Customer Reviews
Amazing! 
2008-05-25
Wow! Like the first book, Blue Bloods, I was instantly pulled into the story of Schuyler Van Alen (whose character I love, by the way). I love all of the characters in this series and I love everything about this series. It's fast-paced, extremely interesting, well-written, and has just the right amount of detail. This book is a must read if you read the first one, and I'm unbelievably excited for the third book, Revelations. I love how Sky's relationship with Jack is explored even more in this book, and I really enjoyed the twist at the end concerning Allegra Van Alen aka Gabrielle. I got through this book so fast because it was so good. There was never a dull moment. You will love this book!
Vampire lover 
2008-05-19
This book was a good 2nd to Blue bloods, It was kind of slow in the beginning but started moving faster later on. If you like Vampires and unique/exciting situations this book is great. I can't wait for book 3.
Thought this was better than the 1st Book... 2008-05-01
About the book: So our character Schuyler is in Venice and she is looking for her grandfather. After finding him things don't go as well as she would have liked.
Back in New York the new Blue Bloods are getting ready for their coming out party "The Four Hundred Ball"
Jack Force and Mimi Force are geting closer but Jack is also discovering that he has an attraction to Schuyler that he can't explain since he knows the she is only half blue blood.
Mimi Force is annoyed by her brother paying attention to Schuyler whom she considers a pest.
Plus a few other things that happen as well.
My Critiques: This book gives you so much more information about the back story which I loved. They also create more questions but the author keeps me interested. To me this book moved quicker than the first and I like that there weren't too many slow parts.
Definetly readable - I just got it two days ago and already read it twice.
Excellent follow up to Blue Bloods 2008-04-19
Masquerade is a worthy follow up to Blue Bloods that surpasses its predecessor in terms of writing quality and story depth. Just like in Blue Bloods, there were rushed scenes - I do wish the author would spend a little more time building up to and exploring the romance scenes (since much of the emotional depth of the characters plays out in these moments) - but the fast pace keeps the pages turning.
In Masquerade we learn much more of the vampire mythology, which was quite interesting and better developed than in the first book. I had a much easier time slipping into the vampire world this time around - probably because the high society end of it wasn't nearly as emphasized. Just enough to make it fun.
The characters and their relationships to each other deepen, making the story even more complex and setting the stage for more drama and intrigue in the next book. Like the first, this one ends in a cliff-hanger so we'll have to wait to see how the quadrangle between Schuyler, Jack, Oliver and Mimi plays out. It's still a little strange to me that the vampires in these stories have romantic/sexual relationships with siblings - it's one of those things you have to suspend disbelief with and pretend you really are dealing with another species, otherwise it's just disturbing.
Beyond that, the introduction of Schuyler's grandfather is a great addition to the cast of characters. And some interesting details are revealed regarding Bliss's history that adds to the mystery. Dylan returns in the 11th hour so we see little of him, but it will be interesting to discover what happened to him during his absence.
With a unique plot and engaging storyline, I couldn't put Masquerade down. I read it in a matter of hours and look forward to the next in the series (I wish it was already out). This was a solid follow up that was thoroughly enjoyable and well worth the read.
The Ball 
2008-04-09
This book was really good, I loved the masquerade and the characters. It was just a little hard to get through.
Much better than it's predecessor 2008-07-17
SPOILERS BELOW
I loved the introduction of new characters Lawrence and Kingsley. Lawrence's intro itself though was pretty remarkable, I never guessed that he was the boy, and he's a really awesome character if I say so myself. I was highly glad that he came through in the end, and it will be weird having Schuyler with someone other than him in the next book, presumably. I suppose one lesson I've learned here was to read sequels immediately after reading the first book, cause I had trouble remembering what had happened in Blue Bloods, but once I got all that figured out, WOW. I did notice two typos, with Bliss's last name being spelled two different ways, as well as the Duchesne school's name having different spellings at different parts of the book. I don't know why, but I really like Dr. Pat's character. Onto the ending, wow. The last few pages really didn't disappoint. The Bliss twist was not expected at all! Didn't see Kingsley being evil either, I thought he really was the good guy. Sigh, he'd make a good good guy. Oh well. At one point, when we got to see the definition of schizophrenia, part of me wondered if the entire book was Schuyler's hallucination, cause how awesome would that be? Sigh. Apparently not. Finally, all those love stories. I did NOT see Jack being the mask guy coming. I hate that so much, cause she couldn't recognize him, I'd think she'd be able to recognize Jack, and that seems like so the easy way out. I am so tired of this love quadrangle. Ollie and Schuyler are obviously meant for each other, and Jack's an idiot who can go away with Mimi and not return. I can't wait for the third book...*wonders if there's any info on that available...*
Story of courage: a book review on Masquerade 2008-07-16
Story of Courage:
A Book Review on Masquerade
By: Skye Aponte
Melissa De La Cruz's Masquerade about a young girl named Schuyler Van Alen, a persistent young vampire in search for her grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen, whom she believes, is the answer to her slowly dying grandmother's dreams, and will rid New York of the appending doom. Cordelia Van Alen, Schuyler's grandmother, was attacked by a silver blood, a group of vampires well known and dangerous to most blue blooded vampires living in New York like Schuyler. Schuyler takes matters into her own hands, as she heads to Venice with her human best friend Oliver in search for the one man who may be able too end it all. However, while Schuyler and Oliver are in Venice, a fierce masquerade ball is being thrown by the one and only, Mimi force, a vampire with desire for power, but it is hidden behind the masks that true danger lurks. With evil and back stabbing around every corner, and conclusions, that keep you turning pages, Masquerade is sure not to disappoint.
Melissa De La Cruz's style of writing is very unique in a sense that she is able to write the story telling the lives of two very different girls (Schuyler Van Alen and Mimi Force) in different places, and later on, able to unite them in some way, so when you look back the reader can see that their lives were somehow shared, and they were always united in some way.
Masqurade keeps you thinking outside the box, and eager for more. I would recommend this book to young adults that are curious about the mythical realm of vampires, but also enjoy the laid back feel of realistic fiction.
Another "Ravenous" Read. 2008-07-09
I read this book in less than 8 hours. It was amazing. I Love how questions were answered and the two major cliff hangers at the end. However, I am concerned about the third book. It says its only 256 pages. Maybe there will be a fourth. Anyway, back to Masquerade, so much happened in this book. It takes an amazing writer to create a world in under 700 pages (combining Blue Bloods and Masquerade). De La Cruz has made the second better than the first, which we have to admit, rarely happens. Can't wait until October 28.
Series finally starts to heat up 2008-06-27
The first book in this series was a little slow, and for the first third of this book I feared it was going to have the same problem. However, over the course of the book, the series really heats up. The plot thickens, and the pace picks up. If you can get through the first book of the series, you will be rewarded; Masquerade is a good read.
On a scale of hot to cold this book earns a "tepid" 2008-06-02
A sequel cheated by the fact it's so much like the first book. Don't get me wrong, if you loved the first one you're going to like this one. However it's plot formulation is so much like the first book, it gets a little stale.
Bliss is defiantly my favorite character from the series, and her story surrounding her is the most intriguing and will leave you asking questions.
I found the Schuyler/Jack romance lacking chemistry, and nearly forgot about it until she started insisting it was the truest of loves. And with the addition of poor Oliver to the love "triangle", it was more malevolent then anything. And Missy's plight to remain with her twin brother/soul mate, made her sympathetic enough that you can't help thinking the romance between Schuyler and Jack is more of a plot point then anything. And a cruel one at that.
This book answers some questions previously left unknown, and gives more insight into the world of the blue bloods. The vampire mythology was one of the most redeeming factors for the book (that and Bliss). The label-dropping is still very much present, and makes up a key part to the books, however one would feel bereft if it were absent.
This is a nice sequel, however it was lacking from the first book. The ending was predictable, but does leave the door open for some interesting plot developments in the next book.
