From the Bookshelf of And So It Begins Reading Challenge…

To say that I was excited to read this one is an understatement... When I heard about Blue Bloods, I so wanted to read it, I rushed to the bookstore ASAP!

I had 2 reasons for being such an airhead, first was that because I heard Melissa Dela Cruz is half-filipino, and so am I. Oh, and the old Filipino mentality took over me, SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRYMEN. Argh. I always thought traditions are quite a pain in the as*.

2nd was that some deluded friend of mine told me it was WAAAAAAAAAY BETTER (you r

To say that I was excited to read this one is an understatement... When I heard about Blue Bloods, I so wanted to read it, I rushed to the bookstore ASAP!

I had 2 reasons for being such an airhead, first was that because I heard Melissa Dela Cruz is half-filipino, and so am I. Oh, and the old Filipino mentality took over me, SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRYMEN. Argh. I always thought traditions are quite a pain in the as*.

2nd was that some deluded friend of mine told me it was WAAAAAAAAAY BETTER (you read that? WAAAAAAAY BETTER!) than Twilight, which I was addicted to back then (yeah, I was one of those idiots who picked sides between team Edward and team Jacob).

After I finished reading this book, I was COMPLETELY, UNDENIABLY, and UTTERLY, DISAPPOINTED.

It wasn't that BAD, of course not. I loved the interweaving of some historical facts to the main plot, It looks inspired and very original.

But what bothers me about this book is the lifestyle of the young blue bloods, especially Mimi and her gang. She's what? 16 years old? But she parties all night, drinks alcohol, go out with countless of men and make the lives of other people miserable. Okay, so I grew up here in the Philippines, and we are still, basically considered a "bit" conservative. "usually" girls here wait until they're 18 to rock the party scene, and their parents don't allow them to have boyfriends until they are of legal age, "USUALLY".

Maybe that's the reason why I can't relate to this book. I think an author should put her target audience in consideration when writing a book. I had a "culture shock" while reading this one, (Too bad, I got to read this first before Gossip Girl, I had no proper introduction to this "elite kids NY lifestyle"), I'm sorry, but I just couldn't fathom the idea of a 16 year old girl trying to seduce everybody on the opposite gender. SERIOUSLY?! am I just being a granny-nanny here or something?

Another thing that irritates me is the constant name dropping of designer brands and the detailed and very often descriptions of every single outfit worn by everyone. I think the author knows a lot about fashion and she just couldn't help but show-off. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion, but please.... We grew tired of all the name droppings on the first chapters! Give us a break!

I also noticed some inconsistencies regarding the Schuyler-Jack relationship.

Why did Jack never noticed Schuyler before the incident at the bank? They attend the same class for years! He could have easily realized she looked like her mother, Allegra, right? What took him so long? He's a vampire with extra sensitive senses for God's sake!

Well, to be honest, I find Jack as bland as tap water. his character is undeveloped and boring and the story could have easily go on without him.

I find the 3 female lead, Schuyler, Bliss and Mimi okay. (except the part about Mimi's narcissist lifestyle). and I love Oliver Hazard Perry's character. He's such a sweety.

Even though I was disappointed with this one, I am still compelled to read the entire series, because like many other self-sacrificing-masochistic-bookworms out there, Once I started a series, I felt like I'm oblige to finish all of it. even if it kills me. :)

To end this long rant, I have to say that Twilight is much better than this one, in terms of writing and pacing. (C'mon! i need to be fair.)