Masquerade (Blue Bloods series), by Melissa de la Cruz
de la Cruz, Melissa (2007). Masquerade (a Blue Bloods novel). NY: Hyperion. 320 pages
The second book in de la Cruz’s series about the vampire elite finds the key teen characters coming into their vampire powers. In the first book, Blue Bloods, primary character Schuyler Van Alen (who is described in a way that brings an Olsen twin to mind) discovers she is a half-vampire in a Manhattan controlled primarily by “Blue Bloods” (vampires) who live among the “Red Bloods” (humans). In the second book, Schulyer is searching for her estranged grandfather, whom she believes can help her determine if “Silver Bloods,” evil vampires who hunger for power over other vampires, have infiltrated their Blue Blood society. Additionally, Schuyler is struggling with her strong romantic feelings for fellow vampire Jack Force and her confusion over whether her relationship with her human best friend will be ruined by all the vampire business.
De la Cruz is a former magazine writer whose forays into young adult literature include the “Au Pairs” series. This latest vampire series is very much of the same ilk and features light horror mixed with indulgent descriptions of the lifestyles of the rich and (literally) bloodthirsty. Of course, I love it: the gothicized New York setting, the teen soap opera sub-plots and the brand name-dropping–it’s all there. Yum.