When I first started reading it, I was a little bit bored, to be honest. I felt like I was reading and reading and I was still waiting for something to happen, and it felt like the chapters were too short - as soon as I was getting into a character’s head, the point of view changed, and it was frustrating. (That’s odd, because I don’t always have a problem with alternating points of view.)
At the same time I found it fascinating that the setting is different from what I usually read. Rich kids in New York going to parties, wearing designer clothes… yes, I have to call that “different”. I sort of like that, but I find it… amusing, too. All that name-dropping… “She was wearing a blue [designer name] dress”… doesn’t mean anything to me, but I understand that it probably adds atmosphere to people who read fashion magazines. :)
Then I read that other book, and suddenly, Blue Bloods seemed a lot more appealing to me! Seriously, though, I think I just had to get to the point where all those short chapters had built up enough knowledge of the characters to make me feel that I’m getting to know them. And in the beginning, there were so many hints of something that felt like it should be revealed soon (I realized quickly that Mimi is a vampire, but I was waiting to see what the point was), and it felt to me like it was taking too long. It feels like the story is finally taking off now that Schuyler and Bliss know what they are and now that they are getting to know each other, and they have something to do (who/what is killing Blue Bloods and why was Dylan framed?).
These vampires live forever, but they live new lives - I like that. It’s different from other vampire stories I know. At first I didn’t know what to think about this reincarnation theme (maybe I read too many such stories when I was younger!) but I’ve decided that I think it’s interesting. At first when Mimi - I think it was her - talked about how far back she could remember things; as far as ancient Egypt… then I thought it was an allusion to Anne Rice’s vampire mythology. But I understand now that it isn’t that. I like that these people have an idea about where they’re coming from, and they have an organization and rules, and all that. When I read in the early chapters of New Moon that a big part Edward’s unwillingness to make Bella a vampire is that he fears that perhaps vampires don’t have a soul… and that was the last drop for me. (There were other things, too, in the beginning of the book, that irritated me.) Because, I don’t know, the theme “vampire+deep, gloomy angst” is so… expected, not surprising… and unfounded; I felt that it was really coming out of the blue and I was thinking “huh? why would he think that?”... As if Meyer only wrote what she thought was expected of a vampire without giving a real reason for it. But it seems like Melissa de la Cruz has thought things through properly, and that’s why I can buy it.
And at this point, I don’t even know a lot about it, so it’s interesting. :) Right now, I’m in the middle of the chapter where Schuyler’s grandmother reveals that she is this diary-writing Catherine person. I can see that there are on the one hand the few vampires who want to keep doing things like they’ve always done them, and on the other hand the ones who don’t care that much about traditions. There’s the Committee that probably have some answers, that knows things they won’t tell for whatever reason… I can imagine plots and conspiracies and secrets and alliances, and these things are always fun. :) There’s also the mystery with Shuyler’s father and how she can be the only mixed blood vampire…
The way the Blue Bloods interact with humans - with the conduits and dogs instead of dhampirs and alchemists, and the familiars instead of feeders - is somewhat similar to Richelle Mead’s vampires, except… well, the details are different of course, but mostly, the “atmospheres” of the stories are very different so it feels like it’s pointless to compare. (I think Richelle Mead’s vampires are more interesting as magical beings than as vampires. Sometimes I almost forget that they are vampires.) But they are the kind of vampires that could but chose not to harm humans, because that’s the rules they live by. Actually, I prefer the “darker” kind of vampires like Amelie and the others. (And I guess Stephenie Meyer tried to write something like that, it’s just that she had lots of ingredients for a good cake but didn’t put them together properly, and added a few things that shouldn’t be there…)
So yes, I think there are enough things here to keep me interested. Even if I don’t feel as strongly for this book as for The Morganville Vampires. I still have #8 to read! I wanted to read it immediately after I had finished #7, but wanted to save it for later. I think it is later now! :) Also, I think I have to read Indigo Spell. (I always wanted to, but then I began thinking about money…)
Lol, a lot of people complained about the name dropping. I don't mind either way. It doesn't add atmosphere for me because I have no idea who these designers are anyway, but I suppose it does show that the characters (Mimi in particular, who espouses more of these names than the others) are very attached to the material.
Then I read that other book, and suddenly, Blue Bloods seemed a lot more appealing to me!
Hahaha. Blue Bloods has a plot, you see.
Oh, Dylan. His story is... I don't want to spoil you but you will see.
At first when Mimi - I think it was her - talked about how far back she could remember things; as far as ancient Egypt… then I thought it was an allusion to Anne Rice’s vampire mythology. But I understand now that it isn’t that. I like that these people have an idea about where they’re coming from, and they have an organization and rules, and all that.
They sort of have to. I have a love/hate relationship with those allusions to distant events in the past. On the one hand, it does add atmosphere. On the other, almost nothing comes off those allusions -- and a lot are dropped pretty early on, though they sound deadly interesting. And, on that same second hand, a lot of those ast events... don't actually line up. It is annoying.
Because, I don’t know, the theme “vampire+deep, gloomy angst” is so… expected, not surprising… and unfounded; I felt that it was really coming out of the blue and I was thinking “huh? why would he think that?”... As if Meyer only wrote what she thought was expected of a vampire without giving a real reason for it.
Yeah, I can certainly buy this in the context of *other* vampires that aren't/don't 1) immortal to basically anything 2) ridiculously pretty 3) able to love 4) sparkle in the some But with the Twilight vampires... not the same.
There’s the Committee that probably have some answers, that knows things they won’t tell for whatever reason… I can imagine plots and conspiracies and secrets and alliances, and these things are always fun. There’s also the mystery with Shuyler’s father and how she can be the only mixed blood vampire…
Oh, there will definitely be conspiracy, secrets, alliances, plots. And all will be revealed at some point. Sort of. :D
The way the Blue Bloods interact with humans - with the conduits and dogs instead of dhampirs and alchemists, and the familiars instead of feeders - is somewhat similar to Richelle Mead’s vampires, except… well, the details are different of course, but mostly, the “atmospheres” of the stories are very different so it feels like it’s pointless to compare.
Pretty much. Blue Bloods focuses a lot more on history than dhampirs/alchemists, and in the later books especially, there's less teen drama. But I agree. There's a very inbuilt heirachy in the Blue Bloods world, with vampires on top, and not enough regard for the people who support them -- like how Moroi treat dhampirs -- and that's one of the dark sides of this supposedly sparkly world. It's like a supernatural version of the material and wealth of otherwise rich people, taken to extremes. The dog is probably a different story, though. The dog is an extension of the Blue Blood's powers.
Actually, I prefer the “darker” kind of vampires like Amelie and the others.
No argument from me. As much as I like BB mythology, the Morganville vampires are complex in their social and emotional behaviours. And, oh, you finished Fade Out?
I finished the book, and when I returned it to the library, I took the second one. :) I need to know more! :)
Yes, I finished Fade Out a couple months ago! I think we talked about it, but on the other hand, sometimes I only reply to comments in my head and forget to do it properly "later", and don't realise until much later... But yes, poor Ada!! I have the next part in the same volume, but I think I'm going to read Masquerade first.
Lol. Blue Bloods is pretty good with the "what happens next?" cliffhangers.
I know you started reading Fade Out, but I didn't remember that you finished it. I didn't care much for Kim's storyline, but the Ada/Myrnin one got me every time.
At the same time I found it fascinating that the setting is different from what I usually read. Rich kids in New York going to parties, wearing designer clothes… yes, I have to call that “different”. I sort of like that, but I find it… amusing, too. All that name-dropping… “She was wearing a blue [designer name] dress”… doesn’t mean anything to me, but I understand that it probably adds atmosphere to people who read fashion magazines. :)
Then I read that other book, and suddenly, Blue Bloods seemed a lot more appealing to me! Seriously, though, I think I just had to get to the point where all those short chapters had built up enough knowledge of the characters to make me feel that I’m getting to know them. And in the beginning, there were so many hints of something that felt like it should be revealed soon (I realized quickly that Mimi is a vampire, but I was waiting to see what the point was), and it felt to me like it was taking too long. It feels like the story is finally taking off now that Schuyler and Bliss know what they are and now that they are getting to know each other, and they have something to do (who/what is killing Blue Bloods and why was Dylan framed?).
These vampires live forever, but they live new lives - I like that. It’s different from other vampire stories I know. At first I didn’t know what to think about this reincarnation theme (maybe I read too many such stories when I was younger!) but I’ve decided that I think it’s interesting. At first when Mimi - I think it was her - talked about how far back she could remember things; as far as ancient Egypt… then I thought it was an allusion to Anne Rice’s vampire mythology. But I understand now that it isn’t that. I like that these people have an idea about where they’re coming from, and they have an organization and rules, and all that. When I read in the early chapters of New Moon that a big part Edward’s unwillingness to make Bella a vampire is that he fears that perhaps vampires don’t have a soul… and that was the last drop for me. (There were other things, too, in the beginning of the book, that irritated me.) Because, I don’t know, the theme “vampire+deep, gloomy angst” is so… expected, not surprising… and unfounded; I felt that it was really coming out of the blue and I was thinking “huh? why would he think that?”... As if Meyer only wrote what she thought was expected of a vampire without giving a real reason for it. But it seems like Melissa de la Cruz has thought things through properly, and that’s why I can buy it.
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The way the Blue Bloods interact with humans - with the conduits and dogs instead of dhampirs and alchemists, and the familiars instead of feeders - is somewhat similar to Richelle Mead’s vampires, except… well, the details are different of course, but mostly, the “atmospheres” of the stories are very different so it feels like it’s pointless to compare. (I think Richelle Mead’s vampires are more interesting as magical beings than as vampires. Sometimes I almost forget that they are vampires.) But they are the kind of vampires that could but chose not to harm humans, because that’s the rules they live by. Actually, I prefer the “darker” kind of vampires like Amelie and the others. (And I guess Stephenie Meyer tried to write something like that, it’s just that she had lots of ingredients for a good cake but didn’t put them together properly, and added a few things that shouldn’t be there…)
So yes, I think there are enough things here to keep me interested. Even if I don’t feel as strongly for this book as for The Morganville Vampires. I still have #8 to read! I wanted to read it immediately after I had finished #7, but wanted to save it for later. I think it is later now! :) Also, I think I have to read Indigo Spell. (I always wanted to, but then I began thinking about money…)
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Then I read that other book, and suddenly, Blue Bloods seemed a lot more appealing to me!
Hahaha. Blue Bloods has a plot, you see.
Oh, Dylan. His story is... I don't want to spoil you but you will see.
At first when Mimi - I think it was her - talked about how far back she could remember things; as far as ancient Egypt… then I thought it was an allusion to Anne Rice’s vampire mythology. But I understand now that it isn’t that. I like that these people have an idea about where they’re coming from, and they have an organization and rules, and all that.
They sort of have to. I have a love/hate relationship with those allusions to distant events in the past. On the one hand, it does add atmosphere. On the other, almost nothing comes off those allusions -- and a lot are dropped pretty early on, though they sound deadly interesting. And, on that same second hand, a lot of those ast events... don't actually line up. It is annoying.
Because, I don’t know, the theme “vampire+deep, gloomy angst” is so… expected, not surprising… and unfounded; I felt that it was really coming out of the blue and I was thinking “huh? why would he think that?”... As if Meyer only wrote what she thought was expected of a vampire without giving a real reason for it.
Yeah, I can certainly buy this in the context of *other* vampires that aren't/don't
1) immortal to basically anything
2) ridiculously pretty
3) able to love
4) sparkle in the some
But with the Twilight vampires... not the same.
There’s the Committee that probably have some answers, that knows things they won’t tell for whatever reason… I can imagine plots and conspiracies and secrets and alliances, and these things are always fun. There’s also the mystery with Shuyler’s father and how she can be the only mixed blood vampire…
Oh, there will definitely be conspiracy, secrets, alliances, plots. And all will be revealed at some point. Sort of. :D
The way the Blue Bloods interact with humans - with the conduits and dogs instead of dhampirs and alchemists, and the familiars instead of feeders - is somewhat similar to Richelle Mead’s vampires, except… well, the details are different of course, but mostly, the “atmospheres” of the stories are very different so it feels like it’s pointless to compare.
Pretty much. Blue Bloods focuses a lot more on history than dhampirs/alchemists, and in the later books especially, there's less teen drama. But I agree. There's a very inbuilt heirachy in the Blue Bloods world, with vampires on top, and not enough regard for the people who support them -- like how Moroi treat dhampirs -- and that's one of the dark sides of this supposedly sparkly world. It's like a supernatural version of the material and wealth of otherwise rich people, taken to extremes. The dog is probably a different story, though. The dog is an extension of the Blue Blood's powers.
Actually, I prefer the “darker” kind of vampires like Amelie and the others.
No argument from me. As much as I like BB mythology, the Morganville vampires are complex in their social and emotional behaviours. And, oh, you finished Fade Out?
Ada DDDDD:
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Yes, I finished Fade Out a couple months ago! I think we talked about it, but on the other hand, sometimes I only reply to comments in my head and forget to do it properly "later", and don't realise until much later... But yes, poor Ada!! I have the next part in the same volume, but I think I'm going to read Masquerade first.
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Lol. Blue Bloods is pretty good with the "what happens next?" cliffhangers.
I know you started reading Fade Out, but I didn't remember that you finished it. I didn't care much for Kim's storyline, but the Ada/Myrnin one got me every time.
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