Gates of Paradise 
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
I LOVED de la Cruz’s The Witches of East End, but had not read any of her young adult blue blood series to date. It was a tad confusing coming into the last novel of the series without prior information – but that has nothing to do really with the power of the novel itself.
In this final battle between good and evil, the novel encapsulates the characters of fallen angels who have become vampires. The characters started out as spoiled urban teenagers and grow up to their heritage – to gain back Paradise.
Schuyler van Alen is heir to saving her fellow characters in the race against Hell. The Dark Prince of Hell is overtaking the Gates of Paradise as he wants the throne of good for all time. Fighting with him are Jack and Mimi Force (Abbadon and Azreal, the great fallen ones); however, in reality twins Jack and Mimi vow to defeat the Dark Prince’s evil for once and for all. The plot incorporates a message, ancient and old, revealing the sanctity of this mission – and its great importance. Bliss Llewellyn and Lawson, the wolf of Hebrides, want to free Lawson’s people from hell. When Schuyler is captured and ends up in hell, she has to make a decision. The other characters are assigned different roles in this apocalyptic fight.
Beautifully written, absorbing and non-indulgent, Cruz’s last novel in the series is a good one. Since I had no attachment to the characters before this last novel, I believe that Cruz did her usual outstanding job in creating characters that wind within a plot that well deserves its dramatic setting.
Since no one is really giving out the entire plot, I decided that I would not either. Just say this is a novel to read, with compelling plot and characters with an intellectually curious and conceptually brilliant game plan!
Gates of Paradise (A Blue Bloods Novel)
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 4
Review by Broad “A” – Ava
We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own.
It has been so long since I read this series. I may need to do a refresher read before reading the final book. I didn’t even realize it was out already. Thanks for the review and the reminder!