Title: MasqueradeAuthor: Melissa de la Cruz
Series: Blue Bloods #2
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: May 1 2007
My Source: Library
My Rating: 4/5
Goodreads Summary:
Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help—her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman—a true Blue Blood affair.
But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever 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 thirsting for more.
My Review:
Blue Bloods is a vampire series following 15-year-old Schuyler Van Alen who discovers she's a vampire, but not just any vampire. She learns that the Blue Bloods are a group of elite and super rich New Yorkers, but they're also vampires, she whether she likes it or not, she's one of them.
This book also follows Bliss and Mimi, two of Schuyler's fellow vampires and acquaintances. They all have their own interconnecting storylines going on, and it's told in 3rd person POV switching between the 3 girls.
The best part about this book was the plot and mystery. I won't take the time to explain it here, but the stakes are high and there are plenty of mysteries that come to light as the books progress.
As with the first book, there were plenty of details on exactly what every character was wearing, and sometimes, how much they cost. The character development is really lacking though- the only character I ever felt like I was really in their head was Mimi. Schulyer was ok, but Bliss was a very flat character with virtually no personality.
There were also a few weird unneccesary plot tangents, but they were very short. A subplot that started in the first book was Schulyer and Bliss's modeling careers. It added nothing to the book except a chance to describe a few more outfits. I really felt like this made no sense for Schulyer''s character. I didn't understand her because I never thought she'd be a model... but that's just kind of how this whole series is.
One more thing- this book implies that it will be about the Masquerade ball. In reality, the ball lasts for about 3 pages towards the beginning and is only mentioned a couple of times after that, and has really no significance to the plot. The summary is misleading.
You can tell I have a lot of issues with this series, but I absolutely cannot stop reading. This book was short and I read it in a day. I guess I'm calling this my "guilty pleasure" reading, because even though I have so many problems it's still such an entertaining read.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a series of quick, juicy and entertaining reads. Don't expect a lot out of this series, but you'd be surprised by how quickly you tear through them. This book deserves 4/5 stars.
Cover: 4/5
It goes with the rest of the series just fine, but like I said, none of this book is really about a Masquerade.
I agree with you about the modeling career plot. It does nothing for the book and Schuyler just isn't the modeling type. I was also disappointed that the ball only lasted a short bit as I was expecting it to be the main part of the book but like you, I cannot put these books down so she's doing something right!
ReplyDeleteI have good news! You can be happy because as far as I remember there's no modeling or too much fashion descriptions in Revelations (Blue Bloods #3). I think you'll find out that Bliss has quite a personality (you'll have to read to understand...). I always liked her. About the title, sometimes I think it doesn't only refer to the Ball but to some of the characters' secrets and the masks they use along the story (Kingsley for example). But I can say that Revelations is more intense than the first two in the series!
ReplyDeleteJam: Great insight! Especially about the Masquerade thing, I didn't even think about that but it's true. I already have read Revelations and I loved it, though I'm still not sure if I like Bliss, haha.
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