Oh, loud applause for Melissa de la Cruz! Masquerade is a terrific book that takes the promising start of Blue Bloods and delivers a whole new set of questions to explore. 

With the fallen angel/vampire society already established in book one, Masquerade is able to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding the deaths that have plagued the Blue Bloods at different period in time. Schuyler is right in the middle – unwilling to accept easy answers to why young vampires, as well as her grandmother, have been murdered - and who is to blame.  However by her questioning and investigations she forces their society to admit to the most horrifying of secrets … (and I’m not going to tell you any of them!)

But this is equally the story of Bliss, Mimi and Jack and each of them is allowed to grow throughout Masquerade with some very surprising consequences. One sore point for me is that Oliver takes a back seat in this book and we are made all too aware that as a conduit, his role will be to help Schuyler, rather than be a main player. I think that is a shame because he is so very likeable – but with more books on the way I’m hopeful that he will grow in importance. Oh, and what about Dylan you ask? ….. Oh, just let that anticipation build!

There’s absolutely no talking down to the audience in this book which is wonderfully refreshing. The language is natural yet intelligent, the descriptions clear and interesting and the writing a joy to read. 

I’d even say that this is not so much a YA book, as a well done paranormal thriller where the main characters are teenagers who are balancing getting to understand themselves with unraveling the mysteries that surround them.  As such the murders, the politics, social manouvring are wonderful metaphors for the coming of age themes in this series, because the secrets that Schuyler and her peers uncover about themselves are just as complex and dangerous as those facing their society as a whole.

As the plot races away and the clues tantalise, it’s impossible not to get completely caught up in this great world – nasty, bitchy and back stabbing as it can be!

I really enjoyed Blue Bloods – but the way in which the suspense is layered in Masquerade is the mark of an excellent thriller! Some questions are answered by the end, but a whole lot more remain to be explored. Four stars!