Blood and Chocolate
Blood and Chocolate is a gripping story of two worlds. Vivian is a werewolf, but she is also a teenage girl, and
she must learn to exist somewhere between the two worlds, never revealing what she truly is yet trying to be a part of her
human circle of friends.
The novel itself is very suspenseful; both worlds threatening to collide at any moment, the thin veil of secrecy being
shattered and the lives of people being threatened. Vivian herself is torn between her animal instincts and her more
traditional human desires. There are plenty of sexual overtones in the book, both animal and human. While Vivian
is a magical creature, her feelings for Aiden are identifiably human and she represents what it is like to
be a teenager who is coming of age, truly discovering oneself.
It is the problem of self discovery that is the emphasis of the novel. Vivian thinks that her love for Aiden (and
his love for her) will sustain their relationship after she reveals herself. Yet revealing herself to Aiden has disastrous
effects, he rejects her completely and Vivian becomes desperate, lonely and self destructive. Vivian's own growth is
central to the novel - Vivian must come to terms with who she is and what that means. According to Kinney, "The character's
growth and development drives the plot, which sustains and creates moods that move readers from excitement to despair to hope.
And throughout, they struggle between fascination, empathy, and revulsion with werewolf culture" (1997).
Klause does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the werewolf world - from the magical transformation to the
feeling of going on a "run" with the pack. She also realistically portrays the division between the two worlds - Vivian's
desires are both human and animal, but more importantly, all her desires are realistic. Vivian is more confident in
her werewolf skin - she feels powerful and indestructible - yet it is her werewolf skin that prevents her from fully engaging
with Aiden and the human world.
The ending of the novel suggests that all will eventually be well again, although Vivian has a fuller understanding of
why she cannot fully be human - of why she must commit herself to her own world. She also feels responsibility
to the pack; Vivian learns that she must carry on the leadership of her father.
Klause, Annette Curtis. Blood and Chocolate. New York: Delacourte Press, 1997. ISBN 0385323050.
