Gates of Paradise

Blue Bloods #7

by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael—Jack and Mimi Force, as they are known in the Coven.

Or so he thinks. Even as Lucifer assigns Jack and Mimi the tasks of killing their true loves, the Force twins secretly vow to defeat the Dark Prince once and for all. But how far will Mimi and Jack go to conceal their real loyalties?

Meanwhile, former vampire Bliss Llewellyn has joined forces with Lawson, the greatest wolf of the underworld, to free his people from their imprisonment in Hell. As they struggle against impossible odds, an ancient message, woven into the very fabric of time, reveals just how much depends on the success of their mission.

Lucifer seeks the key to the Gate of Promise, and when Schuyler is taken captive and delivered straight to Hell, she must make an unthinkable choice—the same one the archangel Michael was forced to make during the Crisis in Rome. Will Schuyler find the strength to do what he could not?

The epic, heartbreaking Blue Bloods series comes to a close with this final novel about staggering courage, unbearable sacrifice, and the immortality of true love.

Genres: Young Adult, Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Angels, Supernatural

368 pages, ebook

First published January 15, 2013

About the author

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Elena]

2013!? Seriously Melissa de la Cruz, 2013!?
You clearly want to kill me.

I physically need more Mimi and Kingsley, and I have to know what happens with Jack and Schuyler now!
I can't believe the turn this series took. At the end of the first book, I wasn't even sure I'd read the second one, and now here I am, after six books, literally freaking out because the last out comes out in one effing year. D:




-- Okay it has a cover. And a synopsis. Oh my God! She can't give us such a statement and then leave us! (I'm talking about Melissa de la Cruz, in case that wasn't clear. I'm talking to YOU girl. YOU.)
Whose heart will be broken? WHOSE? I can think of a few names. Jack. Schuyler. Mimi. Kingsley. It's gotta be one of them. It has to. But who? WHO? I bet it's Schuyler or Jack. Because;
a) I want Mimi and Kingsley to be together.
b) Mimi and Kingsley already had their share of problems going to Hell and back
c) Because Schuyler's supposed to save all Blue Bloods and she can't have the best of both worlds.

Okay, I'm done.
See you in six months.

[Ferdy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoilers

This is the last book in a series I thought would never end. I have a hard time letting go of any series even when they are rubbish, so now that this is over I feel like an ugly book shaped weight has been lifted of my delicate little shoulders.
Hmm… where to start with this no doubt long, ranty, bitchy review? Okay, well the Blue Bloods series is all about teenage vampires that were once angels who rebelled against god or something, anyway as 'punishment' they are reincarnated over and over again as beautiful, rich, powerful vampires… Yep, it's as dumb as it sounds. Anywho their enemies are these evul vampires that follow Lucifer and do evul things and you guessed it they want to kill the good teenage vampires using scary evul magic, all so they can locate these gates that take them to heaven. Naturally, the good vampires have to defeat Lucifer and his crew but they have to do so whilst sorting out their twagic love lives. Confused? Don't worry, I was too.
The story line was all over the place and there was very little that made sense — the gates, the grails, the bonds, the time passages, all the other stuff — it was written in an unclear and nonsensical way. I gave up trying to get my head around everything and just went along for the ride. It was fun. Only it wasn't.
There were five different POV's - Schulyer, Bliss, Mimi, Tomi and Lawson. I don't usually mind multiple POV's but it annoyed me in this because it was such a short book and the constant back and forth was irritating. The POV would stop in the most daft places like the middle of a conversation or half way through an action scene — it disrupted the flow of the story and made it disjointed and disordered.
The only POV that was half decent was Mimi's - Schulyer was a boring Mary Sue, Bliss was a pathetic doormat, Tomi was a whiny idiot and Lawson was a dick.
Lawson, Schulyer and Oliver were the worst characters. Lawson was a wanker, a crybaby and a rubbish alpha/leader. Schulyer and Oliver were insufferable, self righteous and holier than thou — they constantly judged other vampires, looked down at them and called them cowards… they acted like they were perfect. I despised the fuckers.
The relationships were so weird and cringey. I've always hated Jack and Schulyer's relationship since Jack used to be in love with Schulyer's mum (Gabrielle) in his other lifetimes. The only reason he was with Schulyer at all was because she reminded him of Gabrielle and because he couldn't have Gabrielle he settled for the closest thing to her, her daughter. Jack treated Schulyer like rubbish. I don't know why he was pissed at her for hanging out with Oliver… nothing was going on between them but he still acted like a dick. Yet, he thought it was perfectly okay for him to spend time with Mimi. If anyone should have been pissed it should have been Schulyer since Mimi and Jack not only used to be lovers but also had a centuries old bond which made them two halves of the same whole… whereas Oliver and her just dated for a little while and she only ever cared about him as a friend. So yea, I don't know why Jack was being a dick to Schulyer when him being with Mimi was much worse. If that wasn't enough to show you how fucked up Jack/Schuyler's relationship was, then there's this: Jack handed Schulyer over to Lucifer to be killed, then did nothing when Lucifer stabbed her… he just stood there and happily watched her die… Ugh. And even more fucked up… Schulyer didn't even care that he gave her to Lucifer to be killed and that he coolly watched her die whilst ignoring her pleas for help. Why wasn't she pissed of?! Why did Jack let her almost get killed when he was meant to love her? Where was his love for her? He didn't give a fuck whether she died. He was so cool about it but then out of nowhere when she managed to survive he was kissing her and acting like he loved her again?! Just WTF?! It made no sense. And then the silly cow didn't call him out on him getting her killed, she was happy and throwing her arms around him?! Again WTF?! Oh, I almost forget, on top of Jack loving Schulyer's mum and only loving Schulyer because of that, and then treating her like dirt and then kidnapping her so Lucifer could kill her, and then doing nothing whist Lucifer stabbed her… the fucker also hit on Mimi again and basically told her he wanted her back!! Seriously?! Was I meant to think that Jack's love for Schulyer was romantic?! That it was an epic love?! It wasn't. Schulyer was a pathetic doormat that was happy to be third best (after Mimi and Gabrielle) and happy to be abused, and Jack was an abusive, uncaring douche. One of the most unromantic and dumbest relationships ever.
Now on to Oliver, I didn't like him, he used to be decent but he turned into a giant manslut. I hated that he also chose to become a vampire, it was like he thought he was too good to be human. I also hated his relationship with Schulyer's sister, Finn. It was weird that he was with Finn at the end when he used to be in love with Schulyer. I think the only reason he went for Finn was because she was a blonde version of Schulyer. And also, what's going to happen to them when he gets reincarnated? Is he just going to move onto someone else?
Bliss was boring. Her relationship with Lawson pissed me off, it was obvious she was just a replacement for that Tala chick and that if Tala hadn't died, Lawson wouldn't have looked twice at her. It was strange how easily Lawson got over his first mate dying, I have no doubt that he'd easily fall for someone else if Bliss ever died. Lawson was so irritating, he wanted Bliss to follow him and only help him and his pack and for her to just forget about her own friends — the bastard didn't care that she'd known her friends for years and only known him and his pack for months… he wanted her to put his needs and his wants first and wasn't bothered about her feelings at all. Lawson treated Bliss like dirt and she acted like his good little bitch… Ugh.
Also, Lawson sleeping with his brother's mate (Ahri) and then making it out like it was all Ahri's fault was low… he acted as if he had no choice in sleeping with her… and even more disgusting was that he claimed to love Ahri like a sister yet he still fucked her. What a dick.
Mimi and Kingsley was the most functional relationship, although that's not saying much considering all the WTFery in regard to the other couples. I really liked Mimi's character, she wasn't a Mary Sue and she wasn't a raging alpha bitch — she was just cool. I didn't like Kingsley as much in this one because he acted like a huge manslut - I doubt he loved Mimi as much as claimed since he was having such a good time without her. Mimi deserved better.
All in all, I'm glad the series is over. I started the series thinking it wasn't bad and I ended up thinking it was all kinds of fucked up. If you're into ridiculous relationships and silly story lines then you may just like the series. Me? I'm done with this author.

[Saniya]

OMFG! O.O
THE LAST BOOK!
I AM GOING CRAZY HERE!
LAST BOOK! ='[
I didn't want this series to end! I wanted but not wanted! UGH! Its like reading "Last Sacrifice" by Richelle Mead. Its like reading Mockingjay. Its like reading a last book in a series you simply don't want to end.
AND I WANT A GOOD ENDING! I WILL KILL EVERYONE IF I DON'T GET AN AWESOME ENDING! <.<
Oh, God! The last book :'(

[Winifred · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Amazing…..
WOOHOO!!!
Review to come...


OMG!!!!!! it has a cover!!!! Thats ME and Jack! *** Sighs***


Who's heart is BROKEN???? OMG OMG OMG???? it better be a happy Ending!!!! OR, OR, OR - Oh Please!!!! LET IT be a Happy Ending!!!!!

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this series! It is one that gets better as the series progresses, and I love that in series because sometimes you get a series that trails off into bad territory so to speak. However, this series actually only had one (complete not novella) novel that acted as filler. The series progresses within the same plot we get introduced into in the first book, with an array of amusing characters sprinkled into the progressing series. This was a very satisfying end to the series. Loved the way things unfolded!

My quick and simple overall: sad to say bye to the characters but so glad I was able to read all the books in a row so I didn’t have to wait.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

*sighs* What can I say?! I'm sorely disappointed. However, by the time I got to two of the previous books in this series, Misguided Angel and Lost In Time, I was kind of already half expecting the disappointment for the final book. Now, I'll gladly take those two books over this one anyday. Stubbornly, I held onto some sense of false hope until the bitter end that the author would redeem the story and everything would make sense by it's conclusion.

Um, wrong. *shakes head*

I honestly didn't think it could get any worse, but alas, I was sadly mistaken. This book, by far, has to be the worst one in the entire series. This is saying alot because I still remember when I first began reading the series and at one point in time, it was my favorite book mythology. First three books kept me so intrigued and invested in the world of the Blue Bloods, I liked the different characters, the ongoing plot, the mythological background, and all the mysteries that required answers. However, in the end, all I have are more questions, altered characters, no real answers, too much filler, a spin-off book series disguised inside of another story, and a very anticlimactic showdown between the antagonist {presumably Lucifer} and protagonist {presumably Schuyler ... but at some point in the series, I've received the impression that de la cruz kind of altered it and put that spotlight more onto Mimi aka. former Town Resident Head Bitch in Charge}. Finally, the conclusion just blew my mind but not in a good way.

* More Detailed Spoiler Content Below *

What I disliked:

1) The Presentation of Characters: Some characters were altered too far beyond recognition, and for my enjoyment, or not developed properly in my opinion. Oliver used to be a favorite of mine but he was no longer the determined, straight-laced, loving, and helpful character who loved Sky from the beginning of the series. Essentially, he was transformed into a 'mini-version' of Kingsley Martin, flaunting around the town, picking up girls and hooking up, partying it up etc. etc. A real loosey-goosey reputation was being passed along there. And this is pretty apparent from the first chapter the reader digs into. I just didn't like the 'new and unimproved' cocky Oliver who was judgmental, because honestly, well, one, I loved him for who he already was and two, one Kingsley was enough for this series. All characters eventually grow and evolve but this read more like 'character de-evolution' in my eyes.

Now, onto Schuyler Van Alen. The presumed protagonist and heroine of the story really didn't develop into anything much. In fact, at one point during this series, I felt like her development was really taking a backseat to Mimi's, which started to feel a bit 'odd', considering the fact that the plotline has had Schulyer spelt out as the salvation of the whole Blue Blood community for the entire series. So, if this is the case, why does she spend most of this book in the background, which is in theory supposed to revolve around the build-up to the final battle with the Blue Blood threat|antagonist Lucifer, whining about her 'lost love' {Jack} and moping around to find lost human family? I couldn't invest in her seriously, which is ashame, because I enjoyed following her at the beginning of this series. Sadly, by the end, she was nothing more than a love-sick girl who had the label 'savior' thrown on her, in theory alone, with no real storyline development to back that up. Sure, I give her points at the end for making a huge sacrifice but the whole set-up was just so rushed and out of nowhere. See, I would get these kinds of glimpses at times for who Schuyler really could have become but the problem is, it doesn't match up for the majority of the book, and sometimes, series. It's rather confusing and disheartening at the same time because you get pulled in for nothing ~ there was never any proper follow through, just random throw-ins.

Michael|Gabrielle. I think I was the most disappointed by their presentation, or lackthereof, inside the final book. The two uncorrupted archangels of the light, who voluntarily vacated their place in heaven to lead the Blue Blood Cause, are never even heard from until ... the end?! Seriously?! The previous book, Lost In Time, leaves the reader off with the impression that we are finally going to get some direct contact between Charles and Allegra in the present time, as he tells her the story she wants to know. Well, don't hold your breath. Nada. Nothing of the sort. We get a quick couple chapters that jump into the past and some rushed dialogue near the end. Then, they are literally thrown in at the end with Schulyer, out of the blue, after she presumably defeats Lucifer and they are miraculously restored back to their former glory {of light}. It just felt so out of place and then before you know it, they're whisked back off to paradise and there is even a quick glimpse of Bendix Chase with them in heaven *moves eyes side to side for uh, major weird and awkward feelings to that*. What are they, like a heavenly 'threesome' now or something?! Just too strange for my tastes. This was essentially the only relationship I held onto some hope for and I ended up with virtually nothing for them at all. That saddened me. The one aspect I was looking forward to in the final book just wasn't barely there.

The rest of the characters, I won't lie, I mostly didn't care for. The series became too boggled down in all the romance, broken bonds, and relationships, and nobody I shipped truly ended up together so when the plot went out the window, and the few characters I was left caring about did as well, that spelt 'doom.' I was mainly a supporter from the beginning of the series of Sky|Ollie, Charles|Allegra {aka. Michael|Gabrielle}, and Jack reuniting with Mimi down the road.

2) Too Many Unexplained Mysteries: Perhaps one of the biggest mysteries to go unanswered is how Allegra {aka. Gabrielle} was able to have any natural children in the first place, two daughters, when it was established earlier on in this series that Blue Bloods couldn't procreate. We get chapters in this book superficially demonstrating on the surface how Lucifer hooks up with Gabrielle, but nothing on how conception between them was even possible. I found it very disatisfying, I thought there was some hidden worthwhile story to be revealed here but nothing.

Another under-developed mystery that still bugs me is the significance of 'The Mistress' from Misguided Angel. She's introduced in the Florence Chapters, from past events, as Lucifer's first human mistress and she's pregnant, but we're left off with Gabrielle, as Tomi, finding her, while she announces that Andre {presumably Michael} is the father of her baby?! Yet, we find out here in this book, that Andre was never really Lucifer like Tomi was misled into believing, it was Michael all along. 'The Mistress' character seems rather random and a waste of time in the grand scheme of things if nothing more was to become of her in the Florence storyline for this final book. We don't even truly learn of her fate in this timeline, after all is said and done. Misguided Angel is also the book in the series that first introduces the idea of the 'Nephilim'; thus, confusing things even more. They are suddenly the children between the Silver blood fallen angel|vampires and human women. So, explain to me again, how is it that the evil Blue Blood counterparts, the Silver Bloods, are suddenly able to procreate in numbers without explanation?! Yet, nothing of the sort has EVER happened between blue bloods and their human familiars, until Gabrielle|Allegra?! Nothing about this gets tied up.

I'll try to stick to the unexplained mysteries specifically presented in this book from here on out. Suddenly, there are now random blue blood vampires who can survive without the blood of humans?! Really?! Yet, the great and uncorrupted archangel vampire Gabrielle, who by all rights was not cursed by sin, lasped into a years long coma from refusing to take the blood of another human after her human familiar|lover|husband died?! Not to mention Schuyler, who is supposed to be part human herself, and is the product of the uncorrupted, why should she have to take any blood at all then?! I seriously shook my head when I read this new detail suddenly introduced after six books. There was no explanation to it and this only created more questions with no valuable answers.

The Archangel Michael's sword was presumably shattered and destroyed in The Van Alen Legacy, when Bliss took the sword upon herself, jabbed it into her heart, and sacrificed herself in order to spare Schuyler her life at Lucifer's hands. Yet, out of the blue, it miraculously appears for Schuyler to use in the end of this book. Shook my head again at the absurdity of this because it's treated as if nothing ever happened to it and there's no hint of explanation as to how it's back again. More detail the author has flagrantly disregarded as this series has progressed and concluded.

Schulyer has two fathers. Ok. While in theory, this might sound intriguing, there is zero explanation as to how this is possible and the reader is left to 100% completely draw their own conclusions how it came to be that Charles, aka. Michael the Archangel, is also Sky's father by blood. Yes, peeps, this isn't in any way referring to his legal adoption of her. No. We are talking genetic|blood link here, and she is literally saved from death at the end because Michael's blood {aka. the sangre azul} flows through her veins. She is healed. We already know from past canon that Charles used to have black hair and it's explained that this is how Sky got her black hair {remember, both Allegra and Bendix Chase were blondes}. Blue eyes from Bendix Chase and Black Hair from Charles|Michael.

Stupid. I was actually more onboard for the reveal that Michael was her real and only father and ... the end. I couldn't care less about the Bendix and Allegra story, I've already ranted in a past review why I couldn't stand that relationship, nor Allegra as a result of it.

The brief timeline for Allegra and Bendix and their comings and going from New York were in contrast to the previous book, especially since Allegra left Charles and New York to never see him again.

3) The Filler: I was very annoyed with the chapters dedicated to Schuyler finding her human family. It was out of place and had no real significance inside this story. I skimmed most of these chapters because I found that there really was no need for it to be revealed that Sky has yet again, ANOTHER SISTER {this time from her human father's side of the family} especially when the first sister was already disregarded and thrown away for a spin off series. And at least that sister, aka. Bliss, had some real significance in the beginning of this series. I was also annoyed because it was apparently obvious that her sole purpose for being introduced was to throw someone into the storyline for Oliver to pair up with by the end of the series. Which added further insult to injury when I consider he already loved Sky and I shipped them early in the series. Bottom line, I didn't give a fig about this new sister. Also, curious how she was described as a blonde version of Schuyler when it's already been established that Sky is a replica of her mom, Allegra, LOL, only with the dark hair and blue eyes?! {*rolls eyes*} And seeing as how this girl and Allegra share no relation at all?! Yeah, that makes absolutely no sense either.

Advice to the author: You presented Sky's importance and plot as being connected to the Blue Blood mythology, even though it was made known she was part human. The blue blood story wasn't properly developed anywhere near where it should have been so if focusing on Sky's human origins out of the blue suddenly struck your fancy, you should have done some of us a HUGE favor and shoved THAT into a spin-off series too. That way, maybe I could have actually gotten some satisfactory closure on Sky's blue blood origins, since that's what the story centered around. You Know those chapters where you rambled on and on about that sister?! You could have actually spent time explaining Sky's connection to Michael, and how that was actually made possible. THAT was more relevant, seeing as how you revealed that he was also her father. And, he was the RELEVANT father for this book, given the ending with Lucifer.

4) Disguised Spin-off Plot: More chapters that I skimmed and felt were also a complete waste of my time was the crafty plot and characters of the Wolf Pact spin-off series hidden in this last book. Gosh, what a waste, I didn't care because I have no intention of reading that series now and I shouldn't have had to in order to follow those boring chapters inside of a blue blood story.

5) Anticlimactic Showdown|Conclusions: There wasn't enough of the antagonist, Lucifer, hands-down. There should have been more conflict and build-up between him and Sky and it just wasn't there. It was a quickie confrontation where Sky has to make a choice and then a sacrifice. I understood and followed the general idea, which was good in thought, but I think the overall execution could have been done much better.

And in the end ... the big bad secret that Charles|Michael was keeping from Allegra|Gabrielle {since she already knew about the attempted killing of Bliss after birth}?! He chose to save and spare her life in Rome, which enabled Lucifer to live. Wow {*mock sarcasm follows*}. What a horrible horrible man|angel|vampire he is for daring to love her to those lengths and for deciding that her life was worth saving first and foremost. So, she distanced herself from him in each life time following that, until Florence happened, and her idea of just punishment in this life was the breaking of their bond for a boring 'mary sue' version of a human guy, which almost cost Charles his life. Yeah, moving on from that one.

6) The Conclusion: A Bad and Disappointing Twist. Oliver's request from God is to be made a Blue Blood Vampire himself?! I was appalled. I hated this ending and if any more stories, spin-off or otherwise, flow from this, I will NOT be reading it. First off, the blue blood existence was a curse. The Vampires sole journey was to regain favor in God's eyes to obtain perfect paradise once again. Also, for plotline reasons, it made no sense for Oliver to fall for Finn only to choose an existence where he will ultimately outlive her for all of eternity?! Yeah, awesome {*mock sacarsam rears it's ugly head once again*}.

Plus, the Blue Blood salvation|redemption aspect is a bit of a letdown. Throughout the series, and especially from what Cordelia revealed earlier on, alot of Blue Bloods turned from the code so how were they all suddenly 'morally' ready for re-entry into heaven just because Lucifier was destroyed?!

This is shoddy writing.

After finishing this last book, I've come to my own conclusions that it feels like the author lost interest in this series a long time ago and was in a hurry to just finish and get it over and done with. There's so little attention paid to the details, both big and small, it's almost embarrassing.

*Alright, so basically, if you're on the Jack|Schuyler and Mimi|Kingsley shipping bandwagon, and don't give a fig about much else like good plot and good continuity, and as long as these two couples get their happy or semi-happy ending, then you're probably completely onboard with this book and series, willing to praise it to high heavens, and rating it with four and five stars. But for the rest of us, we mourn what could have been and with just cause.*

R.I.P BLUE BLOOD SERIES. YOU ARE SADLY QUITE DEAD TO ME.

[sash xo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final Post - *CONTAINS SPOILERS*

I just want to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the Blue Bloods series. Lost in Time's ending had left me avid & desperate for more, more of everyone (especially more Abaddon & more Araquiel). The SIXTEEN month wait for the final book's release had me anticipating an amazing string of events leading up to the final battle and all loose ends tied. I CAN say this book managed to tie everything together perfectly into a neat little bow. Unfortunately, however, I cannot say this book met my [high] expectations ):

I'm all for a fast paced, action packed book - which I received w/ GOP - however, it moved a little TOO quickly. I wanted more bursts of love from Azrael & Araquiel, Abaddon & Schuyler, Lupus Theliel & Fenrir, Gabrielle & Michael (they've been on the outs for so long, I wanted to at least see them get lovey dovey) and from Oliver & Seraphina! (I may have just barely met Finn, but I love Ollie & have wanted him so badly to find his hea.)

As far as the characters go, Azrael was surprisingly my favorite character who proved the most useful in saving Paradise. Schuyler, in my opinion, was the most counterproductive... she spent the entire book playing Find-my-Family. Only 2 good things came of this, Oliver found his heart & it resulted in her reuniting w/ Jack (but maybe not in the best way). Also, she is the one who technically "ends" the battle... but still, she was fairly useless. Bliss put in way more work than her!


Everything felt incredibly rushed and the "final battle" was a joke. I couldn't believe how quickly everything ended, I'm still internally pouting about this. I'm happy for Oliver and everything but I'm still wondering why it ended... like that! She managed to tie all loose ends only to end it w/ a HUGE LOOSE END! SMH...

Even if the battle was still rushed, I would have seriously appreciated if there was more effort to "After: Absolute Beginners" in elaborating everyone's endings. So here I am, at the end of what was a beautiful saga, feeling perturbed.


_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Updated Post (pre-release)
Damn, I just read the preview at the end of the Wolf Pact mini series... I really shouldn't have because now I really can't wait.

=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_=_

Original Post (pre-release)
Melissa, do NOT let me down. I want more Azrael nd Gemellus & Abaddon nd Schuyler. Gabrielle nd Michael need to be reunited! I can't believe I've been waiting for almost 2 years for this book!

[MaryJane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, oh man, oh man. This book was a mess. It was a complete disaster, it was sloppy, and in my completely honest opinion it lacked everything a good book should offer.

There was little to no character development. The plot felt like it didn’t exist. Events took place in ways that felt entirely too convenient. The writing was awkward. If you didn’t read the novellas in between over 1/3 of this book would have made NO SENSE. And over half of this was completely pointless. Basically to sum it up, this book, along with the last two, felt very underdeveloped.

While the writing in this series was never exactly spectacular, the story was at the very least entertaining. But in the last two books I feel like the author bit off more than she could chew. She tries to keep the fun drama from the first few books, but it starts to feel repetitive when the characters are having the same internal debates six books later. Also she keeps this same drama despite the fact that the plot appears to be becoming more complex and the fact that in this case the characters appear to have resolved some of their conflict in previous books. The story was changing, but the characters weren’t. It was really difficult to be interested in the story when the characters themselves didn’t even seem to care that much about the plot.

I could have read the last few chapters of this book and been fine. The actual conclusion to the series was pretty nice. There were a lot of happy endings, it was nice to see that happen for the characters I spent so much time with the last few weeks. But other than that this book felt completely pointless. Like I mentioned the lack of character development, is incredibly clear in this book. Even with different priorities in this book, they’re behaviors and thoughts are all pretty much the same as they always have been. So even though I enjoyed the ending much more than I thought I would, I don’t really understand how any of the characters ended up where they were. The entire conclusion to this series tried very hard to be mysterious and complex, but fell flat because it felt too convenient.

This book was not good. The ending was nostalgic and that was the only redeeming factor. This series could have been much better if the author took time fully explain events and concepts, but there is so much left that is undefined. Or it could have ended earlier if the author focused on the plot and not all the petty drama. (I know it's ironic that I say that when I was living for the petty earlier in the series). There isn’t enough balance between everything going on in the story and it left me annoyed and confused.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST.SERIES.EVER. I'm dying


2013?!?! Why is this more than a year away are they crazy?! This needs to be released next year at the most. Horrible marketing, I shall complain... How can book 5, 5.5, and 6 all be released in the same year but the last book will be out in 2 years...???

Edit: Yay we have a cover! Buuut i have to say I'm so-do about it. And what's up with her hair??

[Mizuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3. 5 stars.

After years of hiatus, I finally went back to finish Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series.

This final book is a mixed bag, Ms. de la Cruz is still good at what she has always do best: romance and drama among teenagers with clever ideas here and there, the suspense about what is Jack and Mimi's plan, what had really happened between Michael and Gabrielle in the past and the heroine's real parentage, some of the setting about Hell and the plot twists are decent as well. This book will keep you entertained with you are interested in these stuff.

Did I mention I really do like Mimi Force, the mean girl?

However, being too focused on the romance can also be this book's downfall: every main character is paired up with a love interest and eventually married/bonded (and of course I don't recall seeing any LGTBQ folk showing up) so the war between Heaven and Hell and the MCs' attempt to save the Blue Bloods vampires from the demons always kind of take a backseat to make way for the romantic struggle among the MCs.

Secondly, the tension and urgency of the conflicts of good and evil just isn't very strong in this final book. You would have thought the Blue Bloods vampires would arm to the teeth and prepare to battle Lucifer and his demonic army, but they are still as ill prepared as they had been in the previous books (save for the heroine and her friends, who are slightly better prepared, but still why would anyone invite mortals to their 'safe house' for parties nonstop!?)

As for the Great Evil, Lucifer....sadly he mostly just sat pretty on his hellish throne and ordered demons to do his biding *off screen* I mean, man! If he is really so eager to find his way back to Heaven and take over he should have been way more active than this!!!

To be honest, I skipped all of the Bliss and the werewolves chapters, I do like Bliss and her struggle to get rid of Lucifer's blood in the previous books and I don't mean to say Bliss' chapters are bad but I'm just not interested.

The final battle and the explanation is...good to an extend I think; if not a little too rushed plus the villains is so one dimensional that I cannot be too invested in it. I do like most of the MCs' endings, e.g. instead of going back to Heaven Mimi and Kingsley get married and rule in Hell, Schuyler discovers her real parentage and Oliver might develop a relationship with her long lost human sister, Finn, still I think it's too cliché to have Jack sacrificed himself in the final battle only to have him coming back again in the end.

[schu]

Blue Bloods.

I'm Excited to read this. Of all the series in the world was ever written. Blue blood is my first series that I'm planning to Complete. I don't just buy books I keep them Well covered and share them with my relatively close friends too.

-Cole

6/18/2012
Still waiting for this. Can't time speed up?
New Hopes for this book:
*Mimi and Kingsley should end up together forever
**I hope Oliver finds his true love!
***I just hope Schuyler Die. {no offense}
And Also, I hope Bliss' Sniff off will be out too.

[Shweta Choudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! OMG!! OMG!! I am totally in love with this book!!!! The author didn't disappoint me ever!!! I have been waiting for this book for last one year and Its finally in my hands !!! <3 <3

This book leads to revelations of all the truth that were half unsaid in previous books . Allegra and Ben, Micheal, jack, Mimi, Schuyler , Kinsley. What would happen to them? How was Schuyler born? How Bliss was conceived? How Lucifer betrayed? The history Behind whether Ben is still alive or not and Schuyler coming to know her history and her part in salvation.

This book is written from Schuyler, Mimi, Lawson, Bliss POINT OF VIEW. It describes their journey in tying to find ways to defeat the Dark Prince. How to break the bond. How to come out alive. What will happen is uncertain.

This book will tear you down, make you doubt everything you wanted to believe, so many twists and turns and surprises and action filled book it that you will hold on to the book till the end....You will really feel your heart break and laugh and smile and grin with this book. This book is like a cool water after long journey to a hot weather. With every truth finally revealed its a blessing actually.

I have come to love Mimi more and more. She is one who is strong and believes in her love and finally changes heart and Jack is my Abaddon ...MAN!! This Angel with make you mad and to kill him but what can you do. He is the Angel of Destruction.

Kinsley was always hot and trusting and best man for Mimi,Oliver the best conduit...You will have few doubts left in last of the book but don't worry there is another set of books in Blue bloods series coming up. Its finally good to know what happens in the end. Bittersweet and god Touching ...you would be left crying like I am ....But I am Glad the way it ended because if it hadn't I would have kidnapped the author lol! After all she made us wait for so long .

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blue Bloods series had a strong premise and a great beginning, but it foundered for awhile. The series always followed several narrators in each novel, but there were always some plotlines that didn't have the urgency or sizzle of the others. Even in GATES OF PARADISE, Schuyler Van Alen goes on a side adventure that involves hanging out at a college party. I mean, it's not like she should be worried about leading the charge against Lucifer and preventing him from invading Heaven or anything.

That being said, I think GATES OF PARADISE was a fitting end to the series and lived up to the promise of BLUE BLOODS. It finishes answering the questions of Allegra's past (a plotline began in LOST IN TIME, Book 8) and reveals just what happened in Florence. Mimi Force completes her redemption, and not a moment too soon. I have longed to never read a point of view from the self-absorbed, bratty Mimi ever again, but she managed to change enough that I no longer wished an unhappy end upon her and was a little afraid that might happen. And I do recommend that you read the serial WOLF PACT before GATES OF PARADISE because otherwise you'll have no clue what's up with Bliss or who those people with her are.

(But if you haven't read the series in awhile and are curious as to how it ends, you can probably pick up GATES OF PARADISE and figure out what happened in the mean time. And no, not all of the books in the series are essential reading.)

The final battle does involve a touch of deus ex machina, but I can be more forgiving about that in a series that revolves around fallen angels who are vampires. It's still an exciting scene that tugs on the heartstrings. Melissa de la Cruz is determined to make her characters work for their happiness, which is only fitting. Redemption is hard.

I can't help but feel that the Blue Bloods series might have worked better as an adult series. It's come a long way from it's Gossip-Girl-with-vampires origins. Given how many characters get married (or the metaphysical equivalent thereof) and all the past lives giving them knowledge and experience, it hardly feels like Schuyler or her compatriots are actualfax teenagers. But I can't complain too much. The series as is is pretty good. Cruz's mythology is complex and involved and her plot is a delicate, crazy house of cards that somehow managed to hold together.

There are series I've been much sadder to part with. But I'm happy these characters went out with a fitting end. Schuyler, Jack Force, Bliss, Oliver Hazard-Perry, Kingsley Martin, Mimi . . . they're a group of teens who started out spoiled New Yorkers and ended up fighting the Biggest Bad of all. It was quite a ride, and the highs were definitely worth it.

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

EDIT: Spoilers ahoy!
I actually enjoyed this now that i think about it. I was leery about the whole battle, and even though I kind of knew how it was going to happen, Jack's death was a let down. He was being such an awful person before this, I wasn't that upset when it did happen; because we knew that Schuyler would do it to save the fallen. Now Oliver and Finn, Don't even get me started. I hated and am so confused by Oliver's decision at the end. Like what the hell? He wanted to become a vampire? And takes Finn as a conduit/blood donor even though he knew the pain of what that entails. That was my only real problem.


I'm in that time period right after you read a book and you can't really decide on how you feel about the ending. There was so much that went on in this book I think I need to reread it because the plots were twisty and steep and a bit cliff hanger-y. I devoured in one sitting and said a lot of swear words, but I think over all I enjoyed it.

[May]

I don't know which is more depressing. The fact that it's the last book in the series or that it's not expected to release until January of 2013. I cannot wait that long.


Edit 20 June 13
I hadn't realized this came out. It's been a while since I read this series, and honestly I don't really know if I want to read it anymore...

[Yodamom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I really got to dislike most of the characters in this final ? book in the series. Characters taking emotional abuse, giving it, insta-love for a double (sister), everyone's character seem to change in weird ways that just didn't make sense most of the time. I just didn't enjoy this one at all, nor did I like any of the characters.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoo I finished! These have been fun books and easy to get through since they're so short. I was pretty worried that several characters wouldn't get their happy endings and how the Blue Bloods would defeat Lucifer. I think the author did a good job with wrapping things up and keeping her audience happy.

We finally found out what happened between Gabrielle and Michael in Rome all those years ago, as well as more information about Schuyler's dad. Though some of it was a bit slow, I liked getting the answers we've been missing. The ending picked up and got a bit crazy, there were several battles going on and the Force twins straddled the line between good and evil. There was a sort of epilogue to show how the characters ended up, which I appreciated. I'm happy I read this series!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally did it. I finally finished this series.

At one point in time, I loved this series. I loved how creative the author was and how unique the books were. But as time went on, the series sort of lost it's luster for me. I don't know if I got bored, or over saturated by vampires or what, but it's taken me years to finally decide to pick up this book.

I'm glad to know what happened to Schuyler , Jack, Oliver and the others...but I didn't really love the way things ended. I didn't mind what happened with Martin & Mimi, I was ok with what happened with Bliss & Lawson, I didn't even mind what happened with Jack and Schuyler. But I didn't like what happened with Oliver. For me, it wasn't necessary. I just didn't like it.

I did like that Schuyler finally got to meet her father's family and found her sister. I wish we got to see more of them together.

I was intrigued by the storylines of the past, what happened between Michael and Gabrielle. But one thing I didn't like, and it goes for more than just this particular book...was the jumping between different storylines. I get they're all happening simultaneously but it was very choppy and every time I'd get invested in one of the storylines, it would abruptly more to another one, leaving me wanting to skim the new one, or skip to the next segment about Schuyler & Oliver/Jack & Mimi/Bliss & Lawson or Gabrielle/Michael.

[Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 stars

reread: 27/04/19

My reread of (one) of my teen favourite series was a wild ride. The first four books had me completely obsessed, I devoured them and neglected my uni work. I had been expecting them to dull and cringy, having aged like many of the other 2000's YA vampire books had.

Although there were a few cliches, this is what I consider a pretty unique vampire series. In my opinion, the last three are not as addicting as the beginning of the series, but still interesting. I sincerely enjoyed my reread of this series, it was nostalgic and so much fun.

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

** Spoilers **


Schuyler starts off stupid again in this final book. Why would she be any different, right?
She feels like she is being watched but she doesn't tell anyone. They are at war or will soon be, why keep something like that a secret?
I was not to sure about Schuyler's and Jack's relationship.
In the beginning, I thought he was really into her but then the reader is told about him liking
Gabrielle in his past lives, it kind of put a damprer on their romance, in my opinion.
I did not like the fact that Jack used to be in love with Schulyer's mother, Gabrielle,
in his other lifetimes.
I think part of the reason Jack was with Schulyer was because she
reminded him of Gabrielle.
Just like I think Oliver was with Finn because she reminded him of Schulyer..

I didn't understand the fight between Bliss and Lawson.
Her task were to find the wolves / hounds and get them to side with the Blue Bloods in the upcoming war.
So, why would she Not go with Lawson instead of trying to find Schuyler?
It just seemed like a little added drama for no reason.

Tomi, aka, Gabrielle, is a dumb azz as well.
She had already recognized her mate, Michael, in Andreas.
Why would she allow the devil to trick her no matter how much time she and Andreas
spent apart or separated?
The book keeps mentioning how powerful and special Gabrielle and Michael are,
how only an Angel of their caliber could battle and conquer black fire,
how "uncorrupted" the two "special" angels are,
so how in the world was Gio or anyone else able to trick Tomi?
Tomi was not an ordinary blue blood, she should have known better.
Chapter 19, Tomi even said:
"She had known Andreas was Michael the instant they had met".
- See, that was just to stupid beyond belief, she knew who and what Andreas was to her but she "allowed" Gio to deceive her and she bonded with him even knowing the truth. Really?

On to the next couple,
Jack and Mimi were both kinda stupid as well to think that they could lie to the devil,
the king of lies and deceivers. Of course the devil knew their plans.

**Another thing that annoyed me is that every character had a least ten names and that did not even include their nick names,
WTH?

Next couple, In Chapter 31
Deming and Ted bonded?
I thought it was mentioned that Deming and Sam were together according to book 6.
The way Sam acted when Deming didn't return, it was like they were bonded already.
Did the author forget she wrote that scene?
Chapter 34
-“Where’s Deming?” Sam asked immediately.
“We had to leave her,” Schuyler explained. “It was my fault. The demons disarmed us before we could move. I'm sorry. I didn't think we would lose you guys.”
“We'll get her back,” Dehua said, her voice raspy and her eyes red and dry.
“Don't worry, Sam. Deming can take care of herself.”
-“I trusted you,” Sam said, his voice tight, looking directly at Schuyler. “From now on, we do things my way.”
-“I don't need an apology. I need to find a way back down to the underworld. The gate is here, right? Let’s go.” He nodded to his twin and to Dehua. “Show us the way,” he said, noticing the gatekeeper for the first time. “This is your gig, isn't it?”
"They watched Sam process this information. Finally he exhaled. “Fine. We'll wait till then. But I'm going to run this mission. No more mistakes.”
-“Dehua and Ted will lead the attack and subdue the trolls. Jack, you and Schuyler will keep watch while Mahrus and I go to the tower and get Deming.” He rolled up the map. “Clear?”


Deming tore off the hem at the thigh and kicked off her heels.
She made her way back to the great hall and practically bumped into Sam.
“Deming!”
“Sam!”
The Venator cracked one of his rare smiles. “You're. . .”
“I'm good,” she assured. “Aside from some unwanted groping, I'm okay. You think I'd let a demon touch me and live?”
He hugged her tightly. “I know. I wasn't worried. . .”

If Deming and Sam weren't together, they sure did alot of conversing like they were.
Where was Ted during this time when Deming was missing, he said nothing.

*Another question,
we find out that Mahrus is a "real" angel.
However, we are not told how he got there, was he the only one, why?
How can you kill a real angel, shouldn't they be immune to demons and such?
Was he like Michael and Gabrielle?We were told they were the only ones that left willingly. So, see more questions without answers.....

On to the next couple,
In Chapter 39
Why did Sky have to kiss Oliver on the lips?
Hasn't the selfish bitch done enough to him already?

This book was the last book in the series but only help me to develop more questions.
How in the world did Sky have two fathers?
I kept asking during the series if, Allegra and Ben both had blond hair, how did Sky have blue-black hair.
I did not get the fact that Charles and Ben were both her father, it went right over my head.
Was it because Charles adopted her and she went to live with the Forces for awhile?

In Chapter 55 Schuyler said:
"Charles Force. Michael. Her father. This was Allegra’s secret. This was the key of the twins, the sangreal. Schuyler had had a human father to create a new life, but "somehow", she was also Michael and Gabrielle’s daughter."
"Schuyler remembered those days at the hospital, at Allegra’s bedside, and her
intuition, the thought that had popped into her head when she’d seen the gray-haired man kneeling in her mother’s room, asking for her forgiveness. What had she called him then? Father."
"They had the same dark hair, though his had gone gray. They shared a bond that
neither of them had acknowledged. For Allegra’s secret had been hidden so deeply when she’d broken the bond, when she’d married her human familiar. The truth of Schuyler’s heritage had to remain a secret, even from her own father."

Um.. ok.. So.. was Charles her real father, if so, How?
What about Ben?
Or.. was Charles like an adoptive father? I don't think that is what the author meant about an adoptive father. So, I'm still confused about the father Charles remedy at the end.

The ending was rushed and disappointing.
Charles and Allegra showed up after everything was over, WTH?
Why weren't they there for the battle?
And, why did it take Jack three years to find Schuyler? A few months, I could understand but a few years
is crazy and too long to think someone is dead.
When in doubt and you don't know where Schuyler is, always look up Oliver.
Jack could have looked up Oliver or his parents to find out about Schuyler.

** My favorite character in the Series was Oliver.
He was funny, witty, and an excellent friend.
However, the author quickly changed him into of a "mini-Kinglsey".
I like the little twist on the end with Oliver and Regent with his Conduit, I think that was the best part of the book..

I liked Jack in books 1 - 3, but I starting doubting if his feelings for Schuyler were true.

There was no character developement or growth, the characters remained the same except for Oliver.
My next favorite character or the one that I felt for the most was Charles Force.
Allegra was a bitch to him and she almost reminded me of Mimi at times.
Allegra screwed him over not once but twice.
How could she not have known who her mate was or rather how could she ignore it after stating that Andreas was her mate?

Each book that I read, I had more and more questions and they were never answered.
I'm just glad that this series is over.
I guess, I'll move on to the next series, different author..

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gates of Paradise is the seventh installment within the Blue Bloods series. I've been basically waiting since book one for an epic battle. So, I was really hoping Lucifer would be a great match. Which, yes, I wasn't disappointed by how evil he could be. It definitely made it easier to hate the guy once more secrets of what he has done came out.

Now we just don't get secrets about Lucifer. Oh no. We get so many secrets about everyone really. A couple honestly made me mad. If you've read the book, then you would know what I'm talking about. If not, then read the book and find out for yourself.

Other than that, I liked how everything ending. Especially the epilogue because it made me so happy.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhhh that ending!! I honestly never saw that coming! I really enjoyed this book. It was such a fantastic wrap-up to the series as a whole.

[Rachel Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

The synopsis said Gates of Paradise, the final book in the Blue Bloods series, would be "heartbreaking" and have "unbearable sacrifice." That was not a lie. While the end was still rushed, as so many series finales seem to be, it still cleaned up pretty nicely, leaving someone who started the series years ago--someone like me--feeling like they'd lost a huge part of their life.

My only problem with this book--besides the somewhat rushed final scenes (I want a bloodbath) and being confused on occasion--was just one, and one that could easily be fixed: I felt disconnected. And that's really my fault, because I haven't read some of the Blue Bloods books in years, and it's easy to forget. Because I felt disconnected, I wasn't always fully invested in the book. But the feels, they were just--I can't even. THEY KILLED ME. Seriously. And the end, OH THE END. It got me. So many things in this books got me so hard. I just--I can't.

I've been following around Schuyler Van Alen, Jack Force, Oliver Hazard-Perry, and Mimi Force (along with some other characters, like Bliss and Kingsley) for quite some time. Saying goodbye was emotional. Schuyler's grown so much over seven books, from being the unpopular girl in school to being salvation for the Blue Bloods. Jack Force is more than just the guy I was so in love with--he's become such a deeper character. Mimi...well, she's still a bitch. But she's the good kind. For the most part. Oliver, my dear Oliver who never seems to get full happiness, finally gets something(s) good. (And I'm shocked, by the way. Totally shocked!) It was nice to see Bliss again--I missed her--and I totally reminisced on Dylan. And then there's Kingsley--gosh, I love him. A totally hot bad boy. These characters are my babies, and they've just changed and grown so much, and now they're gone. (Sort of.)

I've had some back and forths with this series (long story), and I thought I was totally ready for it end to with Gates of Paradise. Of course I was wrong. I want everyone back for a hundred books, right now. But that can't happen. It's like I posted on Facebook:

"About five years ago, I really started reading. This is one of the first series I started, and its final book came out this week. Tonight I met the author and finished the finale--I'm still not sure how I feel about. (I'm in shock.) It feels weird saying goodbye to something you've been with for so long. Fortunately, while all stories have that dreaded final page, they live in us forever."

Once I read THE END, I was okay with this book. Most of my questions were answered, and I may or may not have gotten all the endings I wanted. (I could say somebody dies, I could say somebody doesn't.) I had to say goodbye, and that was the hardest thing. It makes me feel empty, lost, and confused, and I have to try not to cry. Melissa ended the series with a bang that will suck your blood--seriously, I made noises and had physical reactions. Total freak out! Like I said earlier, this was one of the first series I ever read. It makes me want to say nothing bad about it. And I swore on Goodreads! I usually hold back from that! Really, I'm just kind of speechless. (Oh my gosh, I'm tearing up writing this review.) Also, this review is horrible, because I can't put my thoughts into words. I'm at a loss. Blue Bloods fans, may you enjoy the end to this long-running series! As I said on Twitter:

"Five years ago I said hello, today I say goodbye. I'll see you later, my lovely Blue Bloods."

*tries really hard not to cry*

*fails*





Goodbye.

This review was originally posted on my blog Beauty and the Bookshelf.

[Parvathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting end to an outstanding series. The last book of the Blue bloods series is the first book I read this year and suffice to say I wasn't the least bit disappointed.

The story continues from where it left off in the previous instalment with Schyluer in search of the gate of promise with a trustee conduit and best friend Oliver. Jack and Mimi in the under world carrying out their deception as Lucifer's trusted minions and Bliss trying to rally up the wolf pack. The story is pretty much predictable especially towards the end but was never boring. More surprises are revealed along the way and new characters introduced which is kind of confusing. If you are an avid reader of the blue blood series you will know that the Blue Blood vampires live through different cycles reincarnating each time in to new bodies and life. So it gets a bit confusing when they start referring to the previous cycles without much heads up which was one of the issues I had with the previous books. Unfortunately with this one you are in for more confusion because the book also includes the elements of the spin off series Wolf pact. I was a bit pre occupied at the time Wolf pact was released and was unable to read it because of which every story line in this book involving Bliss was a bit difficult to understand. Hence the warning to future readers. Read the spinoff series wolf pact before diving into this one. Other than that the book delivers exactly what it promises. War, Blood lust, Nephelim, fallen angels and mayhem. The last chapter however was a bit odd because I am still trying to find the purpose of that twist. But maybe the author added it to keep the end and open end leaving room for more books in the future. But for now I am happy with the way things are and will recommend this book only to those loyal readers of Blue blood series.

[Ornella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Jack...Can't say much without spoiling something. Jack was amazing. And yes, I was worried there for a second but I refused to believe he could do that even as it was happening. He is one of the very few heroes that actually trusts and believes in the girl she loves enough to know that she can save herself. We really need more guys like that in books. Don't read that if you plan on reading the book, cause it will spoil it a lot.

I am a bit conflicted over this book. In one hand, I did like the story and how it flowed. I always have liked how it would go back and forth and show what everyone was doing for the battle. My problem was with the writing.

I read this series a while ago and I don't know if it was Cruz's writing that changed or just me as a reader. I thought the writing was really childish and some parts were so cliche. I couldn't believe they had let her print some of those sentences.

The ending was another bit that I'm not too sure about. I liked it over all but I would have liked to see it a bit more in depth I guess. Felt a little too rushed. Then there is Oliver. I had liked Oliver since the first book, I don't know what happened in this one. I guess he really did spend way too much time with Kingsley and well, let's just say it only works for Kingsley. And that last page...I don't get it...Would anyone care to clarify? I thought that wasn't a good thing...

If you have been keeping up with the series this is a must read to finally get closure and understand what the hell did happen in Rome. Just going to have to overlook the writing :P

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to admit, this series did not start off strong for me. I barely liked book 1 and if I hadn't already collected the entire series, I may have not read on. But now that I have finished the last book, I am really glad I did. This series gets stronger and stronger as it goes and the last half of the series doesn't even resemble book 1 that I didn't really like. So remember that if you start this series. The whole series is a unique take on the vampire genre and you are being told the story through multiple POVs and past and present timelines. I liked that but I know it bothers some. There was so much going on in this last book, including a final battle, but it was all wrapped up in a nice little HEA. I was satisfied with how this series ended. I'd recommend it as long as you over look the first book.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean really? Did she seriously end the series w/OHP becoming a vamp? He finally finds someone he could be with on his own merit and that's how she treats him? Like he wasn't enough. Then she tried to lead the reader into a whole other series w/Bliss? I couldn't get done w/ the series fast enough. I had to follow through to see what happened to Oliver, Bliss, and Mimi. Schuyler and Jack lost all my my respect and interest around the 3rd book. The only thing she did right was have Mimi and Kingsley be true to who they were. Where did this thing about Charles Force being her father come from in the end? I mean really. And the fact that she turned down a chance to live in Paradise,and she turns it down? No one in their right mind would do such an idiotic thing. The rest was pretty disappointing. The only reason that I gave it a 3 instead of a 2 was because I didn't want to totally discount her characters. I think this will be the last series of Ms. De La Cruz that I ever read. Maybe I'm just too old for this young love genre even though I loved the Hunger Game Series. Or maybe it's just her writing. No one can say that I didn't give her a chance since I read all 7 books. Sorry that I couldn't feel as positive as others. Thanks for reading my rant. :)

[Paloma · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOOO!!! You can't do this to me Mellisa! January 2013?!? You better change it to something like DECEMBER 31, 2011.

[Rara q. · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was dog shit

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Guys, I’ve done it! I have completed this series and ended my long and arduous journey with this series that started all the way back in 2012. I would love to tell you that it was all worth it and that in the end, this series came together to a satisfying conclusion, but I would be lying. The conclusion of this series was much like the rest of it, set up a lot of promise and stakes and delivered on almost none of them. We were promised a coming war in which the numbers were not in the favor of our heroes and there is a race to find a way to keep Lucifer from ascending to Heaven. What we actually got, a lot of useless side quests from Schuyler, Bliss, and the wolves having no idea what they are doing in the most annoying way possible, and Mimi once again being the only character doing anything useful. I truly feel like Mimi is the character that de la Cruz wanted to tell a story about, but the rest of them were needed for the plot to continue forward.

Schuyler will go down as one of the most useless heroines I have ever read about. If she is not complaining that she and Jack are no longer together, which was about every other paragraph, she was thinking she should do something to protect the gates but then just sitting around and drinking champagne. The whole fucking side quest to California to find her human grandmother and half-sister was completely eye-roll-worthy. Truly it served no purpose other than giving Oliver a love interest, that was a replacement for Schyluer, and literally no other reason. Her whole arc in this novel was waiting until her last act of sacrifice, which in the end meant nothing. Honestly, I am getting annoyed again as I am writing this review. The fact that I never have to read about her again is the most joy I am getting out of this series honestly.

Bliss spent the whole novel running around with some stupidly manufactured tension that was never mentioned in the numerous short stories about the pack. I like Bliss as a character and she had a lot more agency in this novel, but there was also just a lot of lost time in Rome to wait until the last possible moment to get the wolves into the battle. I would have liked it to be spent getting to know the pack and Lawson more, but the character development was not something this series excelled at, asides from Mimi and possibly Kingsley.

Mimi, the Angel of Death, my beloved. She went from being your prototypical mean girl in the first novel to being the actual hero of this series. While I could not stand her in the first novel, she is the only character that had any sort of character arc and development throughout the series. A character defined by shallowness and selfishness at the beginning of her journey makes sacrifices repeatedly throughout the series that lead to their eventual victory. I also believed her love and devotion to Kingsley, mostly because we saw their relationship develop on the page, unlike Schuyler and Jack. Mimi also did more to thwart Lucifer’s plan than Jack did because Jack was only interested in Schuyler. I’m glad that she got her happy ending in a way that is very realistic, unlike Jack and Schuyler.

Can you tell how much I hate Jack and Schyluer?

Aside from all the side quests and the lack of sense of urgency, aside from Kingsley and Mimi, the glaring issue in this story is the fact that God exists and grants boons apparently. If he can bring people back from death and stop them from dying, did it really matter if Lucifer found the gate? Couldn’t God just kill him? Also, there are apparently still angels in the heavens, so why couldn’t they protect the heavenly throne? I mean, I guess if I cared about these characters, I would have said that the point is that the fallen angels would all be dead, but I didn’t care about any of them so that really wasn’t a stake for me. I did enjoy the irony that the deus ex machina was actually God.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the review, the most annoying thing is that the story and the stakes that de la Cruz set up throughout the series were interesting and could have been so gripping, but the execution was just lacking. I can appreciate that this series is of the time it was published, however, that doesn’t excuse all the problems I have with it, especially the character work. It is just so frustrating because de la Cruz did such a great job with Mimi and Kingsley, and to a lesser extent Oliver, but fell so flat with Schyluer and Jack who are supposed to be the main characters and romance of the series. I might give another series from de la Cruz a chance because it is obvious that she can make very compelling characters, but I will not touch anything else in the Blue Blood world again.

Overall, the ending to this series is a 2.5 star book, mostly because of Mimi, which is rounded down to a 2. I am glad to see the end of this series and to finally get it off my TBR.