Gates of Paradise: Number 7 in series (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, or as they are known in this world, Jack and Mimi Force. Will Bliss and the wolves she has recruited to join her win the battle for the vampires? Is Schuyler prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice? Love and vengeance, duty and and loyalty, life and death, are all at odds in the gripping, heartbreaking finale of the Blue Bloods series.

• ISBN10: 190741150X
• ISBN13: 9781907411502
• Publish Date: 15 January 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: ATOM
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leah]

So, I have finally finished the Blue Bloods series. And it was such an amazing finale. I wrote in my review of Lost In Time that I expected good things from this finale, and it didn't let me down. Yes, I would have liked a bigger battle (or a longer battle I think I mean) but all the build up to the battle was amazing. It was like a chess match, and everyone on the good side were just getting all their pieces in place to defeat the big bad and it was pretty freaking epic.

Schuyler is one of those unforgettable characters. I loved her from the word go, and she's just remained so strong throughout, anybody would crumble under what Schuyler goes through, but she doesn't. She knows what she has to do and she does it, this is her destiny, her legacy and she's not about to let anything get in the way, not even Jack leaving. Bliss is back, which is amazing. I wasn't a fan of the way she abruptly left the series, and I haven't read Wolf Pact, which seems to have been a bit of a failed series, as there's only the one book. I may go back and read it, I'm unsure how it filters into the Blue Bloods timeline. And Jack and Mimi are in the Underworld, ostensibly to help the good side, but with those two you just never know ;)

Gates of Paradise is one of the most satisfying finales I've ever read. It was genuinely so good, so satisfying and it pretty much covered every single unanswered question. Nothing was left undone, except for those last few ellipses - which I assume is what leads into the new Blue Bloods books (YAY). This is truly one of the most enjoyable, well-thought out series I've ever read. De la Cruz is an exceptional world builder, and this was a world you could truly get lost in, because it's so different to our own. The settings were amazing, in this one they visit London, Rome, HELL!!!!!, and it never seemed forced, it all flowed so naturally. If you like young adult or supernatural books this series is a must-read, even if you don't, give it a go because it is such a fascinating series and I'm so sad it's come to an end, and so glad I finally got to the end, I still have no idea what I stopped reading, but that was a mistake as I have raced through the final three books and it's made me so happy.

[lizarodz]

After investing a lot of time on the Blue Blood series (this is book 7!) I’m happy for the ending that Ms. de la Cruz gifted us. Gate of Paradise answers all your questions and then some.

The story starts a few months after the ending of Lost in Time. Schuyler, Oliver and Kingsley are in London and they are guarding the gate and getting ready for the battle to come. Schuyler and Jack, which have been some of my favorite characters in the series, are not together for most of the book, but I still enjoyed their story, especially Schuyler’s which is full of discoveries.

I never warmed up to Mimi, even though she is one of the most interesting, conflicting and strongest characters. On the other hand I love Kingsley, he is adorable, honorable, and loyal to the end. Oliver got what he deserved and so did a lot of other characters.

I have to say that I did like the ending, but the execution was a bit rough. For starters, the story of the wolves and Bliss, which is told in the companion book Wolf Pact (and that I haven’t read) confused me a lot. Not enough background information was given and in my opinion, it should have stayed in the companion book, even if they made an appearance at the end, instead of making Bliss the narrator of some chapters. Also, the story is told from numerous points of view (in the third person), and from different times and settings. I’m sorry to say that this turned out to be very confusing to me as well.

Don’t get me wrong, the ending was good and it made me cry. BUT it was kind of abrupt and all ends were tied very neatly… Maybe too neatly? Overall, I’m happy with the series and also with the ending. I’m eager to start Ms. de la Cruz’s new series, which starts with Frozen, and the new Blue Blood spin off (Vampires of Manhattan?)

A few quotes for you:

“Because love was not the answer to every question. Because real love meant sacrifice. Sometimes love means letting go.”

“I know you. I know this isn't you. And even if it is, I still love you. As much as I always have. You will always be mine. I will always love you, I promised you that when you left, and it's true now.”

“Evil was seductive and easy, and virtue was difficult and unappreciated.”

About the cover: Gorgeous, right? I have to say that the covers for the whole series are beautiful.