The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

I am once again impressed by Melissa's skills! THE VAN ALEN LEGACY just might be my favorite of the series!

Since there is no synopsis up on the web, I'll just explain a couple of things. After the death of Sky's grandfather, the Committee is lost. With Jack and Mimi Force's father gone, they have no one to lead. And when Bliss' father steps forward, everyone is happy with the decision, but when a note from an anonymous sender pops up, regretful thinking prevents him from landing the position.

I like to think of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY as the turning point in the series, even though the next book in the series hasn't been released yet. So many things change and happen that it's hard not the think of it as the turning point. Ties are broken, friendships are put first, and shockers are sure to surprise.

Romance is one of my favorite things about this series. I've given up on choosing sides. Jack or Oliver? I love them both! I was hoping that this book would confirm who Schuyler chooses, and thankfully it does! The decision she made isn't disappointing, but will surely cause trouble in the future. I'm anxious to see what will happen next.

THE VAN ALEN LEGACY is full of twists and turns, unexpected romances, and unbelievable details. I can't wait at all for MISGUIDED ANGEL,the next in the series.

Ratings:

Writing: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Revelations Giveaway!

To win a SIGNED copy of Melissa de la Cruz's latest novel, REVELATIONS, just post a comment here! For extra entries, see below:

+1 if you comment on my review of Revelations here.
+2 for following
+3 for blogging/twittering/etc. about this contest(must post a link for is to count.)

ENDS July 3rd!!! OPEN TO US ONLY!

GO!

Author Signing: Melissa de la Cruz

If any of you have read my previous posts, you know that Melissa da la Cruz had a signing at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday.

My friend and I attended the signing, and had so much fun! There were so many people there! Melissa was introduced, and so was another author, Tera Lynn Childs. Then, Melissa started talking about her series and read a little bit from her upcoming book, THE VAN ALEN LEGACY.

After that, she answered a few questions like:

When you were writing about Schuyler, was there a certain person you had in mind?

She answered by saying that not many people like the answer to this question, but that's just who she imagined the character to look like. She said Mary-Kate Olsen (when she was in good health, and really pretty.)

If you could choose a cast roles for your characters, who would the actors/actresses be?

She said that the CW had actually considered BLUE BLOODS for a TV series, but that didn't work out, sadly. However, she did say that they had an ideal Schuyler and Mimi. For Schuyler they wanted Kristen Stewart (I hate this choice) and for Mimi they wanted Amanda Seyfried.

How many books are going to be in the series?

Melissa said that she imagined about ten books for the series, but that she didn't want to keep the series going if there was nothing else to tell.

After a couple more questions, we lined up and she started to sign our books. I was standing right behind Tera Lynn Childs (author of OH.MY.GODS and GODDESS BOOT CAMP) but was too scared to introduce myself.

When it came to be my turn, I introduced myself and we chatted for a couple of minutes, then we took a picture after she signed my books! It was really fun :D Here is a picture of Melissa de la Cruz and I.

I even got an extra copy of REVELATIONS signed! So I'll have that contest up either later today, or tomorrow!

Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz

Have 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 one of the Gates of Hell 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, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

REVELATIONS is a great way to continue the Blue Bloods series. It's just as great, if not better, as the two prequels.

A lot of life changing things for the Blue Bloods happen in REVELATIONS. Lives are lost, ties are broken, and loves are lied to, but most importantly: the Silver Bloods are uprising. REVELATIONS is probably the most important book in the series so far, and a lot of changes are in store for the Blue Bloods.

I was very satisfied with this one, for many reasons. The romance between the characters is one of them. In my review for MASQUERADE, I said that I was for Oliver and Schuyler...that has changed again. There are just so many reasons why I love Oliver for Schuyler and why I love Jack for Schuyler! Schuyler's decision, in the end, forces her to lie to one of these boys and because of this, she must stay with the other one. More difficulties are sure to come.

Another reason is that there are so many twists and turns! I wasn't expecting a lot of things to happen, and when they did I was shocked, my eyes were glued to the page. At the end of the book, I stopped for a second and asked myself Did that really happen? I was tempted to reread and make sure. I love it when books surprise me or catch me off guard, and REVELATIONS definitely did that.

If I didn't have THE VAN ALEN LEGACY, I don't know what I'd do till October. If you haven't read the series, I am urging you to do so. You won't be disappointed.

Ratings:

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 3/5

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler Van Alen is confused about what is happening to her. Her veins are starting to turn blue, and she's starting to crave raw meat. Soon, her world is thrust into an intricate maze of secret societies and bitter intrigue. Schuyler has never been a part of the trendy crowd at her prestigious New York private school. Now, all of a sudden, Jack Force, the most popular guy in school, is showing an interest in her. And when one of the popular girls is found dead, Schuyler and Jack are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Schuyler wants to find out the secrets of the mysterious Blue Bloods. But is she putting herself in danger? Melissa de la Cruz's vampire mythology, set against the glitzy backdrop of New York City, is a juicy and intoxicating read.

BLUE BLOODS was a book I had overlooked so many times, dismissing it for no apparent reason, and now that I've read it, I am asking myself why I never picked it up before. It's a different type of vampire book, and I like that.

The main character, Schuyler, is easily likable. She's different and I like that. She's shy to her emotions and is willing to fight for what she believes in. And I really like how she handled the situation that becomes shown at the end of the book. And Oliver, her best friend, is really good to her. Their relationship is a little different than most friendships, but I like that it's abnormal.

The only thing that bugged me to the bone is Jack and Mimi's bond. In most books, I'm okay with reading about the main character's crush having another lover, but, in this book, it makes me want to throw things. I have no idea why. I just can't ignore the connection between Schuyler and Jack, and I really want them to be together.

BLUE BLOODS is an easily enjoyable and fast read. Only thing is, nothing really seemed to stick in my mind except the main events. I wouldn't recommend this to all, even though I liked it.

Ratings:

Writing: 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 3/5

Author Signing

Just letting everyone know where I'll be this Friday. Author Melissa de la Cruz is having a signing at Blue Willow Bookshop on June 12th, A.K.A. this Friday. I'll be going along with my friend to get books signed and to snap a few pics!

I'm also excited because I'll be visiting Blue Willow again! So if anyone lives in the Houston area, you should stop by. Here's all the info:

When: Friday, June 12, 2009
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Blue Willow Bookshop

For the specific address and more information, visit Blue Willow's website here.

If you live in Houston and read Melissa's books or you're planning to start, go see her! You won't want to miss it.