Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) by Melissa de la CruzPublication date: May 1st, 2007Publisher: HyperionNumber of pages: 307Format: HardcoverDescription: 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.
Jen's review:
Masquerade is the 2nd book in Melissa's "Blue Bloods" series. I love re-reading this series, because it has so much history, and I love the way Melissa has invented this world they are in.
I love the attention to detail she has about the Blue Bloods and the history of them.
In this installment, Sky and Oliver are in Venice trying to track down her MIA grandfather, Lawrence, who her grandmother said to find as he would know more about what she is seeking than anyone else.
Things don't go according to plan and they return empty handed, but she soon discovers that everything might not be lost as she might have thought.
Between coming into newfound powers, battling her feelings for Jack and trying to figure out the mystery on who the Silver Blood is hiding amongst them, Sky's life suddenly is full of surprises.
Mimi and Bliss on the other hand are battling other things differently. With Mimi, she still sees Sky has a threat toward her relationship with Jack, and will do anything to protect that. And Bliss on the other hand is battling something totally different and much darker than ever anticipated.
After the death/disappearance of her boyfriend, Bliss keeps having blackouts and disturbing nightmares of something or someone after her. A beast of some kind.
A new boy then enters the picture who changes everything. He is someone who claims to know her, but she doesn't remember a thing about him. Is he lying, or has her past memories yet to surface?
Mimi and Bliss on the other hand are battling other things differently. With Mimi, she still sees Sky has a threat toward her relationship with Jack, and will do anything to protect that. And Bliss on the other hand is battling something totally different and much darker than ever anticipated.
After the death/disappearance of her boyfriend, Bliss keeps having blackouts and disturbing nightmares of something or someone after her. A beast of some kind.
A new boy then enters the picture who changes everything. He is someone who claims to know her, but she doesn't remember a thing about him. Is he lying, or has her past memories yet to surface?
I begun to realize that while Jack's might have been attracted to Sky initially in the beginning because of Allegra (I am guessing she must have been black haired at some point, since she is blonde now), but he fell in love with her because of Sky, and who she is. It kind of reminds me a little of The Vampire Diaries a little bit, and the attraction Stefan had for Elena initially might have stemmed from Katherine, but that's totally Offtopic.
I did love the little interactions between them in this book. Its progress that's building up to something big, I can imagine. A story that's only just beginning.
Jack tries to stay away from her and tries to explain away his attraction for her, but the more he finds himself doing little things to be around her.
I did love the little interactions between them in this book. Its progress that's building up to something big, I can imagine. A story that's only just beginning.
Jack tries to stay away from her and tries to explain away his attraction for her, but the more he finds himself doing little things to be around her.
Jack, buddy. You have it bad.
There isn't much history about in this book from the past. It more deals with the potential the the Silver Bloods are back, and who could be harbouring one.
Sky's family problems, Mimi's jealousy and Bliss's dark and haunted dreams make for one amazing book.
This series just gets better and better.
Sky's family problems, Mimi's jealousy and Bliss's dark and haunted dreams make for one amazing book.
This series just gets better and better.
Rating:: 5 out of 5
April's review:
Masquerade picks up about two months after Blue Bloods left off. Feeling
even more alone in the world, Schuyler is overjoyed when her
grandfather decides it's time to rejoin the Blue Blood society and
returns to New York. Even though Jack Force has stopped talking to her,
she can't seem to get him out of his head. Her grandfather sees Jack's
attractions towards Sky and just assumes that she doesn't return the
feelings, saying if she did it would only result in their dooms.
Cruz has an amazing talent for slipping out only hints of information here and there that keeps you guessing and wanting to read more. Even though I have read this book before, it was like reading it for the first time. I just couldn't put it down. If you loved Sky and Jack in the first book, you will love them even more in this book. We are introduce a new character, Kingsley, whom shares the same curiosity for the dark magic that is forbidden to them. Which of course isn't good news for Sky.
When a Silver Blood is summoned, we learn that Mimi, Sky, and Bliss were the main suspects for harboring one. And that Kingsley isn't who he says he is. When the final outcome is that Mimi is sentenced for death, having her blood burn, but is she really guilty? Sky is the only one that has the power to determine if Mimi is really guilty or innocent. But will she do it?
The book is very fast paced, and we learn a bit more information. It will leave you craving for more.
Rating: 4/5
Cruz has an amazing talent for slipping out only hints of information here and there that keeps you guessing and wanting to read more. Even though I have read this book before, it was like reading it for the first time. I just couldn't put it down. If you loved Sky and Jack in the first book, you will love them even more in this book. We are introduce a new character, Kingsley, whom shares the same curiosity for the dark magic that is forbidden to them. Which of course isn't good news for Sky.
When a Silver Blood is summoned, we learn that Mimi, Sky, and Bliss were the main suspects for harboring one. And that Kingsley isn't who he says he is. When the final outcome is that Mimi is sentenced for death, having her blood burn, but is she really guilty? Sky is the only one that has the power to determine if Mimi is really guilty or innocent. But will she do it?
The book is very fast paced, and we learn a bit more information. It will leave you craving for more.
Rating: 4/5
Great reviews! I had forgotten why I was leery of Kingsley but now i know. :) Re-reading this series has brought things to the forefront that i had forgotten about.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Even though I do like Kingsley.. he didn't make it easy.
ReplyDelete- Jen