Bibliographic
Information
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis
Klause. Delacorte Books for Young
Readers. (2007).
Price: Out of
print for library binding; $8.99 for paperback
Pages: 288 for library binding; 264 for paperback
Note: This was originally published in 1997. The above
date refers to the library edition.
Plot Summary
Vivian remembers the good days when her father reigned
during a relative time of peace and prosperity. As a pack of loups-garoux, otherwise known as
werewolves, peace is difficult to come by. Unless completely isolated from
humans eventually one pack member is bound to give in to their blood lust,
sating their thirst by killing a human. Vivian remembers when one of the few
werewolves her age did just that causing humans to come and set fire to their
homes. Her peaceful father was consumed by the flames leaving Vivian and her
mother to mourn his death while relocating the pack to Maryland.
Vivian is not only devastated by the loss of her father
but by the loss of her community as well. Without a leader much of the pack scatters
while those who remain are divided on the pack’s future. Factions arise threatening
to tear what is left of the pack apart. Vivian’s mother becomes strange after
the death of her husband, as she chases after a loups-garoux almost half her age while Vivian’s once friends
repulse her as they were all involved in killing a human. Although Vivian is
one of the few loups-garoux that
chooses to attend school she finds no comfort there. Despite her best efforts
no one wants to be her friend. Soon, however, her life changes when one of her
poems is published in the school journal. Next to the poem is a piece of
artwork so lovely and wild that Vivian feels sure that its creator must
understand the joy a loups-garoux feels
once changed. Curious, she seeks him out only to discover that not only is he
an excellent artist but a handsome one as well! As days turn to months, Vivian
grows to love him and he her. She loves how gentle he is, his fascination with
the unknown and his understanding of pack. He admires her wild nature, good
looks, and total acceptance of him.
Vivian knows she is playing a dangerous game. How can she
continue their relationship without letting him know that she is loups-garoux? Would he be able to accept
her and find her beautiful? What of her pack? She cannot ignore her loups-garoux side or the trouble her
pack is in. Is she more loups-garoux or
human? Does she prefer blood or chocolate?
Critical
Evaluation
It’s easy to see why some
consider Blood and Chocolate a
classic as it is superbly written. Klause ingeniously captures the animalistic
nature of the loups-garoux as well as
their human side. For example, she includes many scenes where Vivian rejoices
in her loups-garoux shape as well as
several where she is tempted to violence. However, Klause also includes many moments
where Vivian could simply be human. Her quest to find friends at school, her
rebellion against her family, and her attendance of concerts and movie nights
make Vivian very human. Klause also gives readers several excellent foils to
compare with Vivian, namely, werewolves Rafe and Gabriel and humans Aiden and
Bingo. Rafe represents everything that is loups-garoux.
In fact, it’s hard to believe he is part-human as Rafe enjoys nothing more
than running wild, killing, and mating. Gabriel, a fascinating supporting
character, is a better balanced loups-garoux.
He certainly has a rakish side as he flirts with women old enough to be his
mother and he has no qualms about using physical violence to solve a problem.
Gabriel, however, also has a softer side that he exhibits to Vivian when he
offers a listening ear. Aiden, Vivian’s love interest, is all human. Gentle, naïve,
and trusting, he fascinates Vivian who, despite her best efforts, cannot escape
her wilder loups-garoux side. Bingo,
a human girl, is more direct and confrontational than Aiden but still very
human as most of her concerns center around friendships and boys. These foils
make readers realize just how much Vivian feels caught in the middle.
While
Klause’s creation of Vivian’s inner conflict is compelling perhaps her crowning
achievement in the novel is the tone in which she writes. It’s difficult to
explain how Klause’s writing is sensual, it simply is. Perhaps it is partly in
the details of the loups-garoux society
where most members focus on sating both their carnal and physical hunger.
Perhaps is in the way Vivian describes the delights of running through the forest.
Regardless, readers’ senses are heightened when reading this book as they focus
on every detail Klause gives them from the scent of the trees to the slinky
stride of Vivian. Blood and Chocolate is
a true masterpiece certain to appeal to teens and adults alike. With Klause’s
excellent world building, beautiful descriptions, and appealing plot this book
will be read for many years to come.
Reader’s
Annotation
As a loups-garoux (werewolf) Vivian loves running and dancing in the moonlight but when
violence threatens to tear apart the pack she must decide if she wants to
embrace her heritage or turn her back upon it.
About the
Author
Perhaps best known for her werewolf and vampire novels,
Annette Curtis Klause is not only an author of books for young adults but a
past contributor to School Library
Journal. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband and cats.
To learn more about Annette Curtis Klause visit the
following sites:
Genre
Coming of age, Paranormal fiction, paranormal romance
Readalikes
Hawksong by
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
·
Also about shapeshifters who are at war
The Silver Kiss by
Annette Curtis Klause
·
Also a paranormal book by the same author
Wolf Moon by
Charles de Lint
·
Also about werewolves
Tags
16 yr. old, Clan warfare, Cultural identity, Fitting in,
Friendships, Murder, Romance, School, Sensual, Single mother, Werewolves
Awards
Won/Lists On
This book has won numerous awards and been featured on
multiple lists including:
1998—ALA’s Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
1998—ALA’s Best Books for Young Adults
1998—ALA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
2000—ALA’s Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
2000—South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Books
2000—Garden State Book Award for Teen Fiction
2008—ALA’s Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
Professional
Reviews
Horn Books
Kirkus ReviewsPublishers' Weekly
School Library Journal
Booktalk Ideas
Detail Vivian’s choice
·
Aiden
o Gentle
& respectful
o Likes
magical things & possibilities
o Popular
& understands pack mentality
o More
vulnerable than werewolves
·
Gabriel
o Dangerous
& seductive
o Strong
leader
o Handsome
werewolf
Detail Vivian’s society. Where do her loyalties lie?
·
Human
o A
loner at school
o Shy
among humans although she won’t admit it
·
Werewolf
o A
daughter of a once queen
o Part
of a pack that is falling apart
Bibliotherapeutic
Usefulness
This would a wonderful novel to use for teens that are
having trouble determining where they fit into society and their family
structure.
Reading
Level/Interest Level
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
These levels are according to AR Bookfinder
Challenge
Issues
This book includes the following potentially
controversial elements:
·
20-something man courting a 16 year old girl
·
Almost sex scene
·
Frequent talks of sex
·
Graphic violence
·
Murder
·
Possibly irresponsible mother
·
Sensual writing style
·
Sex outside of marriage
·
Sexual assault
·
Single mother
Librarians can point out that many of the choices
confronting Vivian are not that different from those facing teens today. Vivian
struggles to fit in and find her place in the world just as we all do. She also
must decide whether to follow the path her family wants her to or choose a
different one. The book can be used to discuss life choices with teens, namely,
those about fitting in, sexuality, and family life.
Why Was This
Included?
I decided to include this title because it was part of They Suck, They Bite, They Eat, They Kill by
Joni Richards Bodart. I also have heard of this book referred to as one of the
first young adult werewolf novels and wanted to understand why it was such a
classic.
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