High School and Up; Blue Bloods has an interesting premise: all of the New York upper crust actually have blue blood; they are reincarnated vampires; they first came to America to found the Plymouth Colony; they are connected with the lost colony of Roanoke. Unfortunately, the novel doesn't really deliver. The story centers on Schuyler Van Alan, a fifteen-year-old student at the Duchesne School, as her vampire qualities begin to manifest. But crowding out the developments of the next vampire generation and the mysterious death of a fellow student is the ridiculous over-stuffing of fashion name-dropping. Parts of the plot and action are interesting, but often cut short, as if author De La Cruz didn't know how to write it. Instead of unfolding, any intrigue is clunkally explained. And yet, perhaps because it is so unsatisfying, the reader is left wanting to read the next installment.
Because it is part of a wildly popular vampire series, this book is recommended for all teen collections. ( )

Reviewed by Mrs. Foley
From library record - Schuyler Van Alen, a loner at a prestigious New York City private school, sets out to learn the secrets of the Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires.

Another vampire book...but this one does have a different take. The idea that vampires were cast from heaven with Lucifer and are trying to earn their way back in is interesting...also, that they take on different bodies throughout their "immortal" lives. This first book in a series definitely leaves things hanging at the end so that teens will look for the next one.

Review from School Library Journal (June 1, 2006)
Gr 9 Up-De la Cruz has revamped traditional vampire lore in this story featuring a group of attractive, privileged Manhattan teens who attend a prestigious private school. Schuyler Van Alen, 15, the last of the line in a distinguished family, is being raised by her distant and forbidding grandmother. Schuyler, her friend Oliver, and their new friend Dylan are treated like outsiders by the clique of popular, athletic, and beautiful teens made up of Mimi Force, her twin brother, and her best friend. What they have in common is the fact that they are all Blue Bloods, or vampires. They don't realize that they aren't normal until they reach age 15. Then the symptoms manifest themselves and they begin to crave raw meat, have nightmares about events in history, and get prominent blue veins in their arms. Their immortality and way of life are threatened after Blue Blood teens start getting murdered by a splinter group called the Silver Bloods. This novel constantly name-drops and is full of product placements, drinking, drugs, nonexplicit sex, and superficial characterizations, but the intriguing plot will keep teens reading. De la Cruz's explanation for the disappearance of the Colony of Roanoke is unique and the idea that models don't gain weight because they are Blue Bloods rather than anorexic is unusual.-Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. ( )

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. ( )