Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
# of pages: 320

Plot Summary:

Schuyler van Alen is just another teenaged girl living in modern New York City, yet she is mysteriously so different from other "normal" girls; she craves for raw food, and has sudden flashbacks of what seems to span centuries ago.

She soon discovers her true identity, after a meeting that completely changes her life: she is a Blue Blood, a vampire. Her heritage stretches back to the pilgrims that founded the Plymouth Colony, who were actually escaping persecution as Blue Bloods. This is the reason why many of the social elites in New York are, in fact, Blue Bloods.

Unfortunately, she also soon unearths the fact that although her kind is meant to suck the blood of Red Bloods (normal human beings), and do not die as humans do, a Blue Blood has been strangely been murdered, with all of her blood sucked out of her. Schuyler continues to search for answers to these mysteries, and discovers how Blue Bloods came to be, through her efforts.

Opinion:

The extraordinary creativity contained in the novel surprised me, as I had never thought Melissa de la Cruz, whom regularly wrote chick lit novels, would write such a wonderful, unique horror story. She incorporated some modern elements with the frequently-told story of vampires, and the way many of the characters were Red Bloods made the situation seem almost real-life. I would have almost thought there were Blue Bloods living in New York at this moment!

I also enjoyed how the plot was filled with suspense and adventure. The death of a Blue Blood proves that there is a danger lurking in the city, and may attack any Blue Blood at any time, anywhere.

The way Schuyler and another friend, Jack, were determined to discover the history of Blue Bloods, somewhat reminded me of Robert Langdon's thrilling quests in Angels and Demons, and The Da Vinci Code.

Blue Bloods is recommended for fans of science-fiction and fantasy. There is also an element of romance in the novel, including Schuyler's close relationship with Jack in the middle of the story.
I look forward to reading any sequels to Blue Bloods, especially as Schuyler is anticipating more adventures to seek answers to the mystery of the danger she and other Blue Bloods face.

Main themes and subjects:

• Vampires
• Romance (though very little)
• History; the ancestors of modern Blue Bloods were the pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Colony
• The true image of vampires is never portrayed to the Red Blooded public
• Hidden identity

Target audience: Teenage girls

Genre: Horror

Book review by Fiona T.
* 15 hours so far
* Can be published in the Teen Newsletter