I really liked Blue Bloods. I got a copy from a friend that hated it and after I read it I had no idea why. It's a great story with a very believable dipiction of vampires. I do have to say though, the designer name dropping was a bit much. I really didn't feel that it was crucial to the story to know exactly which designers the characters were wearing from head to toe. Overall, it was a very good book.

So, I wasn't quite sure how I would like this book since I have pretty much had my full of vampire stories for a while. I was, however, able to snag a used copy and though I would give it a try. I'm glad I did.

Blue Bloods is a vampire story but it's a little different from what you might be used to. There are three main aspects that I really liked. First off - the little amount of romance that does exist, isn't the main focus of the novel and it doesn't over power the story. Secondly - the story itself reads like a mystery. Third, the vampires themselves are different. Immortal - yes - but still very much modern. Oh - and they don't sparkle. AND it's hinted at that they orientated in Egypt which is one of my favorite aspects of Anne Rice's vampires. The characters are very much Manhattan socialites. Again, a different take.

I honestly didn't think I would like this story as much as I did. I could resist - had to buy the second in the series :) Blue Bloods doesn't really end on a cliff hanger but there is still a mystery to solve and a lot more of the story and background to reveal. I can't wait!

Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Ages 12 and up
Hyperion (www.hyperionteens.com)
Published April 2007
1st in a series that includes: Book 2: Masquerade 2007, Book 3: Revelations 2008, Book 4: The Van Alan Legacy 2009
302 pages ( )

Pros: * Schuyler Van Alen is very likable. She's cute, smart, and not naive. She is blossoming and I'm looking forward to seeing her grow. * Oliver, Schuyler's best friend, is a cutie! * Vampires! Yup, the Blue Bloods are vampires. Truly unique vampires too. * History element. I love the references to history. It makes it very believable. * Mystery. Something's not right about how one of the students dies. * Scanned documents. There are clippings from the journal of a Blue Blood throughout the book, which makes them look like they are scanned pages. I thought that was a very cool effect. The font of the book, at least the first letter of each new chapter was also interesting. It is written like it is fresh ink. Neat.Cons: * Way too much fashion jargon. I really didn't care what brand of clothing they were wearing. Goodness gracious but does she tell us! I've been warned that this does stop, so I'm looking forward to more substance in the plot and other details than what the characters are wearing. * There's no conclusion, hence the sequel, but I found it disappointing that we don't find out exactly who's responsible for the death. * Mimi. I hate her. She's super annoying and such a bitch to everyone, including her likable twin brother Jack, who is hot and interesting. * NYC. I don't know my way around NYC but this author sure does. She references turns and addresses but they meant nothing to me. It would have been nice if there was a map of the area she references in the front of this book. Or in the back.Overall:I enjoyed it. I'm giving the series hope because this was the first of a series and it really needed that first book to get things rolling. Yah know?I've already started the second book, Masquerade, and looking forward to what Schuyler and Oliver find out about her heritage. ( )

Even though this book is a young adult novel, I enjoyed it very much! It is not the best written story I have ever read, but it captured my attention from the start. This version of vampire history was creative and very interesting! Imagine 'Gossip Girl' meets 'Dracula' - you get the idea: rich teenagers from NYC who just happen to be vampires. This was a very good start to a series and it made me go out and read the next two books in the series.

This book was escapism at its best. ( )

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. ( )