HEMLOCK
by Kathleen Peacock
Young Adult
HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books, 2013
(One very minor gay character)
Mackenzie’s best friend was murdered by a white werewolf,
and she’s going to find the werewolf responsible for the murder,
with or without the help of brooding aspiring werewolf-hunter Jason, or her quiet best friend Kyle –who has his own secret to contend with.
I liked the mythology and the rules of werewolves in this world – it’s a disease that has polarized society. I loved that no one in this mystery is quite who they seem. It was an easy and fast read once I got 40% in, the author adept at enough small twists, turns and reveals to keep me page-turning. This mythology has the potential to grow very compelling as the trilogy matures. In spite of the love triangle, this story still felt plot-driven rather than character driven to me.
Interesting choice: the cover image/art has very little to do with the feel, energy or theme of the story. The story actually takes place in a city. And at no point in the story do we see 16 year old Mac –who waits tables for a living with no parents supporting her — dressed in a stunning purple gown.
Mac almost feels more like a tomboy, or at the very least, a girl who doesn’t participate in the usual girlie high school trappings –which I thought made her seem more appealing and intelligent. The cover is not a good indicator of this novel or its main character.
It’s a dark story of murder, danger, loss, and werewolves, with interesting mythology and characters.
~Shephard
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