Klause, Annette Curtis. Blood and Chocolate. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 1997. 272 pages. ISBN-10: 0385323050. ISBN-13: 978-0385323055.Plot:
Vivian’s pack of werewolves is forced to move from their home after a fire that kills her father - a fire they suspect was started by some locals who figured out what they were. After relocating, Vivian meets and falls for a human, a “meat boy,” named Aiden, which is forbidden by the pack. Loving a human leaves the pack open to exposure and it goes against their laws for mating. Instead, the pack thinks she would be more suited for one of her own. Gabriel, a young werewolf who takes over as leader in the place of her father, has his eye on her. When she accidentally wins a competition between the female members of the pack, she ends up named as Gabriel’s mate and new queen of the pack. Despite this, Vivian believes Aiden is the one for her and that she can trust him with her secret. As she contemplates telling Aiden and leaving her duty to the pack behind, a series of murders points to one of the pack being involved. Vivian can’t remember where she was during the attacks. Vivian must decide between Aiden and Gabriel, while trying to figure out who’s been murdering humans and if she’s involved.
Critical Evaluation:
Vivian’s internal conflict is what really drives this novel. Though the plot is entertaining and the other characters are interesting, if one-dimensional, they are secondary to the internal world of Vivian. Her struggle with deciding what she wants, who to trust, and where she fits in with the pack are well-developed. The reader is right there with her as she is torn between the human world and that of the werewolves. We feel her pain, confusion, fear, and shame. The other characters and the action tend further her story rather than stand on their own.
As the two vastly different love interests, Aiden and Gabriel are slightly more developed than the rest of the characters, but they still basically serve the purpose of representing the two sides of Vivian. Unlike the typical paranormal romance, however, the relationship between the human and the supernatural being ends up being unworkable. Despite what one might think, it’s actually refreshing to see a novel that allows the human character to have a negative and fearful reaction to discovering the truth. Though we might initially be supportive of her relationship with Aiden, by the time he and Gabriel both reveal who they really are to Vivian, it’s easy to switch sides. The ending does feel a little rushed, but it’s relatively sweet and satisfying.
Reader's Annotation:
Vivian has never wanted any life other than the one as a werewolf, but everything changes when an attack on her pack kills her father and forces the rest of the pack to move. She falls for a human boy and starts to question everything she’s ever known.
Author Information:
Annette Curtis Klause is a librarian and young adult author. As a child, she was given an assignment to write about what she wanted to be when she grew up and she chose librarian because of her love of visiting her hometown library. After discovering how much schooling was required to become a librarian, she put it aside until after graduating with an English degree in undergrad. With no idea of what to do with her future, she turned again to her dream of being a librarian and pursued her MLS at the University of Maryland. She has worked in libraries primarily in the children and youth departments since 1979 and says that this work and her studies really opened her eyes to the wonders of youth fiction.
She has also been writing since she was a child. She had her first novel published in 1990. She has published 4 novels for young adults as well as a handful of short fiction and poems. Most of her work focuses on the supernatural and also contains elements of romance.
Genre:
Fantasy
Curriculum Ties:
None
Booktalking Ideas:
- Discuss the choice between love and family duty.
- Compare Vivian’s relationship with Aiden to her relationship with Gabriel.
- Focus on the idea of keeping your real self a secret.
- Tell the story of where the loups-garoux originated.
Reading Level/Interest Age:
15 and older
Challenge Issues:
Sexual content
Suggestive language
Violence
Challenge Defense Ideas:
- Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
- If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
- Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
- Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.
Reasons for Selection:
The paranormal romance sub-genre of fantasy is a popular genre for teens at the moment.
