Jack as well as the emotions attached to the 'Sacred Kiss'. The introduction of the witches was a tantalising 'tidbit' for the future spin-off series. Astute marketing and PR in full force.

I do unfortunately have a whinge and it makes me really sad to say this but a lot of the book is taken up with an exert from Misguided Angel (if you click the link you can see the review). *sigh* I am now on a countdown for the next books.

Read the first chapter of Bloody Valentine HERE 

Review: Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Misguided Angel

Series: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: Atom (UK)
Publication Date: 26 Oct 2010

Source: Amazon




Synopsis: From GoodReads
After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the five remaining gates that guard the earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silver Bloods.

Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming desire to destroy Jack, she must focus all of her energy on a perilous new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning to burn them alive online…for all the world to see. Help arrives in the form of Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the web of deceptions before the killers strike again.
As the young vampires struggle for the survival of the coven, they uncover a deadly secret, a truth first discovered by Schuyler’s mother during the Renaissance but kept buried for centuries. And as the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler to a terrible choice that will ultimately map the destiny of her heart

Review:
Misguided Angel starts a few months after the cliffhanging ending of The Van Alen Legacy, we find that events are not turning out the way that we would have expected for most of our main characters. You really do need to read in series order to fully appreciate the intricacies of the plot.

Chapters are divided between continuing the revelations from the past and furthering the action in the present. Sometimes disconcerting as we are unable to put all the pieces together until half way through this book. When it does all click into place, the reader experiences a complete 'light-bulb' moment. The book itself is split into sections varying the focalization and the settings, while developing all threads of the storyline. It completely amazes me that Melissa can keep all the threads so completely under control while remembering all the angles of the storyline.

The writing style is beautifully descriptive along total immersion into the Blue Blood world within my imagination. Some of the descriptions of the food were so sensory I wished I could have the recipes. Via the narrative I was able to fully experience the roller-coaster of emotions the various protagonists felt.

It was amazing how all the central characters were progressed and developed. I cannot go into details for fear of giving away spoilers.  As the plot follows one angle a whole host of different possibilities open up. The story can literally go in any direction.

I completely love this series and cannot wait to see where it is going to go next.

Review: Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Exams. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there's oh-so-much more to know about the beautiful and powerful Blue Bloods. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, lies a wealth of revealing short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters about the vampire elite dating back through time. Won't you come inside?

Review:

As you might have noticed I am kind-of a Blue Bloods fan-girl so I was very excited when Atom Books sent me a copy of the new addition to The Blue Bloods Series. Yes, I admit it squeeing was involved when I opened the package : D

WARNING: This is a companion book to The Blue Blood Series and should therefore not be read without reading the other books as a lot of the plot is revealed but you wouldn't necessarily understand the implications of events and interactions without reading the other books.

Keys compliments the other books in the series perfectly. Answering a lot of the questions I had regarding the plot from the other Blue Blood books. Written in log format from the point of view of the human conduits in charge of the repository complete with reports.

This format enables terrific background detailing and plot definition without emotion to cloud judgement. The history given of each of the central characters really helped to clarify there actions and personalities. You can see how their very long past has shaped  their character in the present.

Melissa actually starts the book with a letter to the reader, which I found made the book that more personal. She actually puts little notes throughout the book explaining her writing process and how the story of the Blue Bloods developed. It made me feel as if more involved with the plot and understand the character development better.

The reports are interspersed with short stories focalized from some of the other characters point of view. Although they played an important part in the plot formation/action of the other books their characters weren't developed beyond their role in the plot. This chance to see their side of events really added depth to their character and gave another dimension to the plot. Although I am a bit confused about Dylan?  

Melissa has included teaser chapters of forthcoming books in the series that really had me jumping up and down with impatience. I want them now.

There is even an appendix of peripheral characters and another of the terminology used throughout the Blue Bloods Series. Which was really helpful in getting everything clear in my overcrowded head : D

A terrific anthology that compliments the rest of the series perfectly : D
You can read the first chaper at Blue Bloods Books - just click the link ;)

Review: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged. Young, fabulous and fanged, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth instalment of the Blue Bloods series.


Review:
Following the shock occurrences at the end of Revelations. We find Schyler on the run, choosing friendship of love :(

This is actually my favourite book of the series so far. Told in 3rd person narrative but alternating chapters focalized from the point of view of the 3 main female protagonists, Sky, Mimi and Bliss.

We already have quite a deep knowledge and understanding of Sky from the previous books so her chapters are mainly keeping the reader up-to-date with key aspects of the plot. While further examining her interactions and relationships.

I really liked the chapters focalized from Mimi and Bliss's point of view. Giving insight into their personalities and relationships while adding depth and dimension to their characters. Until this book I had harboured ill will to Mimi seeing her as only shallow and self-centred. Through her focalization we as the reader can appreciate that she has more than one side to her. The characters really come to 3 dimensional life. Dare I say, I even started to like her a bit :D Through her relationship with Kingsley we are able to fully appreciate the barriers she has created for herself.

The male protagonists seem to take a background role in this story, although their actions are pivotal to the plot development.

Through Bliss's focalization we are able to fully comprehend the nightmare she is experiencing. Her strength of mind/character is something to be admired. Due to circumstances beyond her control she is cast as the 'villan' yet we are able to sympathise with her. Personally I would like to know how she came to be in this situation in  the first place and also have the connection between Allegra & Lucifer fully explained???

As always the action is fast paced. The imagery is terrifically sensory - full immersion into the Blue Bloods World achieved ;) The interwoven tapestry of religion, history and mythology continues to flow seamlessly and adds a realistic element to the plot. There are some shocks and surprises in store, additional story-lines are picked up and developed.

As much as I adore the Blue Bloods series I do have concerns regarding Bliss in the finale of this book. I am hoping that it will be explained as the series continues.

I am now on a countdown to Keys to the Repository and Misguided Angels :)

Trailer: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

To tease you ready for the next review of this awesome series here is the book trailer:

How much do you want to read it now ;)

Review: Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

For the Young, Fabulous and Fanged...All is never what it seems. Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called into question: is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force. But when an ancient place of power is threatened in Rio de Janeiro, the Blue Bloods need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high, the battle is bloody; and through it all Schuyler is torn between duty and passion, love and freedom. Romance, glamour and vampire lore collide in the highly anticipated third book in best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series.

Review:

To use a UK commercial catchphrase 'it does exactly what it says on the tin' LOL

The secrets and mysteries are peeled back layer by layer, with a few (or more) shocks and surprises in store. Revelations cleverly picks up the threads of plot from Masquerade. These are definitely not stand alone books, if you haven't read the beginning of the series then you will not understand the intricacies of the plot and character interactions.

Written in 3rd person narrative, mainly focalised from Schyler's point of view (who we have grown to know/understand in the previous books). Schyler is so easy to relate to; an outsider in more ways than one. Within this story Sky's vampire powers are developed further but at what cost? You can also fully appreciate the dilemma she faces torn between her BF and 1st love.

The male protagonists especially seemed to gain a lot more depth of personality in this book, whereas they have previously played more of a background role.

Religion, history and fantasy are all woven together seamlessly into the plot. Topical issues such as the 'credit crunch' are entwined in the narrative adding a sense of realism. I especially adored the depiction of Lucifer. It has always baffled me as to why angels would have followed him in the beginning if he was a horrible/ugly/terrifying monster. Of course, he is all of those things but on the inside. This portrayal would certainly explain a lot :)

Reports are interspersed throughout the book adding intrigue and another dimension to the plot.

The start of the book deals mainly with plot building and character development. Quickly followed by fast paced action and drama culminating in a thrilling cliffhanger.
I was left pondering the questions:
1. Who decided on the bonds. How were they made in the 1st place. As it doesn't necessarily seem to work out for the best.
2. How were the vampire laws made?
Hmmm I wonder........

If you like supernatural romance/action/adventure with lots of fast paced action and ingenious plot twists then this series is a MUST for you ;)

Review: Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon
Preparations are under way for the ball of the century. But as any true Blue Blood knows, it's the after-party that counts. And the cunning Mimi Force is getting ready to make sure her masquerade ball is the place to be for the Young, Fabulous and Fanged. But Schuyler Van Alen has more on her mind than fancy dresses, even if her crush Jack Force, is sure to make an appearance. She's getting closer to finding out what's been preying on the young vamps ? and discovering the deadly secrets hiding under the masks...Rich with glamour, attitude and vampire lore, this second instalment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

Review:
Following the 1st Blue Bloods story we are thrown right in to the middle of the action from the beginning of this book. Schyler has travelled to Venice with Oliver in order to find her long-lost grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen, as per her grandmother's, Cordelia's, last request. You really do need to read this series in order to fully understand the plot twists and character interactions.

Unfortunately, Lawrence is not as Schyler imagined and after her unsuccessful 'mission' to Venice she returns to NYC. I adore Schyler's depth of character, she has the usual teenage angst dealing with friendships, falling in love, school, loss, etc on top of all these 'normal' things she has to adjust to her vampire nature while simultaneously being shunned by the prominent Blue Bloods due to her heritage.

As one mystery is unravelled within the narrative another takes its place. It has more plot twists and turns than a corkscrew roller-coaster and is just as thrilling (if you like roller-coasters - they make me sick but I thought it was a good analogue :0) A few red herrings are thrown into the mix getting the reader to question their assumptions about the plot, very, very clever plot building.

All of the prominent characters personalities and backgrounds are developed further. My dislike of Mimi increased exponentially the more I got to know her. The true extent of the relationship between Sky and Oliver is revealed (or is it). The reader is left to unravel the tangle that is the interaction of the characters. It certainly keeps you on your toes. Interactions and personalities are revealed, mistakes are made and further mysteries unravelled.The action is fast paced.

There are odd reports interspersed sporadically throughout the book. At first these appear to be random and unrelated to the main story, but are in fact another mystery to be solved :0)

The behind the scenes look at the modelling world was outstanding, you can tell from the narrative that Melissa de la Cruz has personal knowledge of these situations. Adding to the sense of realism within the narrative. Further enhanced by the description of the clothes and party, Melissa de la Cruz certainly knows her designer clothes, no wonder she writes for glamour magazines. The imagery was so sensory I felt completely immersed in the Blue Blood's world.

The addition of the Van Alen Family Tree at the end of the book was really helpful as a visual aid in keeping track of the key characters, their shared history and connections.

If the 1st book didn't have you hooked then this one certain will. As soon as I finished the last page I had to pick up the next book to continue the story. A terrific vampire series with a unique twist :0)

Review: Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

They're Young, Fabulous and Fanged...And they rule Manhattan from the trendy uptown clubs to the downtown boutiques. Fifteen-year-old Schuyler Van Alen has never quite fit in at her exclusive prep school ? she's more of a vintage than a Versace girl ? but all that's about to change...Because Schuyler has just found out she's a Blue Blood. The Blue Bloods are the city's glamorous ? and secret ? vampire elite. They're young, beautiful and powerful. But now they're being murdered. And Schuyler must find out who ? or what ? is behind it before she's next.

Review:

OK so here we go *gush,gush,gush*. I was not expecting this book to be this fabulous. I have read a few reviews and thought, yep lets read it, it will just be another vampire story. Boy, how wrong I was.
The whole take on vampire mythology was unique. I would never have associated vampires with fallen angels. Not only that, there are good and evil vampires. Ones that adhere to the vampire code and ones that want to rule the world, for want of better terminology.

The story encompasses the rebirth/reincarnation of vampires (aka blue bloods) from a single drop of blood containing all their memories and DNA. Science versus myth with the use of IVF. The formation of true friendships and allegiances. The soul-mate principle (or is it?), the 'ick' factor with the idea that twins are bound by blood (you need to read it, I am not giving away spoilers). With a bit of murder/mystery thrown in to keep you on your toes :0)

The female protagonist, Schyler, was so easy to relate to, on the surface an outsider that has the strength of character to deal with whatever is thrown her way.  Luckily she has the perfect friend in Oliver, that covers her back and protects her when ever he can (but is that all there is too it?!!!!) I adored the addition of Bliss and Dylan to their group and could completely understand their friendship and alliegance.
Unbelievably clever plot twists and turns that leave you reeling, the teasers are there for you to pick up on if you can ;)

For someone that thought this was just going to be another vampire book, I absolutely loved it. As soon as I finished it, I had to order the rest of the series and pre-order the other books :) I am now sitting by my mailbox waiting to continue this thrilling series.