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Book Reviews of The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4)

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4)
The Van Alen Legacy - Blue Bloods, Bk 4
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
ISBN-13: 9781423102267
ISBN-10: 1423102266
Publication Date: 10/6/2009
Pages: 320
Reading Level: All Ages
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 116

4.1 stars, based on 116 ratings
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

ophelia99 avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The fourth book in the Blue Bloods series was an excellent book. Book 5 is supposed to be titled "Misguided Angel" and will be out in the Fall of 2010. This book was an excellent addition to the series. I am liking this series more and more with every book I read in it.

The third book in the series really left us hanging. At the beginning of this book Schuyler and Oliver have been on the run for over a year, Mimi has joined the hunt for Jordan, and Bliss has been taken over by the Visitor and left to hide in a dark corner of her own body. Schuyler risks everything trying to contact the European Blue Bloods for support; her and Oliver can't stay on the run forever. Mimi concludes her hunt for Jordan and is struggling with whether or not she should bond with Jack. Bliss is trying to fight for the right to possess her own body as the Visitor (Morningstar) pushes her out. A number of the Blue Bloods assume their eternal angels persona's as the battle for Blue Blood survival escalates. Jack and Mimi's bonding is back on, but Mimi is finding herself curiously drawn to a traitor Silver Blood. Will they go through with the bonding? Are Schuyler and Jack really through; or will Jack change millennia of past by not bonding with Mimi? What about Oliver, is he destined to be a third wheel? The fight for survival is taken to yet a higher level as the Blue Bloods try to destroy all the Silver Bloods in their midst.

This was a great book. Action packed and fast-paced; the plot moved at a nice clip with some great twists thrown into the plot. You really love and empathize with all of the characters. I love that the plot is getting so much broader and that the whole of human civilization now rests on the Blue Bloods ability to fight both Morningstar and the Silver Bloods. This series is growing to epic proportions and I am loving all the detail and intricacy.

I have also been enjoying the past memories that come back to the characters and how their personalities change as they take on the persona of the immortal angel's soul that they represent. All in all I really don't have any complaints about this addition to the series and I am eagerly awaiting the next book! This is kind of surprising to me since I thought the first book in this series was just barely okay; the first book was all about fashion and high-living in Manhattan. Somehow though De La Cruz has taken this series to the point of actually being an epic story that matters; it is surprising to me and very satisfying. I have always liked Cruz's writing style, it is very readable but not at all dumbed down, she balances action and description well too.

So do you still get some of the high life in this book? Well, of course! Bliss attends some fashion shows and Mimi has to prepare for her bonding; so there is some high fashion and high living. I am just thrilled that Cruz was able to mix those things with some actual solid storytelling and a wonderful far-reaching plot; so creative and so entertaining. Now I have to wait a year for the next one!
solarawynn avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 724 more book reviews
Sometimes I find this series confusing, the past lives.Trying to remember who they were in another lifetime. Was good,but am glad I didn't buy it.
nantuckerin avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 158 more book reviews
With The Van Alen Legacy, Melissa de la Cruz takes her series and its characters to the next level. After floundering in Revelations, I felt as though the series' fourth book grabbed me in a way that none of its predecessors managed. Wow.

It's challenging to write a review of The Van Alen Legacy without revealing the secrets that make it such a great read. De la Cruz does a great job of advancing the already fantastic mythology of her world, in which Blue Blood vampires are fallen angels bound in a centuries-old battle with the Silver Bloods, corrupted, evil vampires led by the biggest baddies any author could adopt - Lucifer and his brother, Leviathan.

Readers should dispense with any preconceived notions they brought to the book. Secrets are uncovered, identities are revealed and new relationships are formed that will keep series fans on the edge of their seats. Schuyler Van Alen and her best friend and conduit, Oliver, are on the run in Europe after the murder of her grandfather. Her secret love, Jack Force and his sister Mimi have become Venators and are on the hunt for Schuyler and other Blue Bloods touched by the tragedy that marked the end of Revelations. Bliss is fighting the overpowering presence of The Visitor that possesses her, and her father Forsyth is jockeying for control of the Conclave. Each character faces a dynamic journey in this book that will not disappoint de la Cruz fans.

One of the best things about this series is that, as soon as I think I have the plot figured out, de la Cruz takes her story and twists it on its ear. I love it, and admire her plot-weaving abilities. Overall, this is a great read. For the first time in this series, I'm eager and excited to see what lies ahead for the characters. I can't wait for the next book.
tinkykat avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on
I really enjoy this worlds take on vampires and the supernatural. There is a lot of development since the first book. The one thing I did not like about this book is the format of each chapter being for a different character. I just didn't think it was necessary. I def enjoyed the book tho and will continue reading!
reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 2 more book reviews
This book was very good. I recommend anyone to read it.
steelplace632 avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 60 more book reviews
I couldn't put it down. But I was left wanting in the end, and I cannot say much more without spoiling the book. Its a must read for the series and I am looking forward to the next one.
dbchan avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on
A good book for fans of the series. The author has taken the plot more in depth with the mythology and kept the action feel going. A quick, relaxing read.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by YoungBibliophile for TeensReadToo.com

Blue Blood Schuyler Van Alen and her Conduit, Oliver Hazard-Perry, are on the run.

Her grandfather has just been murdered by the Silver Bloods, but the Conclave thinks she did it. Their last hope is to ask the European Conclave for refuge and aid as she tries to fight the demon that killed her grandfather and is looking to maybe get her next.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Bliss Llewellyn, in is the Hamptons, where her body has been taken over by an unknown spirit she calls "The Visitor."

Mimi Force is flying around the world, looking for Bliss's sister, Jordan, who is actually The Watcher, an age-old Blue Blood who keeps a lookout for the fallen angel, Lucifer.

Old love brings Schuyler back to New York along with Mimi as Bliss fights to overcome her mysterious Visitor. But in the end, they must all come together to fight the Silver Bloods when they return with a vengeance.

I really enjoyed this installment of the BLUE BLOODS series. Seeing the characters mature and change along with their relationships was so satisfying. We also learn a lot about the history of the Blue Bloods and the Croatan betrayal, which all ties into real history, which was really interesting.

Overall, this was a great read, and I can't wait for the next one!
reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 7 more book reviews
I could not get into this 4th book. In my opinion the first 3 were great & then they just started going down hill. Maybe I like the high school setting or it's too sci fi for my taste?
laina42107 avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 115 more book reviews
This series just keeps getting better! Book 3 and 4 were epic to say the least. Mimi and Kingsley were perfect. Too bad she figured it out to late. I loved how Mimi's character evolved in this book. She is probably my favorite in the series. I can't help but find myself rooting for her. Where Schuyler just comes of as selfish for the whole Jack and Oliver situation. Poor Bliss. Glad she finally got a break int his book! Didn't see the twist with her and Schuyler coming at all. Definitely a page turner!
2manyb00ks avatar reviewed The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Bk 4) on + 203 more book reviews
WOW! This one really leaves you hanging... wish I already had a copy of the next book!! Great series.