Dawn and Winnie Book Reviews: Blue Blood Series by Melissa De La Cruz

Tuesday, January 11

Blue Blood Series by Melissa De La Cruz

7:35 PM | Posted by Dawn & Winnie Book Reviews

Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) by Melissa De La CruzWithin New York City’s most elite families, there lurks a secret society of celebrated Americans whose ancestors sailed on the Mayflower. They are the powerful and the wealthy—and in fact, they are not human. They are the Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires. Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in at Duchesne, her prestigious New York City private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapidated mansion. Schuyler is a loner—and happy that way. But when she turns fifteen, Schuyler’s life changes dramatically. She has a mosaic of blue veins on her arms, and craves raw meat. The death of a popular girl from Duchesne is surrounded by a mystery that haunts her. And strangest off all, Jack Force, the most popular boy in school, is showing a sudden interest in her.Schuyler wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?Steeped in vampire lore and set against the glittery backdrop of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by fans of Melissa de la Cruz.

Ok so, Melissa De La Cruz puts her own unique twist on vampires. What an incredible wordl. It’s Gossip Girl meets Vampire Diaries. There’s the Glom, Blue bloods, Corrupt Silver bloods, Conduits and of course the Reds. So many different classes so many rules. We are following our sweet Schuyler Van Alen who all her life has remained in the shadows and of the radar. Schuyler’s mother is in a coma and is being raised by her grandmother. Her only friends are nerdy Oliver and bad boy Dillan.Schuyler’s 15th birthday is here and with it comes an invitation to join an elite society known as the blue bloods. It is here a dark secret is revealed about Schuyler’s true ancestry. Vamps other wise known as the blue bloods do feed on the week humans/Reds, but are actually fallen angels living life hoping one day to achieve redemption. Oliver also reveals a few webs from his closet. With a few exceptions to the rules Vamps are invincible and immortal- immune to the many trivialities humans are cripple to. But when one their own blue bloods are found dead Schuyler wants answers. She starts poking around looking for answers, but what she soon realizes is that the more she digs the deeper her hole gets and the harder it is for her to climb out.

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They are Blue Bloods, an olden group of vampires, who has existed for centuries, invincible. Now the hunters and being hunted! Something or someone is preying on the cream of the crops! And Schuyler wants to find out the truth.

Blue Bloods is the first book in a string of vampire novels by Melissa de la Cruz and, is set in Manhattan, New York. In this book, Schuyler Van Alen (Dimidium Cognatus- Half-Blood, abomination) has never fit in at Duchesne, her influential New York City private school. Beautiful she may be, Schuyler prefers loose fitting, epoch clothes instead of the designers and diamonds preferred by Duchesne students. Schuyler’s life is about to change radically as she turns 15... and there is a boy, Benjamin Jack Force! Jack Force, the most admired boy in school, is showing an interest in her…

I like this book, because it deviates from the traditional vamp novels! Melisa de la Cruz has a strong imagination and has brought a different perspective to life. All I can say is Dramatic, humorous, enticing, enthralling, captivating and mind blowing.

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Masquerade (Blue Bloods#2) by Melissa De La CruzSchuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young Blue Bloods. Her search brings her to Venice, Italy, in the hopes of finding the one person who can help. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the famous Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city’s wealthy, powerful, and un-human—a true Blue Blood affair. But it’s at the after-party masquerade that the true danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will change the course of a young vampire’s destiny.Rich with glamour, attitude, and vampire lore, this second installment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsty for more…

In Masquerade the second installment in the blue blood series, identities are revealed, and past lives explored. Schuyler travels looking for her long lost grandfather Lawrence Van Allen the only person alive at this moment who can give her answers about the Silver Bloods. Schuyler also finds out more about herself being a blue blood and realizes that she must pick a familiar. There is one obvious choice- but with that choice come dire consequences.Bliss, the Blue Blood who moved from Houston with her Senator father, finds herself in strange locations unexplainably. We get into a more in depth story with Bliss, who somewhat starts to bond with Schuyler. A very attractive new student, Kingsley, enters Duchesne He becomes quick friends with Mimi. Mimi has planned a grand Masquerade ball in NYC where all the young blue bloods are expected to be. It is at this party, mysterious things happen, leaving Schuyler open with a lot of questions. Can she stop the Silver bloods? Can she convince her grandfather to help? And can she figure out her feelings for Jack? And who is this mysterious guy in and out of nowhere and everywhere all at the same time?

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Blue Bloods are the elite of modern New York society. The teen Blue Bloods, who attend Duchesne School, enjoy the most tremendous parties and share a mysterious secret. Schuyler Van Alen and her destined human conduit, Oliver Hazard- Perry, (Red Blood) begin the book by traveling to Italy in search of Schuyler’s exile grandfather. Mean while, In New York, Mimi and Jack Force (Force twins) are leading the teen Blue Bloods in getting ready for the traditional Four Hundred Ball- were they will be presented officially at the ball, with their vampire names and identities. Also, A very cute new student, Kingsley, enrolls at Duchesne and he is becoming the New Jack! And… he’s getting to know all the important players right away. Who is Kingsley? Really? In this book, bonds are created and loyalties are tested plus the revelation of the “Sliver bloods” and Sky… is in the middle of it all! Another winner for the Author! I loved it! Bravo

Book Rating: 5

Revelations (Blue Bloods#3) by Melissa De La CruzHave you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They’re powerful, they’re famous… they’re undead. 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.When an ancient place of power is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Schuyler is torn between love and passion, duty and freedom. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

In Revelations, Schuyler is taken from Lawrence and forced to live in the mansion with Force twins. She has to fight of the snares from Mimi as well as figure out the bipolar of like/ dislike from Jack. With all this going on Dylan returns from the dead convicting Schuyler of having associations with the silver bloods.

Lawrence travels to Rio to investigate suspicious activities. Schuyler looses communication with him and decided to travel there to investigate, and possibly help, but what ends up happening is utter chaos, blood shed, secrets revealed and more questions left unanswered. With all this Schuyler must find a way to handle Oliver

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The Blue Bloods are dealing with Silver bloods and traitors where found in their midst in this third installment of Melissa de la Cruz’s series. Schuyler Van Alen is now living with Charles Force, Trinity and the twins Jack and Mimi. Schuyler is surreptitiously meeting Jack at one of the Force apartments, even as he (Jack) plans his Bonding with Mimi! Thereby defying the sacred traditions! Schuyler has made Oliver her Familiar and now he can never love another. Finally, Schuyler, Lawrence and Oliver are forced to battle the sliver bloods to protect them from the Silver blood corruption. The plot is getting edgier, yet humorous and suspenseful.

(A must read)! I liked every minute of it.

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THE VAN ALEN LEGACY (Blue Bloods #4) BY MELISSA DE LA CRUZ 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 them 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? Schuyler has made her choice. She has forsaken Jack for Oliver, choosing human over vampire. But old loves die hard...And even coldhearted Mimi seems to suffer from the ties that bind.Young vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the New York Timesbest-selling series.

Schuyler and Oliver are on the run…after that huge catastrophe in Rio, Mimi has joined Kingsley and the Venators on the hunt for the watcher, and Bliss is fighting her inner demon. Bliss’ true identity revealed, and a greater quest in store for her.Schuyler- thought to have made her pick- is once again confronted by Jack, her feelings now tangled and her heart so much more confused.Jack and Mimi have announced their bonding date, but Mimi mysteriously finds herself drawn to Kingsley- who we seem to learn more of and see another side to.This book is my favorite in the series by far. Has a lot of action romance and so much is revealed. I took a great liking to Kingsley despite his annoyant character in the beginning of the series. I am so in love with the idea of Jack and Schuyler, but as the book goes tradition and rituals come before what your heart feels. Many twists and turns, which had me on the edge of my seat.

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The Van Alen Legacy takes place a year after Revelations where Schuyler Van Allen and Oliver Hazard-Perry are on the run from the Conclave. Schuyler’s and Ollie’s are more than just friends’ now- even though she still ached for Jack! Things were pretty interesting with the new drama, twists and turns. I especially enjoyed reading from Schuyler, Mimi’s and Bliss’s standpoint. I wasn’t disheartened with this book, in fact it was my favorite in the entire series so far and I highly anticipate the next chapter in this series. With the way this book ended and all, I see a lot of great things happening in the next installment. Mellissa de la Cruz out did herself in this book and ME LIKE.

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MISGUIDED ANGEL (Blue bLOODS#5) BY MELISSA DA LA CRUZAfter 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.

Oliver has let go. Schuyler and Jack are now together trying to complete the Van Allen Legacy. Meanwhile back in NYC, new officials have been elected with non other than Mimi Force to lead them. Mimi is mourning the loss of Kingsley, which leads her to team up with a most unlikely for an ally.A video is released threatening the exposure of the blue bloods, as well as their downfall. While Mimi has to maintain the crumbling empire and at the same time keep these rumors to a minimum, she hires Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai to solve the mystery.The tenebrous stories are brought to light; Schuyler and Jack are digging even deeper into the hole. The Van Allen legacy may not be completed, and all blue bloods are at risk.All I can say is I want more...De La Cruz writes with great enthusiasm the story flows well...even though these books are a series, each book seems to be complete in its own way... SHE HAS ME ROOTING FOR EVERYONE...EVEN MIMI...can't wait for the next one.

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Misguided Angel starts from where The Van Alen Legacy ended. Surprisingly, Jack and Schuyler are plotting their escape from the European Coven. As it turns out they were actually a well-fed prisoner rather than guests! Jack and Sky are finally together and are totally in love…

Mean while in New York, Mimi is the new reagent… (How did that happen?) And Hell finally froze over (Mimi and Oliver?) All I know is that this book is full of surprises and I really like where this storyline is heading.

A new character, Deming Chen is also introduced in this book and I really like her. And I am looking forward to seeing more of her in future books.

She fits well in the storyline. Melissa De La Cruz has done it yet again. Brava!

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Lost in Time: (Blueblood # 6) by Melissa De La Cruz
After their beautiful yet brief bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force are forced to separate. To fulfill the Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler travels to Alexandria to search for Catherine of Siena and the Gate of Promise. But Schuyler quickly discovers that everything she believed about the Gate to be wrong. Meanwhile, Jack makes the difficult decision to return to New York to face his twin and former bond mate, Mimi. But instead of a bitter reunion, he is faced with a choice for which there is no good option.Mimi, with a most unexpected travel companion in Oliver Hazard-Perry, jets off to Egypt, too, to search for Kingsley Martin, her long lost love. With all roads leading to Hell, Mimi learns that not all love stories have happy endings. But she'll have to put her own feelings aside if she's going to save her crumbling Coven.Packed with heartache, twists, and vampiric folklore, Lost in Time is sure to satisfy hungry fans' cravings for more Blue Bloods adventure

So we are left off with Jack having to return to NYC to face Mimi, whom is on the hunt for Kingsley, who is trapped in hell, which poses a great threat to all the blue bloods, who are all dying out and hiding underground with their conduits, who are no more safer than the vamps all being hunted down by the silver bloods, otherwise known as Croatians- Oliver is now friends with and hanging out with Mimi the new coven leader, who used to be Charles who no- one can find, Gabriel is on the hunt for him, but before she left she trusted two important tasks for both her daughters, Bliss who is hunting the hell hounds and Schuyler who is looking for the keys and guardians to all the gates. WOW!!! Let me take a deep breath. This book is definitely lost throughout time giving us accounts of what lead Allegra and Charles into their estranged relationship to the various storylines of everyone in the present day. Each main blueblood is on their personal quests and all covens are in chaos. Can the force twin’s reconcile and work together once more? Will Allegra be able to find Charles? Is Mimi really going to rescue Kingsley or will she stays and fight for the coven? And will Schuyler ever be able to fulfill her families' legacy. All of these are addressed in this captivating book. Melissa definitely writes with great passion and captivates all, no matter what teams you are on you are trapped in the emotional roller coasters of all the characters in this tale. At the end of the book I was still turning the pages hoping for more. Uggh! one whole year to wait. Every main character from all previous books does make appearances through out the book. She also makes a slight reference to the witches of East wick- you don’t have to read that book to get it, but if you did you will understand a little more what Mimi had to go through on her quest. The story is finally coming to an end so sad to say. The world is in chaos and it seems as if it all depends on the daughter of Gabriel- Schuyler Van Allen.

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Oh my God, I didn't see this coming! Engrossing, heart pounding, jaw-dropping secret spilling, action-packed and… finally! Finally, connection!!! It all makes sense now, except what happened in Florence?

We now know what sky is… her connection to the gate of promise… But, how did Allegra and Luci ahh… make Bliss??? Again, WTF happened in Florence! Melissa de la Cruz gave this book her best! And… I approve!

Blueblood series is a must read and the journey is just beginning, (at least that’s my opinion!!!) Skyler and Jack's tale was heart wrenching, watching both Sky and jack leave their lives one day at a time… wondering if this moment is their very last was mind -numbing yet blissful.

Mimi and Kingsley's reunion feels wonderful and hopeful. As for Oliver, I hope he finds his happiness and Michael and Allegra??? What's next for them? I honestly do not know where this story is going the puzzles are in place and the ripple effect has begun, but I am glad! It was a great read! It would be a long wait until… The gates of Paradise, expected to be published 2013… because this is one series, I hate to see reach its conclusion! But as they say, “all good things must come to an end”. Wicked cliffhanger! Loved it!

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Bloody Valentine (Blue Bloods novella) by Melissa de la CruzVampires 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, this is sure to be another huge hit in the Blue Bloods series. Also, witness the bonding of Jack and Schuyler

Sky and Jack’s BONDING… I loved reading this book! It was romantic and I cried…joyful tears that is! Awesome job!

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Bloody Valentine covers 3 love stories of Schuyler and Jack, Allegra and Stephan and how Oliver actually conquered his bond with Schuyler.

Stories are good, we even get the experience of the bonding of Schuyler and Jack. But this is not all lovey-dovy stuff, we also get a little taste of action, and of Allegra and Charles in one of their early stages of their life cycle. Good read although one or two slight details seemed off to me, but other than that I was satisfied.

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KEYS TO THE REPOSITORY (Novella)Lavish parties. Secret trysts. Bone-chilling murders. Angels. Demons. Midterms. The day-to-day lives of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Blood friends (and enemies) are never boring. But there’s oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, is a wealth of never-before revealed information about the vampire elite that dates back to the dawn of history. In a series of short stories, journal entries, and intimate letters, New York Times best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz gives you the keys to the Repository and an in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods.Won’t you come inside?

An encyclopedia of the characters in the world De La Cruz has created, with maps and short stories that will cover any possible loose ends form the books. We are also introduced to WOLF PACT, the first book in the Blue Bloods spinoff starring Bliss Llewellyn. The last we heard of Bliss was that she is no longer vampire and was sent to tame the hounds from Gabrielle. Not a necessity for the series but if you are a hardcore fan I say it is a must. Great character insight, even a few maps for us. Can’t wait for bloody Valentine.

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If you want to know about each characters Melissa has written about, their previous lives and were they originated from then keys to the repository is the book. A guide A history. Also if you really want to know what really… happened in Apartment Jack and Sky’s… er… erm… love nest, by all means entertain yourself. I liked this… A good read.

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Labels: Blue Bloods Series